Watch Small Tales & True

Small Tales & True was a satirical comedy show that aired on The Comedy Channel in 1998. The show was hosted by Australian comedian, Paul McDermott, who was best known for his work on Good News Week. Each week, four comedians - a mix of established and up-and-coming talent - would take to the stage to share their funniest, most bizarre, and most outrageous stories. The stories were all true, or based on true events, and had to be told in five minutes or less. It was a format that allowed for a wide variety of storytelling styles and subject matter, from hilarious anecdotes about everyday life to jaw-dropping confessions about personal experiences.

The show was named after the phrase "small tales and true", which comes from a poem by Rudyard Kipling. The poem describes the importance of storytelling in human culture, and the show embraced this concept by giving comedians a platform to share their own unique stories.

One of the most memorable aspects of Small Tales & True was the competitive element. After each comedian had performed, the audience would vote for their favourite story using a noise meter. The comedian with the loudest applause would win a prize, such as a bottle of champagne or a box of chocolates. This added an extra layer of excitement and tension to the show, as comedians vied for the audience's attention and approval.

Another standout feature of the show was the intimate venue. Small Tales & True was filmed in a small theatre in Sydney, with a capacity of around 200 people. This created a cosy, club-like atmosphere that was conducive to the telling of personal stories. The close proximity of the audience also allowed for interaction between comedians and spectators, leading to some of the show's funniest and most organic moments.

The show's format and style were praised by critics and audiences alike. The Sydney Morning Herald called Small Tales & True "a refreshing change from the usual cookie-cutter comedy shows", while The Courier-Mail described it as "an addictive and entertaining journey into the weird and wonderful world of human experiences".

Small Tales & True ran for one season of 13 episodes. The comedians who appeared on the show included Fiona O'Loughlin, Dave O'Neil, Danny Bhoy, and Julia Morris, among others. Many of these comedians went on to have successful careers in the Australian comedy scene and beyond.

In conclusion, Small Tales & True was a unique and innovative comedy show that showcased the storytelling talents of some of Australia's best comedians. Its combination of true stories, competitive voting, and intimate venue made for an entertaining and compelling viewing experience. Although it only ran for one season, it remains a cult favourite among fans of Australian comedy.