‘comedy: with matt elliott’ 1st anniversary

MEDIA RELEASE

18/11/06

From: Matt Elliott, Producer/Presenter ‘comedy: with matt elliott’
Wellington Access Radio 783AM
www.accessradio.org.nz

‘comedy: with matt elliott’ celebrates 1st anniversary.

On November 27th, 2006, the radio programme that has sparked renewed interest in comedy on radio will celebrate its first anniversary. ‘comedy: with matt elliott’ is broadcast live from the Access Radio studios in Guzhnee Street every Monday night between 7 – 8pm.

The brainchild of local stand-up comedy pioneer and author of the only history of New Zealand comedy – Kiwi Jokers: The Rise and Rise of New Zealand Comedy, HarperCollins, 1997 – ‘comedy: with matt elliott’ has broadcast over 40 hours of comedy from more than 200 comic artists, all of it drawn from Elliott’s personal album and CD collection. It has also aired over 6 hours of interviews with local and international comedians and people associated with the industry.

This is an on-going pleasure for Elliott. “During the festival I spoke to Scotswoman Janey Godley and Irishman David O’Doherty. He was nominated for the top award at Edinburgh this year. Jimeoin, who I first met over a decade ago when I was living and performing in Melbourne, gave his only radio interview while in the country on the show and described it as 'like having a chat in a pub'. Comedians have said they enjoy being interviewed at length by someone who knows the industry and doesn’t just ask what their favourite colour is.”

Thanks to the internet, the show’s audience is not restricted to the reach of the station’s transmitter, which is from Golden Bay to Taranaki. “I’ve had people email me from South Auckland and Otago. Ex-pats have emailed from London saying they listen in to hear some good old Kiwi comedy such as Fred Dagg or Billy T. and to keep in touch with what is happening on the scene here. We now have so many local comedians heading to London, it’s a minor form of exposure for them before they get there.”

As for the next twelve months, Elliott, who funds the show himself says, “It’s not cheap taking comedy to the masses so I might have to run a few cake stalls and sausage sizzles next year.”

Elliott is assisted in-studio by Access Radio Station Engineer, Ian Bartrum. “Ian’s ex-RNZ so has all the skills which make the show a breeze. He’s a big comedy and music fan so we have a great time.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media