And, as the Doug Anthony All Stars would agree, those are their good points!
As the second series of The Big Gig draws to a close, ABC switchboard operators are getting used to irate callers complaining that show regulars The Doug Anthony All Stars are "blasphemous" and "disgraceful".
The switchboard has been flooded with calls after the show, most to complain about the outrageous comedy trio.
One caller even said: "I object strongly to the overt gayness of the Doug Anthony All Stars!"
Tim Ferguson, Paul McDermott and Richard Fidler have been deified as well as vilified for their bizarre brand of humour.
"Most of the backlash is from Queensland," says Tim. "People tend to send petitions - not a letter, but petitions - which have us quaking in our boots with terror. There have been letters from friends of Roy Orbison's widow, who weren't impressed with us!"
Despite the criticism, The Big Gig is steadily increasing its ratings. From a start of 10 or 11 points, it now rates 16.
Meanwhile the Doug Anthony All Stars have released their first book, titled Book, of course. It looks like a hymn book at first glance with its mahogany and gold cover. But when you turn to page one, the moral in the adage "never judge a book by its cover" hits home. A hymn book this ain't!
Book, released (some might say escaped) through Allen and Unwin Australia, is in keeping with the trio's usual over-the-top style.
"Book is the story of a young person beset by horrible visions and tortured by terrible people," Tim says.
The All Stars, originally from Canberra, were better known in Britain than here until The Big Gig shot them into the limelight.
"We've been working for four years now, but for a while we were doing better in Britain," says Richard. "We had sell-out seasons in the West End."
What next for the All Stars? Son of Book perhaps? "Probably Book of The Film," says Tim. "It'll be big budget stuff, with lots of weaponry, artillery, helicopters and tanks!"
