Charles John "Chas" Licciardello (born 10 May 1977) is an Australian comedian and member of satirical team The Chaser. He's currently the co-host, with John Barron, of Planet America on ABC TV. Licciardello has appeared as a regular of CNNNN, The Chaser's War on Everything and The Hamster Wheel.
Early life
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. He graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science majoring in physics and computer science.
Television career
The Chaser
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 Elections. He also appeared on these spin-off series, 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.
Planet America
In 2012, Licciardello co-hosted Planet America on ABC News 24 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.
Controversy
Bulldogs 2006
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, knuckledusters, and balaclavas in the team's colours. Licciardello was arrested by New South Wales Police and charged with Offensive Conduct. Licciardello explained that the skit "poked fun at the misbehaviour of Bulldogs fans" knowing that "a lot of people thought it was funny."
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. 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. 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. He was subsequently found not guilty as the magistrate found that "while his behaviour could be perceived as silly conduct, it was not offensive."
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.
APEC 2007
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.