Making It Australia host Susie Youssef to stun nation with innovative creations

Aussie comedian Susie Youssef is ready to show the nation just how clever we are in a new reality TV show made famous by Amy Poehler.

Susie Youssef confesses she’s become such a weirdo in lockdown she doesn’t even recognise herself.

The last 18 months have seen the comedian take up kayaking on Sydney Harbour – despite her intense fear of being eaten by sharks. What started as a way to catch up with a friend and exercise has become a great passion.

It’s also helped keep anxiety at bay for the 37-year-old, who obviously hasn’t been able to see her tight-knit Lebanese family for months, let alone meet the newest additions to their tribe.

“It’s hard to stay positive and to see the end of this era,” Youssef shared.

Making It hosts Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler from the US version of Youssef’s new show. Picture: Supplied

What’s been a great joy for Youssef in these uncertain times has been continuing with work when so many in her industry have not been so fortunate. She has her ongoing The Project panel commitments and managed to perform in The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race with the SA’s State Theatre Company. Youssef also joined forces with fellow comedian Harley Breen to film the first season of Making It Australia – the local version of the hugely popular American show created by Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler. The show wrapped pre-Covid and was filmed in a gorgeously designed barn on a working farm just outside Sydney. Thirteen Makers compete to concoct out-of-this world creations. It is the perfect antidote for these uncertain times.

“I think it’s such a comfort and joy to watch a show like this,” Youssef said. “I had a lot of fun with so many different people from all over country making these incredible creations.

“I kept looking at them going ‘how do you still have more ideas week after week after week?’.

“And then, of course, there was that giant idiot Harley Breen making you laugh all day long – what more could I ask for?”

The long and short of it ... Making it Australia co-hosts Susie Youssef and Harley Breen Picture: Supplied

While Youssef loves to tinker around with craft, she’s not sure she’d match the Makers’ magic.

“I think I would be the access point for people who are not very good,’ she laughs. “But (craft) definitely takes you back in time to your childhood when the agenda was purely play.”

Youssef’s been glad to be reunite with her The Project mates after she took months off to work on the play. Fans are also glad she’s back, one writing in to query where their favourite was.

“There was an 89-year-old woman who hand wrote a letter to say ‘where is she?’ to which my sister said ‘we wish your fan base was single men’ and I agree,” Youssef laughs again.

There’s been much talk of her Project panel mate Tommy Little being the next Bachelor – would she put her hand up for the next Bachelorette?

“Ah …,” Youssef pauses. “I don’t know. I’m not the most competitive person. I think I would struggle with that level of attention and choice.

“I feel I would be better suited to a show where it was eat your body weight in bread. I actually think I’m doing that show as we speak – but there’s no cameras.”

Making It Australia, Wednesday, 7.30pm, Ten