Chas Licciardello

Chas attended Sydney Grammar School where he produced and edited The Tiger, a small satirical school magazine, with fellow Chaser writers Charles Firth and Dominic Knight.{{cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/15/1095221647640.html | title=Cutting to the Chaser | date=16 September 2004 | access-date=16 May 2007 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald }} He graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science majoring in physics and computer science.{{cite web | url=http://www.law.usyd.edu.au/alumni/docs_pdfs/slr2003oct.pdf | page=5 | work=Our Alumni Community newsletter | date=October 2003 | title=Alumni Grand Reunion Dinner | publisher=The Sydney Law School | access-date=27 July 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051215190313/http://www.law.usyd.edu.au/alumni/docs_pdfs/slr2003oct.pdf |archive-date = 15 December 2005}}{{cite web |url=http://libbigorr.com.au/static/files/assets/9e8cd34c/chasing_chas_S08.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-09-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317135450/http://libbigorr.com.au/static/files/assets/9e8cd34c/chasing_chas_S08.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2012}}

Licciardello is a member of the comedy crew, The Chaser. His television career began in 2001, when he appeared on The Chaser Decides. This show satirised the then-upcoming Australian federal election. He also appeared in two spin-off series, for the subsequent federal elections in 2004 and 2007.

He then appeared on the Chaser's CNNNN program, for two seasons, airing in 2002 and 2003.

Licciardello's appeared as part of The Chaser team in 2006. He appeared on The Chaser's War on Everything, for three seasons, airing in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

In 2010, he appeared on Yes We Canberra!. In 2011 and 2012, he also appeared on The Hamster Wheel.

In 2012, Licciardello co-hosted Planet America on ABC News with John Barron, covering the US election of that year. In early 2016 Licciardello resumed his hosting duties of Planet America, in the lead up to the 2016 U.S. presidential and congressional elections in November 2016.

In 2020, Planet America was moved to the primetime slot of 9.30pm on Wednesday evenings on the primary ABC TV channel, to cover the 2020 US election campaign.

Licciardello also presents the "P.E.P." podcast, self described at the beginning of each episode as "P.E.P. or Planet Extra Podcast. It is an offshoot of Planet America on ABC Australia which you can see at Wednesdays at 9:30 pm on ABC TV and 8:00 pm on Fridays on ABC News or anytime you like on iView or Facebook at ABC Planet America or on YouTube on the ABC News In-Depth Channel. On PEP we cover all the stuff that's too nerdy for TV, if you're listening to us you can also find PEP on YouTube and Facebook where you will find timestamps and show-notes in the blurb".

P.E.P. is typically co-hosted with Dr David Smith, an associate professor at the University of Sydney's United States Study Centre. Other regular guests on the show include Bill Wyman, Melina Wicks and Elle Hardy.

As of early March 2025, P.E.P. had reached 199 episodes.https://www.facebook.com/abcplanetamerica{{cite web | url=http://www.youtube.com/@pepwithchasanddrdave | title=PEP with Chas and Dr Dave | website=YouTube }}

On 14 July 2006, Licciardello attended a National Rugby League football match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the St George Illawarra Dragons as part of a stunt for The Chaser's War on Everything that was meant to satirise the then-recent violent actions of Bulldogs fans. Dressed in a Bulldogs' jersey and beanie, he attempted to sell a "Bulldogs supporters' kit" containing fake knives, knuckle-dusters', and balaclavas in the team's colours. Licciardello was arrested by New South Wales Police and charged with Offensive Conduct.{{cite news|title = Bulldogs prank not funny: police|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald|date = 15 July 2006|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bulldogs-prank-not-funny-police/2006/07/15/1152637906452.html|accessdate = 27 July 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071017183242/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bulldogs-prank-not-funny-police/2006/07/15/1152637906452.html|url-status = live|archive-date = 17 October 2007}}{{cite news|title = Chaser Canterbury joke gets no laughs|newspaper = The Sun-Herald|last1 = O'Dwyer|first1 = Erin|last2 = Dasey|first2 = Daniel|url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/07/15/1152637916434.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071017183229/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/07/15/1152637916434.html|url-status = live|archive-date = 17 October 2007|date = 16 July 2006|accessdate = 27 July 2006}} Licciardello explained that the skit "poked fun at the misbehaviour of Bulldogs fans" knowing that "a lot of people thought it was funny."{{cite news|title = Footy Stunt Outrage|newspaper = The Sunday Mail|url = http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,19800684%5E902,00.html|date = 16 July 2006|accessdate = 27 July 2006|first = Clair|last = Weaver}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Licciardello was quick to dispute his charges on the show. The following Friday, he appeared on The Chaser's War on Everything in a cage before referring to the NSW Premier Morris Iemma's own joke regarding residents of crime-riddled suburbs wearing balaclavas.{{cite news|url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1659544.htm|title = Joking Iemma says 'lighten up'|work = ABC News Online|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071208054439/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1659544.htm|url-status = dead|archive-date = 8 December 2007|date = 9 June 2006|accessdate = 29 August 2006}} Iemma had described the Bulldogs stunt as "grossly irresponsible behaviour."

