The multi-talented Jim Hopkins started as a serious debater, but inspired by a more comedic style of debating, brought it to New Zealand shores. In this Funny As interview Hopkins trains his wit on a variety of topics, including:
- Wanting to study architecture and aviation, but not doing well enough in either maths or physics to measure up
- Discovering the comedic style of debating associated with the Oxford Union, while in Australia for a university debating competition
- Bringing this lighter style of debating back to New Zealand, filling halls and eventually bringing it to television
- The time a group of nuns and their pupils left mid-debate, disgruntled with the "physical and licentious" topic
- Comedy as a way of dealing with fear
This interview was recorded for 2019 TV series
Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy.
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Funny As
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