Gift Grub stars in stand-up row over new CD money
Mimic Mario Rosenstock and upcoming comedian Oliver Callan are in a sour stand-off over the rights of sketches in this year’s hit comic album, Gift Grub.
Both comics are now embroiled in a legal battle over the album.
The album from the successful radio series on Today FM is expected to be a number one this Christmas, as it was last year.
But Mario Rosenstock is facing legal threats over Oliver Callan’s work being used.
Mr Callan, 25, has been contributing to Gift Grub on the Ian Dempsey breakfast show, portraying new characters such as Bryan ‘Dobbo’ Dobson, Enda Kenny and Bob Geldof. A former newsreader, the young comedian has now left journalism to pursue his entertainment career full time.
However, when Mr Rosenstock went to release the Gift Grub seventh volume collection in HMV last Friday, Mr Callan handed his former colleague a solicitor’s letter on the spot.
Mr Callan is claiming that the latest Gift Grub album was released without his permission, despite his work featuring on it. He is shocked his material was used without his permission and has been forced to use legal action to address his concerns. He was paid a fee for last year’s compilation album, but none was received for this year’s work.
“He (Mario) didn’t even have the courtesy to lift the phone and didn’t return my calls. It was very strange. I’m looking for fair play.”
Mr Callan is meeting his legal team today and last night would only state it was about a High Court legal action. On this year’s album, the young comedian features on four tracks doing impressions of Enda Kenny, Dave Fanning and Pat Kenny among other stars.
“I contributed 25 new characters in two years to Gift Grub. Mario is going to make millions (of euro) from this. I’m being exploited,” added Mr Callan.
Over the weekend, Mr Rosenstock said the accusations from his former colleague were “scandalous”, according to reports.
The creator and star of ‘Gift Grub’ has worked on the show since it featured on radio in 1999.
Mr Rosenstock was also the star of ‘I Keano’, the smash musical, written and directed by Father Ted’s Arthur Matthews. He played Keano in the now legendary story of Saipan.