On 29 August 2006, in Kogarah Local Court, Licciardello pleaded not guilty to the charge. The matter was adjourned until 12 October.{{cite news|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/chaser-star-denies-offensive-conduct/2006/08/29/1156617310106.html|title = Chaser star in court|first = Jano|last = Gibson|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald|date = 29 August 2006|accessdate = 29 August 2006|url-status = live|archive-date = 1 September 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060901043634/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/chaser-star-denies-offensive-conduct/2006/08/29/1156617310106.html}} On 22 January 2007, magistrate Joanne Keogh said she would view an unedited video of the incident, totalling 50 minutes, to decide Licciardello's fate. Licciardello gave no evidence in the matter, letting The Chaser team's film speak for him.{{cite news|url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/chaser-star-lets-stunt-film-decide-his-fate/2007/01/22/1169330800887.html|title = Chaser star lets stunt film decide his fate|first = Jano|last = Gibson|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald|date = 22 January 2007|accessdate = 22 January 2007|archive-date = 9 March 2007|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070309002549/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/chaser-star-lets-stunt-film-decide-his-fate/2007/01/22/1169330800887.html}} He was subsequently found not guilty as the magistrate found that "while his behaviour could be perceived as silly conduct, it was not offensive."{{cite news|url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200701/s1831871.htm|title = Chaser star cleared over Bulldogs stunt|work = ABC News Online|date = 23 January 2007|accessdate = 23 January 2007|archive-date = 24 January 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070124151141/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200701/s1831871.htm}}

The decision was hailed a "victory for free speech". Licciardello was in the best of humour after the decision, and was reported as saying he would "appeal to the Supreme Court, the High Court, to the UN, the Jedi High Council and the Snickometer" before being reminded he had won the case."{{cite news|url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/chaser-court-victory-hailed-as-triumph-for-free-speech/2007/01/23/1169518715228.html|title = Chaser court victory hailed as triumph for free speech|first1 = Jano|last1 = Gibson|first2 = Bellinda|last2 = Kontominas|newspaper = The Age|date = 24 January 2007|accessdate = 24 January 2007|archive-date = 12 September 2007|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070912004501/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/chaser-court-victory-hailed-as-triumph-for-free-speech/2007/01/23/1169518715228.html}}

One of the most controversial stunts in which Licciardello was involved was the APEC stunt in 2007. Fellow Chaser Julian Morrow claimed that he and Licciardello aimed to get a majority of their members arrested amid the high security surrounding the APEC Australia 2007 summit in Sydney, adding jokingly that they also aimed to get Licciardello shot.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22345122-10229,00.html |title=Chaser team planning 'something extreme' at APEC |publisher=The Sunday Telegraph |date=2 September 2007 |access-date=2 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904190001/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C22345122-10229%2C00.html |archive-date=4 September 2007}}

Footage aired on The Chaser's War on Everything on 12 September 2007 showed the fake "motorcade" consisting of two SUVs, a black Holden limousine flying a Canadian flag on the bonnet, four "runners" (one of whom was Morrow) carrying hand-held video cameras and two motorcycles. They passed through two security checkpoints without being stopped by police or asked for identification; at one point, the footage showed Morrow offering to present identification to a police officer, however he was waved through without this occurring. The motorcade reached a point 10 metres outside the hotel where U.S. President George W. Bush was staying. Police only realised that the motorcade was a hoax when Licciardello, dressed as Osama bin Laden, voluntarily stepped out of the limousine.

File:Chas Licciardello and Malcolm Turnbull (18 November 2007, Sydney).jpg's head, satirising what politicians are really thinking. Pictured on 18 November 2007.]]

