The Music Of Paul McDermott

During the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2012, Paul did a small run of shows under the banner of 'Paul Sings', where with a backing band, Paul revisited songs from throughout his long and colorful career. Some were rarities, only played once on Good News Week, while others were from his time with DAAS.

One of the nights was recorded for a live DVD, from which the songs here have been featured; however I strongly recommend buying the DVD in addition as it's an entertaining watch.

An musical stage show adaption of the novel by John Updike, 'The Witches Of Eastwick' musical began life in London in 2001, before opening in a Australia year later, with Paul McDermott cast as one of the leads - the devilish 'Daryll Van Horne'.

Although short-lived, Paul's first and last foray musical theatre delivered an electrifying performance - with fans still requesting performances of works from the musical to this day.

GUD was a comedy musical trio, comprising of Paul McDermott, Mick Moriarty and Cameron Bruce who were active during the early 2000's, with a style reminiscent of Paul's earlier band, Doug Anthony All Stars. Although there was never any studio recordings which emanated from this project, various live bootlegs were available at shows.

A recording of a show in 2002, this features seven tracks, including long time fan favourite 'Transcended'.

Showcases a wide variety of songs performed live on Good News Week, featuring GNW's house band, 'The Gadflys', guest performances and of course Paul McDermott makes plenty of appearances, both solo and with guests, singing covers and originals. Some of Paul's originals include 'The Drugs', 'Bottle','Everything And More', 'Nothing', 'Happiness' and 'Shivers'.

It was released in Australia by the ABC in 2000, and is a companion album to 'The Good News Week Tapes Volume I', which features mainly spoken word. If you'd like to contribute / correct any of the lyrics, please feel free to get in touch.

After performing the song 'Shut Up / Kiss Me' as a duet with Fiona Horne on an episode of Good News Week, a positive reception led to the decision to record and release the song as single along with the song 'Happiness' and an electronic remix version of the title track. 'Shut Up / Kiss Me' was an original song written by Paul. 

It was released in Australia, as a promotional single for Good News Week in 1998. It remains as one of the only official releases from Paul, outside of GUD, DAAS or GNW.

Features a selection of Paul's opening monologues from Good News Week in 1998, including some exclusive material which never got aired, across a variety of shows. It also features two songs including a cover of the Hunters & Collector's song 'Throw Your Arms Around Me' and a short comedy song 'We Laugh About It Now / Build Me Up Buttercup'

It was released in Australia by the ABC in 1998, and is a companion album to 'The Good News Week Tapes Volume II', which is mainly musical performances. If you'd like to contribute / correct any of the lyrics, please feel free to get in touch.

A comedic tour de force, Good News Week first graced our screens back in 1996; and since then has been entertaining, informing, amusing and even shocking us, with an ever diverse range of guests, an unparallelled level of absurdity and an always present sense of sharp satirical wit.

Behind the comedy, music was also an important part of the show,  featuring many musicians, delighting us with thier talents. However it was when host Paul McDermott took to the stage, microphone in hand that we really paid attention; from ballads to rock, from duets to comedy songs, when Paul opened his mouth to sing, magic happened.

If you have a copy of any songs from Good News Week which aren't featured here, please send them in here.

The second show to spinoff from Good News Week, Good News Week: Night Lite came to our television screens in 1999, however was unfortunately short lived.

While Good News Week mocked and satirized news and current events without mercy, 'GNW: Night Lite' tended to focus on lighter topics, such as entertainment, music and pop culture, however still with that cheeky sense of humor which audiences had grown to love. In a similar vein to Good News Week, it often featured musical performances from a diverse range of artists, with Paul McDermott taking up the mic on more than one occasion.

If you have an information you'd like to add or correct in this section, please get in touch with me here.

Chaotic, psychotic, but a whole lot of fun, The Sideshow was an idea conceived by the Good News Week Team, born from the desire to bring back the good old fashioned variety show, in a similar fashion to 'The Big Gig', which had been sorely missed from our screens since wrapping up in the early nineties.

Although it only lasted for a single season, there was something for everyone with comedy, live music, cabaret, circus and burlesque; and it was indeed a much welcomed breath of fresh air among a television landscape drowning in imported sitcoms and mind numbing reality shows. A true gem, which will be missed.

If you have a copy of any songs from The Sideshow which aren't featured here, please send them in here.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has become one of the largest cultural events of the year in Melbourne, showcasing some of the best and brightest comedians from around the world, as well as drawing some local talents out of hiding.

The Good News Week team and Paul have played a large part in the festival, especially in recent years, producing the Festival Gala Charity Event, The Great Debate, The Allstars Super Show as well as a select few Good News Week Specials, all of which never fail to draw a large crowd.