Content note: This podcast episode contains some strong language, and mentions violence and child sexual abuse.

As the decade turns, The Show of the Year marks 2019 in style – with host Casey Bennetto and a glittering line-up of writers, comedians and musicians. Paul Kelly, Nath Valvo, Alice Bishop, Sista Zai Zanda, Margot Morales Tanjutco, Laura Jean, Alice Gorman, Evelyn Araluen, The Merindas, Brodie Lancaster, Louise Milligan and Bill Shorten share their thoughts on subjects as various as the decommissioning of the Opportunity Rover on Mars, the Tigers' premiership run, the death of Toni Morrison, The Masked Singer and the closure of Uluru to tourists.

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What a year. Protests shook Hong Kong, the Amazon caught fire and children led a worldwide climate strike. Boris Johnson picked up the prime ministerial ball as it came loose from the back of the scrum, Scott Morrison baseball-capped his way back into government, and Trump impeachment talk turned to (some) action. 

We said goodbye to towering figures in literature and politics, including Toni Morrison, Bob Hawke, Les Murray, Clive James and Mary Oliver. And we farewelled meowing figures of the internet. (R.I.P. Grumpy Cat.)

There were the mandatory Big Cultural Moments, too: someone (no spoilers) finally won the Game of Thrones, Fleabag stormed the Emmys, and a Sydney real estate video went viral. Beyoncé came home, Fyre Festival blew up (again) and Lil Nas X shot to stardom via TikTok. Ah yes, how could we forget: TikTok.

Goodbye 2019 … we hardly knew ye! 

Wes Snelling, Steph Tisdell, Patti Fawcett, Meg Upton and Evan Watts at the Wheeler Centre

Are ‘funny bones’ something you’re born with, or can they grow with time?

In partnership with Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we look at ‘Nature vs Nurture’ in comedy. Schools around the country are now using comedy as an educational tool to improve literacy and confidence, and to explore different points of view. How can comedy help us learn? And what else can it teach?

With host Wes Snelling, our panel of comedians and educators – Steph Tisdell, Meg Upton, Patti Fawcett and Evan Watts – discuss mentoring and directing, comedy as a learning tool and its place in the school curriculum.