Doug Anthony All Stars

The Doug Anthony All Stars (DAAS) were an Australian musical comedy group comprising Tim Ferguson, Richard Fidler and Paul McDermott. The group's name refers to Doug Anthony, a country politican from the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales, who became the leader of the conservative Country Party in the 1970s and was Deputy Prime Minister under Malcolm Fraser.

Related Topics:
Australia - Musical comedy - Tim Ferguson - Richard Fidler - Paul McDermott - Doug Anthony - Northern Rivers - New South Wales - Country Party - Malcolm Fraser

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DAAS started out busking on the streets of Canberra, and attracting passers-by with Paul McDermott's bizarre stunts, which included setting himself on fire or leaping into charity clothing bins. Eventually, the group entered the Adelaide Fringe Festival. After this, they entered the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Related Topics:
Busking - Canberra - Fire - Charity - Clothing bin - Adelaide Fringe Festival - Edinburgh Fringe Festival

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Around that time, DAAS released their first album, Let It Swing, sold only at the groups's gigs.

Related Topics:
Album - Let It Swing - Gig

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Following their appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the group enjoyed enormous success in the United Kingdom, making appearances on numerous BBC comedy shows. However, when they returned to Australia in the late 1980s, they were still relatively unknown.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - BBC - Comedy - 1980s

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This changed when they were invited to appear on the ABC's new comedy show, The Big Gig. This show lead to a rise in popularity, and the group released a book, entitled Book, which was a collection of dark short stories, quite in contrast to their lively and comedic stage shows.

Related Topics:
ABC - The Big Gig - Book - Short stories - Stage show

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DAAS' second album, DAAS Icon, was released in 1990.

Related Topics:
DAAS Icon - 1990

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The group appeared weekly on The Big Gig until 1991, when they starred in their own TV show, DAAS Kapital, a futuristic half-hour long sitcom about a boy's adventures in an underwater history museum. DAAS Kapital ran for two seasons, despite being critically panned. In 1992, they also recorded a television special for the BBC in London, DAAS Love.

Related Topics:
1991 - DAAS Kapital - Futuristic - Sitcom - History - Museum - 1992 - London - DAAS Love

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The Edinburgh Years, a film by DAAS, was released in 1993.

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In 1994, the group returned to London, and made four appearances on a TV variety show for Channel 4, Viva Cabaret.http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/v/vivacabaret_1299003281.shtml

Related Topics:
1994 - Channel 4 - Viva Cabaret

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The group split up later that year.

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All three have since presented radio and television programs, including "Don't Forget Your Toothbrush" (Tim Ferguson), "Good News Week" (Paul McDermott), "Triple J Breakfast" (Paul McDermott), "Strictly Dancing" (Paul McDermott), "Mouthing Off" (Richard Fidler), "Race Around the World" (Richard Fidler) and "Vulture" (Richard Fidler).

Related Topics:
Don't Forget Your Toothbrush - Tim Ferguson - Good News Week - Paul McDermott - Triple J - Strictly Dancing - Mouthing Off - Richard Fidler - Race Around the World - Vulture

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In 2003, after Holly Robinson (daughter of Good News Week producer Ted Robinson) died of cancer, a special gala comedy event was held, called "For Holly". At Holly's request, DAAS performed at both her funeral and "For Holly", their first appearance as a trio for some years. They performed Throw Your Arms Around Me, a song that they frequently covered in their later years.

Related Topics:
Good News Week - Throw Your Arms Around Me

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In 2005, Richard Fidler began presenting the 7-10pm shift on ABC Local Radio station 612 ABC Brisbane.

Related Topics:
Richard Fidler - ABC Local Radio - 612 ABC Brisbane

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