The Almost Perfect Podcast

Things have been a little slow at Almost Perfect headquarters so I decided to re-release an old episode from the archives with updated audio. The original Loyiso Gola episode didn't have the best sound quality, but thankfully technology has gotten quite a bit better since then and I've been able to spruce up the audio a bit. I'll be back with new episodes soon enough, but for now, I hope you enjoy this blast from the past."Loyiso Gola is a comedian. The twice Emmy-nominated host of Late Night News with Loyiso Gola has had a phenomenal career. He's travelled the world telling jokes and earned many milestones that used to seem out of reach for South African comedians. He's performed on Live at the Apollo, was a guest on QI, and recently dropped a one-hour special on Netflix that he's been working on for the last six years called Unlearning.On this episode of the podcast, we get into the intricacies and nuances of learning and unlearning. Loyiso is a deep-thinker who sets aside time to just ponder about the world, and we get to enjoy some of the fruits of that pondering. We discuss the value of extending empathy and understanding to people we disagree with. We get into balancing career and personal life and spending one's time intentionally. And we learn some behind the scenes details about how Unlearning got put together. Enjoy."Keep up with Loyiso Gola on Instagram.Support the podcast on Patreon.

Yaaseen Barnes returns for the second half of our rather extensive chat. This time we get into the history of the Cape Town comedy scene and the important role the Armchair Theatre has played in South African comedy, we hear how Yaaseen handles the responsibility of being a prominent Muslim figure in typically haram spaces, and we discuss Zionism in South African comedy. Enjoy.Keep up with Yaaseen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ya_a_seen_him/Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/almostperfect

Hey team, this week was a bit hectic what with me doing my solo show 'It's Not the End of the World', so I didn't have time to finish editing the second half of the Yaaseen Barnes interview.But, since I promised an episode this week, I figured I'd share my experience of doing the show on Wednesday and put it in the main feed instead of releasing it as a Patreon exclusive.Enjoy.

Comedian Yaaseen Barnes has had a career most comedians would be jealous of, yet he didn't pull the ladder up behind him and instead has helped the Cape Town scene climb to new heights. As the Director of the Jive Comedy Championship, Yaaseen is able to focus his passion for building up the comedians around him. Comedy has given Yaaseen an incredible life, with just a matric, so he feels compelled to share the love and the stages.In this episode, we hear about Yaaseen's approach to directing the Jive Funny Championship, we get into the necessity of leveraging social media as a stand-up comedian, and we discuss the role of competitions and awards in the comedy industry. Enjoy.Keep up with Yaaseen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ya_a_seen_him/Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/c/almostperfectBuy tickets to It's Not The End of the World: https://groundculturecafe.com/event/its-not-the-end-of-the-world-bob-perfect/

Colin Moss knows all too well that fame is a prison. Thankfully, it's a prison he managed to escape when moving to New York to pursue his acting career. Colin took a massive risk by giving up a rather successful career on TV in South Africa to start at the bottom in one of the most cutthroat cities to be an actor. Judging by his extensive IMDB page, which features credits on Black Mirror, Jessica Jones, and The Deuce, it's a risk that's paid off, although it took a few lucky breaks and many failures to get to a place where he's consistently booked and busy.In this episode, we get into Colin's early days as a stand-up comedian and TV presenter, we discuss the dreaded Heat magazine era of fame in South Africa, and we learn about the realities of giving up local fame for international success. Enjoy.Keep up with Colin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colmoss/Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/c/almostperfectBuy tickets to It's Not The End of the World: https://groundculturecafe.com/event/its-not-the-end-of-the-world-bob-perfect/

The multi-talented Andie Reeves has lived the kind of life where she just casually drops details that some people would write whole books about as if they're just backstory. Like the time she sailed halfway across the world on a catamaran as a private tutor, which she casually mentions while discussing the award-wining Two Freaks Notice podcast. The writer, podcaster, comedian, and crafter has kept herself busy and found a few ways to contribute meaningfully to the world. Like the six years she spent as a Montessori teacher, writing about sustainability in fashion, and starting the Cape Town Craft Club. Keep up with Andie: https://www.instagram.com/andiereeves/Listen to Two Freaks Notice: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/two-freaks-notice/id1625873687Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/c/almostperfectBuy tickets to It's Not The End of the World: https://groundculturecafe.com/event/its-not-the-end-of-the-world-bob-perfect/

Hey Almost Perfectionists,As some of you know, I occasionally drop bonus episodes of the podcast over on Patreon.If you'd dig to hear them, you can sign up for free.Here's a taste of what you're missing.Listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/c/almostperfect

Khanyisa JamJam aka JamJam The Comedian is the biggest cheerleader of all things South African, but especially sports. Who knew you could go from leading war cries at school to kicking it with the biggest names in South African sports, and selling out comedy shows in SA and abroad? JamJam's success is no fluke though as he's worked hard at being consistent both online and on stage. While everything seems to be clicking into place for JamJam, it hasn't always been an easy ride.In this episode, we learn why JamJam got a degree in Politics and how it helps with his comedy, we get an honest account of his struggles with addiction, and we have a rather frank discussion about race and privilege in South Africa. Enjoy.Keep up with JamJam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamjam_the_comedian/Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/almostperfectBuy tickets to Bob's WIP performance of It's Not The End of the World: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/307177-its-not-the-end-of-the-world-bob-perfect/#/

The South African comedy community is in mourning as we all found out about the passing of Ebenhaezer Dibakwane this weekend. Ebenhaezer was beloved by everyone in SA comedy and touched the lives of countless people with his infectious energy. Eb was a truly original thinker who never shied away from his truth.I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Eb at his flat in Joburg in early 2020 before COVID hit. To this day, it's one of the most honest interviews I've ever done and has stuck with me ever since. We do speak rather candidly about some very dark topics, so this may be a bit too heavy for some people to listen to right now. Still, I think it's important to know who Eb was and how he thought, and I think this conversation helps do that through his own words.The original interview has been edited to sound a bit better as the original recording isn't great.