THE "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS" AWARDS 2012

The 'Going out of Business', 'Closing down', 'Brick through the front window', Awards 2012.

BEST SHOW OUTRIGHT 2012

SUMMARY 2012
Shows seen      - 252
Categories
Comedy           - 126
Impro               - 19
Movies             - 79
Music               - 16
Other               - 12
Travelling
Out                  - 194 days
Home              - 171 days
Avg Out Days - 3.7 days/week


BEST MALE 2012, considerations
Matt Okine        - comic
Wil Anderson    - comic
Darren Sanders - comic
Rhys Nicholson - comic
Carlo Ritchie     - everything

WINNER - Wil Anderson
Matt was funnier nearly every time, but Wil is more consistent and versatile. All of Wil's stand-up shows are a guaranteed 4, so they are always good, except for the best-off show he did a couple of years back that was a 5. Now Wil could've easily taken the easy way out and repeated that 5 star scripted "best-off" show every time, but thankfully he always pushes the envelope and tries for more. Imagine writing a new 1 hour long scripted show every year, it's a lot of work, and something no one else does, and that's why I think he's the best. This is a bit of a " Still Alive Posthumous Award", because all through the years it's Wil's on the spot ad-lib that has elevated any show that has had him in it. Like every Good News Week recording was so much better live because of his ad-lib comments, and all of the Boys Vs Girls Theatresports Impro shows were better with him in it - and you wonder why the girls had trouble winning when ringers like Wil was against them -.


BEST FEMALE 2012, considerations
27.04.12 : Deanne Smith - Livin' the Sweet Life : Factory Theatre 3.75
28.04.12 : Lou Sanz - Neverending Storage : Factory Theatre 3.75
05.05.12 : Felicity Ward - The Hedgehog Dilemma : Factory Theatre 4.25
24.05.12 : Yve Blake - Am I Good Friend : Studio One (UNSW) 4.5
07.06.12 : LadyNerd - Sydney return : Slide 4.9999 recurring
11.09.12 : Alice Fraser - Word Crime : Bedlam Bar + Food 3.75
18.09.12 : Julia Morris - No Judgement Tour Warm-up - Factory Theatre 4.5
19.09.12 : Mel Buttle - Stop It You Are! : Factory Theatre 4
10.11.12 : Denise Scott - Regrets : Comedy Store 4.5
29.11.12 : Cal Wilson is All Ears : Comedy Store 4.25

WINNER - 07.06.12 : LadyNerd - Sydney return : Slide
It's fast, it's funny, and it has sciencey/history in it. Girl Geek blew it out of the water.


