Episode 19 of This Week in Comedy sees hosts Lily Geddes and Morry Morgan hit their stride with a jam-packed episode blending global satire, Aussie comedy highlights, and plenty of laughs along the way. Joining them in the studio is none other than Scott Dikkers, founding editor of The Onion, who shares insights into the craft of satire, its role in modern media, and why it remains essential for a healthy democracy, just ahead of his appearance at the Business of Comedy Conference.

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into one of Australia’s biggest comedy events, the Raw Comedy National Grand Final, held as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. With nearly a thousand entrants nationwide, the competition showcases the country’s best emerging stand-ups. This year, Sydney’s Joshua Khoury took out the top prize, earning a coveted opportunity to perform internationally. The competition was incredibly tight, with Melbourne comedians Jorgia Rice and Jake Zukerman named as runners-up, both earning well-deserved recognition for their standout performances.

Lily and Morry also reflect on the energy of the night, the diversity of acts (including musical comedy), and the significance of Raw Comedy as a launchpad for new talent. Alongside this, they spotlight other major comedy happenings, including the Deadly Funny National Grand Final and upcoming tours, all while weaving in their signature humour and industry insight.

Of course, it wouldn’t be This Week in Comedy without a beer review. This episode features a gluten-free brew from Two Bays Brewing Co., opening up a light-hearted discussion about taste, dietary quirks, and the ever-important role of beer in comedy culture—even if not everyone in the room is drinking.

Scott Dikkers on Instagram: Click here

Two Bays Pale Ale Gluten Free: Click here

Business of Comedy Conference: Click here

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

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Episode 18 of This Week in Comedy sees hosts Lily Geddes and Morry Morgan joined by special guest Andrew J. Nash, former technical advisor on Silicon Valley and upcoming speaker at the Business of Comedy Conference in Melbourne, April 16, 17 and 18, for a wide ranging and hilarious conversation that blends comedy, tech, and real world storytelling.

Recorded bright and early (before 9am, somehow), the episode dives straight into Andrew’s experience working behind the scenes on one of the most detail rich comedy series ever made. He shares how the show’s creators, led by Mike Judge, were committed to making the technology as accurate as possible, right down to hidden Easter eggs, real code, and in jokes that only industry insiders would catch. From freeze frame worthy screens to subtle nods to real startups and billionaires, the level of authenticity is next level.

Naturally, the conversation brings up the iconic characters that made Silicon Valley unforgettable, including Richard Hendricks, Erlich Bachman, Gilfoyle, Dinesh, Jared, Gavin Belson, Big Head, Jian Yang, and the Russ Hanneman, who it turns out way based on billionaire, Mark Cuban.

One of the standout discussions revolves around the infamous “middle out” compression scene, widely regarded as one of the most elaborate d*ck jokes in television history. Andrew reveals how real Stanford experts contributed to the concept, and how a fictional idea ended up influencing genuine conversations in the tech world. It’s a perfect example of how comedy can intersect with reality in unexpected ways.

Beyond Silicon Valley, the conversation expands into the broader relationship between satire, technology, and society. Andrew explores why satire is essential for both healthy democracies and evolving industries, drawing parallels between comedians and entrepreneurs as people who challenge norms and rethink systems.

The episode also features This Week in Comedy History, highlighting figures like Eddie Murphy and Jackie Chan, plus updates from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Chortle Award nominations, a chaotic breakfast beer review, and a bizarre historical fact involving a unit of measurement called a “butt.”

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

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Episode 17 of This Week in Comedy brings together Morry Morgan and Lily Geddes with special guest Canadian comedian Lars Callieou for a full-episode deep dive into comedy culture, festival life, and the chaos that comes with it. From the opening moments, Lars settles in as more than just a guest, sharing stories from his career across Canada and Australia while immediately matching the show’s fast, irreverent energy.

The episode moves through a mix of industry insights and absurd tangents, covering everything from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to the strange realities of being a working comedian. There’s discussion around visas, the grind of building a career, and the subtle differences between comedy scenes around the world. Along the way, the trio unpack classic “inside comedy” moments, including the universal joke about comedians wearing shorts on stage and what it really signals to other performers.

A highlight of the episode is the ongoing love letter to The Exford Hotel, a venue that holds a special place in both the Melbourne comedy scene and Lars’s personal journey. His story about discovering the venue, and how it mirrors his early days running comedy rooms in Canada, offers a rare mix of sincerity and humour that captures what makes live comedy spaces so important. It also ties into appearances from figures like Chris Franklin, whose presence looms large in the stories shared throughout the episode.

Naturally, no episode would be complete without a drink in hand, and this week’s choice is Foster's Lager. What starts as a simple tasting turns into a nostalgic and surprisingly thoughtful discussion about Australian identity, international perceptions, and the strange cultural journey of one of the country’s most recognisable beers.

The episode also leans into the bizarre, with stories ranging from a French performer who famously ate an entire airplane to offbeat “funny in the moment” encounters that highlight the unpredictable nature of comedy. Balancing industry talk with ridiculous anecdotes, Episode 17 captures the essence of what This Week in Comedy does best: blending insight, storytelling, and spontaneous humour into a conversation that feels both unfiltered and deeply connected to the comedy world.

Hard Knock Knocks Comedy Course with Lars Callieou: Click here

Lars Callieou's Instagram: Click here

Foster's Larger: Click here

Business of Comedy Conference: 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.