Stand-up comedy can be a stepping stone to a career in Hollywood. Many comedic actors have started out performing stand-up comedy before making it big on the silver screen – take for example Jim Carrey, Sarah Silverman, or even our own Eric Bana. In this post we look at how the world of stand-up comedy can open doors and pave …
What are the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) dates for 2024?
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival dates for 2024 have been announced. They are Wednesday March 27 until Sunday April 21. Established in 1987, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival ranks among the world’s top three comedy festivals, alongside the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival. Each autumn, this annual event takes over Melbourne, Australia’s comedy capital, with an …
What’s the funniest ‘why did the chicken cross the road?’ joke?
There’s a few origin stories of the ‘why did the chicken cross the road?’ joke. The lighter theory is that it it is an anti-joke – one that intentionally falls flat. The darker theory, is that the joke is a reference to suicide, as in ‘death by automobile’. The ‘other side’ referring to the afterlife: Heaven. Nivana. Or Hell, if …
How scripted is stand-up comedy?
Spoiler alert! Stand-up comedy is as scripted as a movie. Which is probably why so many stand-up comedians have migrated into TV and movie roles. Just take Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Australia’s own Eric Bana and more recently Celia Pacquola. All performed on stage before they moved to screen. And the similarity between stand-up and movies doesn’t end there. Academy …
Online Stand-up Comedy Courses
If you’ve ever wanted to learn stand-up comedy, but don’t have the time to hit the late night open mic nights, or undertake a stand-up comedy course, then an online course might be for you. Here’s a comprehensive list of online stand-up comedy courses to choose from: Hard Knock Knocks Online Course Price: AU$199.95 | Learn more If you don’t …
Comedian Focus: Jeff Green
How well do you know comedian Jeff Green? Well did you know that for the 1994 Perrier Awards, one of the highest achievements in comedy, Jeff was narrowly pipped at the post by Aussies Lano & Woodley? This only spurred him on. In 1996 Jeff appeared on his own stand-up show Jeff Green Live, recorded London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, and consequently shown …
What’s the pros and cons of taking a first date to stand-up comedy?
Your’ve got that first date. Woo-hoo! That’s the first hurdle. Now the second hurdle is to ensure this first date isn’t a disaster. So what to do? Where to take them? How to spend the evening? How about taking a first date to stand-up comedy?! Think about it! You’re shoulder to shoulder, knees touching, and you don’t have to say …
Do you have to be born funny to be a stand-up comedian?
A misconception is that you have to be born funny to be a stand-up comedian. Certainly you have a sense of humour, but the difference between a comedian and a funny person, is that a funny person can make their friends laugh. A comedians can make strangers laugh. So how do they do it? Timing We’re not talking about spontaneity. …
What’s the funniest pun?
“Why should you take an extra pair of socks when you go golfing?” “In case they get a hole in one!” A pun can lighten the moment. But used too often, you can become annoying. Mind you, that hasn’t stopped an endless supply of books being written on the subject. Often referred to as ‘dad jokes’, puns are so engrained …