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		Ripple effect of laughter Author: DENISE EVERTON Date: 20/08/1999 Publication: Illawarra Mercury Section: Applause Page: 59 SHAUN Micallef was about five years old and starring as Prince Charming in his kindergarten play when he learned the power of laughter. All it took was an errant rocking horse and an audience filled with enthusiastic mothers for a comedian to be born. ``I did like that laugh," Micallef mused after finally emerging from the darkness of a television editing room. ``I liked the ripple effect of laughter." He still does. Now 37 and a familiar face around the country thanks to television, Micallef is anticipating the response to the second series of his own comedy show. The Micallef Programme split audience opinion when it debuted last year and the comedian is certain that trend will continue. ``I think this series will polarise people. Sometimes you'll find it offensive but you'll laugh anyway," he said, having finally put the series in the can. ``It's very easy to be offensive but it's hard to be funny and offensive. It's easy to shock but I don't like doing it for the sake of it. ``I like to find areas in the show that haven't been touched before." That's not easy in a country that has built a reputation for sketch comedy but Micallef is undeniably proud of his latest effort. With more production time at their disposal for this series, Micallef and his crew eliminated some characters from the original series, moved towards shorter sketches and worked to hone and polish their original ideas. The result, he says, is ``a faster and slicker show with lots more spontaneity. It's just big and silly and funny." Best known for his three years with Full Frontal, Micallef is the first to admit comedy is a personal preference and says he leans towards the surreal and cruel side of the measuring stick. The fun, he says, is in getting the delivery just right. Long past the days of getting nervous about audience response and always keen to take a risk, Micallef is unusual in that he's never performed stand-up comedy and comes to performance through his writing. He started with Full Frontal as a writer, eventually giving himself a piece of the on-camera action, and has appeared in revues, cabaret and plays. For the future, he has his eye on a sitcom, possibly a third series of The Micallef Programme or maybe even a comedy variety show. His aim is to strive for new attitudes and fresh ideas in comedy and with payTV offering greater competition in the market, Micallef believes Australia's comedy industry can only grow. You can bet he'll be leading the charge. The Micallef Programme begins today at 8pm on ABC Television.