Chas Licciardello

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chas Licciardello
Chas Licciardello
Chas Licciardello
Birth name Chas John Licciardello
Born 10 May 1977[citation needed]
Medium Television
Nationality Australian
Years active 1999-present
Genres Satire
Notable works and roles The Chaser
Website www.chaser.com.au

Chas John Licciardello (born 10 May 1977)[citation needed] is a comedian from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, best known for being a member of satirical team The Chaser. A former student of Sydney Grammar School[1] and a law graduate of The University of Sydney,[2] Licciardello has appeared as a regular in the two series of CNNNN, and he currently appears on ABC television in The Chaser's War on Everything.

He is married to Dr Jocelyn Laurence, a research analyst at Foster Stockbroking[3].

Contents

[edit] The Chaser's War on Everything

Since the pilot episode of 'The War', Licciardello has been known to be involved in some outrageous and funny stunts including recently making-out with Rove McManus on live television.

During the Chaser recess, Licciardello appeared on the panel of My Favourite Album an ABC TV special, showcasing Australia's top ten albums as voted by the public. He also filled in on Triple M's drive time slot during the summer of 2007 with fellow Chaser colleague Dominic Knight with their show Chas and Dom from 'The Chaser'.

[edit] Offensive conduct charges

In July 2006, Licciardello faced charges of "offensive conduct" by the New South Wales Police Force, after turning up at a rugby league football match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George Illawarra Dragons on 14 July 2006, dressed up as a Bulldogs fan and attempting to sell fake knives, knuckledusters and balaclavas in a stunt for 'The War', making satire of the recent actings of the bulldogs fans with violent riots etc..[4] [5]

Licciardello explained that the skit "poked fun at the misbehaviour of Bulldogs fans" knowing that "a lot of people thought it was funny."[6]

Licciardello was quick to dispute his charges on the show. The following Friday he appeared on 'The War' in a cage before referring to the NSW premier, Morris Iemma's own joke regarding residents of crime-riddled suburbs wearing balaclavas.[7]

On 29 August 2006 in Kogarah Local Court, Licciardello pleaded not guilty to the charge. The matter was adjourned until 12 October.[8]

On 22 January 2007 magistrate Joanne Keogh said she would view an unedited video of the incident, totalling 50 minutes, to decide Licciardello's fate. Licciardello gave no evidence in the matter, letting The Chaser team's film speak for him.[9] He was subsequently found "not guilty" of offensive behaviour.[10]

The decision was hailed a "victory for free speech". Licciardello was in the best of humour after the decision, reported as saying he would "appeal to the Supreme Court, the High Court, to the UN, the Jedi High Council and the Snickometer". [11]

[edit] APEC 2007

Arguably the most controversial stunt Licciardello was involved in was the APEC stunt in 2007. Fellow Chaser Julian Morrow claimed that he and Licciardello aimed to get a majority of their members arrested amidst the high security surrounding the APEC Australia 2007 summit in Sydney, adding jokingly that they also aimed to get Licciardello shot.[12]

Footage aired on The Chaser's War on Everything on 12 September 2007 showed the fake "motorcade" consisted of two SUVs, a black Holden limousine flying a Canadian flag on the bonnet, four "runners" (one of which was Morrow) carrying hand-held video cameras and two motorcycles. They passed through two security checkpoints without being stopped by police or asked for identification; at one point, the footage showed Morrow offering to present identification to a police officer, however he was waved through without this occurring. The motorcade reached a point 10 metres outside the hotel where U.S. President George W. Bush was staying. Police only realised that the motorcade was a hoax when Licciardello, dressed as Osama bin Laden, voluntarily stepped out of the limousine.

Following the incident, Licciardello and Morrow were detained and questioned by NSW Police on 6 September 2007 outside the InterContinental Hotel,[13][14],and were charged under the APEC Meeting (Police Powers) Act 2007 [15].

[edit] Other antics

On 25 May 2008 Liciardello and Craig Reucassel were guests on channel Ten's Rove. Their interview concluded with the '20 Bucks in 20 Seconds' segment. Rove McManus's only question that is always asked, "Who would you turn gay for?" was responded by Chas's annoyance that nobody ever followed up on it. He then leaps on Rove and French kisses him, later licking Rove on the face.[16]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Cutting to the Chaser", The Sydney Morning Herald, September 16, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-05-16. 
  2. ^ Alumni Grand Reunion Dinner (PDF). Our Alumni Community newsletter. The Sydney Law School (October 2003). Retrieved on 2006-07-27.
  3. ^ "Chaser's sober whippet ways", The Daily Telegraph, October 6, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-11-13. 
  4. ^ "Bulldogs prank not funny", The Sydney Morning Herald, July 15, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-27. 
  5. ^ O'Dwyer, Erin and Dasey, Daniel. "Chaser Canterbury joke gets no laughs", The Sydney Morning Herald, July 16, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-27. 
  6. ^ Weaver, Clair. "Footy Stunt Outrage", The Sunday Mail QLD, July 16, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-27. 
  7. ^ "Joking Iemma says 'lighten up'", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, June 9, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-29. 
  8. ^ "Chaser star denies offensive conduct", The Sydney Morning Herald, August 29, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-08-29. 
  9. ^ "Chaser star lets stunt film decide his fate", The Sydney Morning Herald, January 22, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-22. 
  10. ^ "Chaser star cleared over Bulldogs stunt", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, January 23, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-23. 
  11. ^ "Chaser court victory hailed as triumph for free speech", The Age, January 24, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-24. 
  12. ^ "Chaser team planning 'something extreme' at APEC", The Sunday Telegraph, September 2, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-02. 
  13. ^ "Chaser duo held over APEC stunt", The Age, September 6, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 
  14. ^ "Police question The Chaser duo over APEC stunt", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, September 6, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 
  15. ^ "11 charged over Chaser APEC stunt", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, September 6, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 
  16. ^ "The Chaser's Chas Licciardello springs kiss on Rove McManus", Courier Mail, May 26, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-26. 

[edit] External links

v • d • e
The Chaser
Members
Literary Productions
Television Productions
Radio Productions
Stage Productions
Miscellaneous