Irish comedian Jason Byrne returns to Australia in September after a two-year hiatus with his requisite quota of madness and this time he wants you to name his show!
So Jason, you're asking us Aussies to name your upcoming Australian tour; have you run out of ideas mate?
No, it’s not that I’ve run out of ideas, it’s just more fun if the audience name the show; it gives them a sense of ownership over that show. I robbed the idea from Charles Dickens — he used to let his fans read the books and leave the title blank — it was a peasant in Norwich that named ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Seriously, the winner walks away with $1,000 cash... not a bad pay day to name a comedian's tour? Question two is not a question, but I’ll send you $10 for it.
It's been two years since you last visited us colonial delinquents... what can of funny are you bringing this time?
The funny I’m bringing this time to [Australian] shores are funnies from all over the new and old worlds. I bring spicy jokes from India, pearly gags from the Caribbean and cotton one-liners from the Americas.
Do you have plans to return to TV land with another show after last year's 'Father Figure' series?
‘Father Figure’ will not be going on again, we did one series. It wasn’t like ‘Mrs Browns Boys’ enough, so the boss’s didn’t want to go again, unless my mother dressed up as a man called Helen. But I’m doing a new TV show where bears dress as humans and live in a house together; it’s called ‘Big Brother Bear’.
Is there a definitive timetable to tell when it's 'too soon' to tell a joke that's easily perceived as insensitive?
Yes, I think the ‘too soon’ rule applies across the board. It happened to me at my uncle’s funeral… avoid any jokes on the alter, THAT IS TOO SOON, especially when the corpse is looking right at ye.
Are there any topics that you don't engage with?
I never engage in inner organ comedy. Most people, including myself, find it vile.
When creating a new show, do you ever shock yourself with the content/ jokes you workshop?
I often shock myself on how good I am. I once laughed at myself in my office at home for four hours; my wife called the doctor, he told me to stay off comedy for a week, but as he left I did a Doctor: Good News Bad News gag, and I went right back into four hours of laughter.
No doubt you've had your fair share of members of the public approaching you with their own routines, 'witty' one-liners; do you ever find yourself interacting with people who could have a career in comedy? My favourite thing is for people to come up to me after the gig and let them try out their jokes on me. Straight after the joke I laugh, then I put on a straight face, then tell them never to do comedy ever again — they don’t.
Like writer's block, do comedians suffer from 'funny block'?
Funny block, no, the only time I ever...
With the recent passing of Robin Williams, did you react the same way as the rest of the planet? Or did you have a more personal connection that brought it closer to home?
Robin Williams, I never met him, didn’t know him, so I reacted the way I would react to any stranger’s death. But I would have liked to know him and have met him; him and Charlie Chaplin.
What's your favourite app at the moment?
My fav app right now, is ‘Jiggly Knockers’. Google it, you’ll find it.
Away from the stage, what/ who makes you laugh?
My pet dog Sonny makes me laugh the most as he has a front left leg that looks like an erect cock. Oooh, Sonny and your penis leg.
As a comedian, the different kinds of laughs you hear from the stage must be quite varied; any that stick in the mind?
Laughs from the audience to the stage? Yes, I once heard a man shout laughing; as he laughed he would literally shout ‘Ha, ha, haaaa”. It was a great gig and the audience laughed more at him then me. He left embarrassed, swearing, never to laugh in public again, I think he’s dead now... Ha ha haaaaaaaa!
When you find yourself in a tight spot/ serious moment, do you fall back on comedy to make light of the situation?
Yes I do. I was once murdering a family in a forest, when the cops arrived. A few quick one liners, they apologised for disturbing me and they went on their way, laughing at the one liners over the howls of the dying family.
Have you ever told a joke that has simply bombed with a crowd and you haven't been able rescue the show?
Bombed joke? I once did a gig in Dubai, where I slagged off their king, while drinking and swearing on stage, and kissing a woman full on the lips as a punch line. I was imprisoned for two years.
Jason Byrne Tour Dates
Tue 16th Sep - The Tivoli Theatre (Brisbane)Thu 18th Sep - DEC Playhouse (Darwin)
Sat 20th Sep - Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Sun 21st Sep - Frankston Arts Centre (Melbourne)
Tue 23rd Sep - Adelaide Festival Centre
Wed 24th Sep - The Regal Theatre (Perth)
Thu 25th Sep - The Regal Theatre (Perth)
Fri 26th Sep - The Concourse (Sydney)
Sat 27th Sep - Enmore Theatre (Sydney)
