Podcast episode 544ish: Ola Dada

When Ola Dada visited us a few weeks ago, he hadn't yet learned if he made it to the finals of the SiriusXM Top Comic competition. Three days later, he got the news: He did. He'll be off to Toronto to perform in the live theatre show final. Good luck to him. In this episode we learn about his home country Nigeria and also what it was like to grow up in Fort McMurray. And he tells us tons of original dad jokes.

Have a listen right here. Or download the episode on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify... wherever fine podcasts are dispensed.

Sept. 15: Kyle Bottom

Photo of Kyle Bottom by John Sutton

Back for his fourth visit with us – but first since 2014 – is the smooth baritone of Kyle Bottom. The regular host is sick but the show must go on so he'll be there, safely ensconced in the control room where he can hack away in private between talking points with Kyle. And of course Sam Tonning will be there to take up the slack. Kyle hasn't been with us since Sam joined the show. We'll talk about what Kyle's been up to lately: radio school, visiting Japan, the SiriusXM Top Comic competition, writing articles, his beloved pet pooch, impending parenthood. All that stuff and more!

We're on the air, as usual, at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. If you're in Japan, even, you can listen by livestreaming us at coopradio.org or finding us on whatever radio app you happen to use. Something like TuneIn Radio works, I know that.

Sept. 8: Shawn Farquhar

It's always a treat to have master magician Shawn Farquhar on the show with us. He's so full of life and good stories. This 2-time world champion of magic spends most of the year entertaining the world. I think he was in 40 countries last year. It's only fitting that he spend a few weeks in his backyard showing his fellow lower mainlanders his bag o' tricks. His current show is a really intimate affair at a secret location. Once you buy your ticket, it'll give you the lowdown. It's a lot of fun. I saw it today, as a matter of fact.

We'll talk all about it, and find out what travels and stories he has for us since his last visit. Listen to us at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM here in Vancouver (and area). If you're not in the area, you can always find us on the TuneIn Radio app or at the station's website: coopradio.org.

Sept. 1: Ola Dada

Happy back-to-school week. It's been a few years (ahem) since I was last in school, but it still depresses me on behalf of summer-lovin' kids everywhere. Tonight we're back at it with another live in-studio guest. It's a first-timer, too. Ola Dada is with us. Ola is a local standup but was raised in northern Alberta. We'll find out exactly tonight. We'll also talk about his SiriusXM Top Comic experience. He was one of 18 picked for the public voting portion of the competition. The voting recently closed, so you can't help him now (timing is everything) but we'll see how it all went.

We're on the air at CFRO 100.5 FM from 11pm to midnight. If you're wanting to tune in from northern Alberta, say, or Nigeria, no problem. Livestream us at coopradio.org or find us on the TuneIn Radio app. You can do it!

Podcast episode 543ish: Joey Commisso

While Guy was away, Sam Tonning hosted his good pal Joey Commisso in this episode. Joey's been in the Vancouver standup scene for almost ten years. He and Sam talked about lots of stuff, and only some of it was comedy related. They talked bowling (of course), nineties sitcoms, old-school standup Pat Cooper, and mental health, among other topics.

Listen to the episode here, or go download it on iTunes, Stitcher, Podbay, Podbean, Spotify... you name it.

Podcast episode 542ish: Sunee Dhaliwal

Sunee is back! Not just on the show, either. After living for a few years in Toronto, Sunee Dhaliwal is moving back to the lower mainland. We have a good time, as always with Sunee, but this time he also gets serious for a bit. Not too long, but just enough. Tune in to hear a side of Sunee you hadn't heard before.

You can listen right here, if that's your desire. Or you can find us wherever you normally get your podcasts. You know, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, et. al.

Aug. 18: Sunee Dhaliwal

Sunee Dhaliwal appeared on What's So Funny? in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He was on a roll. Then... nada. Gonzo. Where has he been? We'll find out tonight when Sunee makes his triumphant return to the show! I know he left us for Toronto at some point (which may explain his absences, but we've had other Toronto comics on in those years) and we'll catch up with him about his official whereabouts. I ran into Sunee a few weeks back at an outdoor basketball tournament (we were spectators) and we reconnected. Hopefully he's more sober tonight!

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM at 11pm for all the trash-talking.

Podcast episode 541ish: Angela Galanopoulos

What a grand time we had with improviser Angela Galanopolous. And not just because she brought us edible figs. We had a great chat. She told us about living in Mexico City, visiting Athens as a kid (see figs above), improv training in Chicago, and performing in Vancouver. It's a world tour in one hour!

Listen to us talking here and now (see link below) or save us for later by downloading the episode on iTunes/Stitcher/Spotify/PodBay etc. And subscribe while you're at it! Give us a review. Good or bad; we can take it.

Podcast episode 540ish: Myles Anderson

Another newbie graces our studios in this episode. Myles Anderson is the only standup comic/piano teacher I know. We don't often think of classical music and comedy – especially since Victor Borge died. But Anderson doesn't use the piano in his act. Not regularly, anyway, although we encourage him to. We talk about his island upbringing, music school, his new album (Myles from Home) on 604 Records, and lots more.

You can listen here, if you wish. Or download the show at iTunes or Stitcher or listen on Spotify. Do what you like. It's available (almost) everywhere.

Podcast episode 539ish: David Thomas Newham

Sidekick Sam Tonning takes the reins in this one, both booking and interviewing first-time guest David Thomas Newham, a multidisciplinary theatre artist who acts, writes, directs, and lights at Seven Tyrants Theatre company and also runs the comedy lounge at The Penthouse. Sam gets to the bottom of it all in this episode.

Listen right here (below) or find What's So Funny? on your favourite podcast place, like iTunes, Stitcher, Pod Bay, Spotify, et. al.

Aug. 4: Angela Galanopoulos

Tonight on this holiday long-weekend our esteemed guest is a first-timer to the program. And it'll be the first time we meet, although I've seen her on the stage before at VTSL's Improv Theatre. Angela Galanopoulos is also a member of the Fictionals improv troupe and in the dramatic comedy soap opera-style web series Michelle's, which she created with former What's So Funny? guest Andrew Barber. We'll get the lowdown on everything else she does, both professionally and for fun, tonight.

So tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM tonight at 11 pm for all the fun and frivolity.