Millen Baird - Funny As Interview

Millen Baird found comedy after deciding there was no future for him in being a tax accountant. In this Funny As interview he talks about his preference for improvisation. He also discusses:

• His dad being his comedy idol from a young age
• Getting his first TV break when Caterina De Nave commissioned The Millen Baird Show
• Feeling more comfortable in character, than being himself
• How injecting improv into the scripts for Auckland Daze became “a competition to come up with the best gag”
• His mum bearing the brunt of his artistic endeavours — "I saw your son's show. Disgusting, Colleen, disgusting."
• Embracing the philosophies of Outward Bound for 2017 series Darryl. An Outward Bound Story
• Thinking he’d nailed an LA audition with his deadpan performance, but actually bemusing them with his jandals
• Turning a personal situation into comedy with web series Slow Pete —  about IVF and his “slow swimmers”

This interview was recorded for 2019 TV series Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy. All audiovisual content is copyright to Augusto, and may not be reproduced. Publication of Funny As extended interviews made possible with funding from the NZ Lotteries Grants Board.