Luke McGregor returns to Melbourne Comedy Festival after eight years

Luke McGregor is a well-known comedian from Australia, famous for his awkward humor. He often avoids conflict, even giving a perfect rating to an Uber driver who crashed with him inside. McGregor says he struggles with anxiety, but becoming a father has helped him cope better. He tells his kids to let negative comments "wash off" them, even though he would typically dwell on such things for a long time. After years in Melbourne's comedy scene, McGregor moved to Newcastle with his wife, Dr. Amy Thunig. He returns to Melbourne for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where he will perform for the first time in eight years. He recently had lunch at a restaurant called Lucia, where he enjoyed dishes like lobster tacos and wagyu steak. His new show reflects on changes in his life since 2017 when he was single and struggling with anxiety. Now married and with children, he feels he must often "fake it" in front of them. McGregor's journey in comedy started accidentally while he was at a friend's gig. Although he bombed his first performance, he felt a strong connection to stand-up comedy. He gained recognition for his show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2013 and later starred in popular series like Utopia and Rosehaven. McGregor continues to collaborate with his friend Celia Pacquola on new projects, though they have not finished with Rosehaven yet. In a recent interview, McGregor was asked about his views on comedian Dave Chappelle, who has faced controversy for his jokes about transgender issues. He expressed that he doesn't resonate with Chappelle's recent work and emphasized the importance of protecting trans rights. McGregor believes comedians have a responsibility to address social issues, even those that don’t directly affect them. He advocates for empathy and compassion in comedy, urging people to consider issues that matter to others.