A Greek-Australian stand-up, writer, and journalist known for her sharp storytelling and relatable humor about culture, family, and modern life, which has helped her become a rising voice on Australia’s comedy festival circuit. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Charisa Bossinakis. The Melbourne, AU native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Charisa Bossinakis
Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @charisa_bossinakis
Years in Comedy: 7
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: ABC’s Urvi Went To An All Girls High School, and the internet, maybe?
Comedic Influences: Me…Just Kidding, Rhys Nicholson, Ronnie Chieng, Nikki Glaser, Iliza Shlesinger, Anne Edmonds, Marcello Hernandez.
Favorite Comedy Album: Maria Bamford “Ask Me About My New God”
Favorite Comedy Special: Daniel Sloss “X”, but it changes all the time
Favorite Comedy Movie: The Nutty Professor – I don’t care what anyone says, it’s so good, and it has a special place in my heart.
Favorite Comedy TV Show: South Park
Favorite Comedic Character: Stefon
Favorite City to Perform In: Melbourne
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Social relationships and dating. Childhood too. The more unhinged, the better.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: People who audibly laugh and come to watch live comedy.
Favorite Comedy Club: Comedy Republic
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I would stay up late as a kid to watch The Chapelle Show, but didn’t try stand-up until uni (college).
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
No one laughed for five minutes, and I didn’t do it again for another year.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Silly, different voices, and unhinged.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I have way too many note tabs open. Google Docs, too. I’ll write the basis of an idea down and then test/improvise at an open mic.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It’s relatively small, but God, there’s a lot of talent. We’re home to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so Aussie comedians have a great work ethic because they try to churn out a new hour almost every year.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
When can you quit your day job?
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Alessio Carducci, Chris Demos, Montana Papadinis, and Alex Keen.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Meeting the great Cal Wilson.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
When you fall off the gig horse, get back up immediately. Or cry, crying helps too.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They’re so threatened; everyone is jealous of me. (Laughs) I don’t know – I think they’re happy for me and think it’s weird.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
A lot of time and patience (I know, yucky!)
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
There’s one really mean dude in Melbourne whom I don’t like. So, yeah…he can f*ck off.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Watch a lot of good and bad comedy. Try to see why it works and why it doesn’t.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Boss”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Bowen Yang slid into my DMs. I actually passed away and needed to be taken away in a stretcher.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A cat shelter. The cats were all up for adoption, and they ended up scratching the audience.
A Charisa Bossinakis Fun Fact:
I have a cousin called James Bond. Like actually.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I would love to live overseas and do comedy full-time. I would like to write, perform, act, start my own line of multi-vitamins – do it all!
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Everyone sucks in the beginning. Just focus on getting comfortable being on stage, because for the first couple of years, you’re shitting yourself.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Scary Movie 6 is coming back, so anything can happen!
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
The Wire, we would do a musical episode.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Comedy Cellar in NY. Sarah Silverman, Ronnie Chieng and after going 3 months of not answering his texts I would finally get back to Dave Chappelle and see if he’s free for a spot. He’d agree to perform, but only on one condition, we must get dinner and drinks after. Ah he’s such a needy friend!
What’s next for you:
I’m currently writing an hour show.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Cause it’s fun and sexy!
Follow Charisa Bossinakis’ comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: Charisa Bossinakis
Youtube: Charisa Bossinakis
Personal Website: Charisa Bossinakis
