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Chas Licciardello

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Chas Licciardello
File:Chas with Goutham2.jpg
Chas Licciardello
Birth nameChas John Licciardello
Born (1977-05-10) 10 May 1977 (age 47)
MediumPrint, Television, Radio & Stage
NationalityAustralian
Years active1999-present
GenresSatirical Comedy
SpouseJocelyn Laurence
Notable works and rolesThe Chaser
The Chaser Decides (2001, 2004, 2007)
CNNNN (2002-2003)
The Chaser's War On Everything (2006-2007)
The Chaser's Age Of Terror Variety Hour (2008)
Websitewww.chaser.com.au

Chas John Licciardello (born 10 May 1977)[citation needed] is a comedian from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, best known for being a member of satirical team The Chaser. A former student of Sydney Grammar School[1] and a law graduate of The University of Sydney,[2] Licciardello has appeared as a regular in the two series of CNNNN, as well as on The Chaser's War on Everything.

He is married to Jocelyn Laurence, a research analyst at Foster Stockbroking[3].

The Chaser's War on Everything

Since the pilot episode of The War, Licciardello has been known to be involved in some outrageous and funny stunts.

Offensive conduct charges

In July 2006, Licciardello faced charges of "offensive conduct" by the New South Wales Police Force, after turning up at a rugby league football match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George Illawarra Dragons on 14 July 2006, dressed up as a Bulldogs fan and attempting to sell fake knives, knuckledusters and balaclavas in a stunt for The War, making satire of the recent actings of Bulldogs fans with violent riots, etc..[4] [5]

Licciardello explained that the skit "poked fun at the misbehaviour of Bulldogs fans" knowing that "a lot of people thought it was funny."[6]

Licciardello was quick to dispute his charges on the show. The following Friday he appeared on The War in a cage before referring to the NSW premier, Morris Iemma's own joke regarding residents of crime-riddled suburbs wearing balaclavas.[7]

On 29 August 2006 in Kogarah Local Court, Licciardello pleaded not guilty to the charge. The matter was adjourned until 12 October.[8]

On 22 January 2007 magistrate Joanne Keogh said she would view an unedited video of the incident, totalling 50 minutes, to decide Licciardello's fate. Licciardello gave no evidence in the matter, letting The Chaser team's film speak for him.[9] He was subsequently found "not guilty" of offensive behaviour.[10]

The decision was hailed a "victory for free speech". Licciardello was in the best of humour after the decision, reported as saying he would "appeal to the Supreme Court, the High Court, to the UN, the Jedi High Council and the Snickometer". [11]

APEC 2007

Arguably the most controversial stunt Licciardello was involved in was the APEC stunt in 2007. Fellow Chaser Julian Morrow claimed that he and Licciardello aimed to get a majority of their members arrested amidst the high security surrounding the APEC Australia 2007 summit in Sydney, adding jokingly that they also aimed to get Licciardello shot.[12]

Footage aired on The Chaser's War on Everything on 12 September 2007 showed the fake "motorcade" consisted of two SUVs, a black Holden limousine flying a Canadian flag on the bonnet, four "runners" (one of which was Morrow) carrying hand-held video cameras and two motorcycles. They passed through two security checkpoints without being stopped by police or asked for identification; at one point, the footage showed Morrow offering to present identification to a police officer, however he was waved through without this occurring. The motorcade reached a point 10 metres outside the hotel where U.S. President George W. Bush was staying. Police only realised that the motorcade was a hoax when Licciardello, dressed as Osama bin Laden, voluntarily stepped out of the limousine.

Following the incident, Licciardello and Morrow were detained and questioned by NSW Police on 6 September 2007 outside the InterContinental Hotel,[13][14],and were charged under the APEC Meeting (Police Powers) Act 2007 [15]. The charges were dropped in April 2008. They were dropped because his lawyers stated that he was waved through the blockades and he had to do what the police said.

Other antics

During the Chaser recess, Licciardello appeared on the panel of My Favourite Album an ABC TV special, showcasing Australia's top ten albums as voted by the public. He also filled in on Triple M's drive time slot during the summer of 2007 with fellow Chaser colleague Dominic Knight with their show Chas and Dom from 'The Chaser'.

On 25 May 2008 Licciardello and Craig Reucassel were guests on channel Ten's Rove. Their interview concluded with the '20 Bucks in 20 Seconds' segment. When Rove McManus asked the only question that is asked to every guest, "Who would you turn gay for?", Chas responded in annoyance that everyone answered "I'd turn gay for you, Rove" but that nobody ever followed up on it. He then leapt on Rove and French kissed him, before licking Rove on the face.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Cutting to the Chaser". The Sydney Morning Herald. September 16 2004. Retrieved 2007-05-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Alumni Grand Reunion Dinner" (PDF). Our Alumni Community newsletter. The Sydney Law School. October 2003. p. 5. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
  3. ^ "Chaser's sober whippet ways". The Daily Telegraph. October 6 2006. Retrieved 2007-11-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Bulldogs prank not funny". The Sydney Morning Herald. July 15 2006. Retrieved 2006-07-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ O'Dwyer, Erin and Dasey, Daniel (July 16 2006). "Chaser Canterbury joke gets no laughs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2006-07-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Weaver, Clair (July 16 2006). "Footy Stunt Outrage". The Sunday Mail QLD. Retrieved 2006-07-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Joking Iemma says 'lighten up'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. June 9 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Chaser star denies offensive conduct". The Sydney Morning Herald. August 29 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Chaser star lets stunt film decide his fate". The Sydney Morning Herald. January 22 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Chaser star cleared over Bulldogs stunt". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. January 23 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Chaser court victory hailed as triumph for free speech". The Age. January 24 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Chaser team planning 'something extreme' at APEC". The Sunday Telegraph. September 2 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Chaser duo held over APEC stunt". The Age. September 6 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Police question [[The Chaser]] duo over APEC stunt". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. September 6 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  15. ^ "11 charged over Chaser APEC stunt". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. September 6 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "The Chaser's Chas Licciardello springs kiss on Rove McManus". Courier Mail. May 26 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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