The Byron Comedy Festival is on this weekend with the event closing out with Akmal Saleh’s third show, proving that he who laughs last, may just laugh best.
Seven caught up with the funny man in the surf on the weekend…
In a sliding doors scenario, what would you have done for work if not comedy? And would you have still been funny?
Well, as I have no other skills, I probably would’ve taken up crime, and my sliding door would’ve been made of steel and locked at 9pm.
I still would’ve been funny, but for different reasons, which I will not get into here.
Do you think Comedy Festivals create a momentum wave that all the artists can ride, that is, after the first show, are you all headliners?
Comedy festivals are more like tornados. Only the comedians who have prepared well for this event will survive, and the rest shall perish. It’s in the Bible.
Why do you think you’re funny?
I don’t think I’m funny; I’ve watched all my DVDs and never once laughed, mainly because I’ve heard the material before and could predict every punchline.
Are you a naturally ‘on’ person? Or do you go home and become the ‘don’t-expect-me-to-be-funny’ person?
I am a naturally ‘on’ person. What it is that I’m on is none of your business.
Does your missus think you’re funny, or is she over you?
She thinks I’m at my funniest when I’m over her. She finds me funny when she sees me in the nude; she hasn’t laughed for over a year.
What do you love most about comedy festivals?
Mostly the comedy, but also the feeling that I’m superior in every way to every other so-called comedian in the festival. I can make this judgment by intentionally not seeing anyone else’s act just in case I’m wrong.
Who are you looking forward to seeing most?
I’m looking forward to seeing my uncle Gad, who is arriving from Cairo on Tuesday, although I fail to see why this should be of any interest to anyone else.
Who’s your favourite comedian of all time?
The person who has made me laugh the hardest and for the longest time would have to be former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.
Akmal is performing at the Byron Comedy Festival
www.byroncomedyfest.com
