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Paul McDermott

From Alfawiki
Paul McDermott
Born (1962-05-13) May 13, 1962 (age 64)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Occupation(s)Comedian, television presenter, musician, writer, artist
Years active1985–present
Known forGood News Week, Doug Anthony All Stars

Paul Anthony Michael McDermott (born 13 May 1962) is a prominent Australian performer, widely recognized for his work on Good News Week and as a key member of the comedic musical trio the Doug Anthony All Stars. He has been a regular participant at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, featuring in major televised segments such as the Comedy Festival Gala and the Great Debate. Beyond group performances, McDermott has developed solo acts, authored children's literature and newspaper columns, and directed short-form animated projects.

Personal life

Born in Adelaide, South Australia, McDermott is a fraternal twin and one of six siblings raised in a Catholic household. His father, John, held a senior role in the public service, while his mother, Betty, was responsible for managing the home. At age three, the family relocated to Canberra. His education included attendance at Marist College Canberra and Dickson College, followed by four years studying art at the Canberra School of Art within the Australian National University. Painting remains his foremost artistic passion, with his final year project at art school regarded as his most accomplished piece. At 25, he began performing to finance his art materials, opting for entertainment over waiting tables. He continues to produce artwork under the pseudonym 'Young Master Paul'.

McDermott has openly expressed criticism of the war on drugs and society’s general hesitance to openly discuss widespread drug use among different age groups. He has remarked, "It's out there and it happens, but there's still a fear of talking about it."

He shares a son with partner Melissa Lyne and is also the first cousin of former Adelaide Crows AFL player and media figure Chris McDermott.

Doug Anthony All Stars

The Doug Anthony All Stars (DAAS) consisted of McDermott, Tim Ferguson, and Richard Fidler—an Australian musical comedy trio who began their career busking in Canberra during the 1980s before gaining international recognition at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Their success there led to regular appearances on ABC TV’s The Big Gig, where they cultivated a dedicated fan base. Known for their provocative style that challenged social norms, they influenced many comedians across Australia. McDermott served as lead singer and chief writer. The trio also headlined their own television series, DAAS Kapital. After disbanding in 1995, they reunited in 2014 with Paul Livingston stepping in for Fidler during live tours.[1]

McDermott’s busking career began in 1985, providing valuable performance experience that later enhanced his club shows. He initially joined Gigantic Fly at Canberra’s Cafe Boom Boom, where he met Ferguson and Fidler. Following Robert Piper's departure from DAAS, McDermott joined primarily for financial reasons and became the main writer for their material. The group achieved notable success at the 1986 Adelaide Fringe Festival and subsequently at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they were nominated for a Perrier Award. Their touring extended both nationally and internationally, including appearances on British television and performing at the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Although they faced early challenges in Australia, DAAS became a staple on ABC’s The Big Gig from 1989 to 1991 before launching their own two-season show, DAAS Kapital. McDermott valued DAAS as an outlet that combined his skills in writing, singing, performing, costume design, and set painting.[2]

The group concluded their activities in 1995 following a farewell tour across Australia. Despite speculation about internal disputes, all members confirmed an amicable separation to pursue individual paths. Ferguson later disclosed that his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis was a factor influencing their decision to disband. After DAAS ended, McDermott wrote two film screenplays and created the stage production MOSH!. Initially distancing himself from comedy post-DAAS, he returned when approached in 1996 to host the satirical quiz program Good News Week.[3]

In 2014, McDermott rejoined Ferguson for an Australian tour under the DAAS name with Paul Livingston ("Flacco") filling Fidler’s role due to his radio commitments.[1]

Television career

McDermott launched his television hosting career in 1996 with ABC's topical comedy quiz show Good News Week. He introduced a pioneering comedic monologue that satirized current affairs and prominent personalities, particularly political figures. Although some viewers found his humor provocative, this style significantly boosted his popularity. The program featured two teams composed of comedians, artists, and politicians, captained by Mikey Robbins and Julie McCrossin, exemplifying early gender representation in Australian panel shows.

In 1998, he took the helm of the spin-off series Good News Weekend, which concentrated on pop culture trivia and frequently concluded with McDermott performing serious songs alongside the Gadflys. His original song "Shut Up and Kiss Me" achieved recognition in the JJJ Hottest 100 chart. By 1999, both programs transitioned to Channel Ten, with Good News Weekend rebranded as Good News Week Nite Lite. As McDermott's profile expanded, he hosted prominent Australian ceremonies such as the ARIA Music Awards and the AFI Awards. The original run of Good News Week concluded in 2000.

