Unlikely Friends

Damian Callinan
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Unlikely Friends is an improvised chat show hosted by Damian Callinan, featuring a rotating duo of the worlds best comedians & improvisors, taking on historical roles as they reinvent the past, revealing how they became improbable mates. All episodes are recorded in front of a live audience. damiancallinan.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Unlikely Friends - Episode 6 - Phar Lap (Kirsty Webeck) & Pegasus ( Elf Lyons)

    JAN 15

    Unlikely Friends - Episode 6 - Phar Lap (Kirsty Webeck) & Pegasus ( Elf Lyons)

    After meeting at the equine resort, ‘Fetlocks on The Hay at Byron Bay,’ Australasian thoroughbred racing legend, Phar Lap and Pegasus, the winged, thunderbolt conjuring horse of Greek mythology, hit it off. Their prank filled friendship saw them reinvent the stylings of equestrian dressage events at the Modern Olympic games; raid a Steiner school teacher conference, disguised as unicorns & blow up the phone lines on their Bareback Talkback Radio Show. Get some fresh hay, lie in your favourite paddock and prick your ears, as Elf Lyons & Kirsty Webeck, two of the funniest equine improvisors in the world enter the starting gates. (Elf Lyons, Damian Callinan & Kirsty Webeck backstage in the donkey free green room) (To their credit, the equine guests never complained once about having to sit on stools clearly made for humans) Get full access to The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan at damiancallinan.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min
  2. Episode 5 - Neil Armstrong (Brian Nankervis) & Andre The Giant (Rusty Berther)

    10/01/2025

    Episode 5 - Neil Armstrong (Brian Nankervis) & Andre The Giant (Rusty Berther)

    Neil Armstrong (Brian Nankervis) & Andre the Giant (Rusty Berther) join me in the historical salad spinner & Andre demonstrates an extraordinarily detailed knowledge of the minutiae of Australian culture: he’s a big fan of the band Sherbet, loves Weetbix & going to weddings in Colac. Neil reveals that he’s a poet at heart, that Buzz Aldrin wet his pants on the moon & the secret of space travel by controlling your own breath. Probably the most unhinged episode to date, it was pure joy be in the orbit of Nezza & Didi. (This episode was recorded live at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival at the Comedy Republic in April 2024) Get full access to The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan at damiancallinan.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min
  3. Unlikely Friends - Episode 4 - William Shakespeare (Michelle Brasier) & Coco Chanel (Claire Hooper)

    07/30/2025

    Unlikely Friends - Episode 4 - William Shakespeare (Michelle Brasier) & Coco Chanel (Claire Hooper)

    Having met for the first time whilst hosting the Regional NSW Finals of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge in Dubbo, William Shakespeare (Michelle Brasier) & Coco Chanel (Claire Hooper) forged a friendship that bent historical timelines. From performing beat poetry together in Glasgow to shooting a cockney version of Coco Chanel’s life for Netflix, Big Bad Willy & Big Baggy Lady Pants were each other’s reciprocal muses. Hear how Coco workshopped some of Bill’s better known quotes & how Shakey brought Crocs on to the Chanel runways in Paris. But listener be aware, the Bard’s language gets fruity when the host makes the mistake of mentioning Marlowe. Thanks for reading The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan at damiancallinan.substack.com/subscribe

    50 min
  4. Episode 3 - Joan of Arc (Geraldine Hickey) & Andy Warhol (Andrew McLelland)

    04/03/2025

    Episode 3 - Joan of Arc (Geraldine Hickey) & Andy Warhol (Andrew McLelland)

    In this episode Geraldine Hickey, pulls on the armoury of Joan of Arc. Winner of the Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, her solo shows have gone from strength to strength with TV specials on Paramount +. She is currently selling out the Victorian Arts Centre with her new show Meander, March 27-April 20. You can grab tickets here & check out her gig guide here. Joining her over the hot flame is Andrew McLelland, who’ll be popping out the art as Andy Warhol. A celebrated comedian, writer & DJ, Mr McLelland’s Finishing School at Common Grounds, is a Melbourne institution and the talented chappy has even supported Cher & Robbie Williams on the decks. His festival shows are also a delight, especially , ‘A Seated Walking Tour of Europe’ (directed by the author) & ‘The Von Donk Family Old Timey Vaudeville Revue’ Herein, you’ll learn of their first meeting in Melbourne when they surprised everyone by being paired as Moomba Monarchs. Their friendship was solidified when Andy gave Joan a Glow Up & they formed an impenetrable alliance against Denise ‘Ding Dong’ Drysdale on the obscure reality TV show, Celebrity Pinata. The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan at damiancallinan.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  5. Episode 2 - Noah (Tom Gleeson) & Steve Irwin (Dane Simpson)

    02/27/2025

    Episode 2 - Noah (Tom Gleeson) & Steve Irwin (Dane Simpson)

    Did you know that there were originally heaps more animals on the ark, but Noah & his family just kept eating them until there were only pairs left? Did you know that Steve Irwin met Noah at Bunnings & helped him find the cable ties to keep the crocs mouths closed? Did you know that they met for the second time at Jesus’s 3 day bucks weekend? It’s no surprise that Tom Gleeson & Dane Simpson, two of Australia’s funniest men, excelled in the history swivel chairs. I say bring back ‘Noah & Stevo in the Mornings’. The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan at damiancallinan.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min
  6. Episode 1 - Ned Kelly (Wil Anderson) & Estee Lauder (Gillian Cosgriff)

    02/13/2025

    Episode 1 - Ned Kelly (Wil Anderson) & Estee Lauder (Gillian Cosgriff)

    Our first episode comes to you from New York, via Glenrowan. What better way to launch the podcast, than with two of the best improvisors in the business. Wil Anderson brings wit, vulnerability & plausible levels of b******t to the misunderstood, iconic bushranger, Ned Kelly. Gillian Cosgriff brings sass, smarts and so many great one liners to cosmetics queen, Estee Lauder. The result is so compelling, you would swear these besties did meet playing pub trivia in Fitzroy for a team called ‘Law & Lauder.’ (Recorded in front of a live audience at the Comedy Republic at the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.) Get full access to The Complete Perks of Damian Callinan at damiancallinan.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Unlikely Friends is an improvised chat show hosted by Damian Callinan, featuring a rotating duo of the worlds best comedians & improvisors, taking on historical roles as they reinvent the past, revealing how they became improbable mates. All episodes are recorded in front of a live audience. damiancallinan.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Damian Callinan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Damian Callinan
  • Show Website
    Unlikely Friends