70. Matt O'Neill - Baring It All: Matt O'Neill's Dark Comedy Diaries

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70. Matt O'Neill - Baring It All: Matt O'Neill's Dark Comedy Diaries

Lui Diaz

May 04, 2025

Transcript

Matt O’Neill is a Melbourne-based comedian, graphic designer and with a healthy sense of scepticism and beautifully dark sense of humour.

In the milestone 70th episode of The Lui Diaz Podcast, Lui sits down with Matt for a lively conversation that captures the essence of Melbourne's comedy scene, Matt's experiences as a stand-up comic, his graphic design background, and his rockstar aspirations. From hilarious anecdotes about hospital bills and taxi rides to deep dives into cancel culture, conspiracy theories, and the art of comedy, this episode is a rollercoaster of humour, reflection, and raw storytelling. The dynamic backdrop of Hosier Lane, with its ever-changing street art and passing tourists, adds a unique flavour to the chat, making it a quintessential Melbourne experience.

Show Notes

Guest: Matt O'Neill, comedian, graphic designer, and self-proclaimed "Thunder Bastard." @mattoneillthunderbastard

Location: Hosier Lane, Melbourne, known for its vibrant street art and democratic spray-painting culture.

Key Topics:

Matt's comedy journey, from overcoming shyness to performing at dark comedy shows.
A wild hospital experience in LA with a $25,000 bill and a celebrity-worthy entrance.
Discussions on cancel culture, societal norms, and the role of comedy in questioning truths.
Matt's graphic design work, including his unique "Piss Myself Matthew" trading cards.
Reflections on parenting, empathy, and the thrill of the chase in creative pursuits.

Highlights

Morphine-Fueled Beverly Hills Adventure (00:03:06)
Matt shares a hilarious story about landing in a Beverly Hills hospital with kidney stones, racking up a $25,000 bill, and stumbling through the streets high on morphine while wearing sunglasses, mistaken for a celebrity. The absurdity peaks when he’s left to find a taxi in an unfamiliar city, with a Russian driver boasting about having Bob Saget as a passenger.

Comedy Show Walkout Drama (00:07:56)
Matt recounts a tense moment from a recent gig at the Elephant Wheelbarrow, where an audience member, offended by a joke, shouted out an explanation, stormed out, and waited for Matt outside. The incident sparked camaraderie among the crowd, who were ready to “jump” the guy, turning a potential disaster into a memorable night.

Stripping Down in a Swelteringly Unbearable Gig (00:10:31)
In a moment of comedic rebellion, Matt describes taking off his clothes (down to his jocks) during a dark comedy show at the Multicultural Hub due to unbearable heat and a tough crowd. This rockstar move, born out of frustration, becomes a nightmare-inducing yet unforgettable highlight.

Diving into Conspiracy Theories (00:23:24)
The conversation takes a wild turn as Matt and Lui explore conspiracy theories, from Martin Bryant’s Port Arthur shooting to historical cover-ups like the Birmingham Five. They question societal truths, likening the discovery of hidden realities to learning Santa Claus isn’t real.

Madonna Sing-Along and 80s Nostalgia (00:28:59)
Lui and Matt bond over their love for 80s Madonna hits like “Like a Virgin” and “Papa Don’t Preach,” breaking into a playful duet that transforms Hosier Lane into a stage. This lighthearted moment showcases their chemistry and adds a fun, nostalgic vibe to the episode.

We hope you got a LOL or two out of this super fun ep!

🫶 Thanks again for listening and watching! Let us know what you think and catch you in the next episode.