VICTORIAN comedy icons Dave “Hughesy” Hughes, Dave O’Neil and Des Dowling will return to Barwon Heads for a one-night show this Friday.
“It was so much fun last time and it’s a great drive down,” Hughesy said.
“It’s the perfect summer-time gig – people are all on holidays and relaxed.”
Dave said 400 people showed up for the gig last year. He even spotted Master Chef judge Matt Preston in the audience.
“We had a great response,” he said.
“We’ve each got three kids, so we’re happy to get out of the house.”
It’s the second time down for Hughesy, who’s famous for his stand-up comedy, work on The Footy Show and presenting for Nova FM.
Hughesy, now hosting Australia’s Got Talent, said he had no problem finding time for some stand-up comedy, saying his January was “quite free”.
“I love doing stand-up comedy,” he said.
“If I don’t do a gig for a week I think ‘Jesus, I’ve got to get on stage!’”
“I just organise the gigs – he’s just happy to come down and do them,” Dave added.
Hughesy grew up on the coast as a “Warrnambool boy” and loves getting down to the beach during summer.
“I was a boogie-boarder not surfer though, so I don’t have any credibility,” he said.
It’s the third time down for Dave, who’s now working at ABC 774 Melbourne.
“I’m getting a bit older so I’ve moved on to the ABC – the intellectual station,” Dave said.
Dave and Hughesy worked for years together on Nova FM as presenters.
“I met him when he was on the dole – back when he used to ask for my advice,” Dave said.
“He’s a good writer and he gets a lot of laughs.”
“Dave’s almost like family to me,” Hughesy said.
“I’ll never forget how he helped me when I started out.”
Both comedians have worked with Des Dowling, who made the unique transition from A Current Affair journalist to comedian.
“He’s a great guy,” Hughesy said.
“We’re all very tight-knit in the comedy community – often when we do shows together it’s like catching up with old friends.”
