Latest news with #standup
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Father Ted star's first job was 'canning peas in King's Lynn'
The comedian Ardal O'Hanlon has revealed his first job outside Ireland was at a pea canning factory in Norfolk - crediting a local Good Samaritan with one of his most treasures memories of the time.O'Hanlon, known for his "bewildered" character Dougal in the 90s comedy, Father Ted, and later as a detective in Death in Paradise, will return to his stand-up roots to headline a new comedy night in Great Yarmouth. He told BBC Radio Norfolk how he had travelled to King's Lynn as a 17-year-old for seasonal work, adding: "I took great pride in canning peas, I'll have you know."""I was at a loose end in the summer," he added, "and am easily impressed and persuaded to do things." O'Hanlon told how he arrived in the county "on a whim", armed only with a tent."I just got on a ferry, on my own at the age of 17, got on a train to London and a train to King's Lynn," he said, "I pitched my tent in a disused barn."I rocked up at the pea canning factory the next morning and asked if they had any jobs. I lived very happily there for the whole summer."It was brilliant. A coming of age."He remembered "a great bunch of people there, locals and seasonal workers from all over the UK", adding: "It was a great formative experience."O'Hanlon also revealed that after a downpour one night, he was left "feeling miserable" as his tent was rain-soaked. "I went into a hotel in town - I had no money - wet through, and asked [the owner] if I could stay for free."People are very friendly in Norfolk. He could see I had a very honest and angelic face and how dishevelled I was, so he said okay."That was one of the kindest acts someone has ever done for me. "I just lay in bed and watched the 1984 LA Olympics. I did go back and pay him a few days later. "That's one of my treasured memories." O'Hanlon said end-of-the-pier comedy was not a tradition in Ireland as "people were afraid of the sea", adding: "People were very wary of paying to see comedy, because everyone fancies themselves as a bit of a clown".He said he was influenced by British TV and "the new wave of comedy" in the 90s and "wanted to be part of it"."It was another leap of faith," he said. O'Hanlon will headline at the Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth on 21 June, along with comedians Justin Panks, Fiona Allen and Darius show is organised by WCB (Weird Coastal Buoys) Comedy, set up in 2012 by Paul Carlton at his local pub in Lowestoft, SuffolkThe Irish comedian will also embark on his first nationwide tour in five years, Not Himself, starting in September, with shows planned across the East, including Norwich in March 2026. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Bookmarks with Chris Parker
books music about 1 hour ago It was almost 10 years ago that Chris Parker first came on 'Bookmarks'. Back then he'd just won Best Newcomer at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. It's safe to say he's no longer a newcomer. Since then, he's rarely been off our screens. He's featured regularly on 7 Days, Taskmaster NZ, appeared in films like Baby Done and The Breaker Uppers, and won the prestigious Fred Award for his stand-up. He's just kicked off his latest tour, 'Stop Being So Dramatic!', which still has 8 more stops around the country.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sam Taunton reveals the brutal reality after Project axing as he returns to tiny stand-up gigs: 'Everyone knows I've lost my job'
It's back to basics for Sam Taunton. The once-prime-time star is now trading The Project's studio lights for dingy pub stages, after Channel 10 pulled the plug on the long-running panel show, leaving the comedian without his cushy TV gig. The 33-year-old funny man took to the stage in Sydney this week and didn't shy away from the elephant in the room - he's unemployed, and everyone knows it. 'It's just like everyone f**king knows you've lost your job and it's crazy,' Sam told the audience during his new stand-up set, admitting the reactions from his nearest and dearest weren't exactly comforting. 'My dad rang me and said: "Look, if I'm honest, the show wasn't for me. I prefer real news"' he quipped. