WATCH: Sorry Friend, But You Belong In The Bin

No one butchers the English language like Australians.  

No one captures the hilarity that is Australian’s trying to talk and get life done on this giant island, better than Jarrad Wright, the creator of The Big Lez Show. What started as a low bit cartoon quickly gained a cult following and now hits 1 to 2 million views per episode. 

His crude humour came back into our lives recently thanks to a Quiksilver campaign that was written and illustrated by Jarrad so we thought we’d get him on tha blower to have a chat and that. 

Stab: It’s been ten years since The Big Lez Show showed in 480p on the Youtube. Are you able to live off it nowadays? 

Jarrad: Yeah, for the moment. I didn’t earn anything throughout The Big Lez Show journey until the end when I did a few screenings and sold some merch. Oh… I did some odd jobs too, like the Quiksilver animation Recycled for Radness.

Yeah the Quiky thing is what got us rewatching old Big Lez episodes in the office again. How did that come about? 

I just bounced the ideas around with Nat (Johnsen) and the Quiksilver guys, we had a laugh and then started making it I guess. They flew me out to their offices in France too which was so fucking cool of them.

I always wonder if Americans or the rest of the world get Australian humour, do you think they understand your show?

It’s really hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and imagine hearing the Australian persona with all the inside jokes and weird sayings we have. I’m not sure what the rest of the world thinks, they say they get it but sometimes I think they might be misinterpreting it.

Are you celebrating or making fun of Australian bogans?

Both. I like realism, I try to create what’s actually there. When you watch Australian shows like Neighbours, they’re so watered down, there’s no real slang except maybe Alf going “Ya flamin’ galahhhh!” or something corny like that. I’m not even trying to make fun of it, it’s just how Australians speak, I’m trying to make a documentary in cartoon form.

What’s your experience with surf culture?

I live at Tweed Heads so I’m surrounded by it. My dad and brother surf and I know a few people that have been in the Quiky Pro and that. It’s funny how competitive it all is, things like ‘dropping in’ and all the rules. It’s like ‘If you can’t surf then get the fuck out of the water!’ type scenario, at least that’s what Snapper Rocks is like. 

You were in the same class and school as Noa Deane, weren’t you? What was he like at school? 

Yeah, he’s a legend, we’re mates. He was just like how he is now, a little shit-stirrer. He was pretty cheeky at school, he’s funny as.

Are you still using MS Paint for your illustrations? I heard they shut that program down?

I’m not sure. I still have it my computer but I don’t think it comes standard anymore.

What makes you laugh?

I like real-life characters, that are fucking hilarious but they don’t know they’re funny. I laugh at stuff that other people don’t even laugh at. The funny thing is people probably watch the show and they’re not even laughing at the bits that I crack up at. People tell me their favourite lines but I’m thinking, that’s not even the funny bit, the funny bit is back a few minutes.

What’s the most quoted line from the show? 

Probably “What are you talking about?” from Sassy. Or… “You fucken druggo” These are the quotes that weren’t meant to be quotes, they just became quotes.

You’ve must have inspired a whole new wave of animators with the success of your shows. Where do people go wrong when they try and make stuff?

That’s tough… maybe when people end up copying someone else. I’ve been inspired by a lot of things but I’ve always tried to make it my way. I find that I see things that try and be like something else. I’ve just always tried to have my style and not piggyback on other people.

What’s your favourite thing on the internet at the moment?

I’d have to say, Aunty Donna. Fuck those cunts are that funny. I couldn’t say any particular video, all their shit is so good. 

What are your predictions for the future of the human race?

I’m hoping we can all just get over ourselves and address the more important things instead of bickering amongst each other. Stand up together in a way… I dunno… just all that hippie crap.

I get the sense you’re pretty observant.

Yeah, life’s a movie, I’m just watching it.