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.'
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Showing posts with label Dan Quinn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dan Quinn. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
May 24: Dan Quinn
So tune in tonight at 11 pm PST to 100.5 FM or livestream us at coopradio.org. If not, you'll just have to wait another five years for his return.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Arj Barker interview
The Snowed In Comedy Tour hits Vancouver this Saturday night so I thought it was a good time to run my interview with Arj Barker. He, along with Craig Campbell, Glenn Wool, Pete Johansson and Dan Quinn will be playing the Granville Island Stage at 8 and 10:30. Don't fret if you're not in town because they are literally coming to a town near you (that is, if you live in BC). Follow the link above to see the full schedule.
ARJ BARKER – December 15, 2011
"Very early on I lost interest in playing the race card so it wasn’t a problem for me that I had to change my name to a more homogenous one. Also, I kept some of the flavour. I mean, Arj isn’t an everyday first name that you hear all the time." – Arj Barker
Guy MacPherson: I saw you here on Granville Island years and years ago. Any idea when that was?
Arj Barker: Yeah, that was a while ago. I’m not very good at remembering dates. So it was a while ago, that’s all I know.
GM: Are you living in Australia now or just part-time?
AB: I’m half and half. I live in California still, too.
GM: So six months of the year in Australia?
AB: Um, yeah, give or take. I like to spend time here.
GM: Do you have a house in Sydney?
AB: No. No, it’s out in the countryside. It’s out in the middle of nowhere, really.
GM: Did you experience culture shock?
AB: No because I started coming out here eleven years ago. I got pretty used to it, you know?
GM: Do you have a family? Or are you a single guy?
AB: Still pretty single. I thought I’d have a family by now but I don’t. I don’t know what happened.
GM: Was it tough leaving your friends or other family?
AB: Yeah, but I get to go back and forth so I sort of have that luxury. And also as a comedian I’m so used to moving around that it’s a perpetual state of leaving people behind and then seeing other people. I never have my friends all in one place anyway.
GM: From what I’ve heard about Australia, the gigs are really far apart. And travelling to other countries is a hassle, too.
AB: Yeah. It’s not too bad. When we do a tour, the average distance is about a one- to three-hour drive. It ranges from one to five hours driving. It’s not too bad, if you don’t mind. I don’t think it’s too bad but I don’t know.
GM: How do you explain your rock stardom in Australia?
AB: Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far, as far as rock stardom. I just got here and kept coming back. I think I got some pretty good television spots early on. Just piled up the television appearances, which really makes a difference, and one day something just shifted and people started to kind of know who I was. I got kind of a good momentum going.
GM: Is there something about your sensibility that strikes a chord with Australians?
AB: Maybe but I don’t try to analyze it too much. I mean, I think I’m pretty funny wherever I go. I think Australia was probably the first country to really say, hey, this guy is pretty good. I feel like this country gave me my props. I don’t think it’s because I have this magical connection specifically with Australia. I think it’s easier to get recognized for something when you appear to be a little more exotic. So it’s like when I came here they probably gave me some free credit just because I was American. I think countries are a little harder on their own.
GM: You were a revelation to me when I first saw you, long before your TV work. So it’s nice to see you get the success I thought you deserved.
AB: Yeah, well, it’s been a relief for me, too, believe me. But I still work in North America. I haven’t given up or anything. I get better crowds than I used to, so that’s good. I always wonder if I go back maybe this time I’ll be completely forgotten about. But I don’t worry too much because I’m already halfway through this thing almost. No point in getting too worked up.
GM: Halfway through what thing?
AB: Life.
GM: Ah. You’re not good with dates, but when did you first play Australia?
AB: Approximately ’99.
GM: Has the Australian comedy scene exploded? Have you noticed a difference since you started going there?
AB: Yeah, I think so because when I first came here I was lucky because there wasn’t a plethora of international comedians out here. A ple-THOR-a. But now there is a plethora of… There’s a lot of guys come out now. It’s definitely become a regular stop on the international comedy circuit with the festival. But when I first came out here there was a handful of Americans that had been here but now I’d say that number is tenfold. I guess I’m saying I got in at a good time.
