Australian comedian Jim Jefferies has spoken about his confrontational encounter with a difficult man last week.
The 47-year-old comedian was performing a show in Perth on the first date of his Give ‘Em What They Want tour when the man was removed by security after causing a commotion.
Jefferies was a guest on Channel Ten’s The Project on Friday and joked that the man was under the influence of a banned substance.
“We deal with difficult characters on every show,” the outspoken comedian said during the interview.
‘It just so happened that the guy was lying on the ice… I was able to cover it up.’
Jefferies then joked: ‘[Ice] ‘actually looks like sugar, doesn’t it?’
In a more serious tone, the 1% Club host then explained that he wasn’t sure what had “led him off.”
Jefferies said the incident began shortly after he made a joke about the US presidential election.
Jim Jefferies has opened up about his run-in with a heckler last week. The 47-year-old comedian was performing a show in Perth when the man was removed by security after causing a commotion
During the joke, Jefferies named Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, before hearing a voice from the crowd shout, “Pick a side.”
Jefferies said he then saw the man stand up – and fall face down. When the troublesome man got back up, the Australian favourite said he saw blood on his face.
The angry rioter then had to be removed from the HBF stadium by security after he walked towards the stage where Jefferies was performing.
Radio host Robbie Von Klitzing, who filmed the incident on his phone and posted it on social media, said it was funny at first but quickly went downhill.
“Jim Jefferies made some jokes about Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” he said.
Shocking footage captured the moment Australian comedian and TV presenter Jim Jefferies made jokes about American politicians including Donald Trump and Joe Biden, prompting an angry reaction from one onlooker
The man (pictured) shouted “pick a side” at Jefferies after the comedian named Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a joke about the US presidential election
“And for some reason this was the moment where someone in the audience really objected. And all of a sudden we heard someone in the background yelling ‘F’s’ and ‘C’s’. And when we looked around, you could see him stand up, point and go absolutely crazy!”
Jefferies then responded verbally to the shouter, which only further aggravated the situation.
The veteran comedian then decided that the best way to calm things down was to give the agitated man some time to vent his anger.
But the man chose that moment to suddenly remain silent.
“The guy had 10 seconds, didn’t say anything and then Jim started going at it again,” Von Klitzing said.
“And that guy in the audience walked up to the stage… If he had the chance, he would attack Jim Jefferies.”
Jefferies has been beaten up twice by troublemakers, one of which was caught on camera at The Comedy Store in Manchester in 2007 in now infamous footage (see photo)
Before the man got close enough to make physical contact, security intervened and he was removed from the location.
“He just rammed it and the guy was dragged out by security. It was unbelievable!” said Von Klitzing.
As the man was being led to the door, Jefferies attempted to attack him again, saying, “If you can afford to have 10 bodyguards, you can fucking fight me. I got more protection than Trump’s fucking son!”
It’s not the first time the audience has tried to hit Jefferies for doing what they paid him to do: tell jokes.
The first two people to do this succeeded. One of them was caught on camera in 2007 at The Comedy Store in Manchester, England.
“If you Google ‘Jim Jefferies punched’ you’ll see what people do to me when they boo me,” he told Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington on Sunrise in May.
“I got hit twice on stage, but only once was caught on film. I’m not the best (at dealing with difficult people),” he said.
There was a lot of online support for Jefferies after his jokes were again objected to.
“Paying hundreds of dollars to attend a comedy show and then being offended by a joke! More money than sense,” one person wrote.
“Why are Trump supporters so violent,” asked another. “Is it an education issue because Trump says he loves the uneducated. Or is it an emotional issue?
“Anyway, that idiot paid a lot of money to see a show and then that genius got thrown out.”
Jefferies’ tour continues to Newcastle, Wollongong, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Townsville.
Jefferies’ tour continues to Newcastle, Wollongong, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Townsville