The Callback – Details, episodes & analysis

Deadly Funny winner Janty Blair and producer, comedian, and drag queen Wes Snelling have a friendship like none other - but how did it all start? They join Claire in this episode to discuss meeting for the first time twice, tips for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the importance of seeing comedians on stage that look like you.

Follow Janty Blair on Instagram @janty_blair Follow Wes Snelling on Instagram @wessnelling Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies: Facebook: / melbournecomedy Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

On this episode, beloved Australian comedian, musician, and radio personality Sammy J throws all of the rules out the window so that he can grill Claire on a song about a horse that has haunted his memory for the past 18 years. Turns out, he doesn't even remember the full story himself...

Follow Sammy J on Instagram @sammyjcomedian Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies: Facebook: / melbournecomedy Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

The Callback is a podcast all about comedy moments from the comedians of the moments. Hosted by Claire Hooper, with new episodes dropping each Thursday.

We're bringing together some of your favourite comedians to talk about the defining moments in their comedy careers. Whether it’s the first time an artist fell in love with comedy, the start of a powerhouse duo, or a chance meeting of artists in the right place at the right time.

Available in audio form on all major podcast platforms, or right here on our YouTube channel in video form!

This podcast is proudly supported by OPPO.

Ten years ago, something happened that no one could ever have predicted - comedians Rhys Nicholson and Zoë Coombs Marr got legally married on the Festival Club stage. In this episode, the pair discuss how the idea came to be, what their real-life partners thought of the nuptials, and what the wedding was really about.

Follow Rhys Nicholson on Instagram @rhysnicholson

Follow Zoë Coombs Marr on Instagram @zoecoombsmarr

Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies:

Facebook: / melbournecomedy

Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival

TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival

YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest

Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

These days, Ivan Aristeguieta is a beloved award-winning comedian, but 20 years ago, he was just a budding Venezuelan comedian who became obsessed with watching clips from Rove Live, hosted by Rove McManus. Years later, Ivan found himself on a reboot on Rove's show, and they're here today to tell the tale. In this episode, the pair discuss the trials and tribulations of live TV gigs, how to maintain community over competition, and why Australian comedians are so nice.

Follow Ivan Aristeguieta on Instagram @ivancomedy

Follow Rove McManus on Instagram @rovemcmanus

Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies:

Facebook: / melbournecomedy

Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival

TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival

YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest

Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

Pete Helliar thinks he met Rowan Thambar while working together on The Project - what he doesn't remember is judging the Class Clowns National Grand Final that Rowan was a finalist in years earlier. Rowan remembers it clear as day, as well as the life-changing advice that Pete gave him after the show. In this episode, the pair discuss their time working together on The Project, what it feels like working with the comedians you once simply admired, and why you shouldn't wear sunglasses on stage.

Follow Pete Helliar on Instagram @pjhelliar Follow Rowan Thambar on Instagram @rowanthambar_

Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies:

Facebook: / melbournecomedy

Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival

TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival

YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest

Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

Every great comedian has one gig that haunts them forever. For rising comedy superstar Bron Lewis, that gig occurred several years ago when she bombed spectacularly in front of radio presenter and comedy legend, Nick Cody. Thankfully, he doesn't quite remember it the way she does. In this episode, the pair discuss how they got their starts, the joys of corporate comedy, and share the horror gigs they'll never forget. 

Follow Nick Cody on Instagram @thenickcody 

Follow Bron Lewis on Instagram @bronlewiscomedy 

Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies:

Facebook: / melbournecomedy

Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival

TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival

YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest

Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

Lizzy Hoo and Kushi Venkatesh met in 2023 at the Class Clowns National Grand Final, and despite the fact they were host and competitor, they've been friends ever since. In this episode, the pair discuss the interests that brought them together, outfit choices on stage, and the advice Lizzy gave Kushi all those years ago that she's finally taken on board. Follow Lizzy Hoo on Instagram @lizzyhoo Follow Kushi Venkatesh on Instagram @kushi.venkatesh Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies: Facebook: / melbournecomedy Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

David Collins and Shane Dundas met at acting school almost forty years ago, and have worked together as comedy duo The Umbilical Brothers ever since. In this episode, the pair discuss the formative assignments that shaped their comedy style, their thoughts on stretching and rehearsing, and discover the reason they work so well together.

Follow The Umbilical Brothers on Instagram @umbilicalbrothers Follow David Collins on Instagram @yesdavidcollins Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies: Facebook: / melbournecomedy Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/

Maddy Weeks first fell in love with comedy at 17 years old, when David Quirk came to town with the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow. 11 years later, Maddy had the ultimate full circle moment, when they found themself performing with David on the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow. In this episode, the pair talk about David's unique choice of CD merch, what it's like doing comedy in a regional town, and how to fall back in love with comedy after burning out.

Follow Maddy Weeks on Instagram @maddyyweeks Follow David Quirk on Instagram @dedbeet Follow Claire Hooper on Instagram @theclairehooper

Other ways to follow the #MICF funnies: Facebook: / melbournecomedy Instagram: / melbcomedyfestival TikTok: / melbcomedyfestival YouTube: / TheMelbComedyFest Join our mailing list: https://micf26.au/mailinglist

Thanks to OPPO for supporting this podcast. For more, head to https://www.oppo.com/au/