GM: There even seems to be way more Australian comics.
AB: Yeah, sure. I suppose the scene’s grown. The Comedy Store in Sydney brings in a lot of internationals. It’s still a ways away so a lot of guys haven’t been here.
"It’s surprising how many people say, 'Oh, is [Flight of the Conchords] finished?' It hasn’t had a new episode in probably two years now and people still claim to be fans but they don’t seem to have any idea what’s going on." – Arj Barker
GM: Is part of your success due to The Flight of the Conchords or were you starting to hit before that?
AB: Yeah, that helped but I already had a good foot in the door here big time before that hit. Things had already started to turn pretty well here and then that came. That was another nice little wave to help boost my profile and make a lot of new fans, specifically the cooler, hipper, younger folks who really love that show.
GM: How many seasons did it run?
AB: Only a few, actually. It’s surprising how many people say, “Oh, is that finished?” (laughs) It hasn’t had a new episode in probably two years now and people still claim to be fans but they don’t seem to have any idea what’s going on.
GM: I had mixed feelings about you and Todd Barry on the show. I saw Flight of the Conchords in a club here before they hit it big and I liked them a lot. Then they got the show and I felt like you and Todd should be stars of a show and they should be supporting parts. They were pretty late to the scene and they get their own show.
AB: What happened was they really blew up and generated a huge buzz in Edinburgh one year and from there… In fact, I know the lady who was determined to bring them over to NBC in the States. You must know, also, that there’s really no… One guy can do comedy 20 years and another guy can come along and get his own show in his first year. There’s no rules in this business like that. It’s very flavour-of-the-month, too. But it’s important that, if you have me comment on that at all, I do think they deserve everything they got because they have been doing it a long time before people knew them and they put an extraordinary amount of work into that show from all aspects, from writing it and producing it and writing the songs, recording the songs. I haven’t seen people work much harder than they did and I just think they deserve all the success. I don’t want to take away from that just because I’ve been doing it a long time. I was honoured and privileged to even have a small part on that show. They’re great guys and I can never say nothing negative about them.
GM: Yeah. I wasn’t trying to lead you that way. Like I said, I had mixed feelings because I saw them and thought they were hilarious and that’s the bottom line, that they’re funny.
AB: And as for Todd Barry, he creates his own reality. You can put that in there and hopefully he’ll read it and wonder what the fuck I’m talking about.
GM: Up until a year or so ago, I had no idea you were a Sikh. It really never even entered my mind what ethnicity you were. You don’t talk about it. The idea you had behind your stage name when you started, did you just want to avoid that completely or was it simply a matter of easier to pronounce?
AB: It was purely easier to pronounce. It wasn’t like I was trying to hide my heritage or anything. Although I’ve got one or two jokes about being Indian because when you start out you go, ‘Alright, what am I going to write about? Oh, I’m half Indian, I better write some jokes about 7-11 or something.’ Like that. But very early on I lost interest in playing the race card so it wasn’t a problem for me that I had to change my name to a more homogenous one. Also, I kept some of the flavour. I mean, Arj isn’t an everyday first name that you hear all the time, although I have heard of other people called Arj. So it was purely for pronounciation.
GM: Was Barker from your mother’s side of the family or just a name out of thin air?
AB: I just came up with it.
GM: So you decided you weren’t going to go that route pretty early on, and you don’t begrudge anyone who does. There are a lot of comics who talk about nothing else.
