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Episode 9: Sydney comedy with Tommy and Stella
Episode 9 of This Week in Comedy finds the hosts Lily Geddes and Morry Morgan broadcasting from a makeshift studio in an Airbnb in Newtown, Sydney, swapping their usual setup for a lively, on-the-road energy. Newtown itself becomes an early talking point, described as Sydney’s alternative, youthful, and proudly LGBTQIA+ hub, a Brunswick-meets-St Kilda hybrid with graffiti, share houses, and strong opinions everywhere you turn.
The episode kicks off with reflections on the road trip up from Victoria, including a surprise koala encounter near Shepparton and observations about regional Australia’s growing multiculturalism. From there, the show shifts into comedy news, led by a discussion of Matt Rife’s recent Australian tour and ongoing controversies. The hosts unpack his “rage-bait” persona, tongue-in-cheek apologies, and commercial savvy, noting how controversy, engagement, and branding increasingly go hand-in-hand in modern comedy.
A major focus of the episode is the return of Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School to Sydney for the first time in five years. Recording from Newtown is no coincidence, with the course running at the Newtown Hotel’s Laugh Inn. The hosts highlight the importance of live comedy education post-COVID and the value of rebuilding local scenes.
The episode features an in-depth interview with veteran comedian Tommy Dean, who reflects on decades in Australian comedy. Tommy offers thoughtful insights into how the industry has changed, particularly the impact of social media, fast news cycles, and the pressure on younger comics to chase topical jokes and crowd work. He strongly advocates for solid joke writing, personal storytelling, and being paid properly for gigs — dismantling the myth of “exposure” work along the way.
Later, rising Sydney comic Stella Wu joins the show, fresh from strong festival sets and her Comedy Zone 2026 announcement. She talks about her rapid career momentum, her show Asian Baby Girl, and the surreal realities of joke-writing, family expectations, and creative chaos.
The episode wraps with reflections on Australia’s comedy pipeline, the importance of developing mid-career comics, and a relaxed beer-fuelled sign-off — capturing the spirit of a podcast deeply embedded in the comedy scene, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Raw Comedy entry: Click here
Grifter Pale Ale by the Grifter Brewing Co: Click here
Sydney Comedy Festival: Click here
Learn more about This Week in Comedy by visiting www.thisweekincomedy.com.au
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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By The Rubber Chicken StudioEpisode 9 of This Week in Comedy finds the hosts Lily Geddes and Morry Morgan broadcasting from a makeshift studio in an Airbnb in Newtown, Sydney, swapping their usual setup for a lively, on-the-road energy. Newtown itself becomes an early talking point, described as Sydney’s alternative, youthful, and proudly LGBTQIA+ hub, a Brunswick-meets-St Kilda hybrid with graffiti, share houses, and strong opinions everywhere you turn.
The episode kicks off with reflections on the road trip up from Victoria, including a surprise koala encounter near Shepparton and observations about regional Australia’s growing multiculturalism. From there, the show shifts into comedy news, led by a discussion of Matt Rife’s recent Australian tour and ongoing controversies. The hosts unpack his “rage-bait” persona, tongue-in-cheek apologies, and commercial savvy, noting how controversy, engagement, and branding increasingly go hand-in-hand in modern comedy.
A major focus of the episode is the return of Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School to Sydney for the first time in five years. Recording from Newtown is no coincidence, with the course running at the Newtown Hotel’s Laugh Inn. The hosts highlight the importance of live comedy education post-COVID and the value of rebuilding local scenes.
The episode features an in-depth interview with veteran comedian Tommy Dean, who reflects on decades in Australian comedy. Tommy offers thoughtful insights into how the industry has changed, particularly the impact of social media, fast news cycles, and the pressure on younger comics to chase topical jokes and crowd work. He strongly advocates for solid joke writing, personal storytelling, and being paid properly for gigs — dismantling the myth of “exposure” work along the way.
Later, rising Sydney comic Stella Wu joins the show, fresh from strong festival sets and her Comedy Zone 2026 announcement. She talks about her rapid career momentum, her show Asian Baby Girl, and the surreal realities of joke-writing, family expectations, and creative chaos.
The episode wraps with reflections on Australia’s comedy pipeline, the importance of developing mid-career comics, and a relaxed beer-fuelled sign-off — capturing the spirit of a podcast deeply embedded in the comedy scene, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Raw Comedy entry: Click here
Grifter Pale Ale by the Grifter Brewing Co: Click here
Sydney Comedy Festival: Click here
Learn more about This Week in Comedy by visiting www.thisweekincomedy.com.au
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.