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. It's back to basics for Sam Taunton (pictured). The once-prime-time star is now trading The Project's studio lights for dingy pub stages, after Channel 10 pulled the plug on the long-running panel show, leaving the comedian without his cushy TV gig But it was his girlfriend's response that truly drove the nail in. 'She sent me a Google Docs spreadsheet titled: "Chores now that Sam's unemployed."' Once a regular face on Aussie TVs, Sam is now back to hustling on the comedy circuit – not exactly the career trajectory he'd hoped for after scoring a coveted hosting role on one of the country's biggest current affairs shows. And the humiliation didn't stop there. According to Sam, even The Project's most stoic panellist had a few parting words. 'Waleed – you might know that guy – he texted me on Wednesday and said, "I'm so sorry, Sam. Get prepared. I just got papped by the paparazzi outside Chemist Warehouse near the studio."' Sam, hoping to nab a bit of that paparazzi pity, made a mad dash to the same location. 'I ran as fast as I could to Chemist Warehouse. Not one f***er took a photo of me!' Sam also asked the crowd if anyone watched the show to which the crowd said 'no!' with Sam replying, 'I think we have found the problem'. The Project is officially wrapping up this month after 16 years on air, with co-hosts Sarah Harris, Hamish Macdonald and Waleed Aly all moving on – or rather, being moved on – from the network. 'It's just like everyone f**king knows you've lost your job and it's crazy,' Sam told the audience during his new stand-up set, admitting the reactions from his nearest and dearest weren't exactly comforting The shake-up follows the announcement last week that The Project would be pulled from the schedule after 16 years and more than 4,500 episodes. Its final episode is set to air on June 27, and will be replaced by a single national 6pm news bulletin. Meanwhile, Channel Ten is moving forward with its major re-brand as the network prepares to launch a new current affairs show. The Project hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald are set to exit the network, while comedian Taunton will continue his guest appearances on other Ten shows. The last episode will air on June 27, with the panel show being replaced by a new current affairs show. After announcing The Project was ending last Monday, Ten released another statement announcing a new look news program. The premium news program, titled 10 NEWS+, is set to hit screens on Monday, June 30, at 6pm on Channel 10 and 10Play. 10 NEWS+ will be broadcast across the country after Network 10's 5pm local news bulletins, offering a deeper analysis of some of the biggest stories of the day. The Project's final episode is set to air on June 27, and will be replaced by a single national 6pm news bulletin. The cast is pictured According to Paramount Australia, the segment aims to 'redefine evening news by providing comprehensive analysis, trusted reporting, and long-form investigative journalism'. Keeping up with Australia's constantly evolving mediascape, the news program will be available via broadcast and streaming, as well as on digital and social platforms. The show's lineup will include former 7News journalist Denham Hitchcock and Walkley Award-winner Amelia Brace, who will be regular faces during the 6pm bulletin from Sunday to Thursday. Ursula Heger and Hugh Riminton will take the lead during the Friday broadcast. The anchor team will be supported by reporters including Ashleigh Raper, Bill Hogan, Brianna Parkins, Samantha Butler, Carrie-Anne Greenbank, and Claudia Vrdoljak. Ten's Entertainment Editor Angela Bishop will also bring insight into the biggest stories in entertainment, including red-carpet events and exclusive interviews with Hollywood's elite. Speaking of the new program, White gushed over the 'fantastic team' fronting the program and the 'hard work' that had gone on behind the scenes to bring it to air. 'We're going to do what we do best - put the truth first, our audience first, and tell important stories well,' he said of the new offering. 'We've assembled a fantastic team, led by Denham and Amelia, and I can't wait for audiences to see their hard work.' 10 News+ premieres Monday, 30 June at 6pm on Channel 10 and 10 Play.