AB: Oh sure, I mean, look at Russell Peters. He’s a billionaire. People love it. I’ll tell you my theory on the whole thing: It’s human nature that you love to hear about yourself. If there’s a conversation at a party and it turns to being about you, not all of us but a lot of us are titillated. It’s exciting, you know? People love being the subject. So when a particular race gets talked about, they’re going to eat it up. That’s why black audiences love urban comics. It cracks them up because when you go there and the subject is about you and your culture, and the same thing Russell Peters is a lot about Indians and their culture and Asians, and that’s exciting and makes you feel celebrated. You want to laugh and you feel like you’re part of it. It’s a great thing for guys that do it. It works well. It’s done a lot. If you go to New York it seems like the majority of the comics are race-based. But I’m going to tell you right now, and I’ll go on the record: it bores the shit out of me, personally, to make observations about different cultures based on race. Although, having said that, I’ve made a lot of jokes about Australian culture and I’ve carved out a living, practically, talking about that. Although that’s not my whole show. But personally I’m not judging those guys that do that. I don’t consider myself an authority on what people should talk about or how they should do their show. It’s just me personally, I just like jokes. Just purely from my own personal taste, it bores me to do race-related jokes.
GM: Do you think it’s easier or cheating?
AB: I don’t think it’s my place to say. Comedy is not easy. Original comedy is definitely not easy. There’s hack jokes, but there’s also hack jokes about airplanes, there’s hack jokes about race. It’s just not for me personally. And I don’t feel like I’m an authority to tell other comedians what they should do. Clearly it works and people love it. That’s my point. Russell’s a friend of mine. Not like a close, tight pal that I talk to all the time, but we’re colleagues and I’ve known him for quite a while. It works great for him. I’m happy for him. And of course I wish I’d done it now (laughs). I’d be in a castle. But I do find it quite dull, personally, to talk about race because I think that for me, personally, I would like to break down racial barriers and speak to audiences as a group of humans. I also don’t overthink it too much. I don’t know, I just didn’t go that direction with my comedy.
GM: Do other Sikhs come to you and say you should be talking about them?
AB: No. No, not at all. I get some Indians at my shows but not in droves. Occasionally I think people come because they find out I have Indian heritage, but not really, no. My heritage hasn’t been a big part of my world view.
GM: A lot of those comics end up being spokesmen for their race. And you’re just a comic.
AB: Yeah, I’m just a comic. But probably a big part of it, too, is I grew up in northern California in a mostly white population. There was the odd Asian kid kicking around and a couple black guys and me. But it wasn’t like a big issue. It was very liberal, at least not outwardly racist. There’s always some racism that’s well-hidden, but generally it was a pretty liberal quote-unquote open-minded area so it just wasn’t an issue. I didn’t grow up only going to Indian functions or anything like that. I had Indian relatives around but I also never wanted to sell out jokes about my grandfather, you know? That didn’t appeal to me. In my first year of comedy, before I understood that you had a choice… When you first start, you do pretty much anything to get a laugh. You don’t think ‘I’m not a guitar comic’ or ‘I don’t do parodies’; you just think ‘fuck, that’ll get a laugh, let’s do it.’ Then I think you become more refined as to what you want to do. In my first year I had a joke that my dad worked in 7-11, to give you an idea. I don’t need to do the joke. The point is very early on I did [that kind of material]. I find this whole subject kinda dull so maybe we can move on. I’m just not an ethnic comic. I don’t do ethnic comedy. It bores me. That’s all I have to say.
GM: Have you always played it straight-faced in life?
AB: I think I’ve always been a bit dry, if that’s what you’re asking. Yeah, definitely. I think that’s just a natural component of me.
GM: Last time you were here you played a big theatre. The first time I saw you, you were in a smaller theatre. You’re playing bigger theatres now. Do you prefer that, or do you miss the intimacy of a smaller room?
AB: I can have fun in both. It really depends on the crowd and the vibe. There’s a lot of variables but I can certainly have a great time at any size gig. Sometimes performing for thousands of people at a time – when I performed with Flight of the Conchords it was at places like the Hollywood Bowl and Wembley Arena – it’s pretty exciting but it definitely lost something because there’s so many people there. But between playing to a hundred people and a couple thousand, I can certainly have a great time, regardless of size. That’s not a big issue. There’s a joy of playing to lots of people and also just playing in a café with 20 people and no mic. That can be one of the funnest gigs. That’s sometimes where I feel like I’m at my funniest. You can’t underestimate how important intimacy is with the crowd. I don’t even know where I’m playing this time so I’m just going to have a fun tour.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Feb. 6: Craig Campbell & Phil Nichol
Big time show tonight, folks. We've got two mainstays on the British comedy circuit. But, as Don Cherry would say, they're both good Canadian kids.
