Dara O Briain
Irish comedian and hugely popular host of the topical show Mock the Week (BBC2) with his stewardship bringing it to record viewing features.
2008 and Dara's been out on tour across the UK - with extra dates added in October and November due to public demand.
Mock the Week is now in its 6th series. This satirical quiz show continues to delight audiences with Dara host to regular panellists, Frankie Boyle, Hugh Dennis, Russell Howard and Andy Parsons.
Dara has completed two documentaries, re-creating the legendary British comedy novel Three Men in a Boat, where he rowed down the Thames with Griff Rhys Jones and Rory McGrath. Filming of the third series of the programme began in September 2008.
As well as his live work and BBC 2's Mock the Week, Dara also hosts RTE 2's The Panel in Ireland. He is one the few performers to host successful comedy shows in both the UK and his native Ireland at the same time.
In 2006, Dara hosted the interview programme Turn Back Time in which he quizzed various comedy legends including Barry Humphries, Vic Reeves and Terry Jones.
About Dara
Dara OBriain is the busiest man in Irish comedy these days, juggling his roles as one of RTE's big new stars at home, with his growing reputation as a stand-up around the world, including his appearance this year at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal. Having made himself a household name in Ireland from his contributions to Don't Feed the Gondolas, the satirical panel show, he then stepped into the mainstream limelight with the hit mid-evening show It's a Family Affair.
At the same time he has travelled the globe bringing his sell-out comedy shows to audiences from Edinburgh to Adelaide, and from Dubai to Shanghai. He is currently dividing his year between London and the English and European circuits, a second tour of Australia, numerous Irish commitments, and, of course, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where this year he presented his fourth new show in as many years.
This stand-up work makes him a regular on television's top stand-up showcases, including the BBC's Never Mind The Buzzcocks, The Stand-up Show, and The Empire Laughs Back; RTE's The Lounge; and Channel 5's Bring me the Head of Light Entertainment. Last year in Australia he was such a hit as special guest on The Panel (Channel 7), he was immediately invited back to become a panellist, plus given an open invitation for his next Australian tour.
Dara is also highly in demand as a Master of Ceremonies in Ireland. When starting out he was extremely popular during his residencies as MC at both the largest comedy club in Dublin and that in Cork.
These days Dara can be found fronting prestigious awards ceremonies such as the Irish times/ESB Irish Theatre Awards or the Golden Spider internet awards, and luring hundreds of thousands of pounds out of the pockets of the great and the good at charity events like Paul Newman's Barrattstown Gang Camp Charity Auction.
Where It Began..
Dara started his career in television as a children's presenter on RTÉ whilst performing his first stand-up gigs on the Irish comedy circuit. After studying at University College, Dublin, where he did a degree in Mathematical Physics, he spent three years as a presenter on the bilingual (Irish and English) children's programme Echo Island. But he came to prominence as a team captain on the topical panel show Don't Feed The Gondolas (1998-2000). He left the show midway through its fifth season to perform at the Adelaide and Melbourne comedy festivals.
And Then..
Dara later co-founded the televison production company Happy Endings Productions, whose most famous show in Ireland is The Panel (2003-onwards). The show has become one of the most talked about in Ireland and was twice nominated for the Best Entertainment show IFTA (Irish Film and Televison Award). His big break in UK television came in 2003 when he became host of BBC2's Live Floor Show. This was led to an appearance as guest and, ultimately, four appearances as guest host of the popular news quiz, Have I Got News For You.
By this time he was based in the UK full-time and gigging there constantly. This paid off when he sold out the entire run in Edinburgh in 2002, a feat he was to repeat for the next three years until, by 2005, he was the biggest selling solo stand-up comedy show on the Edinburgh Fringe. The show was recorded for the BBC1 series Jack Dee Live at the Apollo.
Dara has been a regular on television's top stand-up shows and has made regular appearances on, among others, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Parkinson and QI.
Testimonials:
Hi Nicky
I just wanted to extend my sincere thanks to all involved in making Saturday night such an amazing sucess. I would be grateful if you could pass on my comments to all the acts.
Dara was fantastic! He was loved by the audience - the only critisism I heard was that they did not want him to stop! He pitched his act just right, and was perfect at keeping the awards running along, and to time (almost unheard of). It was also fantastic that he mingled with the guests for ages after the awards, talking to them and having photos taken - this really made the night special for so many people (including me actually!).
E2 were probably the best band I have heard live - and again, this is not only my opinion, but of others I heard talking. Their choice of songs was just right to get everyone dancing. It was a pleasure dealing with Jim and the rest of the band. I would definately recommend them to others.
Phil, as always, was perfect in his choice of tracks. He brought a great end to a wonderful evening. The combination of Phil and the band worked really really well.
I have heard from guests that they felt this was the best awards dinner to date (and I agree!). Thank you to you and Mac and the acts for helping to make this so.
A very happy Christmas and New Year to you all!
Very best wishes Katie - corporate client - 1400 guests - ICC Birmingham December 2008
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If you don't laugh at O Briain, check your pulse, you must be dead" Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard
"An excellent show, drenched in truth and intelligence, by a comedian at the top of his game" ***** Metro
"Genuinely imaginative and ridiculously funny" The Independent
"The sharpest of the many Irish comics...a must see act" **** The Sunday Express
"This is 100 per cent, grade A, pure uncut stand-up - and it's simply brilliant. O Briain's simply an astonishingly funny comic, hitting scorching form." Chortle