Geek Vibes Nation
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Deep Cover' (2025) Review - A Wildly Entertaining Ride That Makes You Smile From Start To Finish
The London Comedy Store. It's certainly a familiar sight for those who have discovered the side streets of Central London, and seeing the black and red display at the door is always a guarantee of a great time. The dark-lit venue not only delivers a hilarious comedy evening featuring both small and big names in the industry, but it's also Kat's (Bryce Dallas Howard) second home. Kat is sadly all too familiar with the 'those who can't, teach' saying, as, instead of conquering stage after stage with her clever jokes, she teaches stand-up comedy in the heart of London. Her road to the success she still craves proves to be way too bumpy, and right when she's about to throw her towel in the ring, a seasoned cop, Billings (Sean Bean), offers her a life-changing yet unusual opportunity. Kat needs to use her improv skills during small undercover operations, such as purchasing counterfeit cigarettes or handbags. And that's when the entertaining, humour-packed Deep Cover , the latest feature by Tom Kingsley ( Ghosts , Pls Like ), takes off! It might seem an odd choice for the police to find one of its recruits in the underground world of improv comedy. However, just like any undercover cop, improv comedians need to be true chameleons, delivering clever and fast-paced reactions to unpredictable moments. Getting a pitch-perfect response to someone sneezing in the audience is a different amount of pressure than baiting the biggest names in the gun and drug industry. For Kat, it doesn't seem that much different, especially since she desperately needs the money. However, she can't pull off this mission alone—cue to her two side colleagues. One of them is her student, Marlon (Orlando Bloom), who, after appearing in only a handful of commercials, believes he'll soon win the Olivier Award. The other is the socially awkward Hugh (Nick Mohammed), an IT guy who joined the comedy world to make friends. Orlando Bloom as Marlon, Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate and Nick Mohammed as Hugh in 'Deep Cover' courtesy of Prime Video Because the script itself has nothing new or groundbreaking to offer, as the story of civilians being caught in life-threatening police stings has been explored and done before, Kingsley has to capture the audience's attention in different ways. He achieves this wonderfully by a) utilising the London locations to their full potential and b) casting the perfect trio of actors, who each relish their roles. Whether it's cruising on a Boris bike through the narrow stalls of Camden Market to dispose of a body or entering a small corner store in Hackney for what should have been an easy first undercover job, the filmmaker makes London look like the perfect playground for criminals, improv comedians, and actors. During the last half of the feature, the action takes over from the comedy. While the film loses some of its strength during those scenes, the chaos, dynamic energy, and vibrancy of London always keep Deep Cover from falling into clichés. It also helps that the laugh-out-loud script is in the hands of an impeccable trio. The three improv actors might not be the ones you would want to recruit for an undercover operation, but the actors are certainly the ones you would want as a director when making an action comedy. Just like her character, Howard ( Argylle , Jurassic World: Dominion ) anchors both this film and the central relationship with a restrained and grounded performance while also adding bags of charisma and humour. While Mohammed ( Ted Lasso , Bridget Jones's Baby ) might not be the biggest name on the cast list, he and Deep Cover are a match made in British comedy heaven. Mohammed truly gets the chance to show both his comedy skills and acting talent. He has a background in stand-up comedy, and it's a pleasure to see him share that love on-screen. 'Young Hearts' (2025) – A New Summer Flick About Love Orlando Bloom as Marlon in 'Deep Cover' courtesy of Prime Video However, if there's one performance that rises above them all, it's certainly Bloom's ( Gran Turismo , Elizabethtown ). Who thought that, after having more than fifty acting credits behind his name, Bloom would still be able to surprise us? 'Out' are the swoony work and the action-focused performances, and 'in' is the hilarious and perfectly timed acting. His Marlon dedicates his time to fabricating overly convoluted background stories. He wants to become a true method actor, but his chaotic approach and 'yes and…' style lead him and his two fake gangster colleagues down a dark rabbit hole full of criminal operations, bad guys and deadly consequences. During the Q&A after the SXSW screening of the feature, Bloom mentioned that people don't know him for his comedy roles. However, his performance as the pretentious, unsuccessful, yet charismatic wannabe actor will undoubtedly establish him as an actor who can deliver comedy with perfect timing and wit. We hope that he soon takes on another hilarious script, as he's having a blast in this movie. While Deep Cover offers nothing new under the sun in terms of story, it's highly entertaining, funny, and witty. It'll put a smile on your face from start to finish, delivering an equal amount of laughter and action, and the passion for comedy and filmmaking of the cast and crew is incredibly tangible. Those elements ensure that Deep Cover is a film you would say 'yes and…' to! Deep Cover is currently available to watch exclusively on Prime Video.
