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.

The School Of Hard Knock Knocks

096: Charles Firth – Exposing truths and undermining power structures with satire

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.

095: Ian McFadyen – Creating an Australian sketch comedy national treasure

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!

094: Simon Kennedy – Crossing the line and the Art of Happiness

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

093: Daniel Muggleton – Comedy during Covid and Three Stripes

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?'.

092: Stig Wemyss – Is This Thing On?

"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. 

091: Scott Dikkers - Pointing out stupidity with The Onion

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. 

090: Morry Morgan - Coronavirus and comedy

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.

089: Jason Chong - Discipline, game shows and Tarago Tests

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.

088: Marty Bright – Optimism and being easy to work with

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. 

087: Fady Kassab - Winning Raw Comedy from the back of his head

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. 

086: Lee Ton – Where are you from from?

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. 

085: Mickey D – Pain is just an emotion

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. 

084: Viet Bui – Vietnam to VB

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.  

083: Steven Oliver – Comedy scripts, sketch, and sluts

What are the ingredients to become a stand-up comedian? For Cam Knight it was larrikinism, peer group pressure, and The Life of Brian.  In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, host Steve Davis talks to comedian and actor Cam Knight about his city-hopping comedy career, butterfly gags, and performing at the Sydney Opera House. Cam also talks about the highs of stand-up comedy touring and TV hosting, and the 'lows' of performing to five people. Cam also shares his advice up and coming stand-up comedians. And if you're interested in kickstarting your stand-up comedy career, Cam Knight is our guest comedian for our August 4 - 8 stand-up comedy course in Sydney. Check out this link to book your spot. 

082: Cam Knight – Wistful wisdom and pissing in dishwashers

Learning stand-up comedy? Hitting the open mic circuit, but improving your skills way too slowly? Are you looking for that edge to improve your stand-up comedy skills to fast track your comedy career? If so, then this is the comedy podcast for you. The School of Hard Knock Knocks (SHKK) podcast interviews some of Australia’s most experienced stand-up comedians, and finds out why, how, and where they began their careers. We also draw out career advancing advice, so you don’t have to make all the same mistakes they did!

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The School Of Hard Knock Knocks

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