Jeremy Corbett: keeping the laughs coming

Jeremy Corbett. Picture / Amos Chapple

Psyching himself into his ho-ho-ho's to MC Auckland's Christmas in the Park, comedian and More FM fixture Jeremy Corbett proves he can be funny on demand, and at very short notice.

Age: 42

Status: Married, divorced, annulled and now happy with Megan.

Offspring? Yes, I do stay off the springs, which means I have no offspring.

Where did you grow up? Well, Palmerston North was where I grew bigger.

Appointment television? Sopranos. In fact it's non-appointment, I avoid it on TV and watch the lot in an orgy of visual consumption on DVD.

Recommended film? ASA 100.

Most played CDs? Frank Scone Troupe, Nuclear Weetbix, Dosage 'B', Three Leaning Men.

Down time? Sleep. Most underrated of all of life's pleasures.

Car you drive? Convertible. Love 'em. Currently an 8-year-old Saab.

Play sport? Golf. Lawn Mowing. Hedge.

Radio history?

Eleven years on MORE FM with Kim. A couple before that as producer on Hauraki and 91. 

You've been described as the Godfather of comedy. In what way is this true?

Cross me and I'll leave a chicken's head in your bed and then I'll make you an offer you can't understand.

Any career regrets?

I helped kick off Energy FM in New Plymouth and left when things got valuable and now those guys are millionaires and I'm not.

Do you ever get sick of talking?

Yes. I constantly have nothing to say.

How is your around-the-house voice different from you on-air voice?

It's weaker. It doesn't travel. Either that or Megan and Nugget are ignoring me.

As a sought-after MC, have you ever fallen into the temptation of delivering an expletive-peppered speech to an audience of children and grandmothers?

No, but I convinced Devlin it would kill.

What is the biggest controversy you've been responsible for?

Toot for Loot. We used to get people to sit at green lights. They earned money for being tooted at, yelled at, abused or being approached by the law. People went mad. Letters were written, phone calls were made ... The Minister of Transport at the time shut us down. You don't mess with traffic. We will laugh at cancer before we laugh at traffic.

Ever had a stalker experience?

Sadly, I believe Kiwis just don't have the application for stalking. I've had a few half-hearted attempts made, but when I've asked them for some sort of commitment they flagged. I'll never forget being devastated when I found out my first stalker was following someone else behind my back.

Or a wardrobe malfunction?

All of my flashing is pre-meditated 

What are you plans for Christmas day?

Megan's family for lunch, My family for dinner. I know you shouldn't eat your families, but it's just cheaper.

The best part of Christmas for you is ...

That smell ... It's a flower. Lily, I think. For some reason I smell that and it's Christmas. I'm 10 years old running around our house in Palmy, barefoot, fighting with my brothers.

And the worst ...

Lonely people.

Does your other half do most of the Christmas preparations?

Does she what! We sent our Christmas cards at Easter. We've got gifts for people I've never met. I love to shop at the last minute. She's moved the last minute forward to November.

Real tree or fake tree?

Real real real ... The smell of pine.

Top five things on your mind?

What am I going to say if she asks me what books I'm reading? How many points in a Hundreds and Thousands biscuit? I'm hungry. What am I going to say if she asks me what books I'm reading? How big is infinity?

What books are you reading?

I'm half way through a book called In Code. And halfway through A Brief History of Time ... There's a market for half books.

Your best Tui billboard idea?

Steve, should I take the next right?