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Aidan Jones: the 10 funniest things I have ever seen (on the internet)
The internet gets a lot of bad press, most of which is itself published on the internet, which does seem hypocritical. The complaints usually mourn a loss of innocence and freedom. They remember the way things used to be, before the digital world was conquered by a handful of infinitely powerful tech oligarchs. I remember when we first got broadband in 2005. I felt like one of F Scott Fitzgerald's Dutch sailors at the end of The Great Gatsby, 'face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder'. It's scary to think that this beautiful thing has been stolen and turned against us. Used to extract the very minutes of our lives, which are then sold for profit. Some think that we should switch it off, shut the whole thing down before we lose touch with what's real, and who we are. But is it really so wrong to stay just a little bit longer? These are the 10 funniest things I have ever seen on the internet. This is the first standup special I ever remember watching. I always loved this bit about how hangovers get worse as you get older, which is so funny to me now because I'd never been drunk when I first saw this. Now I'm in my 30s, but I've been sober for 6 years, so you could argue that I still don't really get it. But I love the bit now for the same reason I did when I was 13: the violent way he says, 'SHUT UP!' In high school I was friends with these two brothers who lived on my street. Their dad was an illustrator and loved the Beatles, and their mum would take carloads of us out to the hills to film gory slasher movies that they wrote and produced together. They introduced me to so much indie film and weird art that felt a world away from suburban Adelaide and as weird as Brad Neely's overdub of the entire first Harry Potter film is, it's also just the tip of the iceberg. As an aside, one of the brothers, Pirie Martin, is a film-maker in his own right now and his first feature Psychosis was released in 2023 and absolutely rules. This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. Speaking of the Beatles! James Donald Forbes McCann, as he insists on being referred to, was one of the best comedians in Australia for years and no one cared. Then he started opening for Shane Gillis and moved to the US, and now he rightfully sells tickets everywhere he goes. I could have just as easily put his 'Fool Me Once' bit on this list, but I can't go past this poem about the Beatles. It's the age-old question: who is the best Beatle? For me, this poem settles it for good. This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. Andrew Portelli is currently one of the best comedians in Australia and no one cares. But the game is long, and the world will have its justice. 5. Group X – Waffle House My friend Lucy and I still quote this video and I'd say it might even be one of the cornerstones of our 15-year friendship, along with 'Let's get some SHOES!' and a house mixtape called Midyear Mayhem that my friend Mebbo released in 2009. How about that MS Word-era gradient in the animation! Phenomenal. This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. These two hosts of Triple J breakfast – along with guest comedian Alex Ward – take turns saying nice things to each other, and then reacting with the smallest possible smile. You will not believe how much fun this is until you do it with your loved ones. After you're done laughing at that, appreciate the beautiful irony of a breakfast radio team posting an entirely visual gag to their Instagram. When I moved to Melbourne in 2012, David Quirk was the first comic I ever shared a bill with whose work I was already familiar with. I loved this set from Festival Club, and there is no better summary of what comedians do than his quip, 'All I do is participate in life, and report back.' Watching Quirk emcee the open mic at The Monastery in Richmond to four punters in 2012 was an incredible thrill, and also served as great preparation for how the next decade-plus of my life would look. This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. This account seems to have gone relatively quiet in the last few years, but in my mid-to-late 20s it was huge. It's a girl from Manchester who collects and shares screenshots of the insane things men say to women on the internet. When it blew up I was just beginning to reckon with the idea that the repeated failure of all of my romantic endeavours might partially be my fault. (SURELY NOT?!) Reading these posts always made me laugh, but contained within them was also the helpful subtext: 'Hey you! Yeah you. Don't be an asshole.' This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. Blake Freeman is one of the most natural performers I've ever seen. When we met I was 21 and he was 16 and even then he had an unnatural wisdom about him, which is funny because his act is all about how he's dumb. He's not dumb, he's lying to you, don't listen to him! This bit he did for the Melbourne comedy festival gala this year is unbelievable. This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. I don't buy into the fatalist idea that the internet is this awful thing that is ruining our lives. Sure there are bad aspects, just like everything, but the internet is really just us, reflected back at ourselves. If we don't like what we see, it's up to us to change it. Train the algorithm to show you the kind of content you want to see, and reward the kind of creation you want to reward. It starts with you, right here, right now. With this video of a simple man transforming into a cat. Aidan Jones is a standup comedian. His show Chopin's Nocturne is at Summerhall for the Edinburgh fringe from 31 July to 25 August. Follow him on Instagram