McDermott later presented ABC’s same-sex partner dance competition Strictly Dancing in 2004 and the variety show The Sideshow in 2007. The latter program featured cabaret, circus performances, comedians, and musicians, often ending with McDermott performing his own compositions. Channel Ten revived Good News Week in 2008 with McDermott returning as host; this role earned him a Gold Logie nomination in 2010. He continued his television presence by hosting SBS’s interview series Room 101 in 2015 and ABC’s quiz show Think Tank in 2018.

Good News Week

Director Ted Robinson selected McDermott to host Good News Week, which originally aired on ABC from 1996 to 1998 before moving to Network Ten from 1999 to 2000 and later being revived in 2008. This comedic quiz format pitted two teams against each other on recent news topics, with McDermott delivering opening satirical monologues while serving as host and adjudicator.

Initially, McDermott faced skepticism due to his rebellious image and dreadlocked hairstyle. However, he reinvented himself by cutting his dreadlocks and adopting a more affable hosting manner, thereby appealing to a broader audience. Musical elements became integral to the show—featuring both cover versions and original songs—with his duet "Shut Up and Kiss Me" achieving commercial success. Collections of his monologues and musical performances were released on CDs.

McDermott admitted feeling relieved when the original series wrapped up in 2000 because of its intense production demands. The program was revived by Network Ten in 2008 during a scarcity of US imports caused by the Writers Guild strike, with McDermott resuming hosting duties. His performance on the revival earned him a nomination for the prestigious Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television in 2010.

Other TV work

In addition to his quiz show roles, McDermott hosted the AFI Awards ceremony in 2002 and led ABC’s dance competition show Strictly Dancing across 2004 and 2005. In collaboration again with Robinson, he fronted ABC’s variety series The Sideshow in 2007, regarded as a spiritual successor to The Big Gig. Despite cultivating a dedicated cult following after its April debut, the program was cancelled after just 26 episodes due to low ratings. McDermott expressed regret over this outcome, believing it offered an important platform for alternative performers that could have thrived with sustained support.

He resumed television hosting duties in July 2015 with SBS’s adaptation of the British format Room 101. In 2018, he returned to ABC as host of the quiz program Think Tank.

Live comedy

Following the breakup of the Doug Anthony All Stars, McDermott developed and performed MOSH!, an a cappella production featuring lyrics centered on drug culture, which earned the Best Show award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

After the conclusion of Good News Week in 2000, McDermott established the trio GUD alongside Mick Moriarty and Cameron Bruce, embarking on tours across Australia's major cities. Their repertoire of topical songs employed explicit language and dark humor, pushing creative limits beyond his television work.

When Good News Week was revived and subsequently ended again in 2011, McDermott toured around Australia with Paul Sings, a show presenting non-comedic songs from his television career, complemented by amusing anecdotes from the entertainment industry.

In 2013, he crafted and performed The Dark Garden, a production that fused somber songs contemplating mortality with comedic commentary on show business and international affairs.

McDermott reunited with Tim Ferguson in 2014 to relaunch the Doug Anthony All Stars, incorporating guitarist Paul Livingston into the lineup. Their performances merged classic material with fresh comedy addressing themes such as aging and Ferguson's battle with multiple sclerosis.

In 2019, McDermott collaborated with Steven Gates of Tripod for Paul McDermott and Gatesy Live, during which they independently released the EP Bloody Lovelies, blending humorous and serious songs interspersed with comedic elements.

Amid the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021, McDermott teamed up with guitarist Glenn Moorhouse for Paul McDermott Plus One, initially offering online performances before transitioning to live shows, accompanied by the EP I've Seen the Future and You're Not In It.

Describing his comedic approach as "direct and unapologetic," McDermott targets all topics without restraint, concentrating on current issues such as David Hicks' detention, the AWB scandal, torture practices, and the War on Terror. He highlights that his comedy is driven by a sense of purpose and ethical considerations.

While MOSH! received praise for its humor, it also faced criticism for perceived offensiveness. The show attracted attention from Columbia Artists Management; however, after extensive international touring, McDermott declined an off-Broadway opportunity.

