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Hard Knock Knocks

Hard Knock Knocks

School Of Hard Knock Knocks

Learning stand-up comedy? Hitting the open mic circuit, but improving your skills way too slowly? Are you looking for that edge to improve your stand-up comedy skills to fast track your comedy career? If so, then this is the comedy podcast for you. The Hard Knock Knocks (HKK) podcast interviews some of Australia’s most experienced stand-up comedians, and finds out why, how, and where they began their careers. We also draw out career advancing advice, so you don’t have to make all the same mistakes they did!

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Top 10 Hard Knock Knocks Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Hard Knock Knocks episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Hard Knock Knocks for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Hard Knock Knocks episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Hard Knock Knocks - 055: Nikki Osborne - Go hard or go home
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04/25/18 • 25 min

In her very first Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) show, Nikki Osborne not only sold out, but also managed to attract over 100,000 dollars of free, or 'earned', publicity for her show "On the Spectrum".

That was the good news.

The bad news was she also endured an emotional onslaught for her show's topic - autism. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, you'll learn how Nikki's 'go hard or go home' attitude helped her battle online trolls and survive the criticism, all the while polishing and improving her show to make it a positive experience for all, and a true success.

And if the name 'Nikki Osborne' is familiar, but you can't recall it from the stand-up scene, that's because she's best known for her TV appearances, most recently as Delvene Delaney, in the TV mini-series, "Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story". She's also a regular as face as gameshow host and witty guest contestant.

Nikki Osborne is extremely talented and an inspiration to anyone who's interested in smashing the status quo, whether that be on stage or on screen, so I'm sure you'll enjoy this interview.

And if you're enjoying these podcasts, and would like to become part of a comedy community, we've launched our School of Hard Knock Knocks Podcast Community group on Facebook. It's absolutely free to join and full of advice.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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In 1988 The Comedy Company changed the face of Australian sketch comedy. Kylie Mole, Uncle Arthur, Con the Fruiterer, and Colin Carpenter became part of the Australian lexicon. So too their creators - Mary-Anne Faye, Glenn Robbins, Mark Mitchell and Kym Gyngell, as well as Russell Gilbert, Tim Smith and, the group's founder, Ian McFadyen. You know them as comedy royalty. What you don't know is that it all started with a loaned hammer.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episodes, host Steve Davis interviews The Comedy Company creator, Ian McFadyen, as they name-drop down Australian comedy memory lane. You'll learn how a poorly funded comedy show beat the 800-pound gorilla of the time, 60 Minutes, how the 'writers room' generated ideas, and ultimately learn how serendipity created this national treasure.

And if you're interested in learning how to write comedy sketches, then stay tuned. In 2021 the School of Hard Knock Knocks is launching our sketch writing course. Learn how to write, edit and even produce your own sketch show, with help from veteran comedy writers and directors. Best of all, your comedy will be turned into an actual Australian sketch comedy web series!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tim Ferguson has taken his abusive style of comedy from the streets of Canberra to New York and London, as one-third of the Doug Anthony All Stars. Back in Australia, and still performing, Tim also teaches comedy writing at the New York University, the Australian Film Radio & Television School, NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art), and through his own company, The Cheeky Monkey. In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast you'll learn about prostitutes, abusing audiences, and what's at the heart of all comedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Hard Knock Knocks - 058: Marty Wilson - More Funny, More Money
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05/15/18 • 34 min

Marty Wilson is an award winning comedian. He's also an author, and in this School of Hard Knocks podcast we talk about his new book ON comedy - More Funny, More Money.

Originally an online course, also called More Funny, More Money, the book was the obvious evolution, and in the interview Marty highlights that humour is not only useful on a stand-up comedy stage, but is also scientifically linked to better leadership, increased attractiveness, and reducing stress.

Marty also talks about his International Business Humour Summit, and takes up the 'Pay It Forward Joke Challenge' with the word 'pedestal clock.

