Matthew Hardy

For the American professional wrestler (born 1974), see Matt Hardy.

Matthew Hardy is a Melbourne-based comedian and comedy writer who was the first Australian to cement himself full-time on the UK live circuit, spending eight years there in the 1990s, including regular appearances at Jongleurs and The Comedy Store in Leicester Square.

A regular at many international stand-up comedy events, he is the author of the best-selling book Saturday Afternoon Fever (published by Random House and now in its 5th print run), described by reviewers as a 'Wonder Years'-style, light-hearted and hilarious look at his suburban upbringing in 1980s', which became the basis for three sold-out seasons of multi-media one-man show adaptation at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. "Brilliant" The Australian

Hardy also appeared in the last Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his own take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory along with special guest Julie Dawn Cole, who portrayed Veruca Salt in the 1971 film version – "Wonderfully funny, endearing and 100% original" The Age

'Sex & The Suburbs' was yet another hit Melbourne International Comedy Festival show.

"Was the famous TV show/film called 'Sex IN The Suburbs' or Sex AND the Suburbs" Hardy asks as his opening line. "Doesn't seem to make much difference until you consider what a show called 'Starsky IN Hutch might have been like". 'An uplifting, laugh-out-loud ointment for anyone who's ever been lost in love" – The Sunday Age

TV credits include hosting two series of The Big Schmooze, Foxtel's only Tonight Show on The Comedy Channel and appearing as a panelist plus roving reporter on ABC-TV's The Fat. He was part of the BAFTA-winning The Sketch Show writing team for ITV in the UK, and subsequently wrote for Kelsey Grammer's sketch series on FOX in the US.

In 2008 Sony BMG released Matthew Hardy's debut DVD/CD, titled 'I'm So Australian'. Based around a series of sly, sarcastic one-liners, regarding what it takes to be Australian, this show was recorded before a live audience at The National Theatre. Excerpts from the show have been screened on 'Rage', 'Music Jungle' & 'Video Hits', as well as re-worked versions commissioned by the Nine Network's 'Cricket Show' on Boxing Day 2008, and as a roast of Shannon Noll on his edition of 'This Is Your Life' in 2009.

Matthew has appeared as a panelist on ABC TV's 'Spicks & Specks', and to April 2009 he had appeared on Network Ten's re-ignited 'Good News Week' three times.

External links

• I'm So Australian – Official Matthew Hardy Website
• Matthew Hardy at the Internet Movie Database

Matthew has created an tailored multi-media comedy show for major corporate and sporting institutions, and is in high-demand from companies such as Virgin Airlines, NAB Bank, CPA, Ted Whitten Foundation, Sherrin & the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast.

2009 Matthew was the UK correspondent during the SBS 'live' ASHES cricket broadcasts.

In 2010 Matthew toured with Irish comedian Ed Byrne for a 25 gigs in the Scottish Highlands. He wrote 3 sketches for The Stephen K Amos Show on BBC One in 2010 and co-wrote the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series: 'Shappi Talk'.

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