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Hard Knock Knocks
Hard Knock Knocks episodes
- 092: Stig Wemyss – Is This Thing On?
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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39 min - 091: Scott Dikkers - Pointing out stupidity with The Onion
"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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39 min - 090: Morry Morgan - Coronavirus and comedy
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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
32 min - 089: Jason Chong - Discipline, game shows and Tarago Tests
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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 min - 088: Marty Bright – Optimism and being easy to work with
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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39 min - 087: Fady Kassab - Winning Raw Comedy from the back of his headFady 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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
39 min - 086: Lee Ton – Where are you from from?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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29 min - 085: Mickey D – Pain is just an emotionMickey 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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
37 min - 084: Viet Bui – Vietnam to VBAlumnus 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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 min - 083: Steven Oliver – Comedy scripts, sketch, and slutsComedy 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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
19 min
About Hard Knock Knocks
From the publisher's feed
Ready to take your stand-up comedy game to the next level?
If you’re grinding through open mics but feel like your progress is stuck in slow motion, the Hard Knock Knocks podcast is your shortcut to success. Each episode features candid interviews with Australia’s most seasoned stand-up comedians—unpacking how they got started, what they’ve learned, and what they wish they knew when they began. Get insider tips, avoid common pitfalls, and sharpen your craft with real-world advice from the pros who’ve been there and crushed that.
Learn more about the Hard Knock Knocks comedy school.