Ben's "Closer To Nowhere" tour culminates with the taping of his second stand-up special on Sunday, June 29th, at the iconic Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda.

CHAT SESSION 110 with Ben McCarthy

Topic- Ben McCarthy – Closer To Nowhere Live Special

Monday 2nd June 2025 1pm https://rppfm.com.au

Podcast 🎧 https://megaphone.link/LCRUI7012691090

Ben McCarthy's passion for comedy ignited at age 12, fuelled by his belief that humour has the power to transform any situation. His dream of becoming an international comedian reflects his lifelong fascination with the comedic aspects of life, showcasing his ability to find laughter in diverse scenarios and share that joy with audiences around the world.

From his early exposure to shows like "The Simpsons" and films starring Adam Sandler, to watching comedic legends like Carl Barron and David Strassman, Ben realized that comedy was his true passion. While excelling in sports like AFL football and basketball during high school, he consistently showcased his comedic flair by making teammates laugh during training and road trips, earning the title of "class clown." Despite the athletics-focused path, his natural affinity for humour remained ever-present, patiently awaiting its moment to take centre stage.

In October 2013, Ben’s comedy journey took a pivotal turn while working the front door at a friend's open mic event. A conversation with the MC led him to share some of his written jokes, leaving the seasoned comedian in stitches and urging Ben to take the stage. With a mix of courage and a sense of humour about the potential outcome, he performed, earning significant laughs and igniting the realization that he might have a future in comedy. This encouraging experience marked the beginning of his pursuit of a career in stand-up.

While in year 12 and focused on completing the VCAL program to pursue a plumbing career, Ben found himself increasingly drawn to comedy, eventually prioritizing it over his original plans and sporting commitments. For some time, he kept his stand-up performances a secret from his parents, claiming he was simply working nights to avoid disappointing them if things didn't pan out. However, as he rapidly gained recognition on the Melbourne comedy scene, maintaining this secrecy became unsustainable, marking a turning point in his journey as a comedian.

From 2015 to 2016, Ben established himself as a regular on the Melbourne comedy scene, sharing stages with renowned comedians by the age of 20. After a successful year, he debuted his show "Ben McCarthy: Nevermind" at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2017, where he garnered sold-out shows and rave reviews over the course of eight nights. This momentum propelled him on a nationwide tour, taking his act across regional Victoria and major cities like Adelaide, Perth, and Sydney, where tickets sold out in just two hours, leading to his first five-star review. Amidst this success, Ben pondered his next steps, feeling an urge to create new material; however, a chance meeting with a comedy promoter from London opened new doors, urging him to send a tape to expand his reach into the UK comedy scene.

Ben vividly recalls sending out his tape on a Friday afternoon and receiving an astonishing response by Monday night, with 16 bookings from various venues eager to have him headline or bring his show. This overwhelming interest marked a significant milestone in his career, validating his hard work and talent while opening new opportunities for him on the international comedy circuit.

Ben embarked on an ambitious seven-month tour across 35 countries in Europe, successfully networking and securing gigs at various comedy clubs, where he was warmly received by new audiences and garnered numerous positive reviews. This international success paved the way for his first TV special, which he chose to film in Melbourne at the Athenaeum Theatre, serving as a triumphant finale to two years of intensive touring and solidifying his status as an emerging comedic talent on the global stage.

As Ben prepared for a two-year world tour, everything came to a sudden halt just 11 hours before his first show in Auckland due to the pandemic, forcing him to pause his career. Instead of dwelling on the setback, he chose to scrap his existing material and focus on creating a new show. During this challenging two-year period, Ben faced profound personal losses, including both of his grandfathers, three close friends, and his beloved dog, all within a span of four months, which deeply affected his mental health. Unable to perform at a time when he needed it most, he channelled his grief into crafting a more authentic and heartfelt show titled "Closer To Nowhere," honouring the memories of those he lost and reflecting on the complexities of life and loss.

For the past two years, Ben has been touring his show "Closer To Nowhere," which reflects on his feelings of stagnation during tough times while also embracing his new roles as a husband and father. In addition to his successful 12-year stand-up career, Ben has shifted his focus toward podcasting, which he began exploring during his recovery from knee surgeries. He hosts "The DEEcap Podcast," dedicated to his beloved Melbourne Demons, and his hit show "This is Definitely a Podcast," where he engages in conversations with friends from the comedy world and individuals from various backgrounds, sharing real stories and authentic experiences, with the title cleverly nodding to his wife's deafness.

Ben's "Closer To Nowhere" tour culminates with the taping of his second stand-up special on Sunday, June 29th, at the iconic Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda. This event not only marks a significant milestone in his comedy journey but also serves as a celebration of his resilience and growth through the challenges of the past few years.

You can purchase tickets to Ben McCarthy's "Closer To Nowhere" tour through official ticketing websites, venues hosting the shows, or his personal website and social media pages for updates and links. Be sure to act quickly, as tickets may sell out fast due to the popularity of his performances!

Listen to "This is Definitely a Podcast," "The DEEcap Podcast,

and Follow Ben on social media, and stay tuned for any upcoming shows

Ben on Instagram

Ben on Facebook

My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the

‘The Daily Mirror’

YOU SMILE

EMBRACE BEING YOU

AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!

To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com 

'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.