Conquering Stage & TV: Joel Creasey Wants World Domination

Currently in South Africa as the co-host for companion show, I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here NOW!, Perth-born comedian Joel Creasey is thrilled to return to the country this May to perform his new show. "It's meant to be an hour of stand-up but it takes me an hour to say hello so who knows how long it can be? I'm really excited."

Creasey insists that while his new tour has been given a fancy title, fans shouldn't expect any particular theme during the show. "A lot of comics with their shows try and change the world and tackle big issues. My show is not that. It's literally, come along, have a laugh. I'm going to tell you some awkward stories, some funny stories about what's happened to me in the last year. I'll verbally bash a few celebrities and we'll laugh behind people's backs."

With a name like The Crown Prince, Creasey has no problem admitting that he ranks himself highly amongst other Australian comedians.

"I think I do something that none of the other comics in Australia are doing. I talk very candidly about my life in entertainment on stage. I'm very privileged that I get to go backstage at the Logies, or present at the ARIAs and I'm telling kind of the honest stories about what happened to me at these events and the run-ins I have with celebrities," he says, adding with a laugh, "Plus I love how my show title is just such an arrogant and not very subtle dig at other male comedians in Australia.

"Me walking on stage is like a continuation of a conversation I've been having backstage with a friend, but then I walk on and grab a microphone and start talking to the audience. My show is very casual, I want it to feel like a conversation with your sassy best mate."

Creasey drew some criticism last month when he defended friend and fellow comedian Lawrence Mooney, who got himself into some hot water after blasting a young female journalist for a scathing review of one of his live shows.

Creasey, who tweeted "@lawrencemooney fuck I love you" says that the move was not an attack on the reviewer. "I was of course defending a friend and yes Lawrence overacted, but it's not the first time Lawrence has done that.

"Lawrence Mooney doesn't have a sexist bone in his body. What was interesting as well, is I did see a couple of other reviewers come out in Lawrence's defence who have been slammed on Twitter before and said, 'Hey this has happened to me.'

"The review that questioned whether or not Lawrence Mooney is a stand-up, I'm thinking how I would feel if someone questioned whether I'm a stand-up and that's my job, my life. That's really unfair of her. Especially because Lawrence is a comedy legend."

"I mean, I love criticism and haters, they make me feel alive. Any hate I get, I screenshot and one day I plan on doing an art exhibition…"

 

As for his current role on I'm A Celeb, Creasey has made a return to the jungle just one year after appearing on the first season of the Australian series, in which he quickly became a fan favourite. Given that he was often vocal about wanting to leave camp, it's no surprise he much prefers being on the other side of camp. "Oh my God, it's so much better being on the other side," he laughs.

"Honestly, I would be happy if the celebrities were getting no food. That's how sadistic I've become." He admits though he surprises himself when he gets nostalgic about watching the current batch of celebs in camp. "I keep saying things like, 'Back in my day...' I feel like my grandma. I sometimes miss it, but then I see them complain and how dirty they are and I look at my infinity pool at the place that I'm staying and I'm like, 'Yeah, you know what? Not so bad'".

The new hosting role sees him team up with former Bachelorette contestant Heather Maltman. "It's been really fun. It's an odd experience; because of the time difference we record at midday live into Australia so we start at like 4am. It's weird finishing at like, 2pm. I'm not normally home until like, 11pm doing stand-up, or 6am if I've been out dancing."

The after-show was swiftly slammed by viewers, with many criticising the duo's lack of chemistry. However Creasey believes that the show has progressively gotten better as the season has gone on. "People always just review the first show, don't they? They don't review the 27th show in. I mean, I love criticism and haters, they make me feel alive. Any hate I get, I screenshot and one day I plan on doing an art exhibition…sometimes when I'm having a down day I look at their photos and think 'Well at least I'm not them. At least I've got a chin.'"

He admits too, that being a natural on stage and on the mic has allowed him to guide Maltman through the process. "I'm 25, so I'm a baby, but I've been doing stand up for nine years and I've been doing TV for a lot of those years. So absolutely, I've been giving her whatever advice I can give. I don't know whether it's worth taking, I've tried to be as guiding as a 25-year-old can be."

Fans have wondered whether the new TV role means a completely new direction for Creasey, however he believes that his television work can only boost his stand-up career. "I'm such a show-off, so if I see a camera, I'm on stage. If I could transform my bedroom into a stage and just charge people to watch me sleep and brush my teeth I would. I'm that narcissistic and I have no shame about it," he says with a laugh.

"I do love both, but for me, doing TV is just awesome because it just means I get more audiences along to my live show, which is absolutely my number one passion.

"I want to get as big as I can because I want to perform to as many people as I can. I find it odd when comics or any performer doesn't say that, or try to downplay it. Everyone wants to be the biggest and best they can be. I am looking for world domination. I would like to go work overseas in the states and the UK, but I'm not going to do a Nicole Kidman — she's totally forgotten she's Australian, or human it seems at this point.

"Going to crack a new market like America, you have the standard experience. It's like starting over again but I've got nine years under my belt."

He references hugely successful Aussie comedian Wil Anderson who currently bounces back and forth between Australia and America to perform shows. "He kills in the comedy clubs and it's funny because he's a household name in Australia, but to see him playing these smaller clubs in the States is very cool. I really respect what he's done. He doesn't forget Australia, he comes back and tours every year, I really like that."

Creasey has also considered a full-time move to television — hosting his own talk show has been an aspiration of his. "I think that's what Australia is missing right now - a tonight show or a talk show. I'm obsessed with pop culture and really want to talk to all these people because I'm genuinely interested in them. Whether it's me or not, it's got to be someone that does want the job, who isn't just there for the money."