GUD's music-driven comedy act utilized topical satire focusing on figures like Osama bin Laden as well as Australian "folk heroes" including Chopper Read and Rene Rivkin. Their production Gud Ugh won The Age Critic's Choice Award in 2003. McDermott remarked that GUD’s dynamic resembled that of Doug Anthony All Stars, emphasizing a blend of music, comedy, and interplay among members.

In 2002, McDermott presented his solo stand-up show Comedyoscopy, which examined various comedic techniques. He has been a frequent participant in televised Comedy Festival Galas—hosting the event in 2008—and has captained teams in the festival's Great Debate since 1994.

Other projects

McDermott has contributed written columns to publications such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sun-Herald, The Weekend Australian, and The Age. In 2000, a collection of these writings was published as his first solo book titled The Forgetting of Wisdom. Previously, he coauthored works with the Doug Anthony All Stars (Book, DAAS Kapital, and Trip) as well as with the writers from Good News Week (Books One and Two).

He has authored and illustrated three children’s books including The Scree and The Girl Who Swallowed Bees, both adapted into award-winning short films that he scripted, directed, performed in, and animated. These films received honors such as Best Film at Flickerfest and an AFI Award for Best Short Animation. McDermott intends to produce a third short film titled Crab Boy and the Girl in the Shell and has expressed aspirations toward feature film production. Additionally, he provided voice work for characters in the 2009 short film Tegan the Vegan.

Beyond writing and filmmaking, McDermott has acted in theatre productions and films within Australia. Notably, he portrayed Darryl Van Horne in the 2002 Australian staging of The Witches of Eastwick. His screen roles include playing a band manager in The Night We Called It a Day and Trevor in the television miniseries Through My Eyes: The Lindy Chamberlain Story. In 2020, he was announced as the lead for the miniseries The Home Team. Between 1996 and 1997, he co-hosted Triple J’s breakfast radio show.

Since Good News Week’s conclusion, McDermott has toured performing "Paul Sings," showcasing serious songs previously featured on his programs. In 2013, he was appointed Fringe Ambassador for Adelaide Fringe Festival.

From 2018 through 2020, McDermott converted numerous paintings into illustrations for his children’s picture book Ghostbear, published by Omnibus Books (Scholastic), which achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.

Albums

Title Album information
Unplugged – The Good News Week Tapes Volume 1
  • Year of release: 1998
  • Record label: ABC Music (4938282)
Live Songs – The Good News Week Tapes Volume 2
  • Year of release: 2000
  • Record label: Virgin (724352549320)

Extended plays

Title EP information
I've Seen the Future, and You're Not in It.
  • Release date: 1 October 2021
  • Label: Paul McDermott

Singles

Singles list with Australian chart rankings
Song title Release year Highest chart position
AUS
"Shut Up / Kiss Me"
(featuring Fiona Horne) 		1998 48

See also

Filmography

  • Live at the National Theatre (1990)
  • The Edinburgh Years (1990)
  • DAAS Kapital (1991–1992)
  • Dead & Alive (1993)
  • Good News Week (1996–2000, 2008–2012)
  • Good News Week: Unseen and Obscene (1998)
  • The Night We Called it a Day (2003)
  • Medusa: First Date (2004)
  • The Scree (2004)
  • Through My Eyes: The Lindy Chamberlain Story (2004)
  • The Girl Who Swallowed Bees (2007)
  • The Unlimited Uncollectible Sterling Deluxe Edition (2008)
  • Tegan the Vegan (2011)
  • Wentworth (2013)
  • Della Mortika: Steampunk Adventures (2015)
  • Think Tank (2018)

Bibliography

  • BOOK (1989)
  • Good News Week Book One (1997)
  • Good News Week Book Two (1998)
  • The Forgetting of Wisdom (2000)
  • The Scree (2001)
  • The Girl Who Swallowed Bees (2002)
  • Fragments of the Hole (2015)
  • Ghostbear (2020)

ARIA Music Awards

Since 1987, the annual ARIA Music Awards, organized by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), celebrate outstanding achievements and creativity within the Australian music scene.


! |- | 1998 | Unplugged Good News Week Tapes Volume 1 | Best Comedy Release | |-


Helpmann Awards

Initiated in 2001 by the organization Live Performance Australia, the Helpmann Awards recognize excellence in live performance and performing arts throughout Australia. The ceremonies for both 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.


! |- | 2003 | Paul McDermott - The Witches of Eastwick | Best Male Actor in a Musical | |-

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named daas2014
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named confidential
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named muse
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