If you've been around long enough, you'll know Craig Campbell from his days in Vancouver. He went on to play the straight man to Ed the Sock in Toronto before his move to England, where critics have called him a "Crocodile Dundee of North America". Well, one critic did, anyway. He's known to be a raconteur of the highest order in his stand-up act. I interviewed Craig once over the phone and I can attest to the fact the moosefucker can spin a yarn with the best of them. See for yourself:
As for Phil Nichol, he was a member of the famed Corky & the Juice Pigs. Not sure if he was Corky or a JP, but that's neither here nor there. This was a group that Barenaked Ladies opened for, that's how big they were. And, of course, they made several appearances on MadTV. Nichol eventually moved to London (we'll sort out the details tonight), where he's been wowing crowds ever since. One reviewer said his show "actually exert[s] g-force." I believe it, based on this appearance on a British TV show where he sings a song then sits down with the original cast from The Dukes of Hazzard:
I'm looking forward to this. My guess is that it'll not only be a really great show but it'll also be really easy for me. I'm betting I won't have to say much at all to get these guys going.
Oh, by the way, they're here as part of the Snowed In Comedy Tour which is winding up in Vancouver at the Revue Stage on Granville Island on Saturday, Feb. 12. Joining them will be Vancouver boys (and both former What's So Funny? guests) Peter Kelamis and Dan Quinn.
If you've been around long enough, you'll know Craig Campbell from his days in Vancouver. He went on to play the straight man to Ed the Sock in Toronto before his move to England, where critics have called him a "Crocodile Dundee of North America". Well, one critic did, anyway. He's known to be a raconteur of the highest order in his stand-up act. I interviewed Craig once over the phone and I can attest to the fact the moosefucker can spin a yarn with the best of them. See for yourself:
As for Phil Nichol, he was a member of the famed Corky & the Juice Pigs. Not sure if he was Corky or a JP, but that's neither here nor there. This was a group that Barenaked Ladies opened for, that's how big they were. And, of course, they made several appearances on MadTV. Nichol eventually moved to London (we'll sort out the details tonight), where he's been wowing crowds ever since. One reviewer said his show "actually exert[s] g-force." I believe it, based on this appearance on a British TV show where he sings a song then sits down with the original cast from The Dukes of Hazzard:
I'm looking forward to this. My guess is that it'll not only be a really great show but it'll also be really easy for me. I'm betting I won't have to say much at all to get these guys going.
Oh, by the way, they're here as part of the Snowed In Comedy Tour which is winding up in Vancouver at the Revue Stage on Granville Island on Saturday, Feb. 12. Joining them will be Vancouver boys (and both former What's So Funny? guests) Peter Kelamis and Dan Quinn.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Podcast episode 203ish: Dan Quinn
When Dan Quinn first did the show, I double-booked. Myself, that is. I forgot I was going on holidays. But, trouper that he is, he did it anyway with a guest host. That was five years ago. I finally got the chance to talk to Dan a few weeks ago and it was worth the wait. He had stories and opinions. What more could you ask for? Have a listen. As always right here or download it at iTunes, where you'll remember to leave a rating and a review, right?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
This just in
THIS JUST IN: I saw Glenn Wool close the show at the Vogue last night and his voice was shot. I was wondering if a day of rest would make it better, but apparently not. So... Glenn will have to postpone his WSF? debut. But we still have Dan Quinn! That's nothing to sniff at. So we're still good to go.
