Dec. 31: Jon Reep

The last day of the year brings our 36th show of 2017. Bringing us right up to the dropping of the ball, we've got a November conversation I had with American comic Jon Reep. I kept planning on running it for the past month but it kept getting pushed back due to live guests being available. So here we are, on New Year's Eve but it's just as fresh as the day we recorded it. For those who don't know, Jon is a former champeen of Last Comic Standing (I'm sure that's how they say 'champion' where he's from in Hickory, North Carolina). I won't be there live tonight as I'm far, far away where the wind chill factor is minus-42 today and I haven't been outside in three days. But the show will go on through the magic of technology. Enjoy and have yourself a merry little New Year now.

Tune in at 11 pm to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Even I will tune in, if the weather hasn't frozen the internet, by livestreaming at coopradio.org or the TuneIn Radio app.

Dec. 24: Harry Doupe

We're waving goodbye to 2017 tonight. In this season of traditions, it's a What's So Funny? tradition to have on Harry Doupe. He doesn't make it every single year, but we try. This will be his eighth appearance on the old program tonight and we never run out of things to talk about. We'll be discussing the year in comedy and whatever else happens to come up in the last hour before Santa starts making the rounds. And Harry is driving in all the way from... I forget but it's beyond Chilliwack, I think. We'll find out tonight. So do him a solid and listen to the show as you're wrapping your last gifts. I'm going to run out to Shopper's Drug Mart now and start my Christmas shopping so I'll be ready for Harry tonight.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM, as always. You can livestream us from anywhere where there's the internet at coopradio.org or on the TuneIn Radio app.

Podcast episode 474ish: Paul Anthony

Paul & I ignoring each other before the show.

Here's a little pre-Christmas treat for you: our recent episode with Paul Anthony. We started off the show talking about the most recent comedy news, much to Paul's chagrin. We also discussed Hugh Phukovsky and his urine gun, the challenges of producing the monthly Talent Time showcase, and we re-enacted a year-old Facebook Messenger conversation/argument we had. Plus we bring back the Funny or Not? segment!

So sit down and get a load off, pour yourself some eggnog (don't forget the nutmeg and rum!), put some logs on the fire, and fire up this episode. Pipe is optional. (You can also find us on iTunes, Stitcher, and most hardware stores.)

Podcast episode 473ish: Ron Vaudry

He's not a cynic; he just plays one on stage for your amusement. The Canadian standup veteran Ron Vaudry makes his second appearance on the program in this podcast episode. After 38 years in the business, you wouldn't believe what his net worth is! We discuss that, plus he tells us what made his Crash 'n' Burn show so good, how he's an equal-opportunity heckler squelcher, and we discuss some of Norm Macdonald's tweets about the early days in the Toronto comedy scene.

Have a listen, won't you? Here, there (Stitcher), and everywhere (iTunes).

Dec. 17: Ivan Decker

A young fresh-faced Decker.

Take two! A couple weeks ago, a Vancouver standup comic made his American network TV debut. Ivan Decker did a set on Conan, which is a big proverbial feather in his proverbial cap. And then we had him all set up to come on the show and talk about it... last week. But when you're a big star, big gigs fall into your lap and young Ivan had to postpone our rendezvous to go entertain Albertans in their natural habitat. But he's here with us tonight... fingers crossed! He was in town on Wednesday, I know, because I saw him performing at the Cobalt (see big gigs, above) and he reconfirmed his appearance on What's So Funny? tonight. Other Vancouver comedians have done late night talk show sets (Phil Hanley on Craig Ferguson, Lachlan Patterson on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, Darryl Lenox on Conan, Dino Archie on Jimmy Kimmel) but Ivan is the first one who's done it while still living and working in Vancouver. Because he still lives here, we can have him on our show again so he's here tonight and he's going to tell us all about his Conan experience, from how he got it, to the day of the show, to the aftermath.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM right here in foggy Vancouver town. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or find us on the TuneIn Radio app.

Dec. 3: Darryl Lenox & Garry Yuill

I don't know who I've known longer: Darryl Lenox or Garry Yuill. But I've known each for a long time. The great standup comic, Darryl Lenox, lived in Vancouver for 14 years before moving back to the United States of America, where he went on to perform on Conan and headline everywhere. Garry Yuill I knew even before he became the Vancouver franchise owner of Yuk Yuk's. How weird is that? He worked with my wife and I babysat his kid. Next thing I know he's comedy industry! Darryl has been on What's So Funny? three previous times, but only once solo. He likes company, I guess. Garry, of course, has never guested with us before. Darryl and Garry are teaming up for something I don't quite know about. I'll let them explain things tonight. It could shake things up in the Canadian comedy scene.

