Paul McDermott

Paul McDermott is an Australian entertainer known for his work in musical comedy, television presenting, and writing, bringing a unique blend of satire and music to diverse audiences. After joining the musical comedy group the Doug Anthony All Stars (DAAS) in 1985, Paul McDermott quickly established himself in Australian entertainment. The group gained recognition at the 1986 Adelaide Fringe Festival and earned a Perrier Award nomination at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. DAAS toured nationally and internationally, with appearances on British television and a performance at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Their distinctive style was featured on ABC TV’s ‘The Big Gig’ from 1989, leading to their acclaimed series, ‘DAAS Kapital,’ which aired for two seasons. McDermott was a primary creative force, writing much of DAAS’s original material and songs. Following DAAS’s disbandment in 1995, McDermott transitioned to television hosting, commencing with ‘Good News Week,’ a satirical news-based quiz show. He hosted the program on ABC (1996-1998) before its move to Channel Ten (1999-2000).

He voiced characters in ‘Tegan the Vegan’ (2009) and was appointed Fringe Ambassador for the Adelaide Fringe in 2013. McDermott reunited with Tim Ferguson as the Doug Anthony All Stars in 2014, performing to sold-out audiences, and subsequently hosted SBS’s ‘Room 101’ (2015) and ABC’s ‘Think Tank’ (2018). In 2019, McDermott teamed with Steven Gates for ‘Paul McDermott and Gatesy Live.’ He published the children’s picture book ‘Ghostbear’ in 2020. Musical collaborations continued in 2021, with ‘Paul McDermott Plus One’ alongside Glenn Moorhouse, and the release of his EP ‘I’ve Seen the Future and You’re Not In It.’ McDermott’s career exemplifies a unique blend of satirical humor, musical artistry, and incisive presenting, continuing to engage diverse audiences.