The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has renamed its top award.

Previously known as ‘The Barry’, it’ll know be known by the more formal name – ‘The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award.’

Since 2000, the most outstanding show at the festival has won the Barry Award, named after Australian comedian Barry Humphries. Humphries is best known for his array of comedy characters including Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone.

The festival says the decision to name award came as part of a bid to be more gender neutral, but noted that Humphries controversial comments about transgender people last year didn’t help either. In 2018 Humphries was reported to have described teachers who assist transgender youth as “crazed and evil”.

Many of the comedians who have previously won the award, including Hannah Gadsby and Zoe Coombs-Marr had called for its name to be changed following the publication on Humphries comments.

Australian Entertainment Reporter Peter had responded to the name change, saying comedians should be more thick-skinned.

“Some of the most foul mouthed and offensive stuff you’ll ever hear is on comedy stages. As it should be. You’d think they’d be a bit more thick skinned. He simply said something you didn’t approve of? Barry won’t give a rat’s arse to be honest. ” Ford posted to Twitter.

Speaking on 6PR this morning Ford said Humphries was being punished for his comments, and said there were similarities between his case and that of Rugby player Israel Folau. Ford said the comedy festival had nothing to do with being transgender and should not be punishing people for their views.

On The Project comedian Peter Helliar welcomed the name change saying it didn’t necessarily needs to seen as “a slap” to Humphries, but should be welcomed as a sign of the festival telling the LGBTIQ community that they are loved and should feel safe.

OIP Staff