We're on the air in Vancouver on CFRO 100.5 FM at 11 pm. Or you could livestream us at coopradio.org. Or find us on TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 472ish: Shirley Gnome

I had a front row seat for the Shirley Gnome show on What's So Funny? a few weeks back. As always, Shirley arrived with guitar in hand and proceeded to entertain us for an hour. Well, we talked, too, but she even entertained then as she discussed penis art and public nudity and all that. In this hour, she played 3 or 4 songs, and we played one track off her new album, Taking It Up the Notch. Word is, her jazzy Christmas song, which we also talked about during this episode, will be out on December 8, so listen for it!

But meanwhile, listen to this. Click below or go subscribe to What's So Funny? on iTunes, Stitcher, Podbay.fm, or wherever fine podcasts are handed out like free candy. And if you haven't already, my right-hand man Sam Tonning has made us a new Facebook page. Go 'like' it or follow it or whatever you do with such things.

Podcast episode 471ish: Shawn Farquhar

Everyone knows Shawn Farquhar is a master magician. One of the absolute best. He's fooled Penn & Teller twice. He's a 2-time world champion of magic. He's the former president of IBM! No, not that IBM; the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He travels the globe most of the year but he dreams of one day being able to open up a little magic theatre here in his home province. Hey, but did you know this: Shawn started out performing comedy magic with comedians like Brent Butt and Ian Boothby and Ian Bagg in comedy rooms around BC. He tells us about the time he tried his act without the magic part. And he's got tons of other great stories, too. Plus we play a round of Talk About, a game show he and his wife were contestants on way back when. We could have gone on for another hour easily.

Have a listen. It's a good one. You can click below or just go to iTunes or Stitcher or Libsyn or wherever you usually get your podcasts.

Nov. 26: Charlie Demers

Charlie (aka Charles) Demers has been with us twice before but not since 2010. So it's time he came back. I'm surprised we can get him because he's one busy feller. At least it seems that way. He's got books coming out the ying-yang, is seemingly on every other episode of CBC's The Debaters, is the voice of a slug on the animated Netflix series Beat Bugs and does another voice for My Little Pony, co-hosts a podcast that involves reading, of all things, and he just released his first ever standup comedy album. I got winded just writing all that. The album is called Fatherland and is on 604 Records. We'll play a track from it on the show tonight, promise. And we'll talk to Charlie about what he does in his free time.

We're on the air, as usual, at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM here in Vancouver. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or listen via the TuneIn Radio app.

Nov. 19: Gavin Matts

We've got a fresh new face on What's So Funny? tonight. Gavin Matts has been tearing up the stages, as they say, around the lower mainland for a couple of years but 2017 is his year. Timing is everything, especially in comedy, and this kid's got it: he released his first album, Premature, and won the SiriusXM Comedy Competition within days of each other. This contest was a pretty big deal. It took months, featured comics all across the country, and even better, handed out a cool 25 large to the winner. We'll talk to Gavin about his whirlwind year and lots of other stuff. So tune in, won't you? I'm going to wear my best hoodie.

We're on the air in Vancouver at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. Or for those poor souls who can't afford a radio, there's always coopradio.org for live streaming purposes, or the TuneIn Radio app. They're all good.

Nov. 12: Paul Anthony

Has it been two years already since Paul Anthony last visited us? Apparently so. Vancouver's own Major Bowes returns for his fifth solo visit (back in 2007, he co-guested with Aubrey Tennant, and he may have guested on a lost episode as his alter ego Hugh Phukovsky). We'll find out what's new in the world of his always-fun monthly show Talent Time at the Rio Theatre. And we'll talk about his serious acting work in a very deep and dark play he starred in. And who knows what else!

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver at 11 pm or livestream us at coopradio.org. If those options don't work for you, there's always your TuneIn Radio app. They all lead to us.

Podcast episode 470ish: Wes Barker

How is this photo 3D? Must be magic.

The last time Wes Barker was with us, he was a struggling young stunt magician. Then, thanks to the What's So Funny? bump, he catapulted to fame and fortune, wowing the judges on America's Got Talent, fooling the masters Penn & Teller, and becoming king of YouTube with his popular channel full of his special brand of magic, comedy, pranks, hijinx, and x-ray vision. His enthusiasm for what he does is contagious, as you'll hear in this podcast episode.

This gizmo below will help you get started listening. So will iTunes or Stitcher if you search for What's So Funny? and/or subscribe to it.

