Last night the 2024 Australian Podcast Awards were held in Sydney at the Sofitel, and South Australian podcast, ‘The Beautiful Nightmare’ clinched the title of ‘Best Comedy Podcast’. Shanelle Franklin and Tamara Linke, hosts of the acclaimed podcast, celebrated their victory after receiving consecutive nominations in previous years.
The pair managed to surpass strong competitors including ‘Cancelled’ from Mamamia and ‘The Buck Up’ hosted by Australian icon Kate Langbroek and Nath Valvo to secure the win for South Australia. Their achievement reflects their significant impact on the comedy podcasting scene, confirming their status as leaders in the genre nationally.
An expert panel at the awards recognised Franklin and Linke as the top performers in their category. At the event, the podcast duo shared, “This is a feeling we never want to forget – we’ve thrown everything we have at this and now we have something shiny to show for it”.
‘The Beautiful Nightmare’ has not only achieved critical acclaim but has also built a considerable international following. Currently, it ranks in the top 20% of podcasts globally. The success of the podcast has led to opportunities beyond the airwaves, including live comedy shows. Franklin and Linke starred in a sold-out season at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Their popularity propelled them to carry out a regional tour, catering to their dedicated fans, and to perform at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where they received highly positive critiques.
Reflecting on their recent success, Linke remarked, “Shanelle hasn’t stopped crying and the celebrations have only just began for us”.
Before their podcast fame, Shanelle and Tamara were well-known as radio announcers in the mid-2000s, where they first displayed their strong chemistry and professional synergy.
Today, Shanelle is a sought-after MC, travelling across Australia to host major events, many of which are internationally streamed. She is also a writer and conducts storytelling workshops with Adelaide University, and has been recognised by SA Woman Australia as a ‘Women to Watch’.
On the other hand, Tamara has gained international recognition as a voice actor, collaborating with global brands such as YouTube, Xbox, and Uber. She is soon to attend an awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, USA, having been nominated for the ‘Outstanding Body of Work – International Best Voice Actor’.
Their talents and abilities have not gone unnoticed. National brands including Bonds, Share the Dignity, and AACTA have endorsed their capabilities, marking them as a formidable talent force.
Listeners can access ‘The Beautiful Nightmare’ on all podcast platforms to experience the comedy that has captivated both national and international audiences.
Fans can also connect with the podcast through social media at @thebeautifulnightmarepodcast and learn more through their website at https://thebeautifulnightmare.com.
