This interview was received back on the 27th of September 2001, the day it was sent! It was done via e-mail.
What's it like to be a part of the whole Melbourne Comedy Festival experience?
In a word, 'fantastic'. By the end of that 3 or 4 weeks, you start to fantasise about living your life like that. Having your own performance space and tech, and all your mates having the same, every night. Not to mention the inevitable party every night.
How did you find the Edinburgh Fringe scene?
I took a left at Amsterdam and there it was! (boom boom) Same thing really. As soon as I got there I realised that a festival is a festival really, and I didn't want it to end. I'd happily work the festival circuit for ever. Edinburgh is different from Melbourne though, in that the whole city is taken up with the festival vibe. Reminds me more of Adelaide.
Compare doing stand up and being a radio host.
I find radio a lot more relaxing. I don't really suffer from nerves but those last couple of minutes before you walk on stage can be pretty intense. Particularly when you have a lot of new material or it's a new room or a corporate gig or something. Radio is also more challenging in its own way because you can't get away with telling one great joke for three years like you can in stand up. It's very much a minute by minute proposition.
Which do you prefer?
It doesn't take me quite as long to get made up for radio.
What is your opinion of reality TV shows?
Probably the same as most performers. I wonder when exactly talent became passe on television. Actually I do know when that happened, it was at the precise moment that executives realised that there were a lot of people out there who didn't realise they were supposed to get payed to perform on tele. Why would you pay me to be chubby and endearing for half an hour, when Sarah-Marie will accept the same fee to do it for a week.
How did you feel when you found out no female comedians were nominated for the Perrier this year?
Not surprised. Unable to comment at the risk of my reaction being labelled as the bitter ramblings of a less successful performer. I've been there.
What was it like working with Corinne Grant on Dairy Belles in 1997?
It was a nightmare. What a Diva!
It was excellent, and in our more sentimental, not to mention drunker moments, we talk of bringing back the belles. It was very exciting to have our first show produced by Token, that always makes things a lot easier. I love Rinny Roo, and remain proud of her achievments.
Do you think Upfront is a show female comedians should aspire to be on?
Yeah, I guess, but like any showcase, Upfront should not be seen as the beginning and end of Women in comedy. It is programmed by humans don't forget, so it really boils down to the taste of a couple of people not to mention their judgement of who is 'hot' and who is 'not'. No one's judgement is infallable, so don't count anyone out because they haven't cracked Upfront.
What country would you like to take your comedy to next?
Tonga.
Do you think there should be more female comedians on TV?
Of course I do, but I'm not holding my breath.
What is the best festival show you've done yet?
Oh, I'm pretty attatched to all of them. The Whore Whisperer has been by far the most successful, but I really liked The Virgin Mary II which I did with a Moosehead in 97 or 98 (can't remember), and which nobody saw. Doin' it for the kids was pretty cool. That was a telethon for normal kids that Toby Sullivan and I produced (with Lyndal McIlwaine) and hosted in '99. The afternoon of the show was possibly the worst of our lives but the show turned out great thanks mainly to The Brown Hornet, Wil Anderson, Rove, Adam Richard, Miss Itchy, Rachel Berger, Christine Basil, and everyone else who actually showed up, scheduled or not. Not to mention the James Cook Primary School dancers whose proffessionalism is a beacon for us all.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?
Jesus!....Oh, I wouldn't change Jesus, I was just blaspheming at the philosphical curve ball you threw me out of nowhere. I like Jesus just fine the way he is, let's just get that clear first and foremost. If I could change one thing about the world, it would be the fact that some people eat dogs. That ain't right.
If you couldn't do stand up for whatever reason, what type of comedy would you like to do?
I'd like to make up amusing SMS messages for an enormous fee.
To be chosen to be on Standing Up must've been an experience...am I right?
I can't remember which one standing up is.
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
Nice one brother.
© Dominica Malcolm/Malcolm Media 1999-2009, ComedyDownUnder.com
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