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RNZ News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Book awards and fast favourites with David Eggleton
Welcome to May and a bumper crop of cultural events. There are significant book festivals in Tāmaki Makaurau and the Wairarapa. Its New Zealand Music Month, including the Aotearoa Music Awards. Not to mention the International NZ Comedy Festival, major national art fairs and the annual Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. All of which makes this week's Culture 101 Fast Favourite guest an easy pick, given he embraces all of these fields, often at once. Ōtepoti Dunedin's David Eggleton is a writer, performer and art critic. He is our former Poet Laureate and a recipient of a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement. This year Eggleton is the convenor of the judges for the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry at the Ockhams. And while he's in Tāmaki Makaurau for the awards, his poetry-music duo Wildcards Aotearoa will be performing alongside another longtime collaborator singer songwriter Otis Mace, May 9th and 10th in Kumeu and Point Chevalier respectively.
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Comedian Jimeoin opens up about his recent stint in hospital after health scare - and reveals how it will affect his Australian tour
Jimeoin still plans to continue his current gruelling stand up tour in Australia after suffering a health scare. The 59-year-old comedian shared that he recently spent two weeks in hospital after experiencing severe back pain. 'I woke up one morning and I had this trapped nerve in my back,' he said during an appearance on Wednesday's episode of The Project. The Irish-born funnyman, who calls Australia home, said that he is currently using 'heavy painkillers' to cope with his bad back and now faces an operation. But he said the medication comes with problems, especially when it comes to performing. 'I am doing stand up,' he said, and added, but the painkillers make you constipated. 'And I'm taking laxatives so I'm scared to laugh,' he joked. During the segment Jimeoin shared a photo that showed his back covered in large red welts. He explained he had tried 'cupping' - a traditional treatment for nerve pain - which uses cups to create suction around the problem area on the body. 'I was trying everything [to get relief],' he said. The much loved entertainer also shared a screenshot of himself from his hospital bed which he posted to his social media ahead of his recent appearance at Melbourne's Comedy Festival. Meanwhile, Jimeoin is set to play 31 shows on his current national tour which will take him to the capital cities and major regional centres before it winds up in September. Reflecting on his successful stand-up career during a TV appearance on Today in 2021 he said: 'I've been doing it for 30 years and am still getting away with it.' Jimeoin, whose real name is James Eoin Stephen Paul McKeown, previously told Beyond the Joke of his comedic style: 'I just talk about the things that tickle me. 'Sometimes I come up with [jokes] that seem so obvious I can't believe it has never been done before.' Back in 2014 it was a cheap quip that sparked a barrage of criticism from charities and viewers and that even prompted broadcaster ITV to apologise. Jimeoin admits he no longer sees the funny side of the joke he made mocking people battling the degenerative brain disease Alzheimer's telling Daily Mail Australia: 'It was a joke and some people do find it offensive...I would say sorry to those people, absolutely.' Talking about the sketch on variety show Sunday Night at the Palladium, he added: 'We all have people who have got Alzheimer's, I've got people who have Alzheimer's, so that was my way of dealing with it.' The father of four, who lives in Melbourne with wife Catherine Arena, said in future he 'would try not to be that flippant about it.' Riisng to prominence in Australia with his own show in the 1990s, the comedian sparked fury when he opened his sketch on the UK family show by making light of the illness. He quipped: 'I think I am losing my memory. Do you ever think you have Alzheimer's? 'Do you do that thing when you walk into a room and go "what did I come into this room for?" Open up a fridge, and go into soft focus. And close the fridge and go "what did I open the fridge for?"' He went on: 'Driving my car and thinking where am I going. I was looking for something in the fridge.' The then paused before adding: 'Have I done the Alzheimer's joke?' While some people in the audience found the punchline amusing, many took offence and jammed the switchboard of ITV, which aired the show, with complaints.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Paul Sinha: finding strength and humor in the face of Parkinson's
For fans of ITV's quiz sensation The Chase , Paul Sinha , affectionately known as "The Sinnerman," is a formidable intellect. But in a candid and insightful appearance on Loose Women , Sinha revealed a more personal journey – his experience with Parkinson's disease and his determination to live life to the fullest despite the challenges. Sinha, 54, traced the initial signs back to a persistent, painful right shoulder, a seemingly innocuous symptom that lingered for over a year, leading to numerous doctor visits and even surgery. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Jawa Barat - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape It wasn't until a perceptive physiotherapist suggested a neurological cause that the possibility of Parkinson's arose. The realization truly struck during a trip to New Zealand for the Comedy Festival in May 2019. A noticeable limp prompted Sinha to research his earlier shoulder issues, leading to the life-altering discovery that his symptoms aligned with Parkinson's. Live Events While the diagnosis at 49 was a shock, Sinha admitted it also brought a sense of relief, finally providing an explanation for his physical struggles. Known for his sharp wit, Sinha has approached his diagnosis with remarkable resilience and humor. He quipped about the unexpected "bucket list" the diagnosis inadvertently created, despite never having made one before. More importantly, he emphasized his commitment to "just get on with it," adapting to the changes while continuing his demanding career as a Chaser and stand-up comedian. Sinha expressed gratitude for his flexible work schedule, allowing him to prioritize rest. He also highlighted his daily "Tea Time Trivia" as a way to keep his mind sharp, acknowledging the understandable concern about potential cognitive decline, given his reliance on his intellect. In a powerful message of defiance, Sinha has refused to let Parkinson's define him. As he previously stated, his continued success in his career serves as a testament to the fact that "there's no limit to what you feel you're able to do." His story is not one of defeat, but rather an inspiring example of navigating life's unexpected turns with strength, humor, and an unwavering determination to continue pursuing his passions. Paul Sinha is proving that Parkinson's doesn't have to be the final chapter, but rather a new and perhaps even more compelling part of his story.
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Rosco McClelland wins 2025 Sir Billy Connolly Glasgow comedy award
Rosco McClelland has won this year's Sir Billy Connolly "Spirit of Glasgow" Award at the city's comedy Glaswegian comic received a special video message from Sir Billy as he picked up his a joke McClelland tells about slugs in bins, Sir Billy told him: "Congratulations to Rosco McClelland - the slug nudger! Well done."The award was announced at the festival's comedy gala show, which was held at the King's Theatre. The previous winners have been Glasgow comedians Susie McCabe and the late Janey was joined by Scottish comedy icon Elaine C. Smith in handing over this year's award.A panel of judges from a variety of fields debated the winner before sending their thoughts to Sir Billy, who then made the final Billy told McClelland: "I wish you all the very best, I hope your career goes bouncing from strength to strength and that the Glasgow humour goes bounding from strength to strength, as it will."The award, introduced in 2023, is intended to reward an individual who most personifies the "spirit of Glasgow".Other nominees for this year's honour were Craig Hill, Kim Blythe, Marjolein Robertson, Paul Black, Scott Agnew and Viv Comedy Festival director Krista MacDonald described McClelland as "one of Scotland's brightest comedic voices" who has been entertaining audiences for over a added: "To see a homegrown Glaswegian talent like Rosco be honoured with 2025's Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award is a real testament to his hard work and commitment to his craft."Rosco embodies all that is exceptional about Glasgow and its comedy scene; a bold and brave brand of comedy, an unparalleled resilience and warmth and, above all else, an unfailing desire to make people laugh."
