From The Doug Anthony All Stars to TV host, writer, teacher, artist, director and producer, Tim Ferguson is about to launch his new world tour! He talks to Matt Myers about his Fast Life On Wheels!
Tell us about your new show A Fast Life On Wheels.
Tim Ferguson: It’s autobiographical, but like all creative projects, veers off into unexpected alleyways, from ancient Egypt, all the way to my birth and the present day. A lot of the things we’re dealing with, such as Trump, all started with the pyramids. I blame the pyramids! They were the first inklings that people were getting themselves organized, so the trouble all started there. The show’s about celebrating a lack of organisation!
Your book Carry A Big Stick and doco Tick Fucking Tock really opened eyes to your Multiple Sclerosis. Do you think from those projects, understanding MS has improved?
I think everybody is pretty well aware of MS, but possibly one element people aren’t aware of, is that neurologists are completely in the dark about it. So if I can raise awareness about the fact that nobody knows anything, it probably meets in the middle.
What’s one thing you would want people to really understand about MS?
One thing concerning all people with disabilities is that employment levels are dismal. That’s everything from Down Syndrome to Multiple Sclerosis to acquired injuries. People with a disability are perfectly capable of doing stuff, like the Paralympics for example. If they can play tennis or enter diving competitions at a world elite level, I figure they can work in people’s corner stores. But employers get nervous about employing people with disabilities, and that’s because they haven’t opened their eyes to the enormous benefits of working with them. Research has shown that IWD (Individuals With Disabilities) turn up on time, stay late and don’t bitch and moan. They make better employees and it makes a business look like they give a shit. So if I could, I’d open people eyes to the greedy acquisitions they can make by employing people with disabilities. It’s okay to be greedy, if that’s going to be the motivation.
Along with Paul McDermott and Richard Fidler, you made The Doug Anthony All Stars an Aussie institution. Do you have any stand out memories?
We were drunk most of the time. I do remember that! We were turning up in strange countries and surprising everyone. Sometimes it was simply because we were from Australia and had read books! But it was an exhausting sort of life, and it’s amazing what people let us get away with!
What’s been the best thing about the DAAS reuniting?
Our audience hadn’t gone anywhere! We assumed the audience would have found some new toy. But it turns out there was nobody doing that aggressive, provocative and sometimes offensive, hyperactive musical comedy, anywhere in the world. Our recent tours in the UK went very well, because nobody had filled the gap. We thought Bananas in Pajamas would have put on leather jackets! But most comedians don’t even sing, little alone walk on stage and pick a fight with an audience. It’s been great fun to go back to foreign countries and fill out big venues.
What are your memories of playing Frank-N-Furter in the 1998 Rocky Horror Show at Sydney’s Star City?
Oh that was great! At least in the fishnets I didn’t overheat. The five-inch high heels were tricky though, and during rehearsals I went through a lot of shoes! By the time we did the show, I’d learnt how to strut. The interesting thing about Frank-N-Furter is that to my surprise, he doesn’t mince. He’s a highly charged and aggressive character, very masculine and sexually veracious. Except for when he has to go home and cries like a baby, he rarely does anything outside of dominating the people around him.
Have you been to many gay bars, and been hit on?
I’ve been to gay bars, but most of the time I don’t get hit on! Despite the rumours, gay men tend to be quite shy and reticent about throwing themselves at people. I’ve been flirted with, but there’s never been a time where I’ve thought someone’s coming on too strong.
Back in the early days of the DAAS, gay boys drooled over you. Were you aware of that?
No, but I’d imagine they would have, and why not! I mean you have to drool over something, and ideally it’s someone with a sense of humour. And how could you drool over Paul who’s too short and Richard’s way too nice! Whereas I was a tall, dark and handsome fellow, rich and famous…and polite! Yes, I guess I was the imagination’s lamb to the slaughter!
So, if you were gay, who would be the one?
I think Brad Pitt would be a good middle-of-the-road option. He seems nice, fairly safe, easy going and wouldn’t give a lot of attitude.
Who are your best gay mates?
I’ve got a couple in Sydney who tell me they’re gay, but they’ve never actually proven it to me. I’ve also got a small gaggle in Melbourne too, and I get on very well with my lesbian friends. There’s something about their sense of humour that I find quite devilish. They’re not ladies, that’s for sure!
You directed the Aussie movie Spin Out that starred two other DNA straight mates, Travis Jeffery and Xavier Samuel. How did you find directing a full on drag-racing rom-com?
It was pretty full on and intense, but luckily I was co-directing with the experienced Marc Gracie. He was able to keep my trainer wheels firmly attached and help me get through it. Marc and I have worked as a team on projects for just on thirty years. So in one way it was effortless, but it was also both physically and mentally the most challenging thing I’ve ever been involved with. You have to make a million different decisions from beginning to end. It’s high-octane creativity and not a job for the easily stressed.
What do you think of the new trend of sitcom reboots?
I think it’s great. The audiences already love the show, whereas a brand new sitcom can fall over simply from unfamiliar characters. If you look at Will & Grace, they’re talking about Trump and gender fluidity and all the modern interesting things. Roseanne was going well until she opened her mouth on Twitter, but the Conners is really well written and sharp, and they’re talking about things happening now. None of those shows feel old or tired. When Karen starts talking on Will & Grace, I think what the hell is she going to do this time with gender fluidity!
Back in the Nineties you starred in Funky Squad, a cross between The Mod Squad and Scooby Doo. What do you say to a Funky Squad reboot?
Funky Squad was kind of a reboot of its own, rebooting Seventies cop shows. We had guns, a mustang car, Santo Cilauro in an Afro wig and Jane Kennedy walking around in high heels. It was fun, but I can’t imagine what a reboot of a reboot would look like!
You teach a comedy-writing master class and wrote the screenwriting manual, The Cheeky Monkey. Do you think that writing or performing comedy is a natural gift?
It’s a craft. There might be some who are naturally gifted at writing drama, but I haven’t met them. You have to build a comedy from the ground up and eventually obey certain ancient principles that make people laugh. If you avoid them, because you’re being clever, it can still be fantastic, but nobody will laugh out loud. Comedy has pretty simple principles and once you know them, it saves you lots of time. So natural talent is of no use. Assistance with the craft is what it’s all about.
Do you like old school comedy such as Lucille Ball, Don Rickles or the Carry On films?
Yes, they’re always good fun. But what’s interesting is that the same principles and scaffolding from those old comedies is exactly the same blueprint underpinning modern comedies. Whether you’re talking about The Mighty Boosh, The Office or any other smart arse comedy, they’re all based upon Carry On films, I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners and of course Abbott and Costello’s routines. I can show how all of these things in the modern world are built upon those same principles. Comedy may be changing its clothes and interests, but the skeleton’s exactly the same.
When it comes to music, who’s your diva?
I love Streisand. The way she plays that voice of hers. What breath control! She can hold a note as pure and strong as if it’s being blasted out of an elephant’s lung! I’ll also say Lily Tomlin. Sure, she can’t sing, but she can talk up a storm!
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
I’d say Ted Robinson. He made The Big Gig, Aunty Jack and our recent documentary. Ted’s been there all along, but he’s one among many such as Marc Gracie.
Have you ever had an on-set wardrobe malfunction?
Once in London, my pants fell down on stage. They were getting old and just collapsed off my belt. Nobody complained of course, they were all so damn impressed! In fact, there was a respectable silence!
A Fast Life On Wheels kicks off this month in Perth.
For more visit: cheekymonkeycomedy.com