And if you're enjoying these podcasts and would like to be part of a comedy community, be sure to check out our School of Hard Knock Knocks Podcast Community group on Facebook. You'll meet like minded comedy lovers, get free advice, and be reminded of upcoming comedy courses.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hard Knock Knocks - 048: Damian Callinan – Espy zero to Wagga Wagga hero
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03/03/18 • 35 min

Damian Callinan is one of Australia’s most versatile performers. Actor, writer and comedian all rolled into one.

As you’ll hear in this School of Hard Knock Knocks’ podcast Damian’s journey to comedy began as dabbling in theatre, then dying at the Espy, competing at Raw Comedy, before jumping into the movies – including his most recent comedy movie, The Movie.

Damian Callinan is a Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala and Road Show performer, and one of Australia’s funniest comedians, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy this episode.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Kagools are an award winning, mute physical comedy duo from the UK. Off stage they are the talkative Claire Ford and Nicky Wilkinson.

In this interview you’ll learn about the dangers of slapstick, rocking up on stranger’s doorsteps, how to build a brand in comedy through longevity, and the upside of being a double-act. You’ll also get advice on clowning, and how to write new material.

And if you’re interested in seeing The Kagools in any of the Australian comedy festivals in 2018, then log onto www.thekagools.com and get your tickets for Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, or Sydney Comedy Festival.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Peter Berner is a fine artist and stand-up comedian, but you probably recognise his name from the numerous TV shows that he’s hosted, namely Backberner, The Einstein Factor, You Have Been Watching, and The B Team with Peter Berner. His resume also boasts commercial radio.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast, we discuss the journey from cartoonist to comedian, getting a break on Good News Week, pitching comedy TV shows, and joke theft. You’ll also learn that all news is old news – just happening to different people.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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American born Mike Goldstein isn’t in Kansas anymore. Sydney first, then Perth, and now Melbourne, the part Christian, part Jewish, with a dash of Sri Lankan (Yep! You read right!), has been doing stand-up comedy for the past eight years – and Aussie audiences have been loving him.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, Mike Goldstein, aka Mike G, shares how he got into stand-up, his advice on what not to do at Raw Comedy, and his current favourite stand-up comedians. And, you’ll also learn the secret identity of Ozzy Man, but ‘shhh’, keep that information to yourself.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Glynn Nicholas is a comedy genius, in performing, writing, and producing. Made famous by his regular appearances on the ABC's 'The Big Gig', and shortly after in his own time slot with 'The Glynn Nicholas Show', this is a man who can see the funny in even the most poignant and stressful situations. That's why he believes the role of comedy is one of the most important jobs in the world.

In this School of Hard Knock Knocks podcast episode, we talk about's Glynn's initiation into comedy through busking, how being in the right place at the right time got him into TV, his recent stage shows, and advice for up and coming comedians.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Ben Horowitz is a retired professional boxer. Never heard of him? That's because he didn't win many…and possibly the reason why he's now a stand-up comedian. Ben is also one half of the School of Hard Knock Knocks stand-up comedy school. In this interview, Ben shares the ups and down of stand-up comedy, where he gets his inspiration, and why he lived in Bentleigh. Interested in trying stand-up comedy? Visit the School of Hard Knock Knocks website for Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney course dates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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FAQ

How many episodes does Hard Knock Knocks have?

Hard Knock Knocks currently has 102 episodes available.

What topics does Hard Knock Knocks cover?

The podcast is about Improv, Comedy, Podcasts and Comedy Interviews.

What is the most popular episode on Hard Knock Knocks?

The episode title '093: Daniel Muggleton – Comedy during Covid and Three Stripes' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Hard Knock Knocks?

The average episode length on Hard Knock Knocks is 31 minutes.

How often are episodes of Hard Knock Knocks released?

Episodes of Hard Knock Knocks are typically released every 8 days, 5 hours.

When was the first episode of Hard Knock Knocks?

The first episode of Hard Knock Knocks was released on Apr 18, 2017.

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