The Definitive Guide to Comedy
Janine Harouni is a Staten Island native who began her stand-up comedy career in earnest only after moving to London, England, in 2012. Harouni experienced her first viral success as one-third of a sketch group called Muriel whose YouTube fame prompted deals with both the BBC and Quibi, and she’s …
Dave Merheje is an award-winning Canadian stand-up comedian and actor who co-starred in the Hulu series, Ramy, and recently co-starred on the big screen opposite Daisy Ridley in the film, Sometimes I Think About Dying, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and is available now to buy or …
Neal Brennan’s first big claim to fame came two decades ago when he co-created, wrote and executive produced Chappelle’s Show with his friend Dave Chappelle (with whom he’d previously collaborated on Half Baked). Since then, Chappelle has become both the biggest stand-up comedian in the world and a lightning rod for criticism. Brennan, …
**** (out of 5) When Bronwyn Kuss, a finalist in the 2018 RAW national comedy contest, returned to Melbourne with her first full show four years later, she left with a nomination for best newcomer and The Director’s Choice award, given by the festival to a performer who was worthy …
**** (out of 5) Paul Williams plays the role of assistant on Taskmaster New Zealand, but for his third show at Melbourne, he wants to recount for us a very special task that he assigned himself that took him around the world, all because of the story he told himself …
**** (out of 5) Geraldine Hickey is another festival favorite in Melbourne, having won for most outstanding show in 2021, and the Piece of Wood Award (voted on by her peers) in 2019. This year’s show took a bit of a turn, however, when Hickey set about focusing her new …
**** (out of 5) The global hit Amazon Prime series, LOL: Last One Laughing, may have started with an initial comedy competition series set in Japan, but it feels tailor-made for Sam Simmons. Simmons competed in the lone Australian season in 2020, ready with all sorts of over-the-top gags to …
**** (out of 5) I didn’t see this in my program, but Catherine Bohart informed us up top that her show was billed as “a relaxed performance,” which apparently meant audience members could come and go as they pleased?! She’s certainly not relaxed. And she warns us she can see …
****1/2 (out of 5) Lou Wall delivered one of my favorite shows at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe. That she’s back with another spectacular hour so soon is a testament not only to her talents but also to her perseverance, as we now learn just how much turbulence was whirling through …
**** (out of 5) Greg Larsen is a loud white male comedian in a suit, and not an aristocrat from a bygone era as depicted in the show’s promotional materials. But that’s not the revolting part. Before Larsen began appearing in the dramatic TV series, The Tourist; before his award-winning …
