He’s successful, handsome and funny. What’s more, Troy Kinne is not only great to interview, he’s a loveable bear we all want to hug!
You made the great leap from stand up comedy to your own TV show Kinne Tonight. How did that happen?
I started making videos in high school, when I was obsessed with sketch comedy like The Late Show and D Generation. The thing is, I originally began stand up to meet others who were into making videos. I’d been making sketches to show my parents and neighbours, but when I discovered YouTube I realised I could show them to the world! My Kinne Tonight producer Max Price and I made a send up video of the KIA car commercial, which landed in the hands of some TV execs and it all kicked off from there.
The show’s logo is literally your name up in lights. Did anyone ever say “One day, you’ll see your name…”?
Not those exact words, but I did have a high school principal who was extremely supportive. I began making videos during a school camp to Ayers Rock where we had a camera on the bus. My mate Brett and I would steel it, film sketches then put it back. The next day they’d play the footage and our sketches would pop up. Everyone loved them, but the principal told us off. Of course the next day we did it all again, and he gave us suggestion notes!
Comedian Troy Kinne hosts his own sketch show Kinne Tonight.
In your recent series you did a great sketch on how political correctness is getting out of control. As a comedian, do you find PC is affecting creativity?
Definitely. I find myself worrying about who my comedy may affect, to the point where if it changed, I could end up not pleasing those who do appreciate it. But I’ve come to realise I’m not going to please everyone, so I may as well go with those who know it’s all in jest.
It’s very old-school down to earth humour.
I’m purposely very old school, especially with my latest series. We began filming when the COVID-19 restrictions came into effect with a theme of being safe. But we thought we’d go the extra yard and be a bit naughty, so that people would feel our humour let loose.
Are you a fan of old school comedies such as the Carry On films and Benny Hill?
Oh yeah. I actually went to a queer play in London called A Gay in a Manger. I thought, people back home are going to think I’ve made this up! It was quite popular and very funny. It’s very much in your face and about taking things to the extreme.
Troy Kinne talks to his audience on Kinne Tonight.
Do you agree with the old adage that comedy is a great way to deal with trauma?
For sure. I did a gig at a mining camp where someone had passed away in an accident. It was a bit weird because they talked all about this guy and then gave me a big introduction, but I got them laughing. I guess that was a step towards feeling better and getting back to some normality.
In 2008 you also entertained Australian troops in East Timor. What was that experience like?
It was like a two-week fantasy camp where I could pretend to be a soldier! I had to wear a bulletproof vest, boots and all. You put those things on and you just feel tougher! I also had a guy with me the whole time, which was like having a personal bodyguard. We were out in the middle of nowhere with tents set up and guys sitting around on Jeeps. It looked like a scene from Saving Private Ryan. I think they had also lost one of their friends, only days before and seemed to be hanging for some comedy escapism.
The King of Comedy on his throne?
You did get to play a cop in the series Footballer Wants A Wife.
I did! The thing about me is that I have a rare heart condition (dextrocardia) where it sits on the wrong side of my body. When I was younger I was told I could never actually be a soldier or cop, which devastated me. That’s why the fantasy of being a soldier was so special.
“People do ask if I’m straight or gay, and I leave it hanging for the mystery.”
Have you ever had feedback either positive or negative on ‘gay’ jokes?
I have in a positive way. I did a standup joke relating to the whole gay marriage thing, and my gay friends loved it because it simplified it all. While I was in America I saw a news item about people protesting gay marriage. They asked this guy holding a massive sign, why he was protesting and obviously thought they’d get a big answer. He said, “I just don’t like it”. My take on that was that I don’t like peanut butter. I never have and probably never will. My brother loves it. I don’t understand why, but do I go down to the school every lunchtime and say, “Hey! You eat that in the privacy of your own home you sick little bastards!”? Put simply, it’s okay to like different things. That’s how we’re born!
Do you go clubbing with your gay mates?
One time I went to a gay club for New Year’s, with a group of flight attendants who lived near me. To this day, I say it’s the best New Year’s I’ve ever had. One guy kissed me on the cheek and then apologised because he didn’t know I was straight. I said “Hey, a kiss is just as warming, no matter who it’s from!”
Troy entertaining Australian troops in East Timor.
Well you are handsome. You must get guys hitting on you?
I have via Instagram. I don’t know if I give off some vibe, but people do ask if I’m straight or gay, and I leave it hanging for the mystery. I must be a bit of an attention seeker! (Laughs)
“I do perve on males just as much as females, but in an envious way.”
Who would you turn gay for?
Going on pure physicality, Mark Wahlberg. When I was sixteen I actually had pictures of him around. Pretty revealing conversation! (Laughs) I’d also say Lenny Kravitz. I had a girlfriend who was really into him and I realised how exotic he looks. I’ll fully admit that I do perve on males just as much as females, but in that envious way, where I’m inspired. I’d even put my best mate on the list because he’s the best looking guy I’ve ever seen! He’s such a catch that it’s actually annoying!
One of your comic mates Harley Breen did this interview, and he agreed he’d make a great otter. Have you been told you’d make a great bear?
(Laughs) I think I’d be a hybrid bear! I’m not hairy. So many people ask me if I wax my chest, but I’ve just never had hair there!
One of your all-time best sketches is a send up of The Bachelor, where the girl (Comedian Nikki Osborne) mistakes your rose for, well your, um…
Oh yeah, that’s one of the most popular skits and one of the first to go viral. I actually had a TV channel from France wanting to interview me because they thought I was the real Bachelor Australia!
Troy and comedian Nikki Osborne send up The Bachelor.
That could very well happen!
Funny enough, I was in a production meeting after our first season of Kinne Tonight and it was actually suggested. I laughed out loud, then realised I was the only one laughing. Maybe they could do a half-bear half-otter for the next Bachelor?
Who’s your music diva?
To this day, I still put Madonna on if I’m running on a treadmill, and it’s always Holiday, live!
You have a successful book called Things Parents Never Hear From Their Kids. How did that evolve?
I was editing my video for Things Mums Never Hear From Their Kids, and creating a thumbnail image with quote, when I thought, that looks like a page from a book. Why don’t I make a little novelty book for Christmas? So I did.
“Maybe they could do a half-bear half-otter for the next Bachelor?”
Have you ever had an onset wardrobe malfunction?
We once filmed a sketch where an office had made sexual harassment their form of greeting, and in the first scene Nikki Osborne had to grab my crotch. I snuck a Red Bull can into my undies and her eyes popped out of her head! She burst out laughing, but didn’t realise I’d removed it for the next take. She purposely tried to grab and crush it! But that time I was the one who’s eyes popped out! After fifty more takes, I was eventually happy we got the shot.
Briefs, boxer briefs or freeballing?
At home and in the supermarket I’m always free balling. In fact, once I met the original Puppetry of the Penis guys backstage, and they said their doctors had advised them that freeballing was best for keeping the valuables in tact – given what they do to them each night! They were also told to do their first morning wee sitting down, but I wouldn’t advise that. I mean, if it’s too early, it’d be hard to stand back up!
Watch Kinne Tonight at 10play.com.au/kinne-tonight
For more visit: troykinne.co
Troy Kinne hosting Kinne Tonight.