Sept. 26: Glenn Wool & Dan Quinn
The comedy festival is over, but it lives on tonight for one more hour when Glenn Wool & Dan Quinn drop by the studio. Wool started his comedy career right here in Vancouver years and years ago (we'll find out just how many tonight) before moving to Europe where he had a very successful career in England. Last year he decided to give America a shot and now finds himself in Los Angeles. Too bad My Name is Earl isn't on anymore because he'd be a perfect fit for that show (see photo).Dan has worked in both places but currently lives in Vancouver, where he hosts a weekly show at Deuce Bungalow on Granville (between Nelson and Smithe). In fact, the two will be performing there tonight. If they're a couple minutes late for our show, we're okay with that. This is Dan's second appearance on What's So Funny? but his first with me so I'm sure we'll have lots and lots to talk about.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
January 18: Reza Peyk (and some notes on Norm Macdonald)
Hey there. It's me again. I'm just lying here on the couch watching Frontline and eating Mini Ritz Sandwiches. What are you doing?
Oh, yeah. This isn't a conversation. It's a blog. So I best be blogging. But damn these Ritz things are addictive. See, this is why I don't do drugs. I fear I have an addictive personality and if I started in on the reefers and doobies, I'd never stop. I've never actually been addicted to anything, but still, you never know. Hope these Ritz crackers aren't a gateway snackfood.
But enough about me and my orange fingers, let's talk comedy. First off, our flagship show, What's So Funny?, welcomes the Iranian sensation Reza Peyk tonight. Reza will be opening up for the even bigger Iranian sensation Maz Jobrani next Saturday (Jan. 24) at the Commodore Ballroom. Take a look at the young feller over there in the right panel. [UPDATE: That photo changes weekly and isn't there anymore.] Check out those tatts. I gotta admit, I'm a little intimidated. He'll be by far the hippest guest we've ever had on our show (with apologies to Jeffery Yu).
I've never met Reza before, but have spoken to him on the phone the last time he opened for Jobrani at the River Rock. The kid is enthusiastic and fun so I should be okay. It'll make for a lively hour of radio, I'm sure. Of course, I've been wrong before. But I've got a good feeling about this one.
Hey, I just got back from an evening with Norm Macdonald at the River Rock. I can totally see why some people wouldn't like (or "get" might be the better word) Norm but I love him. There are relatively few comics who just make me laugh without even being funny, and he's one of them. Wait a second, that doesn't sound right. He is, in fact, really funny. But he doesn't have to be. I just start giggling as soon as he opens his mouth.
I interviewed the guy two years ago and to date he holds the record for longest phone interview I've done. By a long shot. Most comics of his stature will give you anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. That day, Norm was just in a really chatty mood. It wasn't like a standard interview; more like a two-way conversation. We talked for 90 minutes. I had put a video on for my then 2-year-old son to keep him happy while I was on the phone, but at about the hour mark I had to, you know, feed him and that kind of parental stuff. The interview was essentially over anyway. I had asked all I needed to ask. So I just put my son in his high chair and made him his lunch, then fed it to him, all the while talking to Norm Macdonald. By this point, it was more like he was interviewing me, asking me questions and chatting. Some might describe it as surreal, but I kinda just go with the flow. Nothing much phases me. I transcribe almost all of my celebrity comic interviews and post them on the Comedy Couch with very little editing, but not that one. The last half hour, as fun as it was, was just unusable. I can't even remember why now. Just trust me.
One thing Norm told me then was this: "... sometimes I do an absolutely clean show just for fun. And then sometimes I don't." He was talking about how raunchy his shows can be and how he doesn't want kids there. Tonight I was thinking was one of those nights that he just inexplicably did a clean show. Yes, he threw in the odd swear word, but his set was kind of safe. At least, it started out that way. About half an hour in he started talking about how he believes in God and did some jokes that basically echoed Pascal's Wager, only a helluva lot funnier. Then he mentioned that he recently became a Christian. I have no idea if he really was, but it rang true. Yes, he was still making jokes and swearing, but he sold us (me, anyway) on the idea that he was searching for answers and found it in our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Sure, he said the first thing he was going to do in heaven was "kick the shit out of Eve", but that's Norm. It was, I gotta admit, a little disappointing to think that he had taken the route of eternal salvation. I expect comedians to mock things like organized religion, not embrace them. But then as he kept going, I came to the conclusion that he's probably not a born-again. He still might be, though. If I ever get a chance to talk to him again, that question is definitely on the list.