Podcast episode 469ish: Randy Charach

We had a fun time with our guest Randy Charach a few weeks ago. Randy is known today as a stage hypnotist and keynote speaker, but I didn't know he started out at Punchlines Comedy Club in Gastown. He was doing magic then, always with a comedy bent. In this episode, we talk about his history in entertainment, including acting and producing, and about hypnotism in general. In fact, he gives What's So Funny? listeners a special relaxation gift. You'll have to listen to be able to access the link. It's good in perpetuity, he tells us. Oh, we also find out what kind of underwear he wears.

Click on the link below to start listening. Or better yet, go search for What's So Funny? in iTunes or Stitcher or any other podcast emporium.

Nov. 5: Ron Vaudry

In late October, Norm Macdonald, as is his wont, tweeted a long series on Twitter. The subject this time (not golf or football or baseball, thankfully) was comedy. Specifically the Toronto comedy scene he grew up in. It was a generous series of tweets given Norm's stature in the world of comedy, giving greater exposure to a group of Canadian comics many Americans might not otherwise have heard of. Many of the names he mentioned have been guests of What's So Funny? (Mike MacDonald, Mark Breslin, Kenny Robinson, Derek Edwards, John Wing, Ron Vaudry) but I'll talk to those guys any time they want. Then it occurred to me: the last time I saw Ron Vaudry, he mentioned that he'd like to do the show again. So thanks to Norm's tweets, my memory was jogged and I immediately booked Ron back on the show. Tonight's the night. Here's what Norm said about him:

There was Ron Vaudry, a great and generous guy, funny as hell.

We'll see what Ron thinks of that, and maybe get his opinion on all those other tweets. He's usually good for an opinion or two. And we'll see what else he's been up to since his first visit back in 2015. So tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM at 11 pm in Vancouver tonight. If you don't own a radio, try the TuneIn Radio app or livestream us at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 468ish: Alex Sparling

I do believe Alex Sparling has left our fair city now for the bright lights of Prince George, but a few weeks ago he was still a resident of Vancouver. We had the standup comic on the show, which is available now in podcast format. Alex talked about being a fantastic actor, reminisced about his hometown of Yellowknife, bragged about his smart dad, and details as best he could how his acting career was derailed by a brutal attack.

Go check it out. Or stay right where you are and check it out. Click below or search for What's So Funny? in iTunes or Stitcher. Hell, if you subscribe, it'll be even easier to see who we have on regularly.

Podcast episode 467ish: Leland Klassen

Our old pal Leland Klassen returns for his third go-round on What's So Funny? even though he only remembers doing one of them before. I guess that's what it's like when you're a big-time movie star – you forget the little people. I always enjoy talking with Leland and this episode was no exception. We talked about his feature film Extraordinary, in which he is the star. That's right, the star. And this is a heavy-duty dramatic role. He plays an ultra-marathoner with the biggest hands you've ever seen... No, wait. I'm conflating his role with his standup (and his actual hands). He'll explain it all here for you. He tells us what it's like working with Kirk Cameron, about the perils of running and running around America, and getting mistakenly handcuffed by the authorities.

Enjoy! You can listen with the gizmo below, or search out What's So Funny? on iTunes or Stitcher or in the podcast aisle of your favourite podcast emporium.

Oct. 29: Shirley Gnome

It's been three years since Shirley Gnome last graced our studio. But she's back tonight! With guitar in hand, I presume, since she's played for us the three other times she's been a guest. Shirley's got a brand new CD out, which I'm looking forward to listening to. I'm sure it's chalk-full of dirty ditties. If you're not familiar with the comedic chanteuse, she's an incredible musician who just happens to sing hilarious and filthy songs about pudenda and such. She's exploded over the past few years, too, and she plays all over the world now. We'll find out all about that tonight plus she'll play for us some of her latest creations.

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver at 11 pm. That's when the party gets started. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or you can find us at your TuneIn Radio app.

Oct. 22: Shawn Farquhar

Tonight's guest was a tough one to nail down, folks. The guy is simply always on the move, performing all over the world. Shawn Farquhar is simply one of the world's best magicians and he lives right in our back door (a suitable place for a magician to be lurking, for sure). The Maple Ridge resident has won every major award there is in magic – he's a legitimate world champion, twice over. He's wowed Queen Elizabeth, Ellen DeGeneres, and has fooled Penn & Teller twice. He's that good. But one thing I always admire about him is the joy with which he performs whether it's for little kids at Science World or for celebrities, peers and dignitaries.

We got him between shows in Reno and on the high seas with Disney Cruises. On November 4 & 5, you can see him in town at the 75th anniversary of the Vancouver Magic Circle at Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island, where he'll be sharing the stage with magicians from South Carolina, Los Angeles, and South Korea.

