Comedy

Rape jokes laid bare by one-woman comedy show

STEPHANIE BUNBURY When Adrienne Truscott started performing Asking For It, her one-woman comedy show about rape, she knew performing in nothing more than a jacket and shoes could have some punters coming in to heckle. But that isn't how nakedness works.

How I unwind: Bob Downe

STEVE DOW Just when we thought we knew all we could know about Bob Downe, he has come out as straight.

Life of Python

The cult comedians' decision to reunite has Jonathan Biggins wondering if they're feeling the financial squeeze.

A Very Woggy Xmas Comedy Gala gives up the carols in favour of Doctor Who songs

John Bailey You don't have to be religious to enjoy this time of year.

Alan Davies' raw material

STEPHANIE BUNBURY With his schoolboy charm and unruly curls, British comedian Alan Davies has cemented his place in the affections of TV viewers around the world.

London

Monty Python show sells out in 43 seconds

Monty Python are remaining coy about a possible world tour after tickets to their "one-off" London show sold out in 43 seconds, leading to the announcement of an additional four dates.

Comedy

Monty Python: And now for something completely different

NICK MILLER At last, the famous Python band is getting back together.

'We waited for demand to die down': Monty Python announce their reunion show

NICK MILLER Despite varying opinions of taking the stage show to Australia, in John Cleese's words 'there were planets closer to the UK than Australia' so it seems unlikely.

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World awaits

Monty Python comeback venue: the world awaits

Comedy veterans Monty Python will choose the venue for their eagerly-awaited comeback just moments before it is announced.

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Bring out your dead ... Monty Python reunite

NICK MILLER The Beatles of comedy: Monty Python survivors confirm reunion.

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A maverick at large

Peter Vincent A cult satirist who wants more idealists in politics has his hat in the ring.

Beached as

Swimwear-shy Hannah Gadsby tells Louise Schwartzkoff her 10 tips for getting back in the water.

Hoax

Andy Kaufman back from the dead hoax

NICK GALVIN A joke from beyond the grave? Mystery deepens over claims the cult comedian faked his death.

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Scam rebuke

Charles Firth 'sacked' from Museum of Words project over scam comments

SUSAN WYNDHAM Charles Firth has been "sacked" by the team working with him on the Sydney Museum of Words, after he described the satirical project as a scam.

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Wordsmith

Comedian Charles Firth takes words out of the mouths of Rinehart and Assange but Queen stays Marm

Susan Wyndham When Charles Firth wrote to the Queen asking her to donate a word to the Sydney Museum of Words, Buckingham Palace sent a polite apology saying it would be unfair because Her Majesty received so many requests for donations.

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Michael McIntyre

Michael McIntyre: the biggest comedy star you've never heard of

Sarah Thomas Feel-good humour has turned Michael McIntyre into the world's biggest stand-up comic.

How I unwind: Carl Barron

Jason Treuen When it comes to downtime, Carl Barron finds it hard to switch off.

Comedy

Mates happy to take laughter to the edge

Dewi Cooke, Deputy Arts Editor There's no white-bread approach to these two comics' material - and that's the way they like it.

The Partridge family

Kylie Northover Steve Coogan reunited with his original collaborators to revive Alan Partridge.

Comedy

'To some people, I'm a scary monster': Rosie O'Donnell

KYLIE NORTHOVER It has taken one hell of a shock to motivate Rosie O'Donnell to return to stand-up comedy.

Stand-up right from the heart

KYLIE NORTHOVER Rosie O'Donnell is returning to stand-up comedy, and it took one hell of a shock to motivate her.

How I Unwind: Peter Helliar

GILES HARDIE Peter Helliar has turned his eye to romance as the writer and director of the film I Love You Too and the recent ABC series It's A Date. Now his stand-up is following suit in the show Date Night.

Hook-up app just a daily grindr for comedian

NATALIE BOCHENSKI Nath Valvo knew his Grindr addiction had to stop when he found himself checking the social media hook-up app at a funeral.

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Rove McManus: return of the prince

Neil McMahon Still a favourite son of comedy, even though LA is now home, Rove McManus talks fame, first-time fatherhood and turning 40.

My secret Melbourne ... Dave Thornton

Mary O'Brien Comedian Dave Thornton dreams of conquering the Eureka Skydeck. The Geelong boy remembers visiting the Royal Exhibition Building with his dad, and loves the 'hodgepodge' of people in St Kilda.

Comedy in Store: Tom Gleeson, Tommy Little and Dave Thornton

Elissa Blake Three comedians from This Week Live are bringing solo shows to the Comedy Store.

Clown teeters on brink of chaos

Reviewed By Richard Watts Winner of the Best Comedy award at last year's Melbourne Fringe, Dr Professor Neal Portenza returns with a ''best-of'' show that cherry-picks hits from his past few years of performance. The result is a deliriously funny hour of clowning that had this reviewer wiping away tears of laughter, in between dodging Nerf balls, joining in a rousing chorus of the Ghanaian national anthem, and voting in game-show routines that may or may not be rigged for the most hilarious outcomes.