The NZ Comedy Festival is set to unleash itself upon the funnybones of Auckland and Wellington from April 29. TimeOut has rounded up a dozen or so local and international stars of this year's fest to discuss their approach to funny.
From: New Zealand.
As seen on: Team leader of Team 2 on 7 Days.
Name of show) and how long did it take you to think it up?): Fonzie Touched Me. I thought it up while walking around San Francisco when an Asian man dressed as Fonzie bumped into me.
Conceptual description of show in 10 words or less: Childhood influences, the 80s, the 90s, karate.
Are props required? If so, what's the most important one? A toilet door. At one point the audience re-enacts a scene from Happy Days and Fonzie has to punch down the toilet door.
Can we bring our mum? Yes please.
If you do have another telly/radio/whatever gig, what can you do in your live show that you can't there? I can't talk about the 80s for one hour.
How many Auckland Comedy Festival appearances is this for you? Ten.
What have you learned from your past appearances? Use this as an opportunity to see a lot of overseas comedy. Watching people better than you always makes you lift your game.
In a year like 2011, what is there to laugh about? The Government trying to explain file sharing and how the internet works. It's a "don't be such a geek Dad" moment.
Who's your favourite live comedian of all time and why? Eddie Murphy. He was so young when he shot Delirious, the best live stand-up DVD of all time. He had style, was very funny and also had a charming arrogance that you need as a comic.
Complete this sentence" "Please come to my show because ..." It will make you laugh and it will make you think of things you love but have forgotten. Get involved!
* SkyCity Theatre, May 11 to May 14