We're on the air in Vancouver at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. If you're outside the area, you can livestream us at coopradio.org or find the station on your TuneIn Radio app.

To whet your appetite, check out this gorgeous trick he created that won him the world championships. It's the most elegant trick I've seen. I could watch it over and over again. In fact, I have!

Oct. 15: Wes Barker

Regular listeners to What's So Funny? know I have a big soft spot for magic. I've had a few magicians on as guests over the years. Tonight, we'll have the first repeat magician guest. Wes Barker was with us first back in July of 2014. Since then, he's ripped apart many a phone book, appeared on America's Got Talent, fooled Penn & Teller, started a YouTube channel, and got married. On Saturday, Oct. 21, Wes, along with four other magicians (Kel, Vitaly Beckman, and Trevor & Lorena Watters) are performing at Bunaby's Michael J. Fox Theatre. So we'll talk about that and everything else he's been up to. I wonder if there's such a thing as audio magic? Maybe he'll perform some!

We hit the air running at 11 pm, as usual. Set your alarms and tune your radios to 100.5 FM in Vancouver. If you're outside the lower mainland, or don't own a radio, livestream us at coopradio.org or search for us on the TuneIn Radio app.

Podcast episode 466ish: Katharine Ferns

When life gives you lemons, make a Fringe show out of it. That's what Katharine Ferns did. In this episode of the old podcast, Ferns itemizes her hard luck story. She gives us the raw version, while in Katharine Ferns is in Stitches, you get the horror and the ha-has. Originally an artist, Ferns started out doing standup while a student in Vancouver. She took herself and her act to Toronto for a while and has been living in jolly old England the last five years. We talked all about all of it.

You can hear our conversation here or go download us on iTunes or Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast episode 465ish: Andy Cañete

Andy Cañete returns for his second go-round. Both times he's been talking about his latest Fringe show, but our talks always delve deeper. In this one, he talks about the dangers of being a soccer fan in his native Chile, the secrets of Gloria Macarenko, how Chris Farley makes him feel old, the dangers of some old jobs he's had, and the plausibility of Mariel Hemingway as a presidential bodyguard.

If downloading podcasts are too complicated for you, go no further. We've got what you need right here. Just click below and fill your earholes with our conversation. Otherwise, go search What's So Funny? on iTunes or Stitcher or wherever else you get your podcasts. And while you're there, subscribe to us. Hell, leave a comment on those platforms, if you're so inclined.

Oct. 1: Randy Charach

Is he a mentalist? Is he a magician? Is he a hypnotist? Is he a comedian? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Bottom line is he's an entertainer. That covers it all. Our guest on Sunday is Vancouver-based showman shaman, Randy Charach. He's put people to sleep all over the world... No, wait, that doesn't sound good. But remember point 3 above? He's also a stage hypnotist. I am impervious, though, so I'll be sharp as a tack. I won't succumb to his dark arts. Charach is doing his thang at the Norman Rothstein Theatre in Vancouver on Oct. 14. You can get your tix at Randytickets.com. (That picture to the right is as old as it looks. Randy doesn't don a tuxedo and top hat anymore. Nor does he carry a magic wand. But that's him and it's a great look. I hope he comes dressed like that to the radio station on Sunday!)

Sept. 24: Alex Sparling

Tonight on the program, we've got standup comic Alex Sparling. Just in time, too. I hear the comedian/actor is moving soon to the comedy hotbed of Salmon Arm Prince George, British Columbia. We'll find out why tonight. And we'll talk about his experience in Vancouver, growing up in Yellowknife, and how a brutal attack changed his life. It took us a while to find a Sunday that worked for both of us so it's probably now or never.

We're on the air at 11 pm and go until midnight. So if you're up or awake, tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. If you're in, say, Yellowknife, try livestreaming us on coopradio.org or finding us on your TuneIn Radio app.

Podcast episode 464ish: Oh Susanna (Suzie Ungerleider)

What's so musical, you ask? Why, this podcast episode of What's So Funny? is. Our guest is old pal Oh Susanna, who's a big star in the alt-country/roots/folk scene. Suzie Ungerleider, her nom de vie, grew up in Vancouver but has called Toronto home for over twenty years. Her latest album, called A Girl in Teen City, is all about her misspent youth in this backwater town. We talk about how she's come to appreciate everything she looked down on as a rotten teenager. And we talk about what got her into music in the first place, because back when I played on a softball team with her, I knew nothing about this burgeoning musical career. As an added bonus, I play two tracks off her new album, which you're guaranteed to love.

