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Lisa Gatenby is the Peter Pan of stand-up comedy. Having worked in the business of children's toys for many years, Lisa admits she's never grown up, and loves to add a level of silliness to her performance. In this interview, you'll learn how Lisa has developed her stand-up comedy skills since graduating from the Hard Knock Knocks comedy course, her upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows with fellow alumni, Jeremy Dooley, and how she had to adjust her language for a US audience. Plus much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Tom Siegert got his comedy spark at the Gershwin Room in St Kilda. His muse was the legendary comedian Greg Fleet. Today, Tom’s an established comedian in his own right, having performed on TV and at comedy festivals around Australia, as well as hosting his own podcast, Good Banter, with fellow comedian Evan Hocking. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis digs deep into Tom’s evolution from one-liner comedian to story teller, as well as his creation of the comedy character – The Suburban Footballer. And on the topic of Aussie Rules, you’ll also hear how Tom stood up to protect his comedy against formidable Eddie McGuire – former host and president of The Footy Show and Collingwood Football, respectively. And if you enjoy this podcast, you might also like to see Comedian Tom Siegert at the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival at The Rubber Chicken in South Melbourne, April 21 to 24. In the mean time, be sure to join our Facebook group The School of Hard Knock Knocks Community. This group will help you stay abreast of upcoming courses, stand-up comedy shows and general advice for comedy performers.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Katie Burch didn't want to work at NASA or work towards world peace. She wanted to be a comedian, and a dark comedian at that.   In this 100th episode of the School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis chats with former National Raw Comedy Finalist Katie Burch about what it takes to be a successful comedian, her life in a cult, and why appealing to a woke crowd isn't great for your comedy career. She also highlights the importance of suffering in the creation of jokes - or at least her preferred form of cruel dark comedy   And if you enjoy this podcast, be sure to join our Facebook group The School of Hard Knock Knocks Community to stay abreast of upcoming courses, shows at The Rubber Chicken in South Melbourne, and general advice for comedy performers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Haitian-American comedian Ashley Fils-Aime had it all. International tours, sold out shows, and supporting a mega comedian for 11 years. But he stepped away, for love. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode you'll learn how Ashley had to reinvent himself throughout life. First, growing up with grandparents in Haiti, schooling in Florida, being homeless, being the support act of Pablo Francisco, and then going it alone in Australia. This is not only a podcast about comedy. Host Steve Davis and comedian Ashley Fils-Aime drops some serious philosophical bombs, son. You'll get that reference later. So sit back and enjoy, this episode. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to listen to previous interviews with some of Australia, and the world's funniest comedians. Or head over to our School of Hard Knock Knocks Community Page on Facebook. You'll be kept up to date on future episodes, shows at The Rubber Chicken, and upcoming stand-up comedy courses at The School of Hard Knock Knocks.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you start out in comedy, you're looking for stuff that is funny. When you get good, you find stuff you want to talk about, and make that funny. So says comedian Wayne Deakin, a 20 plus year veteran of stand-up comedy who has performed in London, New York, Las Vegas, Montreal, all over Australia, AND to Aussie troops in the Middle East. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode straight shooter 'Deaks' shares his philosophy on taboo topics, discusses the wilful ignorance of audiences, and shares great advice for up and comers who prefer to perform more edgy topics. And if you enjoy this interview with comedian Wayne Deakin, you might be interested to learn that he's our guest comedy coach at the School of Hard Knock Knocks stand-up comedy course in Melbourne this September. Check out www.schoolofhardknockknocks.com for more information and to sign up. And now, here's host Steve Davis, and comedian Wayne Deakin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By dying, Prince Phillip helped sell out comedian Lewis Spears' last week of his Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) show. Morbid, yes. But also, totally on brand. And totally orchestrated. Yes, mainstream media, like the Daily Mail who called Spears a monster, was played by this true professional.  In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast interview, host Steve Davis delves deep into the business mind behind the 'Spears brand', finds out what it takes to build a following of over half a million subscribers, why every show finishes with debrief and not a beer, and how ultimately to succeed in stand-up comedy today, it takes a team effort. If you're in the comedy scene and know 'someone' who is incredible at stand-up, but just not doing very well, then this is the podcast interview they need to hear. Comedian Lewis Spears succinctly puts the 'business' into 'show business'.  