It was at this point that he started taking us on a dark journey. A hilariously dark journey. From religion he went on to killing. I can't remember a comic doing such an extended bit on serial killing before. Dangerous, because he wasn't so explicitly condemning brutality. He talked about what he'd do if he were a serial killer (90 percent of the time, he said, would be in digging a really, really deep grave). He clearly wasn't supporting murder, but by taking on the persona of a murderer, I'm sure there were people there who thought he stepped over the line.
Then he started talking about one of his favourite topics: natural death from heart attacks and cancer and how he doesn't ever want to die. He has it in his living will that the plug shall never be pulled. And if it's too much of a burden on his family to leave their bridge game once every two weeks to go touch his hand, tough.
He also had little patience for diseases like alcoholism (it's the only disease where you get to drink all day) and bulimia (doctor to patient: You say you shove your fist down your throat and throw up? Yeah, don't do that. Now I'm going to go deal with this guy with bowel cancer over there). *Note: I'm not using quotation marks because I'm going from memory here so the wording might not be precise. But it's probably different every time he tells it, too.
Norm ended the evening talking about repressed memories and how horrible they must be. If he were raped, he said, that's probably all he'd remember and he wouldn't know anything about, say, the War of 1812. But hopefully those memories would come out some day. Then he imagined people talking to him about things, and he'd just answer something like, 'I don't know anything about that. But I do remember my uncle's cock.' And he took us through several scenarios where his uncle's giant cock featured prominently.
He did almost 90 minutes. Hmm, I'm sensing a trend with Norm. Maybe he just does everything in 90-minute increments. But it was a great show made all the better by his nasally fumbling delivery.
It was also fun seeing the Farley Brothers open up the show. But a different kind of fun. A plane-crashing-into-a-river kind of fun. Like, it's horrific and you can't take your eyes off it, but thankfully nobody gets hurt. I was never a fan of their late brother Chris, but he was clearly the most talented of the Farley clan. Their "act", such as it was, consisted of telling stories about their family. I gotta admit, though, I'd love to sit around and hear those stories. I just think that an act should be more than recollections. But they were having fun and it was infectious in an odd way.
Unfortunately I missed the Snowed In tour, which was finishing up its run at the Rio Theatre. I boogied over there hoping to catch the end, but got there just as the crowd was filing out. Spoke to some people, though, and by all reports it was a big success. The Kelowna paper said it was even better than the Just For Laughs tour, which is pretty big praise. Dan Quinn pulled this tour together and did all the leg work. Former Vancouverites Craig Campbell and Glenn Wool shared the bill with Dan. (Irishman Ed Byrne did all the shows but Vancouver.) They're already talking about doing it bigger and better next year. I definitely won't miss it then.
Sometimes there's just too much damn comedy in this city.
I feel sick now from all the Mini Ritzes. I think I'll go shove my fist down my throat. Talk to you later.
Oh, yeah. This isn't a conversation. It's a blog. So I best be blogging. But damn these Ritz things are addictive. See, this is why I don't do drugs. I fear I have an addictive personality and if I started in on the reefers and doobies, I'd never stop. I've never actually been addicted to anything, but still, you never know. Hope these Ritz crackers aren't a gateway snackfood.
But enough about me and my orange fingers, let's talk comedy. First off, our flagship show, What's So Funny?, welcomes the Iranian sensation Reza Peyk tonight. Reza will be opening up for the even bigger Iranian sensation Maz Jobrani next Saturday (Jan. 24) at the Commodore Ballroom. Take a look at the young feller over there in the right panel. [UPDATE: That photo changes weekly and isn't there anymore.] Check out those tatts. I gotta admit, I'm a little intimidated. He'll be by far the hippest guest we've ever had on our show (with apologies to Jeffery Yu).
I've never met Reza before, but have spoken to him on the phone the last time he opened for Jobrani at the River Rock. The kid is enthusiastic and fun so I should be okay. It'll make for a lively hour of radio, I'm sure. Of course, I've been wrong before. But I've got a good feeling about this one.
