Mardi Ha

Anthony Menchetti and Rhys Nicholson (pictured, left) talk humour, sexuality and dick jokes.

Is gay humour fundamentally different from straight humour?
Anthony Menchetti: No, I think it's just funny. Gay comics used to be really clichéd but I'm happy to say that we're no longer wearing feather boas and latex hot pants to gigs. We're just comedians who happen to be gay. Sometimes we mention it and sometimes we don't.
Rhys Nicholson: I reckon funny is funny. I try to stay away from what a lot of gay-friendly comedians do though. I don't talk about celebrities and I try not to make myself look like a gay cartoon character, all friendly and safe. I don't want someone to mention me and have someone else say, "Oh yeah, the gay comedian". I'd prefer "oh yeah, the one that had all those abortion jokes? Wow, he was kinda inappropriate."

Have you ever encountered a hostile audience response because of your sexuality?
AM: Thankfully, I've never had any hostility from an audience because of my sexuality. I've done shows in Broken Hill, Alice Springs and Port Hedland! I was terrified initially, but I didn't tell them I was gay 'til I had them laughing at my jokes. I don't think people really care about whether or not a comic is gay, they just want funny and even the older generation are very accepting, especially since the outing of Anthony Callea.
RN: Usually I do fine. Audiences are mostly too frightened to be hostile. I've heard people say after shows "the fag took it too far", but that's kind of a compliment. I sometimes get a nicer audience response from bogan guys. Maybe I'm making the jokes they wish they could make: y'know, borderline homophobic jokes.

Whats the best heckle you've ever swatted down?
AM: A drunk lady once called me a fag. I said I prefered the term "vagina decliner". I then told her she was more of a pain in the arse then anal sex.
RN: Once some guy just yelled out "faggot!", and I'm not very good at comebacks so I said, "That's not really an insult, just kind of a fact: like if I was to call you a massive cunt." It's lucky he didn't say anything clever.

Do you use your comedy to get a political message across?
AM: I do a little bit. I'm a big advocate for gay marriage. I think we should have the same rights as heterosexual people. We can register our relationship with the government now, which is good, but we still can't put on our Sunday best and get hitched. "Just Registered" written across the back of a car doesn't have the same ring to it as "Just Married".
RN: Not really. I have a few jokes about Christianity in relation to gays but I try not to focus on any message. Preachy comedians can be annoying. I'll just stick to dick jokes and the stories about my awkward sexual experiences.

Complete this joke: A man walks into a [gay] bar...
AM:  ...and says, "I'd like a cock-sucking cowboy."
RN: ...and asks for a double entendre, so the bartender gives him one. That is terrible, I'm sorry. Andrew P Street

Mardi Ha also features Tom Ballard and Hannah Gadsby.

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