Have you ever been unsure of whether to leave your toothbrush at your girlfriend’s place? These questions, and a myriad of others that I had been ruminating over, were answered when I got along to see the tasty smorgasbord of local comics featuring in the annual Comedy Knockout Show at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow in St.Kilda.

With Patrick McCullagh as the balloon-eating MC, Comedy Knockout is not short on variety with dance, theatre and song all featuring throughout the show. From the very original Oscar Clarke’s finger-clicking and singing, to Miss Lou Lou’s cabaret style, the range of comic style that punters get to see is diverse and satisfying.

There were many sensitive and poignant moments, when comics humorously reiterated very personal life experiences, ranging from trips to the Middle East to trips to the sex clinic. And their views of life, love and snakes in hot air balloons.

All of the artists, established and emerging, were clever, irreverent and original, addressing issues pertinent to us all. One of the highlights was how they achieved a connection with the audience.

It gets hot up there under those lights – after all, they are human like us. They give their all to their performances. I learnt something practical, got sound advice and had a great laugh as well.