Veteran funnyman Tom Gleisner says he is in awe of comedians who are prepared to brave woke Twitter cancel culture for ‘saying the wrong thing’.
Tom, 59, made the comments ahead of the premiere of the new season of his hit series Have You Been Paying Attention? this month.
Each episode a panel of local and international comedians are quizzed on the week’s major news events with hilarious results, a format Tom says has caused its share of controversy.
Comedy is getting risky: Veteran funnyman Tom Gleisner says he is in awe of comedians who are prepared to brave woke Twitter cancel culture for ‘saying the wrong thing’
‘There are definitely moments where we all cross the line,” Tom told The Herald-Sun.
He said that because the show is pre-recorded they have the option to remove material which may be a bit ‘mean’.
‘Unfortunately, in this world, trying to defend yourself with the phrase “it was just a joke” just doesn’t cut it anymore,’ he said.
Asked to name a regular guest comedians on the show who could be relied upon to take chances Tom chose Mick Molly, Mary Sheargold and Kitty Flanagan.
It’s back! Tom, 59, made the comments ahead of the premiere of the new season of his hit series Have You Been Paying Attention? this month
Tom will once again perform the role of quiz master on the ratings winner with regulars Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang returning as Team Captains.
Fans can expect the Have You Been Paying Attention? team to mine comedy gold out of the federal election campaign.
‘It’s one of the few times that the politicians will actually get out and inevitably fall off a stage or badly pour a beer, or try to kiss a baby that clearly doesn’t want to be kissed,’ Tom said.
‘Unfortunately, in this world, trying to defend yourself with the phrase “it was just a joke” just doesn’t cut it anymore,’ he said
The show’s first episode will launch on Monday, May 16, on Channel 10 and 10 Play On Demand. Australians go to the polls the following Saturday, May 16.
The program is made by Working Dog Productions, which was founded in 1993 by Gleisner, Santo Cilauro, Rob Sitch, Jane Kennedy and Michael Hirsh.
At one time a law student, Tom rose to fame in the 1980s as a member of the Working Dog comedy team, producers of the TV classic Frontline and the feature films The Castle and The Dish.
Coming soon! The comedy panel show, hosted by quizmaster Tom (centre), will launch on Monday, May 16, on Channel 10 and 10 Play On Demand. Ed Kavalee (left) and Sam Pang (right) are returning as team captains for the new season