Oh, if you're reading this in Vancouver, she's playing the Wise Hall on October 12. If you're reading this from anywhere else, check out her tour schedule on her website. Chances are she'll be in a town near you sometime.

No go and enjoy this hour. You can click below to listen, find us on iTunes or Stitcher, or even some other podcast dispensary. Your call.

Sept. 17: Leland Klassen

Leland Klassen has been a guest with us twice before, once in 2005 and once in 2009. But in 2009, I was sick. So I haven't really talked to him at length in twelve years. As of press time, I'm feeling healthy so there's a decent chance I'll be there tonight. And not just because now he's a big-time movie star. He's just a good guy who I like talking to. There was a period a few years back where I saw him wherever in the world I went on vacation. It was like he was stalking me. We've got lots of catching up to do. Leland, a veteran standup comic, recently got the starring role in a feature film, and it's Extraordinary. I'm sure it is (it just came out and I haven't seen it yet), but that's the name of it, too. Leland plays an ultra-marathon runner. He's a tall, lanky drink of water so he looks like a runner. We'll find out if he really is one. We'll also find out what it was like to share the screen with Kirk Cameron. And lots more, I'm sure.

We're on the air at 11 pm in Vancouver at 100.5 on the FM dial. If you're an ultra-marathoner and find yourself too far from home without your radio, you can always livestream us at coopradio.org or on TuneIn Radio and other such apps. Basically, what I'm saying is you have no excuse not to listen.

Podcast episode 463ish: Johnny Perrotta

I've known Johnny Perrotta for a long time but this was his first appearance on What's So Funny? He told us about how he moved from old Italy to the frozen tundra... well, Prince George, how he grew up worshipping Tony Manero, and about his various embarrassing acting gigs. It was our first night back in three years at our old/new studio. The levels may be a bit "hot" but whatchagonnado?

Click below for the full episode. Or better yet, subscribe to What's So Funny? on iTunes and it, as well as future episodes, will automatically show up in your feed like magic.

Podcast episode 462ish: Chuck Byrn

Here you go. Another podcast episode for you. This one's with former Vancouverite (but still a Vancouverite in his heart) Chuck Byrn. The veteran standup has been living in Toronto for eons but we got him on a family visit back to his home town. Great stories. Great opinions. Great voice! Listen to him tell us how he dissed Jim Carrey. Check out the stories on a vacation to Hawaii he took with Irwin Barker and Kerry Talmage. Hear how he sounded like Ian Bagg for a spell once (and the mysterious way Bagg answered his motel room door once in Victoria). Unfortunately, we lost the last two minutes but you get the vast majority of it, and it's good.

Check it out either below or on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favourite podcast server.

Sept. 10: Katharine Ferns

Katharine Ferns makes her return to What's So Funny? She's never been a guest, but she visited another guest back in 2012. She was still living in Vancouver then, but departed not long after for Toronto. A couple years there, and then she departed for England, where she's been performing standup and doing Edinburgh Fringe shows every year or two. She's back in town performing her new show, hot off a month-long run in Edinburgh. The show's called Katharine Ferns is in Stitches. She'll tell us all about it and what else she's been doing since her time here.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. If you're in, say, England, and can do the math on the time zone, you can livestream us at coopradio.org. Or on TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 461ish: Christina Sicoli

Here's the Christina Sicoli episode you've all been patiently waiting for. Christina loves her sleep but she managed to stay awake throughout the show. The actress/improviser's earliest credit involved sitting on a toilet. That's right, she was "Foxy Girl" in Detroit Rock City. She also tap-danced with tap master Gregory Hines. We talk about both those things and, as they say, more!

Have a listen. The last two minutes are sadly cut off for reasons beyond my control. But the bulk of our scintillating conversation is intact and here for posterity. You can click below to listen or head over to your favourite podcast dispensary. We're everywhere.

Sept. 3: Andy Cañete

Summer's over. Maybe ñot officially for a few weeks, but oñce September hits, it's always fall to me. It always feels like back-to-school. Toñight we're going back-to-Cañete. Añd I'm celebratiñg the tilde! I love the squiggly liñe over the ñ! Standup comic and actor Añdy Cañete was first with us back iñ 2015 wheñ he was doiñg his Porn & Pinochet show at the Friñge. This time, he's got a ñew one: The Cañete Chroñicles. Añdy will tell us all about it añd whatever else he's beeñ up to iñ the past two years.

Fire up your radio at 11 pm to CFRO 100.5 FM. Or livestream us at coopradio.org. Or oñ the amazing TuñeIn Radio app, where you cañ find añy radio statioñ in the world. What a crazy time we're liviñg in.

