Comedian given stick, loveless greeting (3,4)

I believe the answer is:

rod hull

'comedian' is the definition.

'stick loveless greeting' is the wordplay.
'stick' becomes 'rod' (I've seen this before).
'loveless greeting' becomes 'hull' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'rod'+'hull'='ROD HULL'

'given' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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