Download podcast interview link: A Talk with Shaun Micallef

It’s hard not to like the softly spoken giant of Australian comedy that is Shaun Micallef.

He’s had a consistent presence on television screens since the early 90s in Full Frontal, followed over the years by a string of programs including The Micallef P(r)ogram(me), Micallef Tonight, and Newstopia.

Beginning this Friday night on ABC1 is his topical news show Shaun Micallef is Mad as Hell, airing Fridays at 8pm for the next ten weeks. I also had a look at the set of the show, and can tell you that it’s something else. It looks like they’ve raided Don Draper’s living room.

Having one of his busiest years in a long time, Micallef is also appearing in new episodes of veteran variety program Talkin’ ’bout Your Generation (Channel Ten), Laid (ABC1), and filming a drama for broadcast next year called Mr. and Mrs. Murder (Channel 10).

Despite all this, he’s such a nice guy that he spent half an hour on the couch with Laugh Track‘s Matt Smith. No, not like that. But we discussed at length his ABC show Shaun Micallef is Mad as Hell, as well as perspectives on the news, on comedy, on his experience in Who do You Think you are? (SBS), and everything else from Fabio through to a painting on his wall of a dog in a pirate hat.