Misery Guts was an Australian children's television series on the Nine Network Australia that first screened in 1998. Keith is the only son of Vin and Marge Shipley. They live above a fish 'n' chips shop in South London and things are tough. Keith's parents are misery gutses and he is convinced that the only way for the family to regain its former happiness is for him to make his parents smile again. Keith embarks on a mission to cheer his parents up. He buys a brilliantly coloured tropical fish from Australia, where the sun shines all the time, the sea is full of fish and coconuts just fall into your hands. When all his efforts to cheer his parents up fail spectacularly, Keith decides he must somehow get his parents to Australia. People couldn't be unhappy in a paradise where fish sparkle like rainbows and it's sunny and warm all the time. Or could they? Based on Morris Gleitzman's books 'Misery Guts', 'Worry Warts', and 'Puppy Fat'.
WriterMary Morris
Bright Ideas
Dec 24, 1998
Keith watches from the fish 'n chip shop window as his miserable, arguing parents leave, bickering as they drive away. Keith embarks on a mission to cheer up his parents, first deciding to paint the shop Tropical Mango to cheer, then buying a brilliantly coloured tropical fish.
Follow That Fish
Keith lies awake as his parents, Vin and Marge argue. Keith knows unless he does something drastic to improve their situation, his parents will split up. Keith must find out where the best fish comes from. The only one who will come near him on the bus is Ali as he has a cold and can't smell Keith's fish.
Off His Trolley
Vin and Marge say no to Australia, but take Keith and Dennis to the beach. Keith begins to advertise the chip shop, and Dennis goes overboard — attached to his trolley.
Pesky Paradise
The Shipleys reach Orchid Cove but Keith soon realises that paradise is not without its problems when he has close encounters with a variety of creatures, including a deadly jellyfish.
Bigger Fish to Fry
Keith's dad decides it's high time he made the effort to find a job but in a small town like Orchid Cove, there's little on offer.
There's a Place for Us
Keith spots the perfect place to set up a new shop and is determined to prove to his father the viability of a new fish 'n chip shop in Orchid Cove.
Run off His Feet
The bank refuses to loan Vin the money to buy equipment for the new shop. Undeterred, Keith and Tracy come to the rescue by taking matters into their own hands to outfit the shop themselves.
Paradise Lost
After his accident, Keith and the family discover the advantages of positive thinking. Tracy teaches Keith how to surf.
Wheels on Fire
Vin and Keith devise a plan to compete with a new takeaway and end up turning the fish and chip shop into a drive-through restaurant. When Keith's idea fails, he decides to seek his fortune in the opal fields.
Road to Riches
Keith sets out to find the Opal fields, but soon runs out of money for the bus. Determined not to give in, he continues his journey as a stowaway — with terrifying consequences.
Cops and Dobbers
Desperate to get to the Opal fields, Keith tells Col and Mick about his family's move to Australia.
Flash of Inspiration
Keith's parents travel to the opal fields to search for him. Keith finds a way into an opal mine.
Sole Search
Feb 1, 1999
Keith and Tracy get trapped in the opal mine when it caves in. Keith vows to end his crazy schemes when he realises they make his friends unhappy — until they return to Orchid Cove.
