Episode 12 of This Week in Comedy delivers a lively mix of industry gossip, comedy nostalgia, craft insights, and the usual offbeat banter. The episode opens with weekend reflections, including a rainy but memorable boat cruise along Melbourne’s Yarra River with a lineup of Australian comedy personalities. Among those on board were Elliot Goblet (Jack Levi), Trevor Marmalade, Wilbur Wilde, Luke McGregor’s family, and David “Hughesy” Hughes. Despite the drizzle, Melbourne’s skyline stole the show, providing a cinematic backdrop and reinforcing the sense of community within the comedy scene.

The conversation then shifts to radio drama surrounding Kyle and Jackie O, currently under pressure in the Melbourne market despite their enormous $200 million, 10-year contract. An on-air clash saw Kyle criticise Jackie’s contribution to the show, prompting her to walk off mid-broadcast. The hosts explore whether the blow-up reflects genuine tension or a strategic stunt designed to generate headlines and boost ratings.

Attention turns to the BAFTAs, where Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur during a presentation by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The team unpacks the broader context, noting the ceremony was pre-recorded and selectively edited, raising questions about production decisions and public reaction, while also clarifying misconceptions about Tourette’s.

Comedy history features throughout, including anniversaries of Comedy Inc., The Simpsons reaching its 500th episode, and the passing of Richard Belzer, best known for Law & Order: SVU but originally a stand-up comedian. There’s also nostalgic discussion of early 2000s sketch television and long-running shows like The Bill.

The “Beer of the Week” segment reviews a 6% Venom IPA in a smaller-than-standard 330ml can, sparking a humorous investigation into shrinkflation and Australia’s alcohol tax system.

A major highlight of Episode 12 is the conversation with Stig Wemyss and Anthony Littlechild, speakers at the upcoming Business of Comedy Conference. They share practical insights into producing, directing, shooting and editing comedy films, emphasising collaboration, improvisation and strong on-set energy.

And the episode wraps up with another “Funny in the Moment” at Bunnings.

The Business of Comedy Conference: Click here

The Business of Comedy Conference session with Stig Weymyss and Anthony Littlechild: Click here

Venom IPA beer: Click here

Learn more about This Week in Comedy by visiting www.thisweekincomedy.com.au

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Episode 11 of This Week in Comedy kicks off with a quick housekeeping correction. Lily and Morry apologise for mistakenly saying comedian Eloise Eftos was from Adelaide when she was actually born in Perth.

In comedy news, the hosts discuss Celeste Barber and her partner Apy Robin (often dubbed “Hot Husband”) separating after 20 years. The tone stays light and speculative as they reflect on Celeste’s evolution from Instagram parody posts to a broader comedy personality, while also joking about modern weight-loss culture and Ozempic. Next up is Jim Jefferies, who has announced his biggest Australian tour to date. The hosts praise his international rise, particularly in the UK and US, and note how unusually well Australia has embraced his success without much tall-poppy backlash, even if some audiences have taken time warming to his edgier material.

Lily then brings up Heathers: The Musical, describing its dark-comedy high school vibe and noting a TikTok-driven resurgence that’s expected to draw both comedy and theatre crowds. A quick aside follows on Ben Bankas, whose controversial joke about a recent homicide caused a venue cancellation, only for the show to move elsewhere and sell out, sparking a broader chat about venues, safety, and free speech.

Comedy history highlights include the deaths of sketch pioneer Sid Caesar (2014) and Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz (2000), plus anniversaries for Wayne’s World (1992) and The Chaser’s War on Everything (2006).

Beer of the week is “Herb Your Enthusiasm”, a raspberry and rosemary sour from Slow Lane Brewing, which they gleefully describe as oddly gin-like. That leads into a Pringles fact: inventor Fredric J. Baur requested some of his ashes be buried in a Pringles can.

The episode’s centrepiece is an interview with Peter Josip, winner of Raw Comedy 2025, who explains the prize trip to Edinburgh to compete in 'So You Think You’re Funny?' Pete even made the final, rare for Australian Raw winners, then performed at the Cyprus International Comedy Festival, and spent months gigging hard in Toronto, landing an agent and spots at clubs like Yuk Yuk’s. Back in Melbourne, he’s slated for Comedy Zone at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

They wrap with a “Funny in the Moment” story about a son’s school uniform, and a review of Is This Thing On?—praised as a relationship film, but criticised as an unrealistic stand-up movie.

Morry's 'Is This Thing On?' six part TV show: Click here

Will Arnett's 'Is This Thing On?' trainer: Click here

Read more about Peter Josip's Melbourne Comedy Festival Raw Comedy win: Click here

Herb Your Enthusiasm beer: Click here

Learn more about This Week in Comedy by visiting www.thisweekincomedy.com.au

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Episode 10 kicks off back in Melbourne, celebrating a milestone: double digits. The “seven-episode glass ceiling” has been shattered and the duo are officially big kids now, complete with a tangent about pull-ups, bladder control, and the tragically named “Poise” range. Lily even has a joke charting “light, intermediate, heavy” leakage levels, because nothing says showbiz like sneezing statistics.

Morry and Lily then settle into the South Melbourne studio, happy to escape Sydney’s humidity and the constant roar of planes over Newtown. A quick (and slightly too cheeky) 9/11 reference lands, with the question 'too soon?'.

Comedy news begins with Adam Sandler receiving the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Modern Master Award for his influence across stand-up, film, and TV. Morry admits Sandler can be a bit slapstick for his taste, but gives a nod to Happy Gilmore. Lily, representing the millennials, rides hard for Big Daddy and Little Nicky, quoting lines and praising Sandler’s underrated serious chops in Click and Uncut Gems.

Next up, Jim Jefferies, who drops in as a surprise set at Melbourne’s Comics Lounge. Morry explains Jefferies’ real name and the extra “e” he added to satisfy a US union rule requiring unique stage names. Shoutout to host Doug Chappell, cruise-photo icon and future podcast guest.

Then it gets darker: US comedian Ben Bankas has six sold-out Minnesota shows cancelled after a controversial joke following a fatal ICE-related shooting. The venue cites threats and safety concerns, sparking a discussion about timing, risk, and when “too soon” becomes “never.”

More screens: Will Arnett’s film Is This Thing On?, directed and co-written by Bradley Cooper, hits Australian cinemas February 5. Morry reveals he made a comedy series with the same title years earlier, nearly picked up by the ABC before leadership changes killed it.

Beer time: Barossa Valley Brewing’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Milkshake Stout (7%, 2.1 standard drinks) tastes like dessert—sweet, gluggy, and dangerously drinkable.

Finally, comedy history: Leslie Nielsen would be 100 today (born February 11, 1926). They toast him, debate titles (Airplane! was Flying High in Australia), and wrap with a teaser interview featuring Tasmanian comedian “Red Ned” Townsend and Lars Calio’s 900,000km Volkswagen Jetta.

Morry's 'Is This Thing On?' six part TV show: Click here

Barossa Valley Brewing’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Milkshake Stout: Click here

Hobart Festival of Comedy: Click here

Red Ned Townsend Instagram: 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.