Balls of Steel Australia

Did You Know?

• Garnier became the sponsor for the second series, with John Burgess as spokesperson in commercials for Garnier Men Mineral Deodorants.
• The show doubled the ratings of the previous record holder, The Merrick and Rosso Show.
• The format was acquired, commissioned and developed by The Comedy Channel Group Programming Director Darren Chau, who selected Southern Star Entertainment to produce it.

Overview

Each episode presents four acts, each performed by a different comedian. The comedian briefly chats with host Craig Reucassel before and after the skit. At the end of the episode, the studio audience votes by mobile phone to decide which act had the biggest 'Balls of Steel'. Series one began with ten comedians and their acts.

Neg Dupree reprised his Urban Sports segment from the original UK version. Australian local versions of 'The Annoying Devil' and 'Bunny Boiler' appeared, along with many exclusive acts, some taking ideas from UK acts. A studio segment called 'Show Us Your Balls' had audience members competing among the comedians, presented by Reucassel. Series two changed the lineup: Katia Taylor's 'Nude Girl' was replaced by the 'Nude Twins'; Janis McGavin and Rachael Coopes did not return; John Burgess replaced James Kerley as 'The Game Show Host from Hell'.

New acts included Olivia Lee from the UK series, 'The Misfits Stunt Crew', and Imaan Hadchiti as 'Short Tempered'. Returning acts included 'Bunny Boiler', 'Very Foreign Correspondent', 'Neg's Urban Sports Down Under', and 'Just Come Out'.