think he could make a go of this comedy lark, writes Valerie Khoo.
veteran comic Bill Cosby. At the time, few would have expected the career.
But that's exactly what he did. Now, Hills is host of ABC's hit Logies. This weekend, Hills is on tour in Perth with his own show.
to terms with the show's success. "We're constantly blown away by the response," Hills says. "The producer called once and told me we had a jump in ratings.
I thought, 'What? This is the ABC.' It took me three weeks to work out that we even got ratings figures.
"
night at the age of 19, while he was studying mass communications at Macquarie University. "I think I always wanted to be a comedian," he says. "But it wasn't until I started going to open mic nights that I could see the steps to get there.
Sometimes I did but just had to work out how."
With a few stand-up gigs under his belt, Hills started writing for radio. Instead of waiting for a door to open into the industry, he simply created an opportunity.
"I was with a friend and we stayed up all night writing jokes for 2Day FM. Then we faxed them in and the producers asked us to come in," he says. "We ended up working on Wendy Harmer's show for a year and a half.
"
Adelaide - a position he held for five years.
radio.
as a comic could be a viable career.
"Maybe only in the last couple of my life. Before that, I was living year to year. But I'm getting buy a house and actually pay it off by doing stand-up comedy.
"
The 36-year-old might sound like he's settling down, but he shows no signs of slowing down. Apart from his TV show, stand-up gigs and corporate bookings, Hills is also writing a book, pitching other ideas for television and writing a film script.
MySpace page and blog.
His entry into the blogosphere happened unwittingly. "Another comic told me that someone had set up a MySpace page for me and fans were leaving messages for me on it," he says. "I contacted the person who set it up and asked if she minded if I took it over.
"
blog, he says incorporating blogging into his schedule has been worthwhile. "I'm a technosloth," he says. "I'm not afraid of new technology.
It just takes ages for me to jump on board."
It's no wonder his fan base is growing. The producer of Spicks and Specks, Anthony Watt, says Hills has always been known as the nicest guy in comedy.
While many comics heckle and embarrass audience members for laughs, Hills makes a point not to resort to this kind of humour.
His work ethic also sets him apart, Watts says. "This kind of day and read off an autocue, then go home.
"Adam works on the show full-time. He helps with the research, writes with the writing team and throws in his ideas. The show it.
"
keen intellect. Its foundation was built at a primary school for his IQ then turn up to the school dance dressed as Adam Ant.
university.
"Adam is one of the hardest-working people I know. He do," Smiedt says.
to do anyone over or stab anyone in the back.
There is no duplicity with the guy - what you see is what you get."
Despite Hills's workaholic tendencies, he loves the job. "I've always got adrenaline going," he says.
"My work is what I love."
up? First a vet and then a journalist.
When I was at uni comedian.
communication.
schools.
I did that while I was at uni and was paid $25 per debate. four years.
gigs around the world.
Channel 9. One of my jobs was cleaning up after a Christmas party. worst work moments.
stand-up.
that would be debating adjudicator. Not many people know about that one.
know, the more things you can make jokes about.
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