Podcast episode 393ish: Jesse Joyce

In this episode of What's So Funny?, Jesse Joyce takes us behind the scenes at the Comedy Central Roasts. The Pittsburgh native wrote for and with Greg Giraldo on the roasts until Giraldo's untimely death. Now he writes for the roast in general and for such hilarious dudes as Larry King and Donald Trump. He tells us why that's not nearly as fun as writing for real comics. We get to hear some of his favourite jokes as well as what it's like to try and sneak handjobs in an Irish convent, his theory on the Canadian inferiority/superiority complex, and some of his favourite unsung comedy heroes, which include some Canadians (I had to point that out).

If you see a gizmo below, click and away you go. Or you can download the episode at iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever fine podcasts are distributed.

June 28: Matt Bilinski

We've got a first-timer on the show tonight... Well, first time with a new name. Matt Billon guested back in 2010. Now we've got the new and improved version: Matt Bilinski. What's the story behind the name change? Beats me, but we'll find out tonight, that's for sure. We'll talk about his travels (he's always on the road somewhere), his home (I can never figure out where it is), opening for Doug Stanhope (again), and whether he truly believes the moon landing was a hoax (he makes a great case for it in his act).

Join us, won't you? I mean, over the airwaves. You can hear the show starting at 11 pm Vancouver time at CFRO, 100.5 FM or livestream us at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 392ish: Kathleen McGee

Here's a new episode to get your weekend started. Kathleen McGee is a relatively new transplant to Vancouver, but if she had her druthers, she'd be basking in the warm glow of Hollywood. She talks about her struggles getting back to La-La Land, dismisses her reputation as a "dirty" comic, discusses her love of rugby and Broadway, reveals her secret fantasy to get to lady jail, and does one better than Seinfeld by slamming political correctness and feminist bloggers. It's fun! It's emotional! And she's available for children's parties! Literally.

Here you go. Have at it. Click below or subscribe in iTunes (or places like iTunes).

Podcast episode 391ish: Steve Bays

Steve Bays is baaaaack! In a big way. Or a very long way, at least. This episode breaks the record for the longest in our 11-year history. Two hours and nine minutes is too long, I grant you. But the beauty of podcasts is that you stop when you're tired and it'll be right there where you left off when you get back. I don't know what it is about that guy, but we always just keep talking and talking. What did we cover? What didn't we cover is more like it. Steve, as you probably know, is the lead singer for Hot Hot Heat, Mounties and Fur Trade, but the band that got the most mentions was one of his firsts: Pilot Light. We discuss the do's and don't's of interviewing rock stars, drinking junkie beer in Switzerland, grandparents, gruesome band injuries, being Jew-ish, homesickness in Tokyo, and the end of civilization. And even more than that!

It's all ready to be downloaded at your favourite podcast repository, such as your iTunes, Stitcher, and the like. Or you can start streaming it right here if you see the gizmo below. Your call.

June 21: Jesse Joyce

Happy Father's Day, fathers, if you go for that kinda thing. No fathers on the show tonight (except for me). Our guest is standup comedian/writer Jesse Joyce, who was in town a couple weeks ago headlining the Comedy MIX. Joyce was writing partners with the late great Greg Giraldo on the Comedy Central Roasts. He hasn't performed on one (yet) but has written for and performed on others (see below). His reputation has grown to the point where he's writing for the likes of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Dave Attell, Jim Norton, Jeff Dunham and... Matt Lauer. He tells us his story tonight, which includes living for a year in an Irish convent. Makes sense, right?

Join us, won't you? We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Or you can livestream us at coopradio.org from anywhere on the globe that has internet.

June 14: Kathleen McGee

We've got another newbie on the show tonight. That's always exciting. This time it's standup comic Kathleen McGee, who I've seen perform several times but have never spoken to her. This much I know (or think I know): she's from Alberta, may or may not have lived in Toronto, lives in Vancouver now, has performed in Los Angeles as evidenced by the videos of her at the Laugh Factory online, and will be opening for Hannibal Burress on June 19 in Edmonton [that was three years ago, it turns out]. But that's about all I know as she has let her domain lapse.

We'll get all the details tonight at 11 on Co-op Radio 100.5 FM. Livestream us at coopradio.org if you will.

Podcast episode 390ish: Dan Quinn

Dan Quinn returns for his quinquennial appearance on the show. It's a good one, too. He reveals who the moodiest comic on the Snowed In Comedy Tour is, rails against amateur comedians running shows, talks about closing out a night at New York's famed Luna Lounge after Marc Maron, Janeane Garofalo, and Dave Chappelle, and tells us what it's like to perform on an all-Dutch show in Amsterdam. This episode is brought to you by the word 'Abominable.'

Click below to get started. If you don't see anything below, blame your browser, not me. There are alternatives, though, such as iTunes, Stitcher, PodcastLand, TuneIn Radio, etc. etc.

Podcast episode 389ish: Mark B. Hughes & Jason Kryska

Here's an episode with a couple of raw dogs: Mark Hughes and Jason Kryska. These bad boys perform comedy that tilts toward the dark, but their backstories couldn't be more different. Jason has lived a button-down life and been married for 18 long years; Mark has overcome a heroin and cocaine addiction that landed him ten years in the slammer. Another difference? Hughes has performed comedy in the nude (and will again on June 13 at 303 Columbia in Exposed!: A Night of Naked Comedy), whereas Jason doesn't even like to see himself naked, let alone anyone else seeing him. The two are the creators of Comedy Shocker and they're putting on another show July 4 at the Rickshaw called Downward Spiral. Check it out. No nudity in that one. Not planned, anyway.

But first, have a listen to the podcast. You can do it right now, as a matter of fact, by clicking below. Or go download it at iTunes or wherever else you download podcasts.

June 7: Steve Bays

Mr. Bays, it's time for your annual check-up. Steve Bays has been paying us an annual visit since 2011. The last time he was here, he brought his bandmates from Mounties: Hawksley Workman and Ryan Dahl. This time, he's solo. Steve's always juggling a zillion things. When he's not writing, producing, performing and touring with his own groups – Hot Hot Heat, Mounties and Fur Trade – he's producing other groups, directing videos, and drinking at Legion halls. Okay, I don't know all he does. Maybe we'll find out tonight. Maybe not. But we'll have fun, as we always do.

Tune in to 100.5 FM in Vancouver or livestream us at coopradio.org at 11 pm.