Talking with Tony

Comedian Tony Lyall is a proud Blenheim boy done well – regularly popping up on The Project, 7 Days, and the annual Comedy Gala while also MC’ing at Black Caps and Blues games as well as his work with the Alternative Commentary Collective. Reporter William Woodworth spoke to the 2024 Marlborough Food & Wine Festival MC about his career path, how he handles live crowds, and his memories and love of Marlborough.

You juggle being a standup comedian, a TV writer, a sports commentator with the ACC, MC for some of New Zealand’s biggest sport teams and I’m sure plenty more, as well as being a dad of three – how do you manage juggling all those roles?

Honestly, I’m not sure – I usually get by being aggressively late to anything, doing things as half-heartedly as possible to a good standard, and a having well organised calendar on my iPhone. I think by being friendly to everyone, shaking hands and having a good time, life just falls into place – and the kids just raise themselves these days, but the family life is a great place to rest and relax.

Where did the dual passions for comedy and sport come from and when did you realise they could start to intertwine?

I didn’t really know that they could for a long time. I’ve always loved my rugby and cricket and whatever sport I could. But I was also a bit of a theatre nerd during my time at Marlborough Boys’ College. I only really went to school for sports, PE, drama, maybe a bit of music and lunchtimes, which for the record I don’t recommend.

I wrote a comedy sports column in the Critic while studying at Otago which was my first opportunity to combine the two. But the ACC boys were canaries down the coal mine, and I was a fan of their work long before I got the call up to the desk.

They brought a completely new idea to sport commentary that isn’t punishing to listen to – there’s only so many times you can bear listening to why the cricket ball swings more in the Subcontinent, and listening to them is much more like watching sport in your lounge with mates which is way more approachable and we’re seeing that popularity now.

Was being comfortable in front of crowds is something you were inherently good at, or something you had to learn to be comfortable with?

I’ve never been too phased by crowds or performing whether it’s an open mic night trying new material with 4 people in the crowd, or the Comedy Gala in a theatre of 3000. I do still get a bit nervous in front of massive crowds, but you’ve just got to back in what you’re doing with confidence.

You’ve been in front of the camera and behind the scenes at The Project which is sadly ending. What’s a couple favourite memories from being involved on the show?

I always think back to during the pandemic when Jeremy Corbett got caught up at a place of interest 10 minutes before the show was about to start and the show runner Jon Bridges had to burst into the writers room. I had to run downstairs, get a suit on, and get broadcasted to the country in a massive rush. Luckily it was a Friday, everyone was ready for a laugh and there weren’t any difficult stories – I think the hardest piece of news was about an old fella down South that made a car to drive on ice, and the lines outside a Melbourne KFC when it reopened. But I’ve also spent the last few years as the out and about guy, so I’ll really miss being able to travel around and chat to great New Zealanders across the country on a weekly basis.

As a Blenheim boy, what’s your most cherished memories of growing up here? Any favourite spots?

I love being from Blenheim – Marlborough is one hell of a place and I love coming back and taking the family to White’s Bay and Robin Hood Bay. The wife didn’t believe me for the longest time that Marlborough had a sandy beach. The Sounds as well are second to none, but there’s some fantastic carparks in Blenheim I spent plenty of time in like Pollard Park or behind the Macca’s. Pollard Park looks stunning these days and it’s come a long way so huge credit to the people behind the refurbishment there because there’s something for everyone.

I will never forgive Peter Jones for dropping me from the First XV in Year 13 for some no name Year 11 called Joey Wheeler, but I was always a “glue guy” for the team that probably enjoyed the after-match activities and court sessions more than my time on the field. I was trying to get back down for the Charity Golf Day organised by Jeremy Manning but I unfortunately can’t get out of work, but they put on awesome days so shout out him as well.

How do you think coming from a Blenheim background gives you a point of difference in your line of work?

Definitely. South Islanders have a different perspective to life and you get this natural cheekiness because you have to hold your own when it comes to chatting with mates while growing up. I love saying I’m from a rural town, but I think Blenheim’s its own ‘wine rural’ category – no disrespect to Marlborough’s sheep and beef farmers though. Surprisingly there’s lots of Aucklanders in Auckland, but you can always seek out a South Islander. It’s like going overseas and bumping into another Kiwi.

What tips would you have for a Marlburian that’s looking to make that leap into comedy, sport, or any other niche interest they may have?

Just get stuck in. If it’s making content, just start making the content you want to make. There’s so much success that comes from the region in a massive breadth of fields and the only thing that can stop you doing what you want is yourself. But there’s nothing wrong with becoming a real estate agent or a winery worker if you enjoy it.

What’s next up for you going into 2024?

There’s plenty on the schedule. We’ve got a huge summer of cricket either being there to MC or with the ACC boys on iHeartRadio, and we don’t usually get the Aussies here for test matches so I’m especially keen on that. I’m also back to MC for the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival at Renwick Domain which is always a great day and really coming to into its own, but I’m also around the country doing comedy all the time. I’m hoping I’ll be able to do some shows in Blenheim just before the Food & Wine Festival, so keep an eye out!