113. FUNNY BUSINESS with Janet McLeod

Two Words with Taku

Today's Two Words: FUNNY BUSINESS

In this episode, I’m joined by Janet McLeod, the Fairy Godmother of Melbourne Comedy. Janet runs Local Laughs, which at 20 years, is the longest running comedy room in Australia with a sole operator/programmer...and one of my fave spots to perform.

We discuss comedy in all its glory — what is comedy, really? What makes a great comedian? How do you filter out the a**holes to make comedy rooms safe workplaces? Janet shares all her magical insights and wisdom, much to our audience’s delight.

A special note: this episode was recorded a week before beautiful and kind Cal Wilson suddenly passed away. Cal is one of my comedy heroines and she introduced me to Janet after we met through The Moth storytelling community in Melbourne.

One of my favourite Cal memories is performing with her at Local Laughs in 2018 and she gave me the biggest hug after I got off the stage. So special!

In this episode, Janet and I speak of Cal’s kindness. I’m grateful to have met and worked with her and she’ll always be one of my faves.

ABOUT JANET MCLEOD

With over 25 years' experience producing and programming live shows, Janet's curatorial skills are frequently called upon by organisations and arts festivals across Australia and in the UK including Edinburgh Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Glen Eira Storytelling Festival, Soho Theatre, Melbourne Fringe, and Fringe World in Perth.

She has managed over 60 separate projects in her professional career, including long-standing weekly comedy events Planet Comedy and Local Laughs. (Image credit: Alan Moyle — Local Laugh's 20th birthday celebration, June 2023)

An active champion of women in comedy, Janet was one of the originators of Upfront Comedy - now a hallmark event at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival - and has since produced all-women comedy show like Miss (you) and Frockin' Hilarious in Melbourne.

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This Two Words with Taku live podcast event was recorded in October 2023 in Melbourne. Thanks to the crew: Jan, Oscar, and Ali from 24 Moons for hosting us.

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MY 2024 COMEDY SHOW

Shine My Light is my debut one-woman solo comedy show, presented in the week of International Women’s Day 2024. In my show, I’ll tackle motherhood, entrepreneurship, societal norms, and everything in between. All are welcome to my unique celebration of womanhood.

Dates: Mar 6 – Mar 10 AT La Mama Theatre, Melbourne

Buy tickets: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/summer-2024/shine-my-light/

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