In his new ABC1 show, comedian Frank Woodley has delivered something that adds heart and depth to his signature slapstick, writes Matt Smith.
Comedy
podcast 
John Richards on coming out(land)
John Richards talks to comedy blogger Matt Smith about Outland, an upcoming ABC comedy series about a gay science fiction club.
The economy of comedy: does less money = more laughs?
A stand-up comedy club entrepreneur in Chicago is using the American economic recession not to scale back his business but to expand it, writes Gary Strauss.
ABC’s 2012 comedy line-up
What’s in store for comedy on the ABC in 2012? Gruen, Adam Hills and Laid will return, plus a number of freshies including Shaun Micallef is Mad as Hell. Comedy blogger Matt Smith previews the line-up.
Review: Greg Fleet’s Bring It (Melbourne Fringe Festival)
Veteran comedian Greg Fleet’s Bring it definitely brings laughs, and Fleet is skilled enough to deliver the material with his eyes closed, but the show’s flow and structure is all over the place, writes Siobhan Argent.
Review: 10 Things I Know About You — Melbourne Fringe Festival
Dressed in a smart waist-coat and a striped tie, Simon Taylor presents a practised and polished performance to kick of the 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival, writes Matt Smith.
Two and a Half Men: lost its Sheen but with added Kutcher
Much hyped, lumbering, and tired, Two and a Half Men is back on our screens, Sheen-free and with extra-added (Ashton) Kutcher. The big question is: will it survive? asks Matt Smith.
First impressions of The Joy of Sets
Hosts Tony Martin and Ed Kavalee generate great chemistry in The Joy of Sets, which discusses the elements of TV shows. However, it’s a bit static, writes Matt Smith.
Review: At Home With Julia — Episode One
At Home With Julia is not a political comedy. It’s as slight and inconsequential as an episode of Mad About You, writes Dan Barrett.
First impressions of At Home With Julia
ABC’s At Home With Julia takes your average storyline lifted from Bewitched, gives it some political overlay and reduces all the characters to a single exaggerated attribute, writes Matt Smith.
Review: Louis CK Live 2011
Despite the large crowd gathered at Sydney Opera House and the very enthusiastic crowd response, the essence of what works for comedian Louis CK was not lost. CK is a performer who thrives on a lack of pretension, writes Dan Barrett.
Review: Martin Short Live 2011
Some moments in Martin Short’s new comedy show suggested that the funniest bits would be 30 year old video clips. But Short is a consummate entertainer and many of his antics were hilarious, writes Josh Kinal.
Review: Dylan Moran in Yeah, Yeah
The awesomeness of a Dylan Moran gig depends largely on how much wine he’s guzzled beforehand. Moran’s new stand-up show Yeah Yeah contains some vintage material and true absurdist nonsense of the most superb kind, writes Kate Leaver.
The set of The Joy of Sets
Any TV set that features board games for The Bill, Neighbours and Sale of The Century has something going right. Dan Barrett takes a peek at Tony Martin and Ed Kavalee’s new show, The Joy of Sets.
TV review First look at ABC2′s twentysomething
Twentysomething is a six part dramedy about two best friends pulling their life together. The script is funny, with a good balance of shock and comedy, writes Matt Smith.
Comedy news round-up
Crikey’s resident comedy addict Matt Smith compiles the latest in comedy-related news, including what Eddie Izzard, Shaun Micallef and Lawrence Mooney are up to.
Comedy news round-up
Visit Crikey’s comedy blog Laugh Track for the latest comedy bits and bobs, including updates about Good News Week and a new podcast from young comedian Trav Nash.
podcast A conversation with comedian Judith Lucy
Australian comedian Judith Lucy talks to Matt Smith about her upcoming show Judith Lucy’s Spiritual Journey, a show in which she examines the big questions in life.
podcast A chat with comedian Margaret Cho
Outspoken American comedian Margaret Cho, star of Drop Dead Diva, chats to Laugh Track’s Matt Smith about comedy, tattoos and travelling.
A yak with Sam Pang from The Match Committee
The Match Committee is a comedy web series starring Crikey award winning comedian Lawrence Mooney as ‘coach’ and Sam Pang as ‘assistant coach.’ Pang talks to Matt Smith about the show and where the storyline could be heading.
podcast Leigh Hart’s Mysterious Planet
Kiwi presenter Leigh Hart calls in for a podcast interview with Matt Smith to talk about his upcoming TV show, which looks into the mysteries of the world and investigates the supernatural.
When stand-up gigs go bad
Support act stand-up comedians aren’t exactly synonymous with glitz and glam. Trasv Nash opens the drawers of his repressed memories to recall one hellish night in 2007.
Home of comedy kicks out Between the Lines
Channel 9’s latest effort to justify their ‘home of comedy’ title, the strange sports/comedy amalgamation Between the Lines, is coming to an end after just four weeks on air, writes Matt Smith.
Channel 9 the (pseudo) home of comedy
Channel 9 recently boasted that they are the ‘Home of Comedy and Laughter.’ TV blogger Dan Barrett studies their program schedule and discovers that ain’t so.
First impressions of Angry Boys
Comedian Chris Lilley returned to Australian TV screens this week in his highly anticipated new show Angry Boys. He’s still in form but Lilley’s wow factor has faded a little, writes Luke Buckmaster.
