Cirrus@Austlit

'Abstract: The Australian comedy industry generates billions of dollars from film, television, theatre and standup. It employs hundreds of writers, actors and production personnel. Most of Australia's biggest box office earners have been comedy movies. Switch on any free-to-air network during evening primetime and you will see sitcoms, sketch shows and topical comedy shows, such as Shawn Micallef 's Mad As Hell. The nation's biggest comedy event, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, rivals all our arts festivals in terms of national profile, media attention and box office takings.' (Publication abstract)