The Comedy Writers Group

On this week's bonus episode I'm joined by Bahaa Dabbagh to talk about turning his story as a refugee into a comedy show premiering at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. We chat about the gig that started it all, show development, the Melbourne open mic scene, community events and much more. Buy tickets to My Refugee Disorder here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I'm joined by returning guest Emma Leonard to chat about the premiere of her movie Zombucha at the Melbourne International Film Festival. We chatted about the writing of the screenplay way back on Episode 49! I'm also lucky to be joined by special guest co-host Eleanor Stankiewicz. We chat about how it feels to see your vision on the big screen, the development process, early reviews, cr...

This week I'm joined by Ece, Beray, and Esma from comedy collective: The Migration Office. We talk about what it's like to come to comedy from a Muslim background, joining improv to help with conversational Turkish, variety nights, character comedy, and how open mics compare to community-led events. Follow Esma , Beray , and Ece . Follow The Seeker's Stage . Follow The Migration Office for upcomin...

This week on the podcast I'm joined by the great Oliver Hunter. We chat about the fun-side and not-so-fun side of stand-up comedy, cracking jokes about living with a disability, the first bomb, and his new show that dares to get a bit darker and angrier. Follow Oliver Hunter . Follow your host, Marcel Blanch-de Wilt . Follow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon to get weekly...

This week I'm joined by Andy, Jack, and Jess from Weird Neighbour , filmmakers and sketch creators. We talk about how Weird Neighbour got started, the value of collaboration, why short-form, how to approach a sketch, branding, and the goals for the future. We also get a cameo from their new intern, Malcolm. I think you'll leave just as inspired as I was. Follow Weird Neighbour here . Follow your h...

This week I'm joined by the brilliant Mark Humphries to talk about his new documentary SOLD! Who Broke The Australian Dream? We chat about how Mark came to comedy, his brush with stand-up, the importance of collaboration, how to make serious topics funny, and the not-so-fun-parts of making stuff like getting called out by Media Watch. Follow Mark Humphries on instagram . Watch the documentary avai...

This week I'm joined by the great Peter Jones! Originally from Melbourne, now residing in London, I wanted to pick Pete's brain about the move and adapting to a new scene. We chat about Edinburgh Fringe, the comedy "middle-class", and how he came to put out his first special. You can watch Pete's first special here . Follow Pete . Follow your host, Marcel Blanch-de Wilt . Follow The Comedy Writers...

Free to listen for a limited time only. On this week's bonus episode you get to be a fly on the wall in one of our online Comedy Workshop Sessions. Hear what it's like to come along to one of our weekly sessions with new material from Laura Bruce and Kirsty Carr. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The great Bec Hill makes her triumphant return to the podcast to chat about her new show coming to the Edinburgh Fringe... at least that was the intention. We ended up talking a great deal about writers block, the nervous system, and the value of BREATHING. It's an excellent chat that should leave you feeling totally inspired. Expect a lot of shout-outs of folks to check out at the Edinburgh Fring...

I'm joined by Patrick Lenton on the podcast this week to talk about his debut novel! We get stuck into the behind-the-scenes of how the novel came to be, the realities life as a freelance writer, romantic comedies, the development process, and the emotions that come with the novel's impending release. Patrick's novel, In Spite of You will hit shelves in early August. Follow Patrick on instagram. F...

On this week's episode I'm joined by the brilliant Janty Blair AKA Aunty Janty. We chat about the importance of gratitude and Janty's astounding story of coming to comedy in her fifties. We also talk about going on tour, the value of collaboration, and there's a celebrity cameo or two! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I'm joined by CWG members Roisin, Freddie, and Andy to workshop some new material. This episode goes places! Dark and racy ones! You won't want to play this one with the kids in the car. We chat about "bringer" shows, what it's like to perform nude, before getting into new jokes ranging from shower caddy politics to mental health honesty on dating apps. Follow Andy . Follow Roisin . Foll...

This week I'm joined by Maddy Weeks (Best Newcomer Nominee 2024) to chat about how they came to comedy, circus school, props, and how what you wear on stage can say a lot about your act. We also chat a lot about the value of hobbies outside of comedy, thanks to my mum for the great listener-submitted question! Follow Maddy Weeks . Follow your host, Marcel Blanch-de Wilt . Follow The Comedy Writers...

