Booze ban no joke for 7 Days funnyman
Booze ban no joke
For someone who has sworn off the booze, comedian Dai Henwood is definitely in the wrong profession. ‘‘Being a comedian is one of the few jobs in the world where you get given a beer as soon as you get to work. You’re always working at someone else’s party so you feel you should be on their level, so drinking comes naturally.
‘‘It’s funny because people always want to shout you a beer, but saying ‘can you just buy me a sparkling water’ doesn’t sound the same,’’ he says.
One of New Zealand’s funniest men and host of the extremely popular 7 Days, Henwood admits it’s hard to say no when alcohol is all around.
‘‘Three beers while you’re working was the standard before you’ve even gone out. But I’m a good drunk. I’m naturally not an aggressive person so it didn’t bring that side out of me. I’m the funny guy, the life of the party.
‘‘I was living it up because I was much younger then. I could gig, work in hospitality, have two hours sleep, get up and start all over again.’’
Everything changed for Henwood eight years ago, when he was starting to tire from comedy and realised that something had to give. He also married his partner Joanna and became a father to two daughters, Charlie, 6, and Lucy, 3.
‘‘I’ve been a professional boozer for 20 years and so I thought why not spend the next 20 years not being one? When I quit drinking I found that I was having a way better relationship with my kids, my wife and at work. I was getting my passion back for comedy.’’
Henwood turned 40 this year and wanted to focus on the long haul. Quitting the booze and adopting a more zen lifestyle was the key.
‘‘When I was 18, I got a degree majoring in eastern religion, and I travelled to Japan to study meditation. During the last few years I’ve been going really deep into meditation and alcohol has flown by the wayside.’’
Once Henwood quit drinking he had more energy on stage and his comedy and television career reached new heights.
As well as 7 Days, Henwood hosted popular shows Family Feud and Dancing with the Stars. He says his hard-case nature on stage meant audiences still thought he was drunk whenever he was performing.
‘‘When people come up to me and want to talk about 7 Days, they think I’m the pissed one. Little do they know that I’m the only one who’s not drinking throughout the show.’’
Last year, Henwood toured with 7 Days across New Zealand and got to hang out with his mates, fellow hosts Jeremy Corbett and Paul Ego. He was the only booze-free comedian during the journey and says it was a great way to see the country.
‘‘When everyone would be rolling out of bed just before the vans were about to leave, I would have already been up for a couple of hours and wandering around in places like Timaru, trying to find a coffee.’’
Henwood will be travelling the country again next month with 7 Days on a 15-day tour. He plans
‘‘I’ve been a professional boozer for 20 years and so I thought why not spend the next 20 years not being one?’’ Dai Henwood
to be sober once more and appreciates his copresenters fully supporting his stance.
‘‘I’ve known them for years and they know I’m funny without alcohol. When I’m out with them they’re not forcing me or pushing me to have a drink. They know I can still be a lot of fun and have just as many laughs.
‘‘Besides, it’s good for me because I can remember the stupid things they do when they’re drunk and that gives me plenty of ammunition.’’
Henwood wishes more Kiwi men would follow his lead and quit the booze. ‘‘I think a lot of people think giving up drinking will be like complete abstinence – if I have one drink then I’ve ruined the entire thing and will have to start all over again. But it doesn’t have to be like that.
‘‘Just taking small steps will make you look at your choices a bit more.
‘‘Are you constantly getting into an argument? Are you going to the pub a lot? I encourage [people] every second weekend to stay at home and don’t be a dick.’’