Aug. 27: Oh Susanna

What's So Funny? gets musical again tonight. As regular listeners out there know, we do that sometimes. This week's guest is fab singer/songwriter Suzie Ungerleider, aka Oh Susanna. Suzie's a Vancouver girl but she hasn't lived here in over twenty years. Back in the day, before she made a name for herself in the music world, she and I played on the same softball team for a season, under the leadership of my former manservant, Kevin, who served on this very program for ten years before calling it quits. See how it all comes together? Anyway, she's a mesmerizing singer. I love all her albums. And her latest one, called A Girl in Teen City, is all about growing up in Vancouver. We'll play a couple of tracks for you in this hour. But mostly it's us talking, as per usual. Find out how she got her start. Find out about her youth in our fair city. Find out if she's still embarrassed about Vancouver.

We recorded this a couple weeks ago when she was in town visiting family and doing some press. She'll be back to play at the Wise Hall on Oct. 12 so get your tickets! If you're reading this from somewhere else in the world, go look at her tour schedule and maybe she'll be coming to a club near you soon.

We're on the air at 11 pm Vancouver time on CFRO 100.5 FM. If you'd rather livestream us, we won't be offended. Go to coopradio.org or find us on one of your fancy radio streaming apps like TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 460ish: Bob Robertson tribute

This podcast episode is a loooong one. But well worth it. We paid tribute to the late, great Bob Robertson, who passed away earlier this year. Bob – along with his wife and comedy partner Linda Cullen – was a guest on What's So Funny? three times over the years and in this episode, we take clips from all those shows. Bob talks about his early years, pre-Double Exposure fame, and works right up to his post-Double Exposure projects. It's a good little overview of the man's career, I think. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed going back and compiling it.

You can click below to listen. Or you can find us on your own. Click around at iTunes or Stitcher or wherever fine podcasts are dispensed and we'll be waiting for you.

Podcast episode 459ish: David Beckingham

David (right) enjoying the swanky Co-op doorless studio.

With a name like David Beckingham, you'd expect a posh English accent. And that's exactly what Beckingham had for the first eight years of his life before Canada beat it out of him. We talk about that with one of the founding members of Hey Ocean! as well as other topics, such as why the band split up, why it's back together, and what it was like living in Kenya. It's his first ever podcast appearance! I love the band, by the way, so we play a tune from them as well as a song from David's solo album, Just When the Light. Oh, mark this down on your calendars: Hey Ocean! is doing a cross-Canada tour in October and November. Check your local listings! Or something like that.

Enjoy this one. We've got another coming right around the bend. You can listen here or find us on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favourite podcast server.

Aug. 6: Johnny Perrotta

They say you can't go home again, but that's precisely what we did. CFRO left the Downtown Eastside three years ago for life on Wall Street. As of last week, we're back where we started, in the newly renovated studios in the DTES. Tonight we have our first guest of the new era, standup comic and actor Johnny Perrotta. His Twitter will tell you he's not only John Perrotta, but THE John Perrotta. I wonder what the Rhode Island standup comic John Perrotta thinks about that! So I'll call our guy Johnny, as I first knew of him many, many, many years ago. How long ago was it? It goes back to the Urban Well days, but I don't know the exact year. We'll find out tonight. Strangely, this is Johnny's first appearance on What's So Funny? so we've got tons to talk about.

Even though we've moved physically, you don't have to go looking for us. We're still on the air in Vancouver at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. Or you can livestream us at coopradio.org. Or find us on the TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 458ish: Diana Frances

Here's an episode that's so old, it's new. Sorry, it's been a busy month. Diana Frances was our guest on the radio back on June 18. Here it is July 24 and it's just coming out in podcast format. If you're a long-time listener to the show, you'll know Diana is a Vancouverite through and through. She was our guest back in our fifth ever episode, back in 2004. Now she lives in Toronto where she's busy writing for TV, award shows and radio. And she still performs when she can. In this episode, we talk about her early days in standup, why she's such a good podcast guest/lousy softball player, a bit about her crazy childhood/life, complaints about traffic/linguistics, and, of course, vagina jokes.

Listen to this now before it gets even older! You can do it here, or over at iTunes or Stitcher, et. al.

July 16: Chuck Byrn

Tonight we bid a fond adieu to our temporary radio station on Wall Street. We've been there for three years. We move back to our old space in the downtown eastside next week. Our last guest in this spot is a good one: Chuck Byrn! Chuck has been in Toronto for longer than I remember, but he's a Vancouver boy. He started out here in the 1990s with the likes of Tim Nutt, Glenn Wool and Kevin Foxx. We'll find out who else tonight. Chuck's only been with us once before and that was part of a comedy round-table, with Dylan Rhymer, Toby Hargrave and Steve Bays. Tonight he gets the hour all to himself. I'm writing this on the BC Ferries so barring a nautical disaster on the high seas, I'll be there, too.

