Thomas James Cashman[1] (born 14 September 1989)[2] is an Australian stand-up comedian and writer.[3] In 2022, he posted videos on TikTok about his request for a landlord reference (a reference from a prospective landlord, written by a previous tenant of theirs). Since 2023 he is the co-host of the Australian version of television series Taskmaster.[4][5]
Cashman has appeared as a regular host on The Project,[6] and has guested on The Hundred with Andy Lee, Question Everything, Celebrity Letters & Numbers, and Tonightly with Tom Ballard.[3] Cashman was also on the writing team for Planet America, Tonightly with Tom Ballard.,[3] and ABC's Win the Week.[3]In April 2020, Cashman began hosting The Good Stuff podcast, alongside fellow comic Sam Taunton.[7]
In 2022, Cashman began presenting a regular segment on Triple J.[3] Also in 2022, Cashman began the show "All Comedians Are Beautiful" (ACAB) with his The Good Stuff co-host Sam Taunton.[8] This weekly performance in the Sydney suburb of Chippendale began as a trial run for the comics' individual shows, and then developed into the duo compéring for a variety of other comedians.[8] Cashman's shows include Good (2018),[9] XYZ (2019)[10] and Graphs (2022).[11]
In February 2023, Taskmaster Australia began airing on Network 10, with Cashman in the role of the Taskmaster's assistant.[4] A running joke on the show is that Taskmaster Tom Gleeson addresses Cashman as "Lesser Tom."
During Sydney's second lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cashman began making videos on the popular social media app TikTok, with his "landlord reference saga" gaining particular traction.[5] In these videos, Cashman asked a prospective landlord for a reference written by a previous tenant, and shared their response.[12] In addition to garnering millions of views,[13] these videos inspired ACT politician Michael Pettersson to introduce a motion to the ACT Legislative Assembly which would allow renters to ask for references from prospective landlords.[14]
This media spectacle became the basis for his show Graphs, which was later recorded and released in 2024 as Pests.[15]