tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post1700518695103795161..comments2024-01-14T16:25:55.002-08:00Comments on What's So Funny?: Irwin Barker, RIPGuy MacPhersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10621018065400828882noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post-58352857937990586272020-01-20T19:28:19.867-08:002020-01-20T19:28:19.867-08:00I'm a little late coming to this thread, but w...I'm a little late coming to this thread, but was just thinking about Irwin and stumbled on this blog. Irwin had just done a stint teaching statistics at the U of M and was fleshing out his stand-up when I met him. He became a cherished buddy. I'd accompany him to many of his out of town engagements and watch in awe as he honed his talent.<br />Such a funny dude; his mind was able to disconnect from a situation to see another spin on it; often so subtle, at times it went over my head for a moment. Not saying I don't always have all the chairs at the table, just that his clever wit took such a sharp detour -- and kept me chuckling. How much sweeter the world would be if most of us saw the humour in it that he did?<br />I've heard Bruce Clark talk about how generous Irwin was with other comics starting out at his club, offering tips to help them. I'll admit part of me also wished to be a comedian. He was generous enough to tell me I wasn't funny and save me years of failure.<br />On stage Irwin may have come across as a very sweet man, but I can tell you he was actually sweeter in person. Sharp and real, no pretenses, never mean;... especially if you didn't get it. Irwin was a natural teacher: always genuinely interested in helping others. <br />Irwin Barker left his mark on me as I'm sure he did for many people whose path he crossed. He probably never knew the impact he had on people. Sometimes I'll hear his own style of delivery in another young comedian trying it on for size. I smile, but think, "sorry buddy; there's only one Irwin."Jozeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07628965720652577631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post-35678477113147783762010-06-29T14:33:38.765-07:002010-06-29T14:33:38.765-07:00His bear routine is one of my all-time favourite I...His bear routine is one of my all-time favourite Irwin bits. But there are so many to choose from.Guy MacPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10621018065400828882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post-37313712466561290252010-06-29T10:49:45.674-07:002010-06-29T10:49:45.674-07:00The Vogue Show, I was Irwin's guest along with...The Vogue Show, I was Irwin's guest along with my aunt in the front row. The SECURITY people were freaked out.. and Irwin just wandered on stage..seemingly without a care... and completely tamed them. I think they thought he was Bubble's long lost father! :-)<br /><br />Do you remember the "bear" story. He taped it for the Leno people at the Vancouver Comedy Fest.. oh how he could weave the comedy through. Take you on this comedic journey and bring you right back around before you even realized what he was doing. <br /><br />He was a Master! I felt so bad at that taping. I had surprised him not knowing what was going on. I wasn't able to go to an earlier show that day. He was happy to see me with a big kiss and all but when he slipped it up.. I felt like it was my fault. <br /><br />Taking on the Trailer Park Boy rowdies but an adoring woman might have made him nervous.<br /><br />I am sure he is loving all this fanfare and attention.... even though he is gone. He's playing poker with his buddies I am sure.<br /><br />My sincere condolences to his family, wife and friends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post-48110209276341598442010-06-21T15:38:28.795-07:002010-06-21T15:38:28.795-07:00What sad news. What a wonderful comedian. Irwin Ba...What sad news. What a wonderful comedian. Irwin Barker proved that smart, funny and dry can't just coexist; they can feed off each other to create something special.<br /><br />I only saw him perform a couple of times, but both stand out among my most enjoyable moments taking in stand up. I'll miss Irwin Barker.<br /><br />Thanks, Guy, for an excellent tribute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post-78865663437903361892010-06-21T13:11:02.170-07:002010-06-21T13:11:02.170-07:00I had the pleasure of working with Irwin before he...I had the pleasure of working with Irwin before he started doing comedy full-time. He was a serious statistics guy for a public opinion polling firm - we went on a trip to do some research together in Halifax and it was there that he brought me to Yuk Yuk's to get to know his other side. A brilliant mind who deconstructed humour mechanically to its basic elements - almost like a math formula - sheer genius. A modest and kind person as well - he has surely left his mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post-20346927283893895122010-06-21T11:51:07.356-07:002010-06-21T11:51:07.356-07:00I worked as a waiter at a Winnipeg comedy club in ...I worked as a waiter at a Winnipeg comedy club in the early 90s before he moved to Vancouver. Irwin performed there countless times. I knew all his jokes, but they were no less funny each time he told them. Great comedian, great guy - he'll be sadly missed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1417002681193505963.post-55323669808490737942010-06-21T11:41:58.685-07:002010-06-21T11:41:58.685-07:00I remember Irwin as a 11 year old kid back in Winn...I remember Irwin as a 11 year old kid back in Winnipeg, going to the same church as me. <br /><br />I had that same dry humor, although not quite so refined. He will be missed by all of us who knew him even a little bit.<br /><br />JanisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com