Andrew Hansen
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| Andrew Hansen | |
|---|---|
 Andrew Hansen |
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| Birth name | Andrew John Hansen |
| Born | 4th September, 1974 |
| Medium | Print, Television & Stage |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Years active | 1999-present |
| Genres | Satirical Comedy |
| Notable works and roles | The Chaser |
| Website | www.chaser.com.au |
| AFI Awards | |
| Best Performance In Television Comedy (2006) | |
Andrew John Hansen (born 4th September 1974) is an Australian comedian and musician, best known for being a member of satirical team The Chaser. As a member of The Chaser, Hansen's television work includes co-writing and appearing in ABC shows CNNNN (2002-2003), The Chaser Decides (2004, 2007), Chaser News Alert (2005), and The Chaser's War On Everything (2006-7). He is also part of The Chaser's Age of Terror Variety Hour (2008).
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[edit] Early life
Hansen attended The Hills Grammar School in Kenthurst, New South Wales and is a graduate of the University of Sydney with honours in Australian literature[citation needed].
In 1995 he appeared as a subject in Simon Target's documentary Uni about three students studying at the University of Sydney (Hansen later satirised Target in CNNNN where he played the network's British correspondent who was also called Simon Target). Soon-to-be fellow Chaser member Charles Firth was one of the other two students featured.[1][2] His performance in the first season of CNNNN earned him the Australian Comedy Award for "Outstanding" Television Newcomer. [3]
[edit] The Chaser's War On Everything
Hansen has been a regular writer and performer on the show since the pilot episode. He is particularly known for composing and performing songs on the program. He is also known for his character pieces, which include "Scenes from the Life of the Crazy Warehouse Guy", "The Surprise Spruiker", "Clive the Slightly Too-Loud Commuter", and "Mr. Ten Questions". In the second part of the first season and the whole of the second, Andrew sported a different hairstyle every week. These styles are usually very unusual, and cool. He said that he likes to look entertaining with his clothes and his hair.
In addition to his songwriting, Hansen composed the show's theme music, which received the APRA-AGSC Screen Music Award for Best Television Theme (2006).[4]
For Season 1 of the program, he received the Australian Film Institute Award for "Best Performance" in Television Comedy (2006).
In the show's credits, Hansen is credited for being the person responsible for "Original Music", but in the show's DVD commentary, it is acknowledged numerous times that fellow Chaser member Chris Taylor is responsible for writing the lyrics for the majority of songs performed on the show.
In The Chaser's War on Everything DVD Volume 2's commentary, Hansen revealed that he is a fan of computer games and Doctor Who. This may have sparked the inspiration for one of his songs sung on The Chaser's War on Everything Season 1, about Doctor Who. It is also stated on the commentary that about 3/4 of the Doctor Who props in the video clip were supplied by Andrew himself. On the Season 2 Volume 1 commentary, it was revealed jokingly that Hansen is a huge fan of U2, which is why he chose not to imitate lead singer Bono during a sketch.
[edit] The Eulogy Song
The most controversial song that Hansen has performed was The Eulogy Song, with music by Hansen and lyrics by Chris Taylor. On the 17 October 2007 episode of The War, Hansen performed the song which satirised the lives of several deceased celebrities, including Peter Brock, Princess Diana, Donald Bradman, Steve Irwin and Kerry Packer, expressing the view that people with flaws during life are often disproportionately hailed as "top blokes" after death. The song became the target of significant media attention, with several radio and television personalities saying the song was in "bad taste", and then Prime Minister of Australia John Howard and leader of the opposition Kevin Rudd expressing negative views.
[edit] Other productions
Hansen is appearing with the Chaser team in the live show The Chaser's Age of Terror Variety Hour, currently touring Australia.
In 2007 he composed and performed the music for the Sydney Theatre Company's musical comedy Dead Caesar, which was written by Chaser colleague Chris Taylor. He also played the roles of Marc Antony and Lucius.[5]. The Eulogy Song was originally written for and performed during this play.
With the Chaser team, Hansen co-wrote and appeared in the live show Cirque du Chaser, which toured Australia in 2005.
He co-wrote the short film Garbage Man with Charles Firth and British comedian Henry Naylor. It was a Tropfest finalist in 2005 and a prizewinner at Germany's Ohne Kohle festival.[6]
He has had writer/performer contributions to Comedy Inc. and the ABC's My Favourite Album. He also does the voice-over for the ABC's First Tuesday Book Club.[citation needed].
Hansen composed the music for Nickelodeon's Sarvo and Napman, and songs for the Sesame Street character Ollie.[citation needed].
Hansen was the guitarist and one of the vocalists for independent Sydney band The Fantastic Leslie. The Fantastic Leslie was comprised of Cameron Bruce, Tom Gleeson, James Fletcher and Hansen. In July, 1999 the band released their 6-track EP A Tiny Mark which was distributed through MGM Distribution.[7][8] He was also a member of independent alternative band Mending.[9]
Hansen has also been known to feature on the music comedy circuit, including a recorded performance of one of his more famous songs, 'I Wish I Was A Scottish Stand-Up Comedian', for the Laugh-A-Poolooza 2006 DVD release.
Recently, he appeared and presented at the 2008 MTV Australia Awards.
[edit] mr ten questions
andrew is well known for his entertaining and sometimes controversial mr ten questions. one of the most notable is his interview with Sophie Lauren where he asked the most probing and intimate questions such as "do you ever fart?"
[edit] References
- ^ Uni. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ University life in the '90s. Green Left.org.au.
- ^ The Australian Comedy Awards.
- ^ APRA-AGSC Screen Music Award Winners 2006.
- ^ Sydney Theatre Company - Dead Caesar. Retrieved on 2007-01-23.
- ^ Sie kamen, wussten und gewannen (German). Poolbar festival. Retrieved on 2007-10-19.
- ^ Message: The Fantastic Leslie CD Launch: 1 July 1999, Hopetoun Hotel.
- ^ The Fantastic Leslie. mp3.com.au.
- ^ Mending. mp3.com.au.
[edit] External links
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