February 28: Ian Bagg

On this final day of the Olympics in Vancouver, we've got a new visitor to What's So Funny?. Ian Bagg is a semi-local (he's from Terrace) who got his start here in Vancouver, but quickly moved to the States. A long time ago. Well, before I started covering comedy here, anyway. (We'll find out precisely on the show.) He still lives there but is back for the Olympics, huge hockey fan that he is. The guy is a true original and I can't say his name without saying it in his voice. Ian was going to be on the show last year but I got sick and had to cancel on him. Hopefully he won't get so drunk celebrating Canada's win (or mourning Canada's loss) in the gold medal hockey game earlier in the day that he has to cancel on me. That would be karma. But I don't believe in karma so I'm hopeful. It should be a fun show.

I've got some good shows coming up, too. Next week we've got Carter Hortie coming back, and the following week Matt Billon will make his first appearance on the show.

Meanwhile, enjoy some comedy from Ian Bagg, back on the old Tonight Show with Jay Leno:

Ian Bagg Tonight Show

Ian Bagg | MySpace Video

February 21: Charlie Demers

You know him from the CityNews List. You know him from his numerous appearances on CBC's The Debaters. You know him from his stand-up comedy. You know him from his novel, The Prescription Errors. You know him from his book of essays, Vancouver Special. You know him from rabble-rousing political rallies. Or maybe you don't know him at all. But you should. He's a very funny guy and altogether too damn smart for his own good. Charlie Demers (aka Charles) is our guest tonight. It's been a while. But lots has gone on since his last visit (see preceding sentences) so we'll have plenty to talk about.

Episode 181ish

There's another podcast in the vault for your listening pleasure. And what a pleasure it was. Paul Provenza was a comic I used to watch back in the 1980s on Johnny Carson. If you're not that old, you'd know him as the director/producer of The Aristocrats, the documentary of 100 comics telling the world's filthiest joke. He spent the hour with us on the phone from L.A. talking about all sorts of things: the art of stand-up comedy, his relationship with Jay Leno, and his love of Vancouver comic Daniel Packard, among other things. Speaking of Packard, he was with us in studio, adding to the conversation and revealing a new master plan. Suffice it to say he won't be on our show as much. But hopefully he won't forget about us.

The show, as always, is available on iTunes. When you download, write a review of the show, for the love of God! Good or bad, I don't care. Or listen to it right here:

Episode 180ish

The latest comedy roundtable episode is now available here, there (Comedy Couch) and everywhere (iTunes). It was fun. We had Ian Boothby, Jane Stanton and Sean Proudlove in studio, while Peter Kelamis joined us over the phone from L.A. I haven't had too many phoners over the years, and have turned some down just because I think it's not ideal. There's no face-to-face contact and hearing someone on the phone for an hour doesn't sound all that good. Still, I had been mulling over having more phone guests and this show helped seal the deal. Of course it helps if the guest is as good as Kelamis was here. We talked mostly about the Leno-Conan situation, but got into a few other things, too. I think my favourite part was the story Kelamis told of getting booked on Open Mike with Mike Bullard. It's a classic Canadian show biz story.

Comedy Roundtable, January 24, 2010

Local comic makes... good?

Vancouver-based comic and street performer Sharon Mahoney has apparently recently moved to England. I didn't know this. But I do now, thanks to Chortle, the British comedy website, who wrote a brief review of her standup show. Not exactly a glowing write-up, but hey, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Besides, as any performer or publicist knows, a bit of creative editing and you've got quotes for your press kit:

"Jaunty!.. Told with faultless professionalism!... Entertainingly diverting!... She's got a perky, confident and engaging delivery!" – Chortle magazine

Read the whole review here.