Tim Minchin (1975 - )

Tim Minchin was born in Britain but grew up in Australia. He is most popular for his musical comedy. He has a background in theatre productions, and is also a composer and lyricist.

I personally enjoy his comedy routines because I think he is unique, this is apparent as Tim sees himself more as a musician and songwriter compared to a comedian.

As an actor as well as a stand-up comedian, you can see Tim Minchin acting in Jesus Christ Superstar, Carlifornication, Two Fists, One heart, and The Lost Thing.

Here is a link to the Tim Minchin website :
http://www.timminchin.com/
 
 Tim was not at this comedy festival but here are some other comedians that were:
Festival program

Carl Barron at Just for Laughs 2006

Carl Barron is an Australian comedian who's style is observational humour. Carl Barron grew up in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia.

I think he is very funny and that many people would be able to relate to his comedy acts. His comedy routines is often based around his family and what his parent's did and said. Carl's comedy acts are not too rude so he is a comedian fairly suitable for families.

George Carlin (1937-2008)

Was an American stand-up comedian, who people sometimes referred to as a philosopher. He often used his comedy to discuss issues of race, politics, class and the American life but as a comedian his main objective was to make people laugh.

Many comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Mitch Hedburg, Jay Leno and Ben Stiller, have claimed George Carlin as an influence. I think this is because George was a comedian who was not afraid of offending the audience and he spoke logically but in a humorous way.

 George was very controversial and many people  did not like him, mainly because he didn't speak very highly of religious beliefs.

In 1959 George, began a comedy team with Jack Burns, that lasted for two years before they each moved on to being individual performers.

I find George Carlin's sense of humour quite insightful and intelligent, even though he was sometimes quite crude with his stand-up comedy performances, but this controversy seemed to just increase his fame. George made hilarious observations (observational comedy) from everyday life that most people can relate to.  

Even though George was very funny on the stage, his personal life was sadder, as he suffered with drug addictions, cardiac problems, and his first wife dying of liver cancer.

Some of my favourite George Carlin Quotes -

·         Swimming is not a sport. Swimming is a way to keep from drowning. That's just common sense!

·         If a movie is described as a romantic comedy, you can usually find me next door playing pinball.

·         I don't like to think of laws as rules you have to follow, but more as suggestions.

·         The real reason that we can’t have the Ten Commandments in a courthouse: You cannot post “Thou shalt not steal,” “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and “Thou shalt not lie” in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.

·         I don’t have a fear of heights. I do, however, have a fear of falling from heights.

·         I have as much authority as the Pope. I just don’t have as many people who believe it.

·         It isn’t fair: the caterpillar does all the work, and the butterfly gets all the glory.

·         I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.

·         Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

·         Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

·         People who say they don’t care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don’t care what people think.

·         Who decides when the applause should die down? It seems like it's a group decision; everyone begins to say to themselves at the same time, "Well, okay, that's enough of that."

Bill Hicks (1961 - 1994)

Bill Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, who is now seen as an icon with a strong following.

When Bill was in High School, he would write stand-up comedy routines with his friend Dwight Slade, and then the two friends would sneak out of their parent's house to perform their routines.

Bill gained popularity with his stand-up by performing in nightclubs, universities and the Comedy Workshop in Houston.

 Bill Hicks is known as the 'Outlaw Comic'  'regarding his ten year battle against censorship. His entire performance on the Late Show with David Letterman was axed because it was seen as too controversial. He become the first ever comic to be completely cut from the David Letterman show, due to his anti-establishment jokes.

 Bill Hicks was a massive influence on today's stand-up comedians and the impact of his confrontational style can be seen in many comedians. He even had a falling out with a fellow comedian and old friend, Dennis Leary, because Leary was accused of plagiarism after his album 'No Cure for Cancer' featured material very similar to Bill Hick's routine.
This made Bill apparently furious and the friendship ended on bad terms.

 Bill Hick's comic style was mostly attacks on society, religion and politics, delivered in a casual, conversational manner.
During the late 80's and early 90's, Bill put much needed ideas and perspectives into a more humorous and condensed joke form. Bringing these ideas to audiences in a humorous way, he was able to divide opinion.

 On the 16th of June 1992, Bill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver. This was after years of being a heavy smoker and a heavy drinker. He continued to perform comedy even though he was receiving weekly chemotherapy and the public was completely unaware  of his diagnosis.
  Even years after his death, Bill Hicks still averages a ranking of top ten most influential comedians of ALL TIME, EVERY YEAR.
I believe that this was because he was a comedian who was raw and had passion and courage. His material in my opinion, was very thought provoking and boundary crossing.

After Bill Hick's death in February 1994, his legacy continues through documentaries, fan sites and the charity The Bill Hicks foundation for wildlife. The Bill hicks foundation for wildlife is a Texas not for profit cooperation that helps and rescues wildlife, created in Bill Hicks's memory as he was a profound animal lover who had a special fondness for racoons and wolf-hybrid dogs. The foundation is run by volunteers and is named in Bill Hick's honour as the cause of helping animals was something he loved and cared about.