Hey, I just got back from an evening with Norm Macdonald at the River Rock. I can totally see why some people wouldn't like (or "get" might be the better word) Norm but I love him. There are relatively few comics who just make me laugh without even being funny, and he's one of them. Wait a second, that doesn't sound right. He is, in fact, really funny. But he doesn't have to be. I just start giggling as soon as he opens his mouth.
I interviewed the guy two years ago and to date he holds the record for longest phone interview I've done. By a long shot. Most comics of his stature will give you anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. That day, Norm was just in a really chatty mood. It wasn't like a standard interview; more like a two-way conversation. We talked for 90 minutes. I had put a video on for my then 2-year-old son to keep him happy while I was on the phone, but at about the hour mark I had to, you know, feed him and that kind of parental stuff. The interview was essentially over anyway. I had asked all I needed to ask. So I just put my son in his high chair and made him his lunch, then fed it to him, all the while talking to Norm Macdonald. By this point, it was more like he was interviewing me, asking me questions and chatting. Some might describe it as surreal, but I kinda just go with the flow. Nothing much phases me. I transcribe almost all of my celebrity comic interviews and post them on the Comedy Couch with very little editing, but not that one. The last half hour, as fun as it was, was just unusable. I can't even remember why now. Just trust me.
One thing Norm told me then was this: "... sometimes I do an absolutely clean show just for fun. And then sometimes I don't." He was talking about how raunchy his shows can be and how he doesn't want kids there. Tonight I was thinking was one of those nights that he just inexplicably did a clean show. Yes, he threw in the odd swear word, but his set was kind of safe. At least, it started out that way. About half an hour in he started talking about how he believes in God and did some jokes that basically echoed Pascal's Wager, only a helluva lot funnier. Then he mentioned that he recently became a Christian. I have no idea if he really was, but it rang true. Yes, he was still making jokes and swearing, but he sold us (me, anyway) on the idea that he was searching for answers and found it in our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Sure, he said the first thing he was going to do in heaven was "kick the shit out of Eve", but that's Norm. It was, I gotta admit, a little disappointing to think that he had taken the route of eternal salvation. I expect comedians to mock things like organized religion, not embrace them. But then as he kept going, I came to the conclusion that he's probably not a born-again. He still might be, though. If I ever get a chance to talk to him again, that question is definitely on the list.
It was at this point that he started taking us on a dark journey. A hilariously dark journey. From religion he went on to killing. I can't remember a comic doing such an extended bit on serial killing before. Dangerous, because he wasn't so explicitly condemning brutality. He talked about what he'd do if he were a serial killer (90 percent of the time, he said, would be in digging a really, really deep grave). He clearly wasn't supporting murder, but by taking on the persona of a murderer, I'm sure there were people there who thought he stepped over the line.
Then he started talking about one of his favourite topics: natural death from heart attacks and cancer and how he doesn't ever want to die. He has it in his living will that the plug shall never be pulled. And if it's too much of a burden on his family to leave their bridge game once every two weeks to go touch his hand, tough.
He also had little patience for diseases like alcoholism (it's the only disease where you get to drink all day) and bulimia (doctor to patient: You say you shove your fist down your throat and throw up? Yeah, don't do that. Now I'm going to go deal with this guy with bowel cancer over there). *Note: I'm not using quotation marks because I'm going from memory here so the wording might not be precise. But it's probably different every time he tells it, too.
Norm ended the evening talking about repressed memories and how horrible they must be. If he were raped, he said, that's probably all he'd remember and he wouldn't know anything about, say, the War of 1812. But hopefully those memories would come out some day. Then he imagined people talking to him about things, and he'd just answer something like, 'I don't know anything about that. But I do remember my uncle's cock.' And he took us through several scenarios where his uncle's giant cock featured prominently.
He did almost 90 minutes. Hmm, I'm sensing a trend with Norm. Maybe he just does everything in 90-minute increments. But it was a great show made all the better by his nasally fumbling delivery.
