British comedian Gordon Southern, originally from Essex, joins Morry Morgan and Stig Wemyss on This Week in Comedy for a conversation covering international stand-up, Australian comedy news and the unexpected similarities between voicing animated birds.
Gordon shares stories from a career spanning festivals, comedy clubs and cruise ships, including the challenge of switching between Melbourne’s Comics Lounge and Comedy Republic on the same night. His experiences performing in Asia, Dubai and America reveal why understanding local audiences matters, particularly when religion, cultural sensitivities and crowd work collide.
The trio discuss Nick Abrahams’ upcoming Melbourne fundraiser for the Arts Law Centre, his connection to the Tokyo Comedy Store and the growing need to protect comedians’ intellectual property. AI-generated performers copying real comedians’ jokes, delivery and audience interactions provide plenty of concern, alongside the inevitable jokes about lawyers’ fees.
Hannah Gadsby’s intimate Comedy Republic appearances and Simon Taylor’s series The Sonny Disposition also make the agenda. Morry reflects on learning comedy alongside Tilahun Hailu, formerly known as Joe White, and their later collaboration on Is This Thing On?, the television series centred on Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School. Its skydiving challenge sparks a debate about whether jumping from a plane is more frightening than stepping onstage.
One unexpected highlight arrives when Gordon reveals he voiced the Admiral Insurance parrot, prompting Stig to disclose his own history as the original Dodo Internet bird. Naturally, their discussion of voice acting quickly descends into imaginary feathers, birdseed and questionable methods of getting into character.
There are beers from Ballarat’s Aunty Jacks, memories of Australian television, entertainment birthdays and tributes to Don Lane and Soupy Sales. The touring roundup includes Morgan Jay, Shane Todd and Josh Thomas, while Gordon recalls an American gig that became uncomfortable after a joke about religion.
An extraordinary story about an outbreak of contagious laughter leads into the weekly joke challenge. Morry and Stig tackle last week’s premise before Gordon supplies their next assignment: “Two pigs walk into a barn.”
To finish, Morry previews an upcoming sketch writing and performing workshop with Roz Hammond, while Stig discusses Christmas House Wars and fundraising for Carnage, a road safety documentary requiring support for its completion. Gordon outlines more Australian dates and upcoming cruise work, rounding out an episode packed with industry insights, personal stories and wonderfully ridiculous detours.
Links:
Gordon Southern official website: Click here
Nick Abraham’s Fundraiser at Comic’s Lounge: Click here
Sketch writing and performing workshop with Roz Hammond: Click here
GoFundMe for Carnage, the road safety short documentary: Click here
Mezzanine Films: Click here