Now entering their biggest year yet, Hood and Kropinyeri will now be joining fellow comedy legends Sean Choolburra and Andy Saunders to host the prestigious event’s National Final & Showcase. The night-of-nights will include a special performance from 2016’s winner Jalen Sutcliffe and an impeccably-crafted list of hilarious entrants.
As part of the competition heats, Deadly Funny provides entrants with the rare opportunity to take part in a private workshop with a professional comedian, followed by a public live performance. Sutcliffe’s comedy prowess garnered him the Grand Prize of $2000, as well as acclaim and connections in the entertainment community. The runner-up of last year’s Deadly Funny, Benny Eggmolesse, is back once more to try and claim victory after his 2016 performance was awarded a special Deadly Funny Mentorship.
He’ll be competing with fellow comics from all across the country. Representing Victoria shall be Darren Clinch, Dion Williams, Kimberley Lovegrove, Jarrod McDonald and Marlene Scerri. From New South Wales, there’s Ghenoa Gela, Michael Vincent and Gregg Andrews. Northern Territory’s Martin Adams, South Australia’s Kiara Milera and Tony Petrillo and Queensland’s Corey Bobongie and Raymond Rankin are all on their way to bring the laughs.
For many of these aspiring talents, Deadly Funny will be a glimpse into the early career of future stars, providing some participants with one of their very first times on stage. Young comedian and 2017 Deadly Funny finalist Gregg Andrews is fresh from his participation in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s 2016 Class Clowns competition, which provides insight and opportunity for young comedians 14-18 years old.
Deadly Funny have also provided opportunities in the past to the youth of Australia with Deadly Funny Kids, a comedy workshop for young Indigenous people aged 12 to 18 held nation-wide (including at Footscray’s own Wominjeka Festival). A crash course in comedy for teens, Deadly Funny Kids was a program held in schools and local community centres aimed at building confidence and strengthening positive cultural identity through the art of stand-up. In groups of 25, the participants found their own artistic voice while taking part in joke writing, sketching and physical forms of comedy.
Co-host of 2017’s Deadly Funny Grand Final Shiralee Hood has performed on the likes of ABC’s Comedy Up-Late and as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Sean Choolburra hosts NITV’s premier comedy program Express Yourself, a series presenting some of the best Indigenous comedians from across the country, alongside musical performances by Maupower and Dizzy Doolan. Both Kevin Kropinyeri and Andy Saunders have performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.
