Episode 22 of This Week in Comedy brings together hosts Lily Geddes and Morry Morgan with special guest Greg Curcio for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, creativity, media and the future of Australia’s comedy industry.
This episode get serious, with Greg sharing outcomes from the three day Business of Comedy Conference, where discussions centred on strengthening Australia’s comedy sector. Greg explains how his company, Future Ready Now, using AI tools to analyse the conferences sessions has produced a comprehensive “white paper” outlining strategies for improving the comedy ecosystem. Topics include fairer venue deals for performers, better access to funding, stronger industry organisation and the long-term vision of creating Melbourne as the world’s leading comedy destination.
The trio discuss the idea of a dedicated Melbourne comedy hub featuring performance spaces, archives, museums, bars, teaching rooms and creative collaboration areas. Inspired by historic venues like The Last Laugh, they explore how comedy can drive economic, cultural and social outcomes. Greg argues comedy is deeply undervalued despite its impact across entertainment, politics, education and workplaces.
Elsewhere, the hosts unpack major comedy and entertainment news stories, including Channel 10’s upcoming comedy telemovie Cop This, the controversy surrounding Bluey royalties flowing to the BBC instead of Australia, and comedian Alex Williamson being removed from his football club over offensive comments. Morry also highlights satirist Conrad Benjamin from Punter’s Politics, discussing how comedy and political satire influence public debate.
The episode is filled with lighter moments too, including a bizarre tasting session involving a thick purple “smoothie sour ale” beer, nostalgic reflections on sitcoms like Frasier, Cheers and Friends, and a conversation about international towns named Dull, Boring and Bland forming a tourism alliance.
As always, the episode finishes with Morry’s “Funny in the Moment” segment, where he recounts an awkward but successful attempt at making a local bread shop owner laugh.
Business of Comedy Conference: Click here
Business of Comedy Conference DRAFT white paper for public consultation: Click here
One Drop Brewing Co Come Over Pulp Smoothy Sour Ale : Click here
Future Ready Now: Click here
Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School: Click here
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