Following the incident, Licciardello and Morrow were detained and questioned by NSW Police on the 6th of September 2007 outside the InterContinental Hotel,{{cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/chaser-duo-held-over-apec-stunt/2007/09/06/1188783379922.html | title=Chaser duo held over APEC stunt |work=The Age | date=6 September 2007 | access-date=6 September 2007 | location=Melbourne, Australia}}{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/06/2025910.htm | title=Police question The Chaser duo over APEC stunt | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=6 September 2007 | access-date=6 September 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908163653/http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/06/2025910.htm | archive-date=8 September 2007 | url-status=dead}} and were charged under the APEC Meeting (Police Powers) Act 2007.{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/06/2026372.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908131150/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/06/2026372.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 September 2007 | title=11 charged over Chaser APEC stunt |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=6 September 2007 | access-date=6 September 2007}} The charges were dropped in April 2008.{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Daniel Emerson and Arjun |date=2008-04-28 |title=Chaser's APEC stunt charges dropped |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/chasers-apec-stunt-charges-dropped-20080429-gdsbdj.html |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=Apr 29, 2008 |title=Charges dropped over APEC prank by Australian TV show |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/charges-dropped-over-apec-prank-by-australian-tv-show-1.751685 |website=CBC/Radio-Canada}} They were dropped because his lawyers stated that he was waved through the blockades and he had to do what the police said.{{Cite web |title=Police defend actions over The Chaser APEC charges |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/the-chaser-police-not-sorry/news-story/34c71827eb60e3463fe2349d382f7455 |website=News.com.au}}

During the Chaser recess, Licciardello appeared on the panel of My Favourite Album, an ABC TV special showcasing Australia's top ten albums as voted by the public. He also filled in on Triple M's drive time slot during the summer of 2007 with fellow Chaser colleague Dominic Knight with their show Chas and Dom from 'The Chaser'.

On 25 May 2008 Licciardello and Craig Reucassel were guests on channel Ten's Rove. Their interview concluded with the '20 Bucks in 20 Seconds' segment. When Rove McManus asked the only question that is asked to every guest, "Who would you turn gay for?", Chas responded in annoyance that everyone answered "I'd turn gay for you, Rove" but that nobody ever followed up on it. He then leapt on Rove and French kissed him, before licking Rove on the face.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23758035-5012980,00.html |title=The Chaser's Chas Licciardello springs kiss on Rove McManus |publisher=Courier Mail |date=26 May 2008 |access-date=26 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526132947/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0%2C23739%2C23758035-5012980%2C00.html |archive-date=26 May 2008}}

In 2009, for a stunt featured in the series finale of The Chaser's War on Everything, he received heavy dosage's of botox, lip injections and spray tanning on the left side of his body so as to bear a similarity to Daniel Craig.[http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/chasers-chas-bows-out-with-botox/2009/07/28/1248546725179.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 "Chaser's Chas bows out with botox"]. The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 July 2009 The amount of botox was so heavy that it lasted until he made his appearance on The 7pm Project, over 3 months after the botox was injected into the right side of his face.

He is married to Dr Jocelyn Laurence, formerly a research analyst at Foster Stockbroking, and they have two daughters.{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20549912-5006002,00.html | title=Chaser's sober whippet ways| date=6 October 2006 | access-date=13 November 2007 | publisher=The Daily Telegraph}} In 2007, he lived in Croydon Park, in the inner west of Sydney.{{cite journal |last= Gorr|first= Libbi|author-link= Libbi Gorr|date= Summer 2007|title= Chasing Chas |journal= Selector Life Food Wine|volume= 2007|pages= 36–41 |series= Summer|location= Hunter Region MC NSW|issn= 1445-4343 | access-date=24 September 2012| url=http://libbigorr.com.au/static/files/assets/9e8cd34c/chasing_chas_S08.pdf |url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317135450/http://libbigorr.com.au/static/files/assets/9e8cd34c/chasing_chas_S08.pdf | archivedate=17 March 2012 }}

Chas is also a supporter of the Western Bulldogs Football Club in the Australian Football League.{{cite web|url=https://omny.fm/shows/dannyboydbulldogs/reaction-jackson-with-chas-licciardello|title=Reaction Jackson with Chas Licciardello|date=9 May 2024}} Despite growing up in New South Wales, which is predominantly rugby league heartland, Chas decided to follow the AFL as it "annoyed his father".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w48AouF1OoU|title=The Footy With Chas Licciardello. The Footy With Mates [Chas Licciardello]|minutes = 9:25|author=The Footy with Broden Kelly|website=YouTube |date=31 August 2024}}

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{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|1069676}}
• [http://www.tv.com/chas-licciardello/person/161816/summary.html TV.com Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915032004/http://www.tv.com/chas-licciardello/person/161816/summary.html |date=15 September 2010 }}

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