Q: How big a deal was it to you to win the Billy T James award earlier this year? Was it reward for many years of hard work?
A: In some ways, yes. But, really, it's an acknowledgement of a comedian who has really stepped up.
You are suddenly in the company of a very talented group of people; folks like Dai Henwood and Ewan Gilmour . . .
It was also great to win on the same night as Ben Hurley won the Fred Award.
We started out together - that was a big party that night!
Q: What material are you planning to perform in Queenstown? Will there be much material from your First Time shows?
A: Ha ha. That depends on what's happening on the night.
Well just see what comes out, eh?
Q: Do you try to tailor your humour to audiences?
A: Ha ha. Creepy. I'm reading these questions one at a time and I kind of seem to be pre-answering.
Of course. I figure that it doesn't matter whom I've performed to in the past.
My job, my awesome job, is to make the people who are in front of me right now laugh.
Q: Is comedy a necessary foil to political correctness?
A: Hmmm. Foil? I don't think you can foil the PC world.
I think it's what keeps us funny as a human race.
Our constant attempts to better ourselves sometimes get lost in silliness; we get too serious about trivial things.
I think comedy is necessary to remind people that there is a grey area to all of life. Racism is wrong because its stupid.
Not because of some moral idea but because as an idea, it's just dumb.
Q: As the number of Kiwi comics grows, is there a greater audience also? There seems to be a growing number of New Zealand comedians making names for themselves on the international stage; what are your thoughts on the present state of New Zealand comedy? Any favourites?
A: . . . I think we are just getting more recognition now, as a result of us getting out there more.
Our audiences are getting huge. These shows in Queenstown are three nights now.
Its great to be a part of it. New Zealand comedy is in amazing shape and has a bright future.
Favourites? Too many, mate: Ben Hurley, Jeremy Elwood, Simon McKinney - these guys are all lighting the stage on fire at the local comedy clubs.
Michele A'court is in great form (as always). Ewan Gilmour is back in the clubs and tearing it up. It's a blast.
Q: Where do you get your material?
A: I just hang out with mates and shoot the s***. If a story is worth telling I'll share it with a crowd.
I never bore my mates with comedy talk. We are too busy just chattin' . . .
I love people who go, 'This will crack these guys up'. Laughter is awesome.
I have two best mates who are, in my opinion, the funniest dudes on Earth.
Neither of them are stand-ups, but they should be.
My friend Matt told me a story about watching birthing videos once.
I nearly died laughing. The funnier a person is - the more time you should spend with them.
Q: Where next after Queenstown? Do you have a busy schedule?
A: I'm touring The First Time and Office Boy until the end of the year.
Next year is full already. Heaps of work, heaps of crowds and lots of parties.
Comedians Steve Wrigley, Andrew Clay and Vaughan King perform at Revolver tonight and tomorrow.