We are on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. If you're not in Vancouver, you can still join us by livestreaming at coopradio.org or find us on TuneIn Radio.

July 9: Christina Sicoli

Tonight on your radio, we're welcoming Christina Sicoli. It's been a long time coming getting her in here but our schedules finally aligned. Her hubby, David Milchard, has been on the program a couple of times but not for years and years. But it's Christina's turn tonight. She's an actress, improviser, writer, and producer. Perhaps you've seen her in the web series Paranormal Solutions, Inc. or Convos with my 2-Year-Old. Or maybe in the TV series Supernatural or Psych. Or maybe it was her first listed credit, from 1999, when she played "Foxy Girl" in Detroit Rock City. We'll get her complete story at 11 (or whatever will fit into the hour).

Get your radios warmed up. We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. (For those without such fancy contraptions, you can always stream us online at coopradio.org or find us on the TuneIn Radio app.)

July 2: Bob Robertson Tribute

Tonight we're going to pay tribute the great Bob Robertson, who passed away in March. There was a beautiful (and hilarious) memorial service for him at Bard on the Beach on Friday afternoon, but if you didn't get there, this might help.

Bob, along with his comedy – and life – partner Linda Cullen, was a guest on What's So Funny? three times over the years: on episode 41 in 2005, then on episode 69 in 2006 (along with Trevor Devall), and again in 2011. Tonight I'm going to play clips from all three of those episodes. You'll hear Bob talking about his early days in commercial radio, the Double Exposure heyday, the live revue called the Snides of March they did on Granville Island, and his book Mayan Horror: How to Survive the End of the World in 2012. Along the way, we'll hear some old clips and he'll do some voices.

They say never meet your heroes, but Bob Robertson was an exception. He was a superstar to me growing up in Victoria. He was the funniest deejay I'd ever heard. As the weekend man on CFAX 1070 from noon to six, I'd listen all day, often with my cassette recorder poised to record one of his numerous regular segments, like Little Mansion in Oak Bay, the Moldy Oldie Music Vault, a conversation with Old Ernie (with Bob doing both parts), and always a phone call from Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (also voiced by Bob), who always condescendingly got Bob's name wrong. Bob was the best.

He went on, of course, to real fame with his wife Linda on CBC radio for 10.5 years, then over to CTV, with Double Exposure.

In the late '90s, I had a job where I had to do the daily banking. More than a few times, I saw the great Bob Robertson in the bank but he was too mythic for me to approach him. Cut to: 2004, when I started hosting What's So Funny? on Co-op radio. I figured, what the hell, I'll contact Bob and Linda and see if they'd come down to the downtown east side to do my rinky-dinky little show. I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. And they graciously accepted. They couldn't have been nicer.

Bob gave me an autographed copy of his book on their last visit to the station in 2011, but even better, knowing that I was such a big fan of his early CFAX days, he gave me a disc with a bunch of his old radio bits.

He was a great guy and he is missed.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or find us on TuneIn Radio. I think it's going to be a long one, in the 90-minute range, so get a nap in!

June 25: David Beckingham

It's the first show of summer! I don't know why I'm excited. It just means the studio is going to be stinking hot. It would be hot anyway because our guest tonight is the very hot David Beckingham: singer, songwriter, pop star. David is in the fantastic indie pop band Hey Ocean! I don't know the status of this band, since he and Ashleigh Ball both have recently released solo projects, but they're playing at Canada Place on Canada Day to celebrate the country's 150th birthday. We'll find out tonight if they have plans for other shows, too. I hope so. But we'll talk about all sorts of things, as we do, like the time he couldn't speak for a month. In the meantime, check out to the two videos below: one is David as a solo artist; the other is David with Hey Ocean!

We're on the air at 11 pm in Vancouver at 100.5 FM. Livestream us at coopradio.org or find us on TuneIn Radio if you don't have a radio. They'll work, too.

June 18: Diana Frances

Could it really be six years since Diana Frances last visited us? That's what my records indicate. They also show that she was on one of the very first episodes of What's So Funny? back in 2004. She was also in studio with Urban Improv in 2009, setting the record for most number of guests on one show. And the records also show... that's it. Just three appearances?! There must be some missing episodes because I could have sworn she's been with us more than thrice. Diana's now living in Toronto where she's making a living writing for TV, but she still hits the stage when she can, and comes back to town on occasion. So we've nabbed her while we can.

