What happened to Australia's politically incorrect comedians of the '80s and '90s?
They were once Australia’s most controversial performers, known for pushing the boundaries of good taste with their edgy jokes and risqué monologues.
But not every comedian who rose to prominence the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s has managed to keep audiences laughing over the years.
From the provocative to the politically incorrect, here’s what happened to Australia’s most controversial stand-ups.
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What happened to Australia’s very politically incorrect comedians? Rodney Rude, 78, rose to fame in the ’70s thanks to his bawdy jokes about sex, race and politics. These days, he has all but retired. He is pictured left in 1999, and right on Facebook more recently
Rodney Rude
Known for his love of profanities, there’s a reason why Nowra-born comedian Rodney Left adopted the stage name Rude early in his career.
The controversial funnyman, 78, began his career in the early ’60s, performing popular songs with altered lyrics and impersonating Elvis at showgrounds.
His stand-up comedy career took off in the ’70s as he toured the world and released a series of satirical CDs and cassettes.
He returned to Australia in the early ’80s to set up the iconic Sydney Comedy Store, serving as its inaugural host.
Funnyman: His stand-up comedy career took off in the ’70s as he toured the world and released a series of satirical CDs and cassettes. Pictured in the 1980s
But not everyone approved of his performances, which often included bawdy jokes about race, sex and politics.
The father of three was even arrested in the mid ’80s by Queensland Police after offending officers during a show.
These days, Rodney has all but retired.
Private life: He now lives at his rural property in Illawarra, NSW, and spends his days writing poetry and caring for his elderly father. Rodney (right) is pictured here with a friend
He now lives at his rural property in Illawarra, NSW, and spends his days writing poetry and caring for his elderly father.
‘I’m gonna do some of the serious stuff,’ Rude said of his retirement in an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2016.
‘I’ve written poetry and songs my whole life, but I’ve always been afraid to put it out because people would think Rude’s gone soft.’
Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson
Comedy musician Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson, 74, is regarded as one of Australia’s most iconic performers, known for his un-PC humour and lengthy career.
The self-proclaimed ‘crown king of Kalgoorlie’ ventured into comedy in the ’70s when he recorded a cassette tape for his mates about his experiences working as an electrician in the mines of Western Australia.
Legend: Comedy musician Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson, 74, is regarded as one of Australia’s most iconic performers, known for his un-PC humour and lengthy career. He is pictured left in the ’80s, and right in 2013
In the ’80s, he put together a cassette of parody songs titled Your Average Australian Yobbo, which featured tracks such as I Gave Up Wankin and That F**king Cat’s Back.
The tape was wildly successful, selling thousands of copies and launching Kevin’s comedy career.
While his larrikin persona won him fans across the globe, he was also arrested on several occasions for his politically incorrect routines.
Not slowing down: One of Australia’s most prolific entertainers, Kevin still performs about 120 concerts every year. He is preparing to embark on his ‘F.U.P.C’ comedy tour of New Zealand, which was recently postponed due to the Covid pandemic
These days his eyebrow-raising comedy is regarded as art, with Kevin earning a nomination for Australian of the Year in 2010.
One of Australia’s most prolific entertainers, Kevin still performs about 120 concerts every year.
He is preparing to embark on his ‘F.U.P.C’ comedy tour of New Zealand, which was recently postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
Libbi Gorr
Celebrated comedian and broadcaster Libbi Gorr, 56, is best known for her satirical character Elle McFeast.
McFeast debuted in 1991 on Andrew Denton’s ABC sports comedy program Live and Sweaty.
The character went on to host Live and Sweaty solo, before taking centre stage in satirical show McFeast: Live from the Bowels of Parliament House in 1995.
What the Elle happened to Libbi? Comedian and broadcaster Libbi Gorr, 56, is best known for her satirical character Elle McFeast. Pictured left in the ’90s, and right in 2016
She went on to play McFeast in a number of TV specials, including Sex, Guys and Video Tape, Elle McFeast Live, and Breasts.
The McFeast character was retired in 1998 after a car-crash interview with criminal Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, who was drunk and made tasteless jokes about his victims.
Libbi continued to appear on talk shows as herself, before quitting television to start a career in radio in 2012.
The mother of two now presents ABC Radio Melbourne’s breakfast program.
On a roll: She played McFeast in a number of TV specials, including Sex, Guys and Video Tape, Elle McFeast Live, and Breasts. Pictured centre in the ’90s
Behind the mic: Libbi quit television to start a radio career in 2012. The mother of two now presents ABC Radio Melbourne’s breakfast program. Pictured in 2014
George Smilovici
George Smilovici has been entertaining Australians with his side-splitting humour since the early ’80s.
A master of character comedy, the Cuban-born performer famously conquered the charts with his comedic monologue I’m Tuff in 1984.
Prince of stand-up: George Smilovici has been entertaining Australians with his side-splitting humour since the early ’80s. Pictured left in the ’80s, and right more recently on Facebook
He has since released four albums, and performed in every major venue in Australia.
His provocative brand of humour about social issues and politics has ruffled feathers in the past.
In 2004, he was reprimanded for telling jokes about John Howard and George Bush that offended a senior U.S. military officer in the Middle East.
Coming soon! He is set to play a character based on late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in an upcoming episode of Fat Pizza
George is still a stand-up comedian and also performs in a band called Hot Front, which he formed in his native Cuba.
He is set to play a character based on late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in an upcoming episode of Fat Pizza.
Jacki MacDonald
Once one of Australia’s most beloved TV stars, Jacki MacDonald, 66, is perhaps best remembered for her hilarious appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday.
She served as host Daryl Somers’ sidekick for a decade starting in the late ’70s, and was often the butt of his jokes.
The song Folks Are Dumb Where I Come From would often play when she arrived on screen in reference to the fact she hails from Queensland.
Remember me? Once one of Australia’s most beloved TV stars, Jacki MacDonald, 66, is perhaps best remembered for her hilarious appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Pictured left in 1987, and right in 2014
She departed Hey Hey in 1988 before returning to the sketch comedy show as a guest star for its 2009 reunion special.
The mother of three has since stepped away from the spotlight, choosing to pursue a career in radio instead.
She is now a business commentator for Drive with Michael Smith on Brisbane’s 4BC.
Dynamic duo: She served as host Daryl Somers’ (right) sidekick for a decade starting in the late ’70s, and was often the butt of his jokes
Radio: She is now a business commentator for Drive with Michael Smith on Brisbane’s 4BC
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
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