28 Dec 2017

Best features of 2017: the comics

10:19 am on 1 January 2018

Funny folks front up.

James Nokise

James Nokise on the Harvey Weinstein story, a year of Twitter craziness from the US President, the new Government and his new show Talk a Big Game.

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Photo: supplied

Susie Essman

Comedian and writer Susie Essman got her big break playing the loud, ball-busting, expletive-driven Susie Greene on hit American comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm alongside comic genius Larry David.

Susie Essman, who plays Susie Greene in Curb Your Enthusiasm

Susie Essman, who plays Susie Greene in Curb Your Enthusiasm Photo: RNZ

Eddie Izzard

British comedian and actor Eddie Izzard likes to say he is a really boring person who has lived an interesting life.  That may not have been the best pitch to the publishers for his first book, but it worked.

Eddie Izzard

Eddie Izzard Photo: AFP / FILE

Lilly Singh

Having never wanted a nine to five job, 28-year-old Canadian comedian, actress and YouTube star Lilly Singh, better known by her digital moniker Superwoman, says she’s now working 24/7.

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Photo: Lilly Singh

Jimmy Carr

Award-winning British comedian Jimmy Carr is known for jokes that sail close to the wind. He says people don't choose what they laugh at - it's a reflex - but when he hears an 'ooooh' after they laugh, he knows their conscience has kicked in.

British comedian Jimmy Carr is in New Zealand for shows in January 2018.

British comedian Jimmy Carr is in New Zealand for shows in January 2018. Photo: Supplied

Robert Webb

Comedian Robert Webb has always had a 'bee in his bonnet' about the expectations that boys hide their feelings and play the tough guy. The Peep Show star writes about life, death and gender in the new part-memoir part-manifesto How Not to Be A Boy.

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Photo: supplied

Ben Hurley

TV host and comedy writer Ben Hurley says comedy was all he ever wanted to do for a living. But he never felt like it would become a reality, growing up in the small dairy farming town of Hawera.

Ben Hurley

Ben Hurley Photo: supplied

Molly Sokhom

Comedian Molly Sokhom was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her parents fled Cambodia. Raised in California, she performed in the US before moving to Wellington in 2014.

Molly Sokhom

Molly Sokhom Photo: Supplied

Jim Gaffigan

As a father of 5 who embraces laziness and the middle age spread that comes with that, Jim Gaffigan was destined to be a comedian. His humour doesn't come at the expense of someone else - he has so much material to draw from in his own life.

Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan Photo: Supplied/Eric Levin

Romesh Ranganathan

From teaching maths to British teens to being an acclaimed stand-up comedian, Romesh Ranganathan says following his comedy aspirations has not always been easy.

Romesh Ranganathan

Romesh Ranganathan Photo: Supplied

Ren Lunicke

Comedian Ren Lunicke’s performances explore the myriad labels for sexuality and gender.

Ren Luniche

Ren Lunicke Photo: Virginia Guy

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