Republic of Telly newbie Joanne McNally has revealed that she was once the voice of Vaseline before gliding over to the world of comedy.
Previously in public relations, she took the plunge into comedy after a stint on stage. "I was in a show called Singlehood," she recalls. "I was standing up and telling jokes. I just wasn't operating under the title of stand-up comic.
"And then PJ Gallagher got me into stand-up. So I've been gigging for like a year. So it's all pretty new."
She also revealed that in her previous life one of her jobs was handling the Vaseline account.
"I was the voice and mind of Vaseline", she revealed, adding helpfully that "there are over one hundred ways" to use the product. Thankfully she didn't elaborate any further.
Joanne, who joins presenter Kevin McGahern for a new run of the Republic of Telly, explained how she got the gig.
"I auditioned," she said. "I fought off other comedians with those giant ear buds off Gladiators...I swallowed some locusts, I wrestled with a boa constrictor and got the job."
Now Ireland’s longest running comedy show – this will be its seventh season – it will continue to showcase new talent, chew up other TV shows up with their reviews, and keep the sketches coming.
In tonight's opening episode, Kevin breaks in his rookie partner Joanne in the sketch TV Licence Inspectors 2. When TV licence payments grind to a halt, Kevin must come out of retirement and track down those responsible.
As for what else viewers can expect? Joanne and Kevin reveal there's an upcoming sketch with Twink and her dog, which should be worth the cost of the licence fee alone.
Republic of Telly is on RTÉ 2 on 9.55pm
Click on the video link to watch TEN's interview with Joanne and Kevin.
