Inspired by iconic US stand-up show Live at Gotham, Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122) teamed up with Parker’s Comedy Club in 2012 to create the monthly comedy fixture Comedy Central Presents…Live at Parker’s. Seventeen episodes later and the comedian behind this successful joint venture finally gets to headline his very own episode of Live at Parker’s – in the familiar surrounds of his own comedy club which took place on the 26th of June.
Joe Parker, more than anyone else, has advanced stand-up comedy in South Africa over the past 15 years, creating opportunity and work for comics from all backgrounds and races. In 2008, Parker and partner Lindsay Earl opened what was then Africa’s only comedy club – Parker’s Comedy and Jive – in Montecasino. The club now plays host to South Africa’s hottest comics and up-and-coming comedians, as well as tapping into comedy networks from as far afield Nigeria, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia.
In a fourty-year career, Parker has won a reputation for being earthy, provocative and innovative. Since the start of his career in 1971, he has built up a large following among South African comedy fans, touring extensively since his first theatre venture in 1988, and producing an impressive list of successful shows. Despite his cheeky defiance of all things politically correct, Parker is one of few comics to have had an episode of Dali Tambo’s hit talk show People of the South devoted to him alone. His style of delivery is direct and to the point – best described as adult and sometimes risqué, but never crude. A fine musician to boot, Parker isn’t shy to pull out his guitar and treat his audience to a few rib-tickling songs.
He was accompanied on stage by Live at Parker’s top rated headliners from the past season, including Conrad Koch, who combined hilarious comedy with world-class puppetry and ventriloquism,
Tats Nkonzo (@TatsNkonzo) with his super smart intellect and his trusty guitar, South Africa’s favourite “cousin” Barry Hilton (@Barry_Hilton) and his optimistic, patriotic outlook on South Africa; as well as Stuart Taylor and his uncanny ability to interrogate the human condition, explore people, their sensibilities, hopes, dreams, ambitions and fears.
Making his professional comedy debut at the comedy gig was Glen Biderman-Pam (@GlenBidermanPam), a 24-year old actor from Cape Town, who recently won the first Comedy Central amateur stand-up comedy talent search.
Comedy Central Presents Joe Parker Live at Parker’s premieres on Comedy Central on Friday 16 August 2013 at 20:55 CAT.