And if you enjoy this interview, then meet the man in person at The Rubber Chicken this June 18. Comedian Lewis Spears is joined by comedians Matt O'Neill and the legendary Chris Wainhouse for the Dark Comedy Special. Tickets are on sale now, so visit www.therubberchicken.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six and a half million people a month consume The Chaser's content. That's some seriously sought-after satire! In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, host and Chaser fanboy, Steve Davis, chats with The Chaser's, Charles Firth, about creating headlines and the editorial process, adopting your enemy's voice, and how AI is developing a 'sense' of humour. If you like ruffling features, taking the piss, and dystopian fairy tales, then you'll love this interview with Charles Firth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1988 The Comedy Company changed the face of Australian sketch comedy. Kylie Mole, Uncle Arthur, Con the Fruiterer, and Colin Carpenter became part of the Australian lexicon. So too their creators - Mary-Anne Faye, Glenn Robbins, Mark Mitchell and Kym Gyngell, as well as Russell Gilbert, Tim Smith and, the group's founder, Ian McFadyen. You know them as comedy royalty. What you don't know is that it all started with a loaned hammer. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episodes, host Steve Davis interviews The Comedy Company creator, Ian McFadyen, as they name-drop down Australian comedy memory lane. You'll learn how a poorly funded comedy show beat the 800-pound gorilla of the time, 60 Minutes, how the 'writers room' generated ideas, and ultimately learn how serendipity created this national treasure. And if you're interested in learning how to write comedy sketches, then stay tuned. In 2021 the School of Hard Knock Knocks is launching our sketch writing course. Learn how to write, edit and even produce your own sketch show, with help from veteran comedy writers and directors. Best of all, your comedy will be turned into an actual Australian sketch comedy web series! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In comedy timing is everything. But when you're a radio host, you manage time like a fine art. So says Sydney based comedian Simon Kennedy, a former radio host and 20 year veteran of stand-up comedy. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, host Steve Davis talks to comedian Simon Kennedy about MCing comedy, 'cancel culture', the green-room hypocrisy, empathy, and sadly his mum's passing in the September 11 attacks. Simon also opens up about his own comedy career, his love of competition in comedy, and adapting to Covid-19 with pantless Zoom comedy. Yes, for Simon constraint is the mother of invention. And if you enjoyed this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode then be sure to subscribe by clicking here. Or just as good, join our Facebook community and stay abreast of upcoming shows, courses and podcasts. But if that's not enough, and you'd like to try stand-up comedy, the School of Hard Knock Knocks runs stand-up comedy courses in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Graduates also get the opportunity to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) and Adelaide Fringe Festival. Click here to register your interest with the team and join our mailing list. Courses run monthly, and our alumni is one of the biggest comedy communities in Australia. We even produced a comedy-drama called 'Is This Thing On?'. Check it out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Daniel Muggleton is known for the three stripe Adidas tracksuit and big moustache. For the past two years Daniel has been based in the UK and, no-thanks to Covid-19, he's back in Australia. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode host Steve Davis and Daniel Muggleton, also known as Muggo to his Aussie mates, talk about stereotypes, the importance of setting the scene, the UK comedy circuit, touring with comedian Steve Hofstetter and the 'Nowhere Comedy Club' - an online comedy platform that doesn't suck. They also talk about Daniel's special 'Three Stripes' and not being afraid of publishing your comedy online. Rating: Explicit See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stig Wemyss is the director and co-producer of 'Is This Thing On?', a six-episode comedy drama that follows 10 comedy newbies undertaking a souped-up stand-up comedy course, as they get coached and challenged by some of Australia's most iconic stand-up comedians. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis talks to Stig about how the show came to be, its premise, how he managed to capture all of the drama within the metaphorical pressure cooker, as well as reminisce about getting nude. Full transparency, Steve Davis goes full monty. If you've ever wondered what it takes to be a stand-up comedian, then listen to this podcast, and then watch episode 1 of 'Is This Thing On?'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"When you've got someone laughing, you've got them agreeing with you, whether they know it or not." So says Scott Dikkers, founder of The Onion, quite possibly the world's most famous satirical publication. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis chats with Scott Dikkers about the serendipity of cheap paper, comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable, taboos, and accepting criticism, all while being a benevolent dictator. Scott also talks about his new book, 'How to Write Funny.' If you love writing satire, enjoy reading satire, or have ever laughed, then you'll enjoy this interview with Scott Dikkers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morry Morgan likes to be the centre of attention. The co-founder of the the School of Hard Knock Knocks, and former host of this very podcast, he has now placed himself into the centre of the Coronavirus crisis, trapping himself in Beijing, China. At least that's how we see it. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, old and new hosts, Morry and Steve, discuss the founding of the school, his favourite graduates, upcoming Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows, and living under quarantine in a high rise in Beijing.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You probably didn't know that Adelaide Comic of the Year, Jason Chong, kick started his own stand-up comedy career by attending a stand-up comedy course. That was twenty years ago. Since then he's become a regular face of Adelaide comedy, on stage, TV and radio.In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, host Steve Davis talks to Jason about discipline, getting gigs, the Tarago Test, and The Black Box Experiment. Jason also shares a tip from his very first stand-up comedy lesson - keep asking 'but what do you mean?' Listen to find out what he means. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marty Bright is an optimistic, childish 'silly-billy', which makes him a rarity in stand-up - often the domain of the cynic. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast host Steve Davis probes Marty about performing at the Comedy Store in LA, the Comic Strip in New York, and even at a room as part of an all-African American comedian lineup. He may not be black, but he certainly has appeal. And if you're thinking of giving stand-up comedy a crack in 2020, then you're in luck. Marty Bright is joined with Matt Okine as our comedy coaches for our January 19 - 23 stand-up comedy course in Sydney. To learn more, visit www.schoolofhardknockknocks.com and book your spot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fady Kassab has a secret to winning Raw Comedy. The 2019 Raw Comedy winner used advice from John Lennon and George Carlin, even though he thought he'd be disqualified in the first heat. He spoke from the 'back of his head', and performed what he wanted to say, rather than thinking what people would find funny. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis, talks to Fady about growing up in Lebanon, starting his comedy career in his 40s, how clean comedy forced him to be more creative, and how speaking from the heart ultimately resonates - particularly with Raw Comedy judges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to create a one-man comedy show? In this podcast episode, graduate of the School of Hard Knock Knocks, Lee Ton, shares how he harnessed peer group pressure and advice from successful comedians to take the plunge, with his up coming Melbourne Fringe show, “Where are you from from?”. Host Steve Davis also peppers Lee with questions about his acting career, and asks ‘does stand-up help him with his TV roles?’ Plus, what it takes to play an Irish police office. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mickey D, aka Mick Dwyer, was a broke 17 year old when he stepped up on stage at Raw Comedy. Since then, he's toured the world, conquering the UK, and been trained by the SAS. Mick is one dangerous comedian. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis talks to Mick about how he energises a room, and how being exhausted helped him find his Liverpool voice. You'll also find out whether stand-up comedy is more challenging than training with the SAS, how to be a performer and parent, and advice for up and coming stand-up comedians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alumnus Viet Bui, or 'VB' as he's known on the comedy circuit, is one of the School of Hard Knock Knocks most active comedy graduates, performing constantly in his home city of Adelaide, and also at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast host Steve Davis asks VB what got him into stand-up, Vietnamese parents, how he balances his professional and stand-up lives, and his love of dark comedy. VB also chats about his role as a promoter and his upcoming show The Misfits on August 22 at the Shangri-La Karaoke Bar on Hindley St, Adelaide.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedy writer and performer Steven Oliver is best known for his characters on ABC's 'Black Comedy', particularly his catch phrase, 'Hello Slut!'.  In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis talks to Steven Oliver about how he got his start in performance, writing poems, songs, scripts and monologues, as well as how he creates authentic sketch comedy and cabaret, all the while making his audience think.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.