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Eli Matthewson Photo: Andi Crown Photography
Growing up as the only boy in a family of five children, Eli Matthewson was well prepared for a career in comedy.
“It put a lot of attention on me straight away, and I was in a place of immense privilege in my family as all my other siblings had to share rooms,” laughs Matthewson.
Despite not being the youngest, Matthewson says he embodied the youngest-child energy.
Along with his stand-up career, the comedian and writer has experience both in front of and behind the screens, writing for television shows like Golden Boy and Homebound, appearing on Celebrity Treasure Island and hosting Edge Breakfast show in 2022.
Matthewson was 21 when he came out as gay to his family. Seven years later, his father, then in his 60s, also came out. His parents had been divorced for a long time.
“I don’t know what influence me coming out had on him, but yeah, it was pretty amazing. Not something I ever saw coming.”
Recalling the reaction when he came out, Matthewson says his father went silent.
“I thought it was in a judgemental way at the time, but then the day after he took me to dinner and has been so supportive.
“I guess it took him a while to consider his own sexuality.”
Matthewson was able to support his father when he came out with his father telling him before he told the rest of the siblings.
“That’s what’s changed in our relationship - we’re more peers now.”
It also became content for his comedy show Daddy Short-Legs, which his Dad saw five times.
“Dad’s very approving of it and I think he’s thrilled that he gets a shout-out!”
Eli Matthewson joins Culture 101 as a ‘Fast Favourites’ guest.
For his book choice, he recommends The Rachel Incident by Caroline Donahue. He’s been watching The Devil’s Plan - a South Korean reality game show with 12 highly-intelligent celebrity contestants; Girls 5eva - a timely sitcom revolving around a girl band searching for a revival after a one-hit wonder in the 2000s, and comedy special, Get On Your Knees by Jacqueline Novak whom Matthewson saw at Edinburgh Fringe twice before the Netflix special came out.
Eli Matthewson is touring NZ International Comedy Festival show Night Terror this month at Basement Theatre 21, 23-24 August, Fringe Bar in Wellington 6-7 September and at the Meteor Theatre in Hamilton on the 27 September.