An occasional series asking comedians performing at the TV2 International Laugh! Festival what makes them ticklish.
Ladies and gentlemen ... Jan Maree.
Name of show: Alas Smith & Franicevic (with Justine Smith)
Being a comedian - the job you've always wanted or an escape from a proper one? Discuss, giving examples of previous employment: Neither. Comedy isn't a job because jobs are a necessary evil. Comedy is a passion and a joy and I love performing so much that I can only describe it as my career of choice.
Your major point of difference from all the other acts at this year's Festival: I'm the only one with a tan leather Harley Davidson belt holster for my ciggies and Zippo.
Your urge to get up on stage and make people laugh is more the result of a) pyschological imbalance or b) towering confidence: A bit of both. I'm mental and I'm a hapless showoff, but I'm also aware that if I didn't do comedy I would explode!
Who or what always makes you laugh? My best buddy Rayza, my parents, Billy Connolly, Eddie Izzard, Lily Tomlin and the movie Foul Play (Chevy Chase at his cheesiest and Goldie Hawn at her flossiest - I love it!)
And when you do, do you snigger, chuckle, giggle, guffaw? All of that and more! If I get really worked up I end up falling to the ground and rolling around. It's a good way to release the laughter without damaging anything. Plus, rolling on carpet is essentially a very pleasant experience.
The funniest word in the English language is? For me the word "panties" is quite a hoot!
Is comedy still the new rock'n'roll? If not what is?: No, comedy is really coming into its own and no longer needs the crutch of that title. Electronica is the new rock'n'roll.
What's the punchline to your favourite joke? "'cos she heard there was a guy there hung like this!"
Simpsons or South Park? Simpsons Chaplin or Keaton? Chaplin.
Ben Elton or Benny Hill: Ben Elton.
Shortland St or Coronation St? Shortland St.
If there was an act other than your own at the festival you'd recommend: Rhys Darby & the Time Machine, John Moloney.
Review your own show in 25 words or less: Loud, garish and funny. Hell pace, high-energy hooplah. Antics and anecdotes, but most importantly a very good time!
Now give it a censorship warning: R20, contains bad language, drug and alcohol references, cigarette smoking and noise.
Complete this sentence: Please come to my show because I really need the money to: Invest in my 2001 tour A January Jamboree with Jan Maree. I'm going all round New Zealand and I'd like to do it by mini-van so I'm saving up.
* Alas Smith and Francevic opens at the Silo theatre tonight at 8 .30 pm and runs until Saturday.
Laugh! Lines: A rolling passion for performance
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