Claire Hooper
Encyclopedia
Claire Hooper is an Australian stand-up comedian and writer. She appeared as a team captain on the 2008 revival of Good News Week
on Network Ten
and previously was a regular on The Sideshow
, appearing with Paul McDermott
. Since 2005, she has regularly performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
.
's Raw Comedy. In 2005, she was selected to perform in "The Comedy Zone" for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and was awarded "Best and Fairest" at the National Improvisation Championships in Sydney. After a surgeon saw her on television, he contacted Hooper and advised her to have a growth on her neck checked by a doctor. She discovered she had a goitre
that required surgery, which led her to wonder what she would do if she ever lost her voice. In 2006, Hooper performed a one-hour live show titled "Oh" inspired by the incident, during which she did not speak at all, instead communicating through recorded audio, videos, handwritten signs, breakdancing and mime. The show was well-received, earning a nomination at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the "Best Newcomer" award. Her 2007 show, "Show Girl", was inspired by Kylie Minogue
and involved Hooper juxtaposing ideas of Minogue as dignified and ladylike with her own failed attempts to maintain dignity. In 2008, she returned to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to perform a new solo show, "Storybook".
In addition to her live comedy shows, Hooper has made numerous appearances on Australian radio and television since 2005. Her television credits include guest stand-up appearances on Stand Up Australia
and Rove Live
, a presenting role on How the Quest Was Won
and a regular segment on The Sideshow. In 2008, she was cast to replace Julie McCrossin
as a regular team captain on Good News Week. She also appeared as the guest detective in episode three of dark comedy miniseries Sleuth 101
.
Prior to entering into comedy, Hooper worked in both children's and adult theatre in Perth, Western Australia as an actress and director. She has written, directed and costumed professionally for many youth theatre productions.
Good News Week
Good News Week is an Australian satirical panel game show hosted by Paul McDermott that initially aired from 19 April 1996 to 27 May 2000, and resumed on 11 February 2008 to 9 May 2011. The show aired first on ABC TV before it was bought by Network Ten in 1999...
on Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
and previously was a regular on The Sideshow
The Sideshow
The Sideshow was an Australian television programme that was broadcast on ABC TV in 2007. The show was a mixture of stand-up comedy, sketches, live music, circus stunts, cabaret and burlesque. The hour long show was hosted by Paul McDermott...
, appearing with Paul McDermott
Paul McDermott (comedian)
Paul McDermott is an Australian comedian, actor, writer, director, singer, artist and television host. He currently hosts the satirical news-based 'Good News World' a follow up to quiz show Good News Week which airs in Australia on Network Ten...
. Since 2005, she has regularly performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third-largest international comedy festival in the world and the largest cultural event in Australia. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks in April typically opening on or around April Fool's Day...
.
Career
In 2004, Hooper won the Western Australian finals of Triple JTriple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
's Raw Comedy. In 2005, she was selected to perform in "The Comedy Zone" for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and was awarded "Best and Fairest" at the National Improvisation Championships in Sydney. After a surgeon saw her on television, he contacted Hooper and advised her to have a growth on her neck checked by a doctor. She discovered she had a goitre
Goitre
A goitre or goiter , is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx...
that required surgery, which led her to wonder what she would do if she ever lost her voice. In 2006, Hooper performed a one-hour live show titled "Oh" inspired by the incident, during which she did not speak at all, instead communicating through recorded audio, videos, handwritten signs, breakdancing and mime. The show was well-received, earning a nomination at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the "Best Newcomer" award. Her 2007 show, "Show Girl", was inspired by Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
and involved Hooper juxtaposing ideas of Minogue as dignified and ladylike with her own failed attempts to maintain dignity. In 2008, she returned to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to perform a new solo show, "Storybook".
In addition to her live comedy shows, Hooper has made numerous appearances on Australian radio and television since 2005. Her television credits include guest stand-up appearances on Stand Up Australia
Stand Up Australia
Stand Up Australia was an Australian comedy TV program locally produced by The Comedy Channel from 2006 to 2008.It was hosted by Cameron Knight, and featured four Australian or international comedians on each one hour show...
and Rove Live
Rove Live
Rove, formerly Rove Live, was an Australian television talk show which premiered on the Nine Network on 22 September 1999, before moving to Network Ten which aired the program from 2000 until November, 2009. The show was hosted by comedian Rove McManus, and featured an ensemble cast, who presented...
, a presenting role on How the Quest Was Won
How the Quest Was Won
How the Quest Was Won was a TV series on ABC Network that aired Friday 6.30PM in 2004-2005.Hosted by Sam Longley, the series focused on sending three reporters on a weekly challenge. The reporters commonly complete a quest to gain an insight in to varying topics such as homelessness or life as a...
and a regular segment on The Sideshow. In 2008, she was cast to replace Julie McCrossin
Julie McCrossin
Julie McCrossin is an Australian radio broadcaster, journalist, comedian and campaigner for women's and gay rights. She is best known for her role as a team captain on the news-based comedy quiz show Good News Week between 1996 and 2000....
as a regular team captain on Good News Week. She also appeared as the guest detective in episode three of dark comedy miniseries Sleuth 101
Sleuth 101
Sleuth 101 is an Australian comedy television series, broadcast on ABC 1 in 2010. The series revolves around a murder-mystery that must be solved by a celebrity guest detective. Each episode features a guest detective , four suspects, a crime scene, evidence and witness accounts - just like real...
.
Prior to entering into comedy, Hooper worked in both children's and adult theatre in Perth, Western Australia as an actress and director. She has written, directed and costumed professionally for many youth theatre productions.