Comedy, Pranks & Banter

What's the etiquette for escalating a prank war?

Tommy argues pranks work like 'compound interest' — a retaliatory prank needs to be bigger than the original to actually cancel it out, otherwise the score isn't settled.

Is a formal business plan necessary when starting a business?

Crystal and the hosts agree that while a business plan can provide some initial direction, it's the ongoing process of testing and learning in practice that matters most, and a rigid plan may not reflect the unpredictable early stages of a new venture.

Is it safe to buy an apartment off the plan?

Off-the-plan buyers can get a discount and perks (like a free coffee table book or gym membership), but there's real risk: if the development goes under, buyers can lose their entire deposit.

How can you defuse potential teasing or criticism about yourself?

Make the joke about yourself first — Josh says that as a kid he was always the first to make the fat joke about himself, which disarms others because they can't use it as ammo against you.

How do you dry homemade pottery without a kiln?

Clay pieces don't need to be kiln-fired; they can simply be left to air dry (a kiln just speeds up the process), after which they can be painted and optionally glazed.

How do I find a profitable niche business idea?

Look for an unsexy, specific gap in the market that solves a real problem (not necessarily something you love), and build a marketing funnel (course, academy, SEO) around it, similar to how the Aussie English podcast niched into teaching English.

Should you get into comedy for the money?

Tisdell argues getting into comedy for money is the wrong motivation ('if you get into comedy for money, then you're a fuckwit'); she reframed her own ambitions after losing paid work in 2020, realizing the career isn't fundamentally about money for her.

How can you avoid falling for a phone scam or phone prank?

Don't engage directly on the call; instead text back asking who it is, and if they claim to be from a company, ask them to email official information rather than discussing details over the phone.

What makes a prank actually work once the target suspects something?

Once someone is onto a prank, the prankers should commit without introducing further lies or excuses; adding lies (like why a GoPro was left out) undermines credibility and gives the prank away.

How can you manage anxiety about whether you've upset someone with a joke?

Message the person directly and ask if a comment landed badly or if things are okay between you, rather than letting anxious overthinking escalate unresolved.

What should creatives learn from a near-miss TV deal falling through?

Don't invest everything into one dream; diversify your opportunities and offer yourself multiple paths rather than relying on a single project succeeding.

What's the key rule for doing improv comedy?

Always say yes and add to the idea rather than blocking with 'no, but' — give one performer something they want and another who creates conflict against it.

How do you properly cook an eggplant to avoid bitterness?

Wet your knife before cutting the eggplant in half, score the flesh, salt it generously, leave it face-down on a rack for about 15 minutes to drain the bitter water, wipe with paper towel, insert whole (uncrushed) garlic cloves into the scores, then roast for about 40 minutes until the garlic purées.

What's a key tip for roasting a whole chicken?

Season the cavity of the chicken, not just the outside, and use whole garlic cloves along with onion wedges as a roasting base.

What's a good way to drink Fireball whisky?

Put the bottle in the freezer or fridge to chill it, which makes the cinnamon flavour smoother and more palatable for shots.

How often should you get a flu vaccine?

Get the flu vaccine every year, ideally during the prime window of March to May.

Should comedians ask other comedians to perform their jokes off-stage?

Josh notes he's been told off for asking comedians to tell their jokes outside of a show context, implying it's considered poor etiquette.

How do you know when to keep grinding open mics versus focus on writing in comedy?

Capper suggests doing the 'smart grind': attend open mics while you're learning, but once you recognize a gig is poorly run or a waste of time, redirect that energy into writing instead, since the right mix differs per comedian (e.g., Nate Valvo writes heavily and skips mics, while Capper does more live mic work).

How should you deal with feeling threatened by more successful or visibly ambitious peers?

Capper advises shifting from resentment ('fuck that guy, he's trying too hard') to curiosity ('how can I learn from this guy'), noting that visible hustle (social media, extra gigs, trying new formats) is something to study rather than dismiss as try-hard behaviour.

How do you create career opportunities through networking?

Lehmo advises that opportunities often come from small, low-pressure conversations rather than formal pitches — stopping someone in a hallway and casually mentioning interest in a type of gig can lead to major, long-running opportunities.

How can you make a stage bit land better with a mixed audience (fans and newcomers)?

Josh suggests standing up suddenly to increase perceived status (citing the book Impro and Michael Bungay Stanier), and deliberately not explaining the in-joke so that fans who get it feel included while others are left intrigued rather than alienated.

How much magnesium should you take for back pain without causing side effects?

Magnesium (e.g., as a powder or bath flakes) can help relax muscles and ease back pain, but stick to the recommended daily amount—overdoing it can cause headaches, itching/stinging sprays, or other unwanted side effects.

How should comedians handle Comedy Festival applications before writing their show?

You must submit your show name, blurb, photo and venue application months in advance, so write a blurb general enough that you don't trap yourself into specifics you haven't written yet, but still compelling enough to sell tickets.

What's the best process for writing new stand-up jokes?

Start with just a one-line premise rather than fully writing out a bit; test it on stage quickly, and only keep developing it into a longer routine if the audience response (the 'gauge') shows it's worth the time, so you don't waste days polishing material nobody finds funny.