On this week's episode I'm joined by Ethan Cavanagh (In Pour Taste, The Late Nite PowerPoint Showcase, MICF Best Newcomer Nominee 2025) to chat how he approaches putting on a show, how he started comedy in high school, how to hook an audience, and navigating full-time comedy. Follow Ethan . Follow your host, Marcel Blanch-de Wilt . Follow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon...

This week I've invited my mates Fiona Cox and Steph Broadbridge to come swap some jokes. We chat ear wax, legroom, and the perils of fame. We also get stuck into how to manage leaving full-time work for comedy. Follow Fiona Cox . Follow Steph Broadbridge . Donate to Breaking The Musical's crowdfund campaign . Follow your host, Marcel Blanch-de Wilt . Follow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram an...

This week I'm joined by stand-up, improviser, actor, and beautiful weirdo, Ben Russell. We chat about how the American and Australian comedy scenes compare, his relationship with improv, comedy classes, how it all began, and what's next. Follow Ben Russell . Follow your host, Marcel Blanch-de Wilt . Follow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon to get weekly bonus episodes, 90+...

This week I'm joined by Lana Walters (Billy T Award Winner, 7 Days, The Project NZ) to workshop some new bits! Before we get into chatting new material, we discuss what it's like to be a comedy judge, winning awards, and how Lana got into stand-up. Follow Lana on instagram. Follow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon to get weekly bonus episodes, 90+ episodes behind the paywa...

This week I'm joined by musical comedian and viral sensation, Emerson Brophy to chat about his experience making music on the world wide web! Emerson has millions of views across the various platforms. We chat about the early days, lockdown, social commentary, and the move to live shows. Become a member to get this week's bonus episode with EXTRA EMERSON where we talk about building a song from sc...

It's our final episode of our live series recorded at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. I'm joined by special guest co-host Amy Hetherington (award-winning comedian and Queen of Darwin comedy) and cult-fave David Quirk ( Rosehaven , Please Like Me ). We chat about the challenges around festivals, tackling tough subject matter, the ambition required to maintain a career, and finding your...

On this week's episode I'm joined by the brilliant David Correos! We chat about David's unusual route to comedy, what he learned on Taskmaster, outsider art, and how his latest show combines stand-up and a rave. David is currently on tour so make sure you catch him when he's in your neighbourhood. Follow The Comedy Writers Group on instagram and join the patreon to get weekly bonus episodes, 90+ e...

This week we have our second LIVE episode from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. I'm joined by guest co-host Bron Lewis (Have You Been Paying Attention? Thank God You're Here) and Laura Davis (twice nominated Most Outstanding Show and cult-favourite). We cover a lot of ground from crowdwork's oversaturation, ticket sales, and different approaches to writing and editing. Bron and Laura h...

On this week's episode I'm joined by the brilliant Blake Freeman (Question Everything, The MICF Gala, Best Newcomer Winner) to chat about his move to New York. We get into the highs and the lows of moving to a new scene before digging into a chunk from his new show. If you're in Melbourne there's one more week to catch Blake at MICF. Follow Blake on instagram and be sure to grab tickets. Follow Th...

A special live episode recorded at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival featuring Olga Koch (Live at the Apollo, QI), Kate Dolan (award-winning cult favourite), and Dane Simpson (MICF Gala, The Emu War). We chat about the Australian comedy scene, making money, the value of public speaking skills, and workshop a new joke from Dane Simpson. We have one more LIVE episode coming up on the 13th...

Something a little different this week! The phone lines are open to members of Comedy Writers Group community performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. I wanted to give members an opportunity to tell listeners about their show and to talk about what was on their mind like a good old fashioned advice line.\ Across the episode we chat healthy habits, pacing yourself, finding the fun...

This week I'm joined by the brilliant Anirban Dasgupta to chat about pursuing comedy in India. We chat about the beginning of the Indian stand-up scene, doing comedy in Australia, producing gigs, and we discuss Anirban's latest show Cry Daddy coming to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Follow Anirban and go see his show when he comes to your town. Follow The Comedy Writers Group  o...