A New Generation Of Laughter

With comedy festivals continuing to multiply and grow in size City Hub spoke to two of the world’s leading comics, America’s Iliza Shlesinger and Australia’s own Tommy Little, to gain a greater understanding of the contributing factors behind the phenomenon. Unexpectedly both comics had two very different opinions on the matter.

According to Shlesinger the rise and committed focus to stand-up comedy specials on Netflix is the major factor she believes is creating a resurgence in the popularity of comedy.

“Netflix has been instrumental, and in some cases the driving force behind a lot of people’s careers. Netflix has been a game changer, they’re doing for stand-up right now what the Tonight Show did in the 70s & 80s.” said Shlesinger.

For Little though a wider global context is required to fully understand what is happening within the comedy world. Comedy has seen a surge in popularity because, “the world is shit!” Little proclaimed before clarifying further, “When the world is shit people need comedy to escape from some of the awful things they see. The ability to sit back have a laugh and escape the world, your phone and personal life for an hour or so is becoming more and more precious.”

Both comics will be capitalising on the resurgence, regardless of the reasoning behind it, in the coming weeks as part of the Just For Laughs comedy festival. 

Shlesinger will be performing a new updated version of her own solo show, Elder Millennial, over consecutive nights at the City Recital Hall. Elder Millennial is in itself a show which gained acclaim via the Netflix comedy special platform with Shlesinger dismantling the culture, fashion and trends of the late 1990s/early 2000s.

“For my money the late 90s/early 00s had some of the worst fashion and some of the weirdest stuff was going on in pop-culture,” recalled Shlesinger. “So as a 35 year old elder millennial with people around my age we are now just getting to the age where nostalgia is warranted.”

Conversely Little will be playing host for a run of festival showcase events at the Sydney Opera House.

“This will be my fourth time hosting… it’s basically me bringing on the best comedians from around the world. It’s the best sample bag of comedy you’ll ever see, you’ll see six of the best comedians from around the world for the price you’d usually pay to see one.”

Despite incredibly busy schedules for both comics, we spoke with Shlesinger from the set of her upcoming movie Wonderland and with Tommy juggling commitments for radio and television alongside his comedy, they are both beyond excited for the upcoming run of shows in Sydney.

“I’m super excited because I haven’t been to Australia for many years and I’ve been dying to get back,” said Shlesinger. “The outpouring of love from fans from Australia has been overwhelming, so I can’t wait to get drunk with some party goblins down under.”

“Comedy is a small industry… we’re all friends on these types of gigs so there’s a reunion type atmosphere. There’s a lot [of comics] that are doing the show that I can’t mention but I’m very excited to be working with, and then there are some of my best mates from right around Australia, such as Peter Hellier, Nazeem Hussain and a bunch of other homegrown heroes.” said Little.

So whether you’ve only recently discovered comedy off the back of platforms like Netflix, are a long time comedy aficionado or simply need an excuse to forget the world for an hour or two then Just For Laughs 2018 is exactly what you need. As Little put it so succinctly, “put on a collared shirt and just get amongst it!”

Just For Laughs Australia: LIVE

Nov 22-24. Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney. $20-$37.90+b.f.

Iliza Shlesinger – Elder Millennial

Dec 7-8. City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney. $69.90-$141.40+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.justforlaughs.sydney