Podcast episode 554ish: Brigitte May

With this drop, we're all caught up with the podcast side of things. Brigitte May was with us just a few days ago talking about her upcoming improv show The Tragic Comedy of Macbeth. And just like that, it's here. The show started last night and runs until December 15 at the Jericho Arts Centre so it's not too late for this conversation to inspire your ticket-purchasing leanings. In this episode, Brigitte also tells us about the grim reality of living outside the bubble of the lower mainland elsewhere in Canada. We also talk about film theory and she pens numerous essays for us throughout the hour.

It's all below for your listening pleasure. You can also download the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and wherever else fine podcasts are made available.

Podcast episode 553ish: Steve McGowan

I first met Steve McGowan when he was briefly managing Lafflines comedy club in New Westminster. He has long since left that side of the business and even more recently left the day-job side of the business, too, and has committed himself one hundred percent to standup comedy. You can call him "Shooter" if you must, but he just goes by his regular name.

Have a listen to the full episode. You can click below or download us to your phones at iTunes and all the usual places.

Podcast episode 552ish: Daniel Chai

Lord, it looks like Daniel. It is, in fact, Daniel Chai, who visited us a couple weeks back. The improviser and founder of The Fictionals improv troupe and creator of the show Improv Against Humanity joins us and fills us in on his backstory. Who knew he was a legit journalist? Who knew he is from Surrey? Who knew that he owes his artistic life to Legion hall karaoke? If you knew all that, bully for you. Don't be a show-off. I'm sure there will be other factoids you'll learn if you listen to this episode.

You can do so below. Or you can get it on all the usual podcast outlets.

Podcast episode 551ish: Glenn Wool

It's always fun visiting with the great Glenn Wool. We thought he was back in the lower mainland for good now that he's got a family. But no, it's only temporary. He'll explain why. We got around to lots in this episode, including kids birthday parties, scary Canada, playing arenas, getting kidnapped in Vietnam, doing Paul Provenza's Green Room, and drinking on the job as a radio mascot.

We're trying to get caught up with our podcast posting. Hurry up and listen to this one because another new one is right behind it. You can click below to get going or, better yet, go download directly on to your listening device at iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher or wherever.

Dec. 1: Brigitte May

Let the countdown to Christmas begin. After weeks seeing yuletide merchandise in the stores and hearing carols piped in through speakers, I'm ready to embrace it. December 1st is my official start date to the season. All this to say, our guest tonight has nothing in particular to do with Christmas, but maybe improviser Brigitte May has her own thoughts on it. I guess we'll find out. Brigitte is a regular on the live anime show Fistful of Kicks, which runs once a month at Havana. Live anime? Okay, so we'll find out about that, too. And she's a regular contributor to The Beaverton. But more pressing is the show The Tragic Comedy of Macbeth, which opens up December 4 and runs until the 15th at Jericho Arts Centre. Perfect Christmas fare, no?

We're on the air at CFRO 100.5 FM tonight at 11pm. You can live stream us all the way in Denmark at coopradio.org or find us on one of them radio streaming apps that are all the rage with the kids these days.

Nov. 24: Steve "Shooter" McGowan

Our guest on this Grey Cup evening will be a first-timer: standup comic Steve McGowan. Is Shooter a Canadian football fan? Am I? Is Sam? Is anyone? Tune in tonight to find out. We'll also talk to Shooter about his life in comedy from both sides of the ledger: stage and management. He recently recorded a standup album, along with everyone else in comedy. His is called "Pleasantly Offensive" and it fits him to a tee. And we'll find out how the name "Shooter" came about. There's gotta be a story behind it.

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM at 11pm Vancouver time. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or on various radio-streaming apps such as TuneIn Radio.

Nov. 17: Daniel Chai

Tonight we've got Vancouver improviser and man about town Daniel Chai with us. Daniel's been a guest once before, back in 2015. On Wednesday, his Fictionals improv troupe is putting on their ninth anniversary Improv Against Humanity show at the Rio Theatre. And in twelve days, is doing performing the Knockout Punchlines show at Yuk Yuk's. We'll talk all about that and about more general topics. We'll figure it out. Don't you worry. Just tune in.

We're on the air, as always, at 11pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or on any number of radio streaming apps that are all the rage with the kids these days.

