Guy Williams - Funny As Interview

After starting out in stand-up comedy as a university student in Wellington, Guy Williams won a contest to become Dai Henwood’s protege in 2009. He has been working in TV and radio ever since. In this interview he covers topics such as:

• The eclectic influences of Jerry Seinfeld, cult comedy movie Napoleon Dynamite, and channel Sky One
• His "weirdly grandiose" desire to be part of the next generation of Wellington’s comedy scene, meeting offbeat comedian Guy Capper and opening for his idol Raybon Kan
• How he feels David Lange started a tradition of New Zealand politicians (John Key, Jacinda Ardern) utilising comedy in their campaigning
• Hitting the jackpot to become Dai Henwood’s protege and launch his own comedy career into the mainstream, before getting a spot on Jono And Ben
• How easy his generation of comedians have it compared to their elders, and the importance of bombing early in your career
• How New Zealanders undervalue local comedy, and the “magic” abilities of Billy T James and John Clarke

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.