We'll find out everything that's new since 2011 so tune in tonight at 11 pm to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver or livestream us on coopradio.org or tune in to the TuneIn Radio app. So many options.

Podcast episode 457ish: Kevvy

Have you bought/streamed the new Fake Shark album yet? You really should. It's called Faux Real and I never got the punny title until I said it out loud in this episode where we talked with front man Kevvy. You expect something humorous from Kevvy. Not only is he an accomplished musician, but he's recorded probably more standup comedians than any other individual. He talks about all of the above, as well as about his high school daze, tattoos and hair dye. Plus I challenge him to a jazz-off. I won't tell you who wins but suffice it to say if I lost, chances are that segment would be edited out of the podcast.

Podcast episode 456ish: John Cullen

John Cullen returns! The TOC/curler/drummer/podcaster/
comedian/straight arrow has just put out an album and is here to talk about it. It's called Most Likely to be a Comedian and is available in all platforms. Check it out. But first listen to this chat we had. He talks about being gifted, being in bands, his hidden aggressions, his two podcasts (Podcaps and Real Good Show), and sponsoring a Little League baseball team (go Jokers!). We also put his gifted status to the test.

We, too, are available in all platforms. So go check us out on iTunes. Or Stitcher. Or PodcastAddict. Or TuneIn Radio. Or right here!

Podcast episode 455ish: Ryan Gunther

It's podcast drop time. The latest is with guest Ryan Gunther, a standup comic who's been doing his one-man Fringe show, Leash Your Potential, all over the place. He talks about how he overcame crippling stage fright to finally hop up on a stage and perform comedy. He also tells us of his early life growing up in the wilds of British Columbia.

Get listening already. It's right here for you. Or go download us at iTunes, Stitcher or some other podcast emporium.

May 28: Kevvy

Tonight on the old programme, we welcome the mono-named Kevvy, from the band Fake Shark. They just released a brand-spanking new album on Friday and are off on a month-long tour on the morrow. Timing, as they say, is everything. Go buy the album Faux Real now. We'll play a track or two tonight to whet your appetite if you need to hear it first.

But Kevvy isn't just a musician and Leo-nominated film scorer. He's also the pre-eminent comedy album producer in this city. He's recorded close to 20 (I think) standup comedians. So we'll talk to him about his love for comedy, as well as tons more. Promise.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 in Vancouver. You can always livestream us at coopradio.org, if you like. Or find us on TuneIn Radio. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Meanwhile, check out a video by the band, with a special guest appearance by funnyman (or two-time former guest of What's So Funny? Ivan Decker). Our man Kevvy is the one with the florescent hair:

Podcast episode 454ish: Garrett Clark

Boners lead to night danger. At least, that's the take-away I get from Garrett Clark's two albums: Boner Comedian and Night Danger. Clark joined us in studio and we listened to a couple tracks off his new recording, and he told us all about his experience in Los Angeles, where he studied at UCB, and got closer to Kevin Bacon than many of us will. What else? Well, with anyone who's spent any time in Australia, I have to discuss the horrific spiders found down under. And he does some of his spot-on impressions to round things out.

Enjoy this episode courtesy of the internet. You can listen here below, over at comedycouch.com, on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you like to get podcasts.

May 21: John Cullen

Mayday! Mayday! (I don't get why this weekend celebrates a distress signal, but whatever.) Tonight we welcome back standup comic John Cullen. John's got a brand spanking new album and we're going to play a couple tracks off it. And he'll tell us what else is new in his world. Is he still teaching? Good question. I think I'll ask that. Is he still curling? He must be, but we'll find out for sure. Was he really voted most likely to become a comedian in high school? These are the kinds of hard-hitting questions you can expect from me tonight.

Tune in at 11 pm to CFRO 100.5 FM here in Vancouver. Or, if you'd rather, livestream us at coopradio.org. Or maybe you'd prefer to catch us on the TuneIn Radio app. We're not choosy. Just listen.

Podcast episode 453ish: Colin Lamb

And now for a musical interlude we have guitar man Colin Lamb. Even though he doesn't play many comedy clubs, he's very definitely a comedian. His songs are hilarious and original and he really commits to them, making them even funnier. He's got a CD out with his band Terry but we had him bring in his axe so he could serenade us in person. Yes, his maintaining eye contact with me throughout his songs was creepy but whatever. Oh, a warning for anyone suffering from vertigo: we also talk about tree felling!

Here's the episode in all its glory. If this gizmo below isn't to your liking, go search us out on iTunes or Stitcher or your favourite podcast emporium.