Given I’m not doing a show at this year’s MICF it’s been decided I’m going to write about it instead, you know, while I’m burning bridges and all...

Each week I get to chat to some of favourite acts in my blatantly bias coverage of the festival.

This week I got to chat with my three loose choices for the festival:

Age writer, Ben Pjbobe - 'Ben Pjbobe's Funeral' 

Musician and my nemesis at Raw Comedy – Ryan Coffey (alongside Smart Casual,  Mel Buttle  and Luke McGregor…) in 'Ryan Coffey - Live and Stupider '

And acerbic blogger Simon Keck in 'Simon Keck Can't Get No' 


It’s a warm autumn day when we all meet... online.

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So here we are all together...

BP: Isn’t it romantic? I feel positively frisky.

SK: Locked into the creepiest most erotic game of Twister since the night I was conceived.

RC: Look, Sanz. Let’s not begin the interview with lies.


Moving along, what’s so good about your show etc etc?

BP: It’s the epitome of wish fulfillment – it’s a funeral, but without any actual death, so even funnier than a normal funeral would be. Also poetry, so you can pretend you’re smart while watching.

SK: Other than being at Madame Brussels, I guess just being a caustic nerd let loose on people is pretty fun. I don’t really have any shame. Shame is like serotonin, I burned through all of that in my early 20’s. 

RC: Goodness is actually its most remarkable quality. Not settling for being ‘a bit shit’ and yet not so arrogant as to aim for being ‘great’. Plus, mercifully, it ends before I run out of jokes.


In the spirit of clichés, if could have anyone in the world attend your show who would it be?  

BP: Mark Twain, because it would mean we had mastered the science of time travel.  

SK: My grandmother. Every year I sneak in some overly elaborate joke about Nazis, just to test if she’s secretly listening in. She hasn’t stabbed me, so I can only assume she hasn’t heard me yet.

RC: My estranged alcoholic father. Low blow, Sanz. Low. Blow.


Taking into consideration your own sense of self-importance, who do you think could benefit from seeing your show or from advice from you in general?

BP: Besides Mark Twain, I think anyone who has ever feared death could benefit from seeing my show. Or anyone who welcomes death. It’s pretty universal like that. Actual dead people would probably benefit too, or people who have killed anyone. Nobody would ever benefit from advice from me though, because the only piece of advice I ever give is, “You should have sex with me right now.” Oh, and also, “You’re an idiot.” Sometimes I give those pieces of advice simultaneously. So horny idiots could benefit from my advice.

SK: I really don’t know if anyone would benefit from my advice. I’m like that one uncle your parents warn you about. He smells like dead dreams and ham, and he’ll always tell you “bout how them politicians are after your money. That’s why I keep my savings sewn into my under pants. You wanna see my cash flap?”

RC: [I refused to publish his answer - LS]


How long have you been around? If this is your first show why are you doing it? If not why are you persisting?

BP: I’ve been around since 1979. But in comedy terms, since Raw Comedy at Frankston in 2004, when I debuted my stand-up and lost. Since then I have lost Raw Comedy about 17 times, which is quite a strike rate. This is my first show and I am doing it because I’ve been saying I’ll do one for years and eventually, if you don’t actually do one, people will start to think you’re not all that serious about it.

SK: I’ve been around for a few years, but I only sporadically dive into stand up. I honestly wonder why I keep coming back to it, I really have no answers.

RC: I’ve been watching comedians around me losing money, confidence and hair for over 3 years now thinking ‘when will it be me?’ I’m ready, coach. Get me on.


Now pay attention boys, why do you think I, Lou Sanz picked you guys as my loose canon choices for the festival?

BP: Because you enjoy playing eccentric yet terrifying psychological games with unsuspecting comedians to fulfil your sick desires. Also I guess you think I’m pretty loose?

SK: Via an intricate system of randomly pointing at pages in the MICF program with your eyes closed? Maybe you just liked my poster where I’m vomiting up streamers.

RC: Probably because you are banned from my shows. I see what you’re doing, Sanz, and you still can’t come.


If you could fan-pash any other comic attending the festival who would it be? And why?

BP: Cal Wilson, because just LOOK at her! And her accent! She’s so cute! But nobody tell her I said that, she’ll think it’s weird. Um, and also Lou Sanz, of course. [I've never had face herpes - LS]

SK: Maria Bamford... I love me a little crazy.

RC: It’s a toss-up between Dave Quirk and Adam Vincent. [oh so original Ryan - LS]


Look, if if you want to add anything...

BP: I have never won any awards, but according to Helen Razer, I am a “funny prick”, and according to Miranda Devine I am “puerile and bigoted”. So I’m playing both sides of the fence there.

SK:  Shortlisted for the 2010 Johnsy Award (best independent Melbourne comic)[same here and look at me now - LS], Writer for Rove Live, Writer and Co-host of ABC Local Radio - ‘The Comedy Hour’, Official Blogger for Melbourne Writer’s Festival 2009 – 2010…“Keck is already creating the sort of buzz that would make Chris Lilley proud.” 774 ABC Radio

RC: Not really, but thanks.  





All of these guys shows can be found and tickets can be bought at, http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2011/season/