Podcast episode 550ish: Nestor Pistor

We have a really special episode for our 550th-ish. Canadian comedy legend Nestor Pistor was in town and we scored him. He talked all about the early days in the 1970s performing comedy all over the country, releasing top-selling albums, and being nominated for numerous Juno Awards. Nestor is in his seventies now but works out two hours a day, no doubt why he still has the stamina to work the road. Growing up, I'm not sure I ever knew that Nestor Pistor was a character, the creation of mortgage broker Don Ast. Live and learn. But it's Nestor we get on this show, with only a brief few words from Don.

Listen to the episode down below or better yet, go find it on iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Nov. 10: Glenn Wool

When Glenn Wool was last with us, way back in 2015, he had just moved back to the lower mainland after eons in Europe. That didn't exactly take. The pull of the road got to him. But guess what? Now he's back... for maybe good? Oh, he'll still do his international dates, I'm sure, but now he returns with a wife and baby. We'll see if that keeps him around a little longer. Whatever happens, he's here for us tonight. We'll find out what happened last time and if this time will be different. And get more tales of comedy in far-off places.

Tune in tonight at 11pm on CFRO 100.5 FM here in Vancouver, but you can listen in from wherever you are in the world by livestreaming us at coopradio.org or finding us on your favourite radio-streaming app, such as TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 549ish: Dino Archie (& Jon Bryant)

When Dino Archie came over to play, he brought a friend: musician/singer Jon Bryant. We didn't know Jon would participate, so he didn't get the introduction he deserves. But we eventually got around to it, and we all had a grand old time. Dino talks about his life of leisure now that he's retired. Or should I say "retired"? I still don't know if he is or not. We talk about Dino and Jon's LA exploits, the perils of Twitter, door-to-door knife salesmen, and an idea for a new podcast.

Listen below or find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, all the usual places. Subscribe to us wherever you download podcasts. And leave a review, while you're at it.

Oct. 20: Dino Archie

Old pal Dino Archie, who has been our guest five previous times, hasn't paid us a visit in 3.5 long years. But that all changes tonight when he returns. We always have a fun, spirited discussion. I like the way he thinks. About everything. Who knows what we'll talk about, but it's never hard coming up with topics with him. Dino spends time both here and in Los Angeles, where he's kinda from (I mean, technically Fresno, but... close?). He performs standup all over North America, and even did a set on Jimmy Kimmel Live a couple years ago.

Tune in tonight at 11pm to CFRO 100.5 FM. If you're in LA or Fresno or wherever you may be, you can livestream us at coopradio.org or find us on the TuneIn Radio app somewhere. Dig around. You'll find us.

Podcast episode 548ish: Travis Watters

Attention wrestling fans: We've got Ladies Choice on this episode, along with his creator Travis Watters. We get a taste of both of them here, learning about Watters childhood in the rough-and-tumble Fredericton where he wiled away the time at the local roller skating rink. We also hear tales from the rassling ring. We even discuss Travis' sensitive side: oil painting on big canvasses. All this plus lots of zinging of Sidekick Sam Tonning. What more could you want? No chairs were thrown in the making of this episode.

Have a listen, won't you? Below, or over at iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify... all your favourite podcast hotspots. We're there for you.

Podcast episode 547ish: Kalvin Olafson

We're a little late getting this episode up and running, missing by two days our guest's run in a play. But the episode is still relevant and fun and all that. Along with guest sidekick Lars Callieou from Edmonton, we talk to actor Kalvin Olafson about his youth growing up on a farm in Manitoba, about his connections with the Vancouver standup comedy scene, about his process in getting to the heart of his characters, about his former band Minto, and lots more! It was my first time meeting Kalvin, but Lars and I go way back to his first appearance on the show back in 2004. It was good to see him again.

Listen to the episode here or go download it at iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Podbean, Podbay... all the usual suspects.

Oct. 13: Travis Watters

On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we give thanks to our guest Travis Watters for stepping away from the turkey to be with us. Travis is a real Renaissance man – if they did pro wrestling during the Renaissance. But he's more than just a hunky body who goes by the name Ladies Choice when he's in the ring. He's also a standup comic, actor, and painter. So we've got a ton to talk to him about. I've seen him smash sidekick Sam Tonning over the head with a cookie sheet so I will keep a respectful distance.

We'll be on the air as usual at 11pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. If you're without radio, listen online at coopradio.org or find us on one of those amazing radio apps everyone's talking about, like TuneIn Radio.