BEST OVERALL NIGHT 2012 (The night I laughed the most), considerations
11.01.12 : Wisecracker Wednesdayz : Oatley Hotel 4
12.01.12 : Celebrity Autobiography : SOH 4.25
20.01.12 : Axis of Awesome - 5 Year Anniversary Sow : Factory Theatre 4.5
22.01.12 : Akmal (trial) : Old Fitzroy Theatre 4.5
04.02.12 : Carl Barron - A One Ended Stick : Revesby Workers 4.5
06.02.12 : Smart Casual - Broken Dreams(trial) : Roxbury Hotel 4
11.02.12 : John Cruickshank - Darren Sanders : Laugh Garage Syd 4
18.02.12 : Jeff Green : Laugh Garage Syd 4.5
27.02.12 : Theatresports Live : Zenith Theatre 4
29.02.12 : Wisecracker Wednesdayz : Oatley Hotel 4
03.03.12 : Comedy Gala : Laugh Garage Syd 4
07.03.12 : Project 52 - Hermann's Heroes-Humans Not Wasps : Hermann's 4
14.03.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 4.25
23.03.12 : SCF - Preview Night : Factory Theatre 4.25
28.03.12 : Story Club - Of All The Gin Joints : Hermann's Bar 4.75
01.04.12 : Tom Green : Enmore Theatre 4
04.04.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 4
09.04.12 : Andrew O'Neill - Alternative : Roxbury Hotel 4.5
16.04.12 : A Rational Fear LIVE: 2.0 : FBI Social - Kings Cross Hotel 4
17.04.12 : Kiddie Time! - Farewell Shenanigans for Brydie : Roxbury Hotel - impro 4
23.04.12 : The Darren Sanders Show - Ep6, Ep7 recording : Laugh Garage Sydney 4.25
25.04.12 : Jim Breuer : Metro Theatre 5
26.04.12 : David O'Doherty is Looking Up : Seymour Centre 4
28.04.12 : Jon Dore : Enmore Theatre 4
29.04.12 : Jason Byrne - People's Puppeteer : Enmore Theatre 4.5
30.04.12 : Danny Bhoy - Messenger (Please Don't Shoot) Extended : Enmore Theatre 4
01.05.12 : Frank Woodley - Bemusement Park : Seymour Centre 4.5
02.05.12 : Story Club - Everything's Coming Up Milhouse : Hermann's Bar 4
03.05.12 : Matt Okine - The Voyager Record : Factory Theatre 4
03.05.12 : Glenn Wool(CAN) - No Lands Man : Factory Theatre 4.25
04.05.12 : Lawrence Leung - Beginning, Middle, End : Factory Theatre 4.75
05.05.12 : Felicity Ward - The Hedgehog Dilemma : Factory Theatre 4.25
09.05.12 : Project 52-Comedy For Mad Dawgz And Also Regular Dawgz : Hermann's Bar 4
10.05.12 : Axis of Awesome - AoA World Tour 2006 : Factory Theatre 4.5
11.05.12 : The Bear Pack- Improvises with Friends : Factory Theatre 4.25
14.05.12 : A Rational Fear LIVE: 3.0 : FBI Social - Kings Cross Hotel 4
19.05.12 : TheatreSports National Championships : Enmore Theatre 4.25
23.05.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's' Bar 4
24.05.12 : Yve Blake - Am I Good Friend : Studio One (UNSW) 4.5
26.05.12 : Ronny Chieng - The Ron Way : Comedy Store 4
31.05.12 : Theatresports Old School Vs New School : Manning Bar 4
07.06.12 : LadyNerd - Sydney return : Slide 4.9999 recurring
09.06.12 : Luke Heggie - Master of None : Comedy Store 4
20.06.12 : No Laughing Matter : Enmore Theatre 4
12.07.12 : Axis of Awesome - Cry YOURSELF A River - Edinburgh Preview Show : Factory Theatre 4
01.08.12 : Story Club: Why Don't You Make Me : Hermann's Bar 4
30.08.12 : Ian Bagg(CAN) : Comedy Store 4
05.09.12 : P52: Would You Rather A Night of Would You Rather? : Hermann's Bar 4.25
13.09.12 : Shayne Hunter - Self Awareness in an Unconscious World : Factory Theatre 4.25
13.09.12 : Damien Power - Monkeys in Space : Factory Theatre 4.25
15.09.12 : Dave Hughes - The Comeback Tour : Enmore Theatre 4
18.09.12 : Julia Morris - No Judgement Tour Warm-up - Factory Theatre 4.5
19.09.12 : Rhys Nicholson - On Trial : Factory Theatre 3.75
19.09.12 : Mel Buttle - Stop It You Are! : Factory Theatre 4
21.09.12 : The Bear Pack - Spinning Yarns Since 1846 : Factory Theatre 4.25
22.09.12 : Dan Ilic - Is Legally Ambiguous - Factory Theatre 4
27.09.12 : Nick Cody - Inappropriate : Factory Theatre 4
28.09.12 : The Bear Pack - Spinning Yarns Since 1846 : Factory Theatre 4
04.10.12 : Wil Anderson - Wilarious : Comedy Store 4
24.10.12 : P52: The Improv Den #8 (This show dedicated to Jordan McClellan) : Hermann's Bar 4
10.11.12 : Denise Scott - Regrets : Comedy Store 4.5
17.11.12 : Peter Helliar & Merrick Watts : Comedy Store 4
28.11.12 : Story Club: Thanksgiving : Hermann's Bar 4
29.11.12 : Cal Wilson is All Ears : Comedy Store 4.25
30.11.12 : The Axis of Awesome - Album Launch & 6 Year Anniversary Show : Factory Theatre 4.25
23.12.12 : Comedy : Laugh Garage CBD

MOST LAUGHS WINNER - 25.04.12 : Jim Breuer : Metro Theatre 5
Seeing lots of spots from laughing so hard.
MOST ENTERTAINING WINNER - 07.06.12 : LadyNerd - Sydney return : Slide 4.9999 recurring
It had everything


BEST SCRIPTED COMEDY SHOW 2012, considerations
12.01.12 : Celebrity Autobiography : SOH 4.25
20.01.12 : Axis of Awesome - 5 Year Anniversary Sow : Factory Theatre 4.5
06.02.12 : Smart Casual - Broken Dreams(trial) : Roxbury Hotel 4
28.04.12 : Lou Sanz - Neverending Storage : Factory Theatre 3.75
01.05.12 : Frank Woodley - Bemusement Park : Seymour Centre 4.5
04.05.12 : Lawrence Leung - Beginning, Middle, End : Factory Theatre 4.75
08.05.12 : Idiots of Ants(UK) : Factory Theatre 3.75
10.05.12 : Axis of Awesome - AoA World Tour 2006 : Factory Theatre 4.5
24.05.12 : Yve Blake - Am I Good Friend : Studio One (UNSW) 4.5
07.06.12 : LadyNerd - Sydney return : Slide 4.9999 recurring
12.07.12 : Axis of Awesome - Cry YOURSELF A River - Edinburgh Preview Show : Factory Theatre 4
30.11.12 : The Axis of Awesome - Album Launch & 6 Year Anniversary Show : Factory Theatre 4.25

WINNER - 07.06.12 : LadyNerd - Sydney return : Slide 4.9999 recurring


BEST STANDUP - AUSTRALIA 2012, considerations
22.01.12 : Akmal (trial) : Old Fitzroy Theatre 4.5
04.02.12 : Carl Barron - A One Ended Stick : Revesby Workers 4.5
11.02.12 : John Cruickshank - Darren Sanders : Laugh Garage Syd 4
18.02.12 : Jeff Green : Laugh Garage Syd 4.5
01.03.12 : Greg Fleet - Heroes(trial) : Harold Park Hotel 3.75
01.05.12 : Frank Woodley - Bemusement Park : Seymour Centre 4.5
03.05.12 : Matt Okine - The Voyager Record : Factory Theatre 4
05.05.12 : Felicity Ward - The Hedgehog Dilemma : Factory Theatre 4.25
26.05.12 : Ronny Chieng - The Ron Way : Comedy Store 4
09.06.12 : Luke Heggie - Master of None : Comedy Store 4
22.06.12 : John Robertson - The Old Whore : Comedy Store 3.75
11.09.12 : Mat Wakefield - Thought Crime : Bedlam Bar + Food 3.75
11.09.12 : Alice Fraser - Word Crime : Bedlam Bar + Food 3.75
13.09.12 : Shayne Hunter - Self Awareness in an Unconscious World : Factory Theatre 4.25
13.09.12 : Damien Power - Monkeys in Space : Factory Theatre 4.25
15.09.12 : Dave Hughes - The Comeback Tour : Enmore Theatre 4
18.09.12 : Julia Morris - No Judgement Tour Warm-up - Factory Theatre 4.5
19.09.12 : Rhys Nicholson - On Trial : Factory Theatre 3.75
19.09.12 : Mel Buttle - Stop It You Are! : Factory Theatre 4
22.09.12 : Dan Ilic - Is Legally Ambiguous - Factory Theatre 4
27.09.12 : Nick Cody - Inappropriate : Factory Theatre 4
04.10.12 : Wil Anderson - Wilarious : Comedy Store 4
10.11.12 : Denise Scott - Regrets : Comedy Store 4.5
17.11.12 : Peter Helliar & Merrick Watts : Comedy Store 4
29.11.12 : Cal Wilson is All Ears : Comedy Store 4.25

WINNER - 04.02.12 : Carl Barron - A One Ended Stick : Revesby Workers 4.5
By mid year I had given up on stand-up, it's a case of "A joke a hundred times is not a joke any-more" repeat problems, so I didn't really see that much after that. It was the veterans this year with Carl piping Akmal and Frank. The best newish comic was Matt Okine, who was very funny most of the times I saw him.


BEST STANDUP - O/S 2012, considerations
18.02.12 : Jeff Green : Laugh Garage Syd 4.5
01.03.12 : Jeff Green - Father of Men(trial) : Harold Park Hotel 3.75
01.04.12 : Tom Green : Enmore Theatre 4
09.04.12 : Andrew O'Neill - Alternative : Roxbury Hotel 4.5
25.04.12 : Jim Breuer : Metro Theatre 5
26.04.12 : David O'Doherty is Looking Up : Seymour Centre 4
27.04.12 : Deanne Smith - Livin' the Sweet Life : Factory Theatre 3.75
28.04.12 : Jon Dore : Enmore Theatre 4
29.04.12 : Jason Byrne - People's Puppeteer : Enmore Theatre 4.5
30.04.12 : Danny Bhoy - Messenger (Please Don't Shoot) Extended : Enmore Theatre 4
03.05.12 : Glenn Wool(CAN) - No Lands Man : Factory Theatre 4.25
30.08.12 : Ian Bagg(CAN) : Comedy Store 4

WINNER - 25.04.12 : Jim Breuer : Metro Theatre 5


BEST IMPRO 2012, considerations
27.02.12 : Theatresports Live : Zenith Theatre 4
13.03.12 : Is Game! by Full Body Contact No Love Tennis : Roxbury Hotel 3.75
14.03.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 4.25
04.04.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 4
17.04.12 : Kiddie Time! - Farewell Shenanigans for Brydie : Roxbury Hotel - impro 4
18.04.12 : Project 52 : The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 3.75
27.04.12 : The Bear Pack- Improvises with Friends : Factory Theatre 3.75
11.05.12 : The Bear Pack- Improvises with Friends : Factory Theatre 4.25
19.05.12 : TheatreSports National Championships : Enmore Theatre 4.25
23.05.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's' Bar 4
31.05.12 : Theatresports Old School Vs New School : Manning Bar 4
21.09.12 : The Bear Pack - Spinning Yarns Since 1846 : Factory Theatre 4.25
28.09.12 : The Bear Pack - Spinning Yarns Since 1846 : Factory Theatre 4
24.10.12 : P52: The Improv Den #8 (This show dedicated to Jordan McClellan) : Hermann's Bar 4

WINNER - The Bear Pack
I've practically given up on nearly all Impro because it's changed from Skilful/Clever Impro to Imagination Impro, something that's not as mentally stimulating - it's you the viewer mentally working out how the Improvisers are working around limitations, that made it brilliant -. That being said, the only shows that I find entertaining these days are the Project 52 : The Improv Den shows, because younger people have a more extreme imagination.
Best individual scene - The Bear Pack : Factory Theatre
Best overall night      - 14.03.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 4.25
Best Short Form       - 27.02.12 : Theatresports Live : Zenith Theatre 4


BEST IMPROVISER 2012, considerations
Steen Raskopoulos
Carlo Ritchie
Jon Williams
Ben Jenkins

WINNER - Steen Raskopoulos
Jon Williams is the still the cleverest and funniest, but I didn't see enough of him for him to be in the running this year. The last couple of years it's been the amazing rambling Carlo, but this year Steen stepped up and forced sh*t to happen - like Jordan McClellan used to do - in his usual Bear Pack appearances.


BEST UNIVERSITY SHOW 2012, considerations
07.03.12 : Project 52 - Hermann's Heroes-Humans Not Wasps : Hermann's 4
14.03.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 4.25
28.03.12 : Story Club - Of All The Gin Joints : Hermann's Bar 4.75
04.04.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 4
18.04.12 : Project 52 : The Improv Den : Hermann's Bar 3.75
27.04.12 : The Bear Pack- Improvises with Friends : Factory Theatre 3.75
02.05.12 : Story Club - Everything's Coming Up Milhouse : Hermann's Bar 4
09.05.12 : Project 52-Comedy For Mad Dawgz And Also Regular Dawgz : Hermann's Bar 4
11.05.12 : The Bear Pack- Improvises with Friends : Factory Theatre 4.25
23.05.12 : Project 52: The Improv Den : Hermann's' Bar 4
24.05.12 : Yve Blake - Am I Good Friend : Studio One (UNSW) 4.5
31.05.12 : Theatresports Old School Vs New School : Manning Bar 4
07.06.12 : Story Club: Don't Mention The War : Hermann's Bar na 3.75?
27.06.12 : Story Club: Best Served Cold : Hermann's Bar 3.75
01.08.12 : Story Club: Why Don't You Make Me : Hermann's Bar 4
22.08.12 : Story Club: Know When To Run : Hermann's Bar 3.75
05.09.12 : P52: Would You Rather A Night of Would You Rather? : Hermann's Bar 4.25
21.09.12 : The Bear Pack - Spinning Yarns Since 1846 : Factory Theatre 4.25
28.09.12 : The Bear Pack - Spinning Yarns Since 1846 : Factory Theatre 4
03.10.12 : Project 52: Ultimate Fringe Round Up of Draculas : Hermann's Bar 3.75
31.10.12 : Gory Club - A Spookaween Spec-Dracula : Hermann's Bar 3.75
24.10.12 : P52: The Improv Den #8 (This show dedicated to Jordan McClellan) : Hermann's Bar 4
28.11.12 : Story Club: Thanksgiving : Hermann's Bar 4

WINNER - 28.03.12 : Story Club - Of All The Gin Joints : Hermann's Bar 4.75
I've retired from most of the Stand up, Sketch, and Plays, so didn't see many, but instead only went to Story Club, Impro, and special events.
Best Comedy Show - 24.05.12 : Yve Blake - Am I Good Friend : Studio One (UNSW) 4.5
Best Story Club       - 28.03.12 : Story Club - Of All The Gin Joints : Hermann's Bar 4.75
Best Impro              - 11.05.12 : The Bear Pack- Improvises with Friends : Factory Theatre 4.25
Best Stand up          - na
Best Sketch             - na
Best Play                 - na


BEST COMEDY ORGANISATION or VENUE 2012, considerations
1st - Project 52 : Hermann's Bar
2nd - Comedy Store
3rd - Laugh Garage CBD
4th - Roxbury Hotel

WINNER - Project 52 : Hermann's Bar
They are pretty hard to beat when they have so many different varieties of comedy.


BEST MOVIE 2012, considerations
24.01.12 : Young Adult - movie 3.75
07.02.12 : J. Edgar - movie 4
21.02.12 : Man on a Ledge - movie 3.75
22.02.12 : Safe House - movie 3.75
13.03.12 : John Carter - movie 4
10.04.12 : American Pie Reunion - movie 3.75
01.05.12 : The Avengers - movie 4
08.05.12 : The Five-Year Engagement - movie 3.5
15.05.12 : Dark Shadows - movie 4
22.05.12 : The Dictator - movie 4.75
23.05.12 : Safe - movie 3.75
25.05.12 : Men in Black III - movie 4
01.06.12 : Get the Gringo - movie 3.75
05.07.12 : The Amazing Spider-Man - movie 4
19.07.12 : Dark Knight Rises - movie 3.75
26.07.12 : Ted - movie 4.25
23.08.12 : Total Recall - movie 3.75
28.08.12 : Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - movie 3.75
18.09.12 : Resident Evil: Retribution - movie 3.75
27.09.12 : Looper - movie 3.75
23.10.12 : Safety Not Guaranteed - movie 4
26.10.12 : Argo - movie 3.5
08.11.12 : Seven Psychopaths - movie 4
30.11.12 : The Perks of Being a Wallflower - movie 3.75
11.12.12 : Here Comes the Boom - movie 4
26.12.12 : The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - movie 3.75
27.12.12 : Liberal Arts - movie 4.25

WINNER - 22.05.12 : The Dictator - movie 4.75
It was so inappropriate, I was seeing spots from laughing.

People were confused last year because categories had to be filled regardless if they were good movies or not. Imagine all the comedies for that year were a 3, which means they weren't good movies, but since I have to award a category, it ended up the 'best of your dirty underwear' cases.
Best Comedy          - The Dictator 4.75
Best Rom-Com       - The Five-Year Engagement 3.5
Best Romance         - Liberal Arts 4.25
Best Sci Fi              - John Carter 4, Looper 3.75
Best Drama            - J. Edgar 4, Argo 3.5
Best Action            - The Avengers 4
Best Documentary  - na
Best Fantasy          - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3.75
Most Fun               - Get the Gringo 3.75, Seven Psychopaths 4
Most Charming      - Seeking a Friend for the End of the World 3.75
My Guilty Pleasure - Here Comes the Boom 4, Resident Evil: Retribution 3.75


BEST OTHER SHOW 2012, considerations
28.02.12 : Randling TV show - pilot recording : ABC studios 3.75
15.03.12 : Randling TV show - Ep 3 recording : ABC studios 3.75
12.04.12 : Randling TV show - Ep 19 recording : ABC studios 3.75
23.04.12 : The Darren Sanders Show - Ep6, Ep7 recording : Laugh Garage Sydney 4.25
07.05.12 : The Darren Sanders Show - Ep 9-11 recording : Laugh Garage Sydney 3.75

WINNER - 23.04.12 : The Darren Sanders Show - Ep6, Ep7 recording : Laugh Garage Sydney 4.25


BEST MUSIC 2012, considerations
19.01.12 : iOTA: Young, Hard and Solo : SOH 4
21.01.12 : iOTA: Young, Hard and Solo : SOH 4.25
02.03.12 : The Grates : Manning Bar 4.75
01.06.12 : Def FX - Factory Theatre 4.25
07.07.12 : Led Zeppelin Show : South Hurstville RSL 3.75
22.09.12 : The Cold Play Show : South Hurstville RSL 3.75

WINNER - 02.03.12 : The Grates : Manning Bar 4.75


GLAD I DIDN'T TOP MYSELF THE NIGHT BEFORE SHOWS 2012
These shows were a joy to watch, and made life worth living.
04.02.12 : Carl Barron - A One Ended Stick : Revesby Workers 4.5
25.04.12 : Jim Breuer : Metro Theatre 5
04.05.12 : Lawrence Leung - Beginning, Middle, End : Factory Theatre 4.75
24.05.12 : Yve Blake - Am I Good Friend : Studio One (UNSW) 4.5
07.06.12 : LadyNerd - Sydney return : Slide 4.9999 recurring
18.09.12 : Julia Morris - No Judgement Tour Warm-up - Factory Theatre 4.5
10.11.12 : Denise Scott - Regrets : Comedy Store 4.5
29.11.12 : Cal Wilson is All Ears : Comedy Store 4.25