A tight 5: June 24, 2013

WOMEN have dominated the ‘best comedian’ shortlist in Australia’s premiere theatre awards. Hannah Gadsby, Kitty Flanagan and Julia Morris are all shortlisted for the Helmpann Award, with Wil Anderson the token male. Meanwhile, Britain’s Christopher Green has been nominated for his American country singer creation Tina C, pictured in the cabaret category. Also shortlisted there were Robyn Archer, Tommy Bradson and Mark Nadler.

NORMAN COLLIER left £251,000 in his will – all to his wife of more than 60 years, Lucy. The comic, famed for his faulty microphone routine, died in March aged 87 after a fight with Parkinson’s Disease.

DAVID CROSS is developing a new comedy series for America’s premium cable network Showtime. The comedian and Arrested Development star says the project is about ‘a modestly successful travel writer who struggles to keep his families happy and satisfied. Oh, and also from finding out about each other’s existence.’ However Hollywood website Deadline says he is unlikely to take the lead role himself.

GARY DAVID GOLDBERG, who created the Michael J. Fox sitcoms Family Ties and Spin City, died yesterday following a battle with brain cancer, at the age of 68. His production company Ubu Productions, was named after his dog, and feature the tagline ‘Sit, Ubu, sit’ in its idents.

FLIGHT Of The Conchords star Rhys Darby has today reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, as part of a seven-day expedition to raise funds for Tanzanian children.

Published: 24 Jun 2013