In Episode 38 of This Week in Comedy, Morry Morgan and Stig Wemyss are joined at The Rubber Chicken Podcast Studio by character comedian and social media star Nick White, whose videos have attracted more than 800,000 followers and over 40 million likes across TikTok and Instagram.

Nick discusses his journey from architecture to comedy, explaining how a childhood love of drawing, creating characters and playing SimCity and The Sims eventually led him towards designing people rather than buildings. He also introduces the inspiration behind his best-known character, Carli Furplam, and reveals why his deliberately abrasive characters keep audiences watching, even when they are almost too uncomfortable to endure.

The conversation follows Nick’s early stand-up career in Brisbane, his three years performing in New York and the controversial “bringer show” model, where comedians must supply audience members before they are allowed on stage. Nick also explains why crowd work has become such an important part of his live performances and how years of observing people help him build detailed worlds around his characters.

Nick then shares his excitement and nerves about joining the Australian production of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Performing alongside Stephen Curry, he will take on several roles, including the infamous French Taunter. It is Nick’s first musical and his first major theatre production, meaning he has had to tackle singing, choreography, ensemble performance and an intense rehearsal schedule.

Elsewhere, Morry and Stig examine Originate Comedy, the new development incubator created by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and VicScreen to help Victorian comedy storytellers turn original concepts into screen projects. They also celebrate the tenth anniversary of American comedy media company 800 Pound Gorilla, which has reportedly generated more than US$45 million for 700 comedians while releasing 1,500 hours of comedy content.

Episode 38 also covers the week’s comedy news, Australian acts at the Edinburgh Fringe, touring comedians, the value of comedy as an industry and Stig’s search for an actor to lead a quirky new short film involving grief, cancer, a midlife crisis and a talking snail.

Finally, the Morry and Stig taste Hop Nation’s Melbourne Black, a locally brewed nitro pub stout inspired by Melbourne’s historic drinking culture. Is it a Guinness replacement, a lighter stout or simply the liquid equivalent of a ham-and-cheese sandwich cut into little squares?

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This Week in Comedy breaks new ground with its first filmed episode, as host Morry Morgan welcomes returning co-host Stig Wemyss, new co-host Anthony Littlechild and special guest Amanda Spagnolo from Princess Bento. Together, they explore Australian comedy news and modern animation today.

Amanda, an Emmy-nominated writer and producer, shares her journey from Canada’s Sinking Ship Entertainment to Melbourne’s Princess Bento. Her credits include Ginger and the Vegesaurs, Monster Beach, Space Chickens in Space and Michael Cusack projects. She explains how Princess Bento combines the local experience of Princess Pictures with its partnership with America’s Bento Box, and discusses the opportunities and pressures facing Australian animation.

The team examines Sam Pang’s Gold Logie win, Anthony’s memorable encounter with Pang at an awards afterparty, Celia Pacquola’s comedy success and the ABC’s continuing support for Australian comedy. They also celebrate Caper Crew heading to Netflix globally, Superwog entering the National Film and Sound Archive, Nate Bargatze’s record-breaking ticket sales, Jimmy Carr’s forthcoming book about joke mechanics and touring news.

Animation returns to centre stage as Amanda gives her professional take on the upcoming Bluey movie and its shift towards a 3D visual style. She explains why Bluey connects so powerfully with children and adults through play, humour, recognisable family relationships and simple storytelling. Amanda also reveals what Princess Bento has in production, including Dad’s House for Netflix, Universal Basic Guys Season 3 and new children’s projects based on Australian intellectual property.

Stig reflects on voicing Little Elvis in the groundbreaking Australian series Little Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers, his early stand-up days, giving Dave Hughes stage time and his television adventures with Alan Fletcher on Photo Number 6. Anthony leads This Week in History, revisiting Andy Samberg, Denis Leary, Groucho Marx, Jerry Lewis and Russell Peters.

The four also sample White Bay Brewery’s limited-release Hop Gun American IPA, a Top Gun-inspired beer with plenty of kick and a label filled with playful redactions.

Morry contributes a scientifically informed look at when tragedy becomes funny, then tests his latest Funny in the Moment encounter involving Luna, South Melbourne Market, potato cakes and the risk of accidentally starting an interstate food argument.

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

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Episode 36 of This Week in Comedy sees veteran entertainer Marty Fields join hosts Morry Morgan and Lily Geddes for a packed conversation covering Australian comedy, showbusiness, Melbourne’s underworld and a dangerous Albert Park bike ride.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Marty shares stories from stand-up, television, radio and musical theatre. He remembers playing five different characters on Blue Heelers, appearing opposite Nicolas Cage in Ghost Rider and spending seven years on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Marty also explains how he began playing piano in Melbourne pubs at just 14, performing among the colourful characters of St Kilda's Fitzroy St and South Melbourne before touring Australia and moving into stand-up comedy.

Marty credits his versatility to his father, legendary comedian Maurie Fields, who advised him to learn as many skills as possible so he would never be out of work. Maurie’s connections produced some extraordinary stories involving Melbourne’s criminal underworld. These include a murder weapon travelling in the boot of the family car and a young Mark “Chopper” Read arriving to collect the troublesome firearm.

The discussion turns to Eric Bana, from his early comedy career to his acclaimed portrayal of Chopper. Marty, who knew Chopper personally, agrees that most impressions of the notorious criminal are really impressions of Eric Bana playing him.

Marty also explains his theory that audiences prefer to “laugh downhill”, why comedians need to show vulnerability and the difference between comedians who say funny things and comics who say things funny. He discusses meeting Robin Williams, working alongside Australian entertainment legends and using humour to brighten the days of strangers.

Morry and Lily guide Marty through comedy news, tours, festivals and milestones involving Lucille Ball, Candid Camera, Daryl Somers, Acropolis Now and Robin Williams. The episode also includes the remarkable story of Australian athlete Reg Spiers posting himself from London to Perth inside a wooden crate.

For the episode’s beer tasting, Bridge Road Brewers provides its Coffee Stout, featuring Genovese Coffee’s Super Brazil blend. Morry and Lily enjoy its coffee, caramel and chocolate flavours, with Lily comparing it to an espresso martini in beer form. Marty is considerably less impressed, delivering a brutally honest review that leaves no uncertainty about his position.

Episode 36 concludes with Marty discussing his support for The Lost Dogs’ Home and Animals Asia, before Morry recounts seeing him charge through schoolchildren on the Albert Park bike path, loudly ordering everyone to move.

Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School: Click here

Bridge Road Brewers Coffee Stout: Click here

The Lost Dogs Home: Click here

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

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