Jimeoin might be one of the most recognisable stand-up comedians around, but there was a time when he didn't even know it was a thing.
Now, decades into honing his craft, Jimeoin's brilliantly funny wit and charming observational comedy is known the world over. He's toured to great acclaim far and wide – UK, Ireland, Montreal, New York, New Zealand, and of course, down under.
A star of the stage and the screen, Jimeoin is getting ready to hit Queensland Performing Arts Centre with his 'LIVE' tour. You've seen him online, you've seen him on TV. . . Hey, you may have seen him down at the pub. But there's nothing quite like witnessing Jimeoin's live stand-up act.
He'll bring everything audiences have come to love about him to the stage – a ferocious onslaught of gags, constant laughs, hilarious facial expressions, and a pair of world-famous eyebrows, all set to take centre stage for the ultimate stand-up comedy show.
Before he steps into the spotlight, we had a chat with Jimeoin about his beginnings in the craft, his comedy inspirations, career highlights, and more.
First of all, for those who (somehow) may not have stumbled upon you before. . . Give us a bit of a background on the beginnings of Jimeoin the comedian. What was it that drew you to comedy initially?
Jimeoin the comedian started in Sydney in November 1988. I was over in Australia on a working visa and working as a builder. A girl put my name down to get up and tell jokes, at least that’s what I thought it was. It turned out to be a stand-up comedy night. I told a couple of jokes, some people laughed, and then I watched the rest of the evening and was intrigued. I had a job where I could think about jokes and that’s what I would do all day. That was my start and introduction to stand-up comedy.
Were there other comedians you looked up to while you were perfecting your skills in stand-up?
I had never really watched stand-up or seen other stand-ups before I actually did it myself. It was a bizarre way to start my career but in some ways it was good as I wasn’t influenced by anyone else. I just ended up doing what I thought was funny. There was one or two people that I saw in that period that really influenced me. One of them was Bob Franklin. He had a unique style and really interesting subject matter. I think that is the key to stand-up. If you are talking about something that is really obvious but no one else has thought of mentioning it, then you were on to something. When I went down to Melbourne, I met Russell Gilbert. He was shocked that I was totally unaware of the art form of stand-up comedy. So I went round to his house on quite a number of evenings and he would sit me down in front of the TV and we would watch tapes of comedy shows from America and the UK of stand-up comics. I was blown away by the likes of Garry Shandling, Steven Wright and Sam Kinison. It was a real education.
How about now? Who are some of your favourite comedians of the time?
I’ve already mentioned Russell Gilbert and Bob Franklin. Mickey Flanagan in the UK. Kitty Flanagan in Oz. When I started doing stand-up it really wasn’t a big thing in Australia. Anyway, not like the way it is now.
Why do you think stand-up comedy is such an important, effective art form?
It’s quite simple to put on. It’s very honest. When it’s at its best it’s very honest. The first time I ever saw it it felt like it was a good night out, and it was something between going to see a band and going to see a play. It was a great option for a night out instead of just going to the pub.
Over the years, what’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned about your craft?
You have got to be match fit. By that I mean you have got to be doing a lot of gigs. If I haven’t gigged for a couple of weeks, I can get nervous and rusty. The key for me is doing it.
Is there a particular career highlight that stands tall above all the rest for you?
Doing a good TV spot and knowing that that is going to increase your audience. Feeling that you nailed a spot it’s like a dancer nailing a dance routine.
And what advice do you have for a budding stand-up who looks to acts like you as inspiration?
I don’t know. I’m not very good at giving advice. Don’t take advice and try and be yourself. That’s my advice.
You first moved to Australia in your early 20s. What do you love about this country?
I loved the fact that Irish people were liked. Coming from Northern Ireland and living in London in the '80s. . . Let’s just say we weren’t the flavour of the month. Then arriving in this country from the UK winter into an Australian summer and I’m working outside. I thought, this is the place for me!
As someone who has been all over the place performing stand-up, what, would you say, is the biggest difference between Australian audiences and audiences everywhere else?
There is no difference. Don’t kid yourself. People are people all over the world. We laugh and cry at the same things.
Do you have a message for everyone who has bought tickets to ‘Jimeoin LIVE’?
I’ll see you there!
How about those yet to get their hands on some...?
I might not see you there.
Jimeoin plays Queensland Performing Arts Centre 10 December.