It was also fun seeing the Farley Brothers open up the show. But a different kind of fun. A plane-crashing-into-a-river kind of fun. Like, it's horrific and you can't take your eyes off it, but thankfully nobody gets hurt. I was never a fan of their late brother Chris, but he was clearly the most talented of the Farley clan. Their "act", such as it was, consisted of telling stories about their family. I gotta admit, though, I'd love to sit around and hear those stories. I just think that an act should be more than recollections. But they were having fun and it was infectious in an odd way.
Unfortunately I missed the Snowed In tour, which was finishing up its run at the Rio Theatre. I boogied over there hoping to catch the end, but got there just as the crowd was filing out. Spoke to some people, though, and by all reports it was a big success. The Kelowna paper said it was even better than the Just For Laughs tour, which is pretty big praise. Dan Quinn pulled this tour together and did all the leg work. Former Vancouverites Craig Campbell and Glenn Wool shared the bill with Dan. (Irishman Ed Byrne did all the shows but Vancouver.) They're already talking about doing it bigger and better next year. I definitely won't miss it then.
Sometimes there's just too much damn comedy in this city.
I feel sick now from all the Mini Ritzes. I think I'll go shove my fist down my throat. Talk to you later.
Friday, October 24, 2008
October 26: Darren Frost
I don't know how many of you caught last week's two-hour Lenny Bruce extravaganza, but I personally learned something. I learned that I like Lenny Bruce. Not the reputation or the legend or the "importance" of Lenny Bruce, but Lenny Bruce the comedian. Who knew? While not all of his stuff translates to modern ears, much of it does. Thanks to Steve Bowell for putting together a great show.
I saw three former What's So Funny? guests at Yuk Yuk's tonight. Dan Quinn hosted, Darcy Michael featured, and Darren Frost headlined. It was a strong show throughout, I thought. I heard new - and funny - material from all three comics, which is always a plus for someone who sees as much comedy as I do.
The Toronto-based Frost always makes the time to do our little show each time he passes through Vancouver. This week is no exception. And what a fitting follow-up to last week's program because Frost certainly inhabits the spirit of Lenny Bruce. Their styles are nowhere near similar, but Frost, like Bruce, likes to take the audience to places that they maybe don't want to visit. He has progressive views that certainly no one would get offended by, yet he approaches the topics (from Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears to gay bashing and the Greyhound bus beheader) sideways, which occassionally lands him in hot water. Okay, more than occassionally. I think he likes that, though. It gives him one more thing to vent about. We'll ask him all about it on Sunday.
Next week, one of my all-time favourite Vancouver comics, Kevin Foxx. Looking forward to that one.
THIS JUST IN: The Christmas corporate season just stole one of our guests. Kevin Foxx is no longer available next week so we'll reschedule him. Stay posted to this space for further developments.
I saw three former What's So Funny? guests at Yuk Yuk's tonight. Dan Quinn hosted, Darcy Michael featured, and Darren Frost headlined. It was a strong show throughout, I thought. I heard new - and funny - material from all three comics, which is always a plus for someone who sees as much comedy as I do.
The Toronto-based Frost always makes the time to do our little show each time he passes through Vancouver. This week is no exception. And what a fitting follow-up to last week's program because Frost certainly inhabits the spirit of Lenny Bruce. Their styles are nowhere near similar, but Frost, like Bruce, likes to take the audience to places that they maybe don't want to visit. He has progressive views that certainly no one would get offended by, yet he approaches the topics (from Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears to gay bashing and the Greyhound bus beheader) sideways, which occassionally lands him in hot water. Okay, more than occassionally. I think he likes that, though. It gives him one more thing to vent about. We'll ask him all about it on Sunday.
Next week, one of my all-time favourite Vancouver comics, Kevin Foxx. Looking forward to that one.
THIS JUST IN: The Christmas corporate season just stole one of our guests. Kevin Foxx is no longer available next week so we'll reschedule him. Stay posted to this space for further developments.
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