“We’re certainly talking about Trump, George Pell I think gets a bit of a serving, Satan is definitely in there,” said Paul McDermott.

“But sex and death are right up there. Particularly because of the nearness of death to [Tim] Ferguson because of his MS and the trials that he’s gone through.

“Our guitarist [Richard Fidler] has had some pretty hard times as well, whereas myself - still fit as a fiddle.”

It’s been over 20 years since the original comedy group lit up smiles in the Illawarra, after breaking up during the height of their fame in 1994.

McDermott said it was a very confusing time as they trio were working in England and in the middle of signing deals left, right and centre.

It wasn’t until 2003 when McDermott and Fidler learnt the reason behind the split was due to Ferguson’s diagnosis with multiple sclerosis.

“It’s hard to be upset when someone tells you they have a life threatening or debilitating disease. People have their own reasons for doing the things they do,” said McDermott.

“For many years he kept it to himself because he thought it might cause difficulties with his own career in television. People are quick to judge.”

He admits the idea to get the band back together for a national tour was actually Ferguson’s.

“It’s a bit hard to refuse a fella in a wheelchair,” he laughed.

“There’s a lot more to talk about in regards to the tragedies of our existence ... rather than the outwardly aggressive stuff we used to do, now it’s inwardly aggressive.”

Paul “Flacco” Livingston has replaced Fidler, who can’t leave his day job, and is the musician that melds the comic genius together.

They’ve been selling out shows for the last couple of years now and loving it.

Though entering back into the comedy circuit was very “alien” according to McDermott, as the trio essentially began as buskers who “lucked into the comedy scene”.

“People are very career oriented in regards to comedy these days. They know that if they get into it in their late teens, which was unheard back in our day, and you do well you can possibly have a life just working in that world,” he said.

Their Wollongong show is part of a “warm-up” tour before the big one in August, returning to the famed Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“We’re trying to get in as many shows as we can before we get over there, as it’s been a long time since we’ve performed,” said McDermott.

“It’s sort of like a hello and farewell. It’ll probably be the last time Tim will be able to get to travel over there. So it’ll be a bitter-sweet moment.”

Back home the group will continue being funny until the point when they’re physically incapable.

“MS is one of those things that just keeps eating away at you … and is constantly taking little bits of you away,” said McDermott.

“Until that day [when we can no longer perform] we’ll just keep soldiering on – which is almost part of the All Stars ethos from the old days, just get out there and do it.”

The Dough Anthony All Stars’ “Near Death Experience, at IPAC Friday May 27. www.merrigong.com.au