Shaun Micallef's Online World

Shaun Micallef is an Australian comedian of Maltese descent who currently lives in Melbourne. He hosted the comedy TV series 'The Micallef Program' from 1998 to 2001 on ABC TV. Chris Beck talks to Shaun Micallef in the Australian Age:

Shaun Micallef often does his Vega breakfast show on an empty stomach, but he might have a banana or an apple before noon. He doesn't drink coffee and has just given up orange juice. "I think it's important to give up something every now and then," he says, "Occasionally I go, 'I won't have butter this week,' just to deny myself something. I set myself pathetic tasks. I'm not competitive by nature so I challenge myself against myself."..

Micallef greatly admires the troubled comic actor, Peter Sellers, largely because there was no one like him. During our chat, sans food or beverages, we talk about Micallef's aversion to becoming a celebrity, his single-mindedness, his preference for a small circle of friends, and his anxiety in the company of more than a handful of people.

Personality radio is a new environment for Micallef, whose television comedies have been tightly scripted. Even on his axed tonight show on Channel Nine he says he was playing a Tonight Show character, not being himself. "I've never been a great fan of improvisation," he says, "But there are corners of television and obviously radio that benefit from being a real human being. And there are a lot of other things out there that are entertaining or are funny that have nothing to do with comedy."

He prepares very little material for the radio show and between banter with co-hosts Denise Scott and Beverley O'Connor, and the odd surreal moment, serious topics are discussed, including the new IR reforms. He disagrees that he has to be likeable on radio. In fact, you shouldn't be likeable. I would never deliberately ask (the audience) to like me because that's too needy..

When I last interviewed Micallef, six years ago, he apologised for not being interesting enough and for his life being so even, bereft of the peaks and troughs that are considered defining and character-building. He also recounted a recurring dream that had him entering various floors of a very tall theatre through the ceiling or the walls. Andrew Denton interpreted it for him as not feeling deserving of the position he was in. But Micallef hasn't had that dream for a long time..

You were an insurance lawyer, middle class, you don't drink, you don't smoke, you don't drink coffee, you would rather live in Adelaide and you refuse film roles if there is any partial nudity. Are you happy with that or would you like to be more exciting? I'd like to quieten down a bit, actually. The reason I don't drink is that I was a terrible drunk (20 years ago). I was a terrible lush. I was probably boring, telling people I loved them; God forbid I should ever say that to anybody. I would wake up unconscious on a compost heap, or worse still in my bed and I couldn't remember how I got home...

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