Comedian Chris Lilley has been accused of stealing comedic material.
Victorian teacher Michael Reed said Lilley's character Mr G in the new ABC television series Summer Heights High was ripped off a Network Ten show he helped write in 2000 called Sit Down, Shut Up.
But award-winning director Matt Savill, who directed Lilley's previous series We Can Be Heroes, says Lilley is a comic genius and master of observational humour.
"He likes to keep a low profile because his is an observational style of humour - he has to work behind enemy lines," he said.
"He would make a really good spy."
"He can kind of walk into a room and be standing there for 10 minutes and then someone will be like: 'Oh Chris, there you are'. He is like a human stealth bomber."