What's so funny!?

The MICF gala was on Wednesday night at the Princess Theatre. The show was hosted by the very funny Shaun Micallef who managed to take self-deprecation to new depths. As always the gala highlighted some of the best acts performing at the MICF, all in aid of Oxfam. International guests included regulars such as Arj Barker, Jason Byrne, Otis Lee Crenshaw (Rich Hall) and acts new to Australia such as Russell Kane and Jamie Kilstein. Local regulars included Judith Lucy, Adam Hills, Dave Hughes, Denise Scott, Tim Minchin and newbie, Hannah Gadsby.

My favourite act of the night was Nina Conti who did a great spot with her monkey. I also loved Jason Byrnes in a very confused set including lycra clad wrestlers, cling wrap and an unfortunate audience member. Otis Lee Crenshaw, Mike Wilmot and Tom Gleeson had stand out routines.

Also look out for the opening number from the Chooky Dancers. Great!

The MICF gala will be screening on
Channel Ten on Monday 30th of March.

This is an upcoming documentary of the life of Barry Humphries. If you've only come to Barry in the last few decades, then you've missed out on many things over a career that goes beyond 50 years. Narrated by Geoffry Rush it traces his career from his childhood in Camberwell, life at Melbourne University and early years as a comedian in London to the comedy icon that he is today.

On tonight on ABC1, 8:30pm

Just when you thought the state of Australian comedy was hanging by a string and that the only thing that would be screened would be ANOTHER series of Big Brother.

But lo, those guys at Working Dog, who have brought you entertainment such as The Panel, The Castle and The Dish have come up with a new 6 part TV series, The Hollowmen. With an impressive cast including Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Merrick Watts and at least for the first episode - Graeme Blundell. Stay tuned for something I think should be great!

[From the ABC website]
The Hollowmen is a comedy-drama set in the offices of the Central Policy Unit, a special think tank personally set up by the Prime Minister to help him in the most important job of all - getting re-elected. Their brief is "long term vision"; to stop worrying about tomorrow's headlines, and focus on next week's.

Created and produced by Working Dog, the series features an ensemble cast: Lachy Hulme (The Matrix Reloaded), David James (All Saints), Neil Melville (Underbelly), Rob Sitch (Frontline) and introducing radio host Merrick Watts with Jacquie Brennan (City Homicide), Rob Carlton (Chandon Pictures), Santo Cilauro (Frontline), Stephen Hall (The King) and Nicola Parry (Thank God You're Here) and special guest Graeme Blundell.

The Hollowmen will premiere on ABC1
on Wednesday July 9 at 9.30pm

Mark Loves Sharon is a new TV show set to start on June 30 on the TEN network in Australia. The show is a 6 part mockumentary/reality show, which follows the life of 'bad boy' Mark Wary, his relationships with Sharon, his friends and how he gets in and tries to get OUT of trouble again and again.

Mark is a character from the sketch comedy show The Wedge and is based on the bad boys of Australian sport (e.g. Shane Warne, Wayney Carey, Ben Cousins...etc). Mark is played by his creator, Jason Gann, who is known for Wilfred and the recent movie, Rats and Cats.

[From the website]
In 'Mark Loves Sharon', Australian sporting superstar, Mark Wary, reveals all as he invites the cameras into his home to shoot a celebrity reality series that shows the private side of this controversial and very public sporting icon.

In an attempt to change his bad-boy image and reveal his sensitive, caring side, Mark and his long-suffering manager, Jerry, decide to open up Mark's life to an observational documentary crew. It may have been a good idea for Ozzy Osbourne, Jessica Simpson, Gene Simmons, Paris Hilton, Hulk Hogan and the Beckhams, but 'Mark Loves Sharon' reveals a whole lot more of Mark than he, or Jerry, ever intended.

There's no shortage of tension at Wary's extravagant mansion as Mark's gorgeous but feisty girlfriend, Sharon, tries to keep his wandering eye in check; his loyal, no-hoper mates, Sledge and Tomo, riotously live the life of the loyal celebrity entourage; and manager and nervous wreck, Jerry, tries valiantly to keep the whole Wary gravy train from
running off the rails.

In the eye of this storm Mark himself is trying to be the man that Sharon wants him to be. Plus trying to maintain a happy home, despite the warring factions and the various temptations and indulgences that are inevitably afforded a sporting superstar of his ilk.

He doesn't always succeed and he often finds himself having to front yet another press conference having to apologise for the latest in a long line of misdemeanours. It's not easy being an Australian sporting hero - just ask Wayne Carey or Ben Cousins or Willie Mason or Brendan Fevola or Nick D'Arcy or Lleyton Hewitt or John Steffenson...or even Shane Warne.

Mark Loves Sharon allows us to meet the man behind the myth and gives us a remarkable insight into the conflicted, flawed, ridiculous yet ultimately loveable character that makes Wary the national icon that he is.

Starts June 30, 9:30pm on TEN

Have you seen the tv show Last Comic Standing? I would not be surprised if you hadn't. As a bona fide lover of standup comedy, I was astounded when at around midnight I saw people auditioning Australian Idol style, doing standup! Brilliant! The show still airs on Channel 7 at midnight every Monday.

If you've missed the show, here's the lowdown. Airing is season 2 of this series (made in 2004), hosted by actor Jay Mohr (the one who fires Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire). It sees dozens of hopeful American comedians audition for the show to two NBC producers. In the true spirit of other such competitions, you get to see some good comedy, but the worst of the worst hopefuls the US has to offer. It's truly cringeworthy, but reminds you how difficult it is to be funny. Those that make it then perform in front of a live audience and the best of these make it to the next round.

Those who continue live together in a house doing various challenges (like working as tour guides or performing in a laundromat). Winning each challenge granted immunity from head-to-head standup challenges. In these head-to-head challenges, each comedian nominated another comedian they thought they could defeat in front of a live studio audience.

Now the show is down to the last 6 comedians who will battle to be the funniest. I believe each week the comedian with the lowest votes will be eliminated until there is one comic standing! Studio audiences will choose the winner - who will be the last comic standing? The winner gets their own talent contract and a television special.

Be there, at midnight each Monday night, tuned in to Channel 7 to see who wins. Otherwise, if you can't wait, just check out Wikipedia to see who won back in 2004!

Hopefully Channel 7 will screen a more recent edition in the near future.

If you don't know it, I'm a bit of a Star Wars nerd. SO you can imagine my delight when I found out about a Star Wars Special on 'Robot Chicken'.

If you're like me, you'll be scratching your head, wondering what the hell Robot Chickens are. Well, Robot Chicken is a television show in the US, screening on Cartoon Network. Checking Foxtel Australia, I haven't been able to find a reference to it here, so it may not be shown. However, clips can be viewed on their website or YouTube.

Robot Chicken is a sketch show that parodies pop culture, using stop-motion animation techniques with toys, action figures, dolls and claymation and a good dose of special effects. It has already been running for two seasons in the states and is signed for a third. It was created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich and judging by some of the stuff on YouTube, it is smart, if not 'wincingly' funny comedy.

Check out the Star Wars trailer below. The Special will be screened in the US on June 17, 2007 and has the approval of Lucasfilms (George Lucas playing himself). Mark Hamill reprises his role of Luke Skywalker and a collection of celebrities are doing voices, including Conan O’Brien, Malcolm McDowell, Hulk Hogan, James Van Der Beek, Breckin Meyer and Joey Fatone.

Hopefully the special will turn up on the internet sometime soon! May the Force be with us all!