Tom Gleeson Is Completely ‘Out of Touch’ — And That’s the Point
Tom Gleeson walks on stage like a man who knows exactly who he is — and wants to make sure you do too.
Hard Quiz host. Taskmaster Australia ringleader. Gold Logie winner. Five-time AACTA recipient. By the time he’s finished listing his accolades, you’re either rolling your eyes… or already laughing. That’s the genius of Out of Touch.
Taking over the iconic Regent Theatre during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Gleeson leans hard into the persona — rich, successful, and hilariously disconnected from the everyday struggles of, well… everyone else.
He openly tackles the petrol crisis and cost of living — before reminding us it doesn’t really affect him. Delivered with a smug grin and impeccable timing, it lands exactly where it should.
The humour is unmistakably Aussie. Stories of childhood, reflections on the “good old days,” and sharp observational takes are woven together with a confidence that only comes from years at the top. The language stays relatively clean, the delivery tight, and the laughs — constant.
It’s easy to see why he’s one of the best in the business. And he knows it.
“I’m probably the only TV star in Australia who’s happy to stand on stage and cop abuse from the audience,” Gleeson says. “Come along and heckle… you might get the better of me. (You won’t.)”
Bold? Absolutely. But it’s this exact mix of arrogance and self-awareness that makes the show work.
Critics agree. Time Out calls it “an hour of non-stop laughter,” while The Age likens his long-held comedic jabs to a perfectly prepared revenge — sharp, calculated, and worth the wait.
From Hard Quiz to Taskmaster Australia, Gleeson has built a career on cutting through the noise — and on stage, that edge feels even sharper.
Out of Touch isn’t just a title. It’s a persona, a punchline, and a perfectly executed reminder that sometimes the most entertaining thing a comedian can be… is completely removed from reality.
And somehow, it works.
By Melinda Sullivan.
For tickets please visit https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/tom-gleeson/
