This interview is a combination of sorts. I was originally interviewing Arj in person on the 18th of April 2001 when he broke my tape recorder, so some of the answers are from that. The other answers were received via e-mail on the 16th of December 2001.
What is the best thing about travelling the world as a comedian?
Drinking and picking up chicks. And goingto museums.
Did you enjoy being a guest on O'Loghlin on Saturday Night way back in 1999?
Yes. Jimmy is a pal of mine, and so it was a very relaxed interview. I even shit myself at one point.
When was your first trip to Australia and what was so special about that, that made you keep coming back for more?
I was in Sydney in '89 before I became a stand-up. I remember drinking alot, and trying to pick up chicks. It was very special.
I went to aussiecomedy.com and found a message apparently written by you and a link to your website arjbarker.com. Is it another one of your web productions?
Yes. I purchased the URL hoping to make it the ultimate comedy web site for down under, but my lack of programming skills has made that dream a little slow in coming about.
And why did you decide to make a website about Australian comedy?
I love Australia and this is one way of letting you and your people know that.
What is the whole festival experience like for you?
It's a bit of a blur.
LOTS OF DRINKING and many shows. I get to see many friends who I really only know from previous festivals, which is why its very painful to miss a festival - you know your buddies are there having a good time witthout you. Devastating.
It must be a real honour being invited to be on the Gala, what were your thoughts when you were first invited?
Shit, which jokes did I do last year?
Have you had a lot of good response from the 'Ladies Only' section of your site?
Yes. Unfortunately some blokes have been going there too, but that's ok I suppose. Whatever floats your boat.
So people don't get suspicious, you didn't realise I was interviewing you when I won the CD at your show, did you?
No!!! I had no idea, I can honostly say that you won that CD fair and square, because you were the cutest girl in the front row.
What is the weirdest heckle you've ever heard?
N/A
If you could take one thing from Australia, that wasn't for sale, back to America with you, what would you take?
the audiences
If you could guest star on one crappy American soap, what soap would it be and why?
General Hospital, I like women in uniform. Even though nurse outfits aren't my number one pick, they'd have to do, because there's no soap called, Pervy Catholic Girls School (yet)
Can your stand up be categorised under any one style?
No
With your constant touring, do you think you'll ever settle down and have kids?
In few years, that will hopefully seem like a good idea, but I'm not quite ready - I quite like my lifestyle at the moment.
What is the first thing you have to do when you set foot in a new country?
Grab my notebook and go out for coffee, in search of local 'classics'
Have you been very successful selling your CDs?
It differs from show to show - the most I've sold after a show is 19: the least is 0.
How do you feel coming up with good jokes to do with Australia that even Australian comedians can't think of? (eg. the Drowsy Drivers Die joke)
I think it's partly because I act like a fish out of water and I can get away with it as I am a foreigner . Also, I write jokes about things which seem out of the ordinary, and being in a different country, everything is automatically out of the ordinary to some degree. Si? No?
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
I can't wait to get back there. LA sucks.
© Dominica Malcolm/Malcolm Media 1999-2009, ComedyDownUnder.com
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