The fastest way to book a stand-up comedian in Melbourne is through the mobile app, Gigme. Available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play for Android phones, Gigme allows you to find, book and pay for a comedian directly – with no middleman. You can even chat with the comedian directly and negotiate the fee. Some of Australia’s funniest comedian …
Australia’s Funniest Boomers include Hard Knock Knocks alumni
Two of the 12 finalists of Australia’s Funniest Boomer were Hard Knock Knocks alumni. But this should come as no surprise. After all, the comedy school, which has over 700 graduates across the country, had three alumni reach the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Raw Comedy national final this year. That’s an impressive record, and one reason the Hard Knock Knocks …
Is Eurosport too woke? Was Bob Ballard cheeky or offensive?
You may have heard that over the first week of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, British sports commentator Bob Ballard was dismissed by Eurosport for a comment directed at the Australian women’s swimming team. The remark? “Well, the women just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, you know, doing their makeup.” Eurosport was quick to react …
Unlocking Laughter: How the NDIS can fund your comedy course
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia is designed to provide individuals with disabilities the support they need to achieve their dreams and personal goals, to improve their quality of life. But who says goals have to be ‘serious’? Enter the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school, where NDIS participants can channel their inner comedians, boost their confidence, and transform …
Comedy school alumni nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’
Hard Knock Knocks alumni, Laurence Driscoll, has been nominated for ‘Best Newcomer‘ at the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The two-time RAW Comedy Victorian State Finalist and So You Think You’re Funny Edinburgh semi-finalist performed a full run of his ‘The Prodigay Son’ (notice the pun?) show. Veteran comedian, Claire Hooper, helped produce the show. Laurence Driscoll’s debut solo show …
Comedy school gets three into 2024 Raw Comedy finals
Three alumni of the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school have beaten close to a thousand amateur comedians to compete in the National Raw Comedy final at the Melbourne Town Hall on April 14, 2024. The three were chosen alongside nine others selected from all of Australia’s States and Territories, making up the final 12. What’s incredible is the speed at …
Why Melbourne is the Stand-up Comedy Centre of Australia
Before they started digging the Metro Tunnel, there was a statue of Burke and Wills at the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets. It was right next to the Melbourne Town Hall, the centre of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and arguably the stand-up comedy centre of Australia. Aussie Schadenfreude Burke and Wills are famous for not only going where no …
Australian comedians building the next generation
Some of the Australia’s funniest stand-up comedians coach the Hard Knock Knocks comedy courses around Australia. Actually, that’s not entirely true. We also have funny Brits (Jeff Green and Glynn Nicholas), Japanese (Mayumi Nobetsu) and did you know that Greg Fleet is actually an American?! These hilarious comics provide advice, give feedback, and share their comedic journeys. They also perform …
Australia’s Top 5 Dark Comedians
Australia is home to some stellar dark comedians. Before we get into our top five however, let’s answer the question, “What is dark comedy?” As a somewhat controversial topic, it is often misunderstood. What is dark comedy? Mental health struggles, addiction, divorce, death, you name it. If’s clearly not reminding you of rainbows and unicorns, then it’s most likely ‘dark’. …