Podcast episode 500ish: Dylan Rhymer

Dylan Rhymer in his prison jumpsuit

Here we are at a cool 500 episodes... or thereabouts. We started doing What's So Funny? waaaay back in 2004. I don't think podcasts were a thing then. Or if they were, no one knew about them. After a couple of years on radio only, we uploaded our back catalogue to the wide world of podcasts. Some of our shows, for some reason or another, we didn't have. They are forever lost in the ether. And some more since then. But of the available ones to you, there are 500. Now. And we were lucky to get an old friend to the show, Dylan Rhymer, as our guest. He's always talkative and opinionated. As I told him, he's one of my favourite contrarians. This isn't a big celebration. Or even a celebration at all. It's just our 500th-ish episode. So we mention it and move on. Hope you enjoy it... and all the other 499.

If you haven't already, go subscribe to us on iTunes. And leave a rating and/or comment, good or bad. The more the merrier. If technology isn't your thing, just click below and start listening to episode 500ish.

July 22: Dylan Rhymer

Tonight we've got old pal Dylan Rhymer back with us. I feel like he was with us not too long ago but records indicate it's been three years since his last visit. Tonight will mark his eighth (8th!) appearance on the show. He's always a great guest, ready with a story or opinion, sometimes even an opinionated story. And if my other records are accurate, when this episode drops as a podcast, it will be our 500th! He's the perfect guest to ring in lucky 500, giving the boot (see photo) to our first half-a-thou.

We're on the air on CFRO 100.5 FM tonight at 11 pm. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or look for us on your TuneIn Radio app.

Oh hey, Vancouverites, have you got your tickets yet to our big comedy fundraiser on Tuesday? My manservant Sam Tonning will host an all-star lineup at Kino Cafe, featuring past guests Leland Klassen, Wes Barker, Sophie Buddle, Colin Lamb, Ryan Beil, and Kyle Bottom. And who knows, maybe a guest spot or two. Show starts at 8:30. Tickets are $15 through Eventbrite or $20 at the door. All proceeds go to CFRO, Vancouver Co-op Radio.

Podcast episode 404ish: Dylan Rhymer

Rhymer and his old mutton-chops

Dylan Rhymer returns! After a few years MIA (at least as far as I saw), the Vancouver standup is back to tell us the stories of his lost years. Or something like that. In this one, we discover the origin of his long-gone mutton chops, learn about the disintegration of his marriage, journey with him on an overseas tour from hell, and find out what it's like to perform completely starkers. And since this was recorded the night before the Canadian general election, we talk four minutes of politics for good measure. Oh and he talks about his new role as manager of Laffline's Comedy Club.

Here you go. It's always fun when Dylan is in studio, so have a listen. If you subscribe to us on iTunes, you'll have no trouble getting the episode. If not, you may have to check back there in a few days to see if we're back up. That place is full of glitches. We're also available elsewhere, so check around. In the meantime, try this link below.

Oct. 18: Dylan Rhymer

Dylan Rhymer is one of those sneaky guests of ours. You don't think he's been on a bunch of times but when you count it up, you realize he has. Three times on his own, once with Paul Breau, once on a Comedy Roundtable with three others, and once guest hosting. But it's election eve, so we had to have him on! (Actually, that's just pure coincidence, but we'll take it.) This will be his first time visiting us in our new studios, though, so it'll be fresh. Dylan is never shy on offering his opinions. We'll make sure he hits all the parties equally. As the contrarian that he is, I'm sure he'll have some interesting takes. He's also the new manager out at Lafflines in New West. We'll find out what's going on out there. Oh, and he recently performed standup in the raw. Tonight, though, he'll be fully clothed.

Tune in tonight at 11 pm to CFRO 100.5 FM or find us on the TuneIn Radio app or livestream us at coopradio.org. You can do it!

Podcast episode 261ish: Dylan Rhymer

Dylan Rhymer became the first guest of this leap year, 2012, when he dropped by the What's So Funny? studios on January 1st. He also helped set a record for the longest episode in series history at 1 hour 18 minutes 22 seconds, beating out the last episode of 2011 featuring Harry Doupe, who clocked in at an already impressive 1 hour 16 minutes 7 seconds. (For the record, third place goes to Larry Miller at 1 hour 10 minutes 52 seconds.)

But it's not about time, it's about content. And there's never a shortage of topics to talk about when Dylan's around. We discussed old-timey radio, religiosity, bike lanes, parliamentary assholes, public breastfeeding, North Korea and more.

So here you go. Have at 'er. Click and listen. Or download at iTunes. Your call.

Jan. 1: Alistair Cook & Dylan Rhymer

Damn, if it isn't 2012. I have no idea how that happened. I remember as a kid figuring out how old I'd be in the year 2000 and it seemed like a million years in the future. Now it's already 2012? Krazy.

We're starting the new year off running. It's a holiday but not for us. We've got twos this week to make up for missing a show on Christmas day. Tonight Alistair Cook (if you're of a certain vintage, that name will ring a bell but it's not the Masterpiece Theatre AC; he's the hip bizarro world AC as seen on the right) and Dylan Rhymer (above left) join us to talk about East Van comedy in general and the Blackout Broadcast in particular. Tomorrow's a holiday so you can stay up. We're on the air at 11, or shortly thereafter. Have a listen.

THIS JUST IN: As you can see by the cross-outs, Alistair Cook is unable to join us tonight. Does Stop Podcasting Yourself employ a Helen Kushnick-like booker who won't allow their recent guests to do our show? Yeah, let's start that rumour.

Apr. 10: The Comedy Round-Table Reconvenes

It's been a while since we did a Comedy Round-Table. So when Dino Archie cancelled for the second time in about a month, I decided to reconvene it. And all four corners of the round table will be represented with four quality panelists: What's So Funny? first-timer Chuck Byrn, last week's guest Steve Bays, new Haligonian Dylan Rhymer, and the pneunomic (but not contagious, he assures me) Toby Hargrave.

(Photos, from left: Chuck Byrn, Steve Bays, Dylan Rhymer, Toby Hargrave)

What's on the agenda, you ask? We'll discuss as many of the following topics as time will allow: the notion of Vancouver as No Fun City, superstitions and rituals, over-rated comedy legends and under-rated hacks, comedy as entertainment vs art, and favourite comedy podcasts.

It should be a rollicking good time. I'll be there; will you? Tune in tonight at 11.

Nov. 22: No show

THIS JUST IN!: On this anniversary of the Kennedy assassination, there's nothing to report.

If you're sitting at home at 11 pm tonight and are in the mood for some conversation about comedy, don't tune in to CFRO, 102.7 FM. That's where you'll usually find us, but not tonight. We've been pre-empted. No doubt what's replacing us will be as stimulating as what we offer, but I can't guarantee it. If you really want to hear What's So Funny?, go download one of our hundreds of episodes on iTunes. Surely, you haven't heard them all.

Next week, we've got the dandy comedy of Bev PoCock and Chris Wes.

But I will leave you with this, from former WSF? guests Trevor Devall and Dylan Rhymer: a fascinating look at that tragic day in Dallas back in 1963: