Podcast episode 509ish: Ivan Decker

Ivan Decker's back for his sixth go-around on What's So Funny? You'd think we'd run out of things to talk about but we managed to go almost 90 minutes with this episode. Decker opens up about the frustrations of living in Los Angeles, dissects the ins and outs of getting in and out of a performance, talks about comedy critics, and, of course, dinosaurs. Oh, and his upcoming half-hour Netflix special. The Jerry Seinfeld of Canada also talks about opening up for the Jerry Seinfeld of France, aka Gad Elmaleh, as well as a ton of other celebrity comedians.

So have a listen. You can do so by clicking the link below. Or even better you can head on over to iTunes and subscribe to What's So Funny? and pick it up gratis there. We're also at Stitcher and wherever else fine podcasts are doled out.

Oct. 14: Ivan Decker

Tonight we've got Canada's Jerry Seinfeld, Ivan Decker! I want it to get to the point where any time there's an article on Ivan (and there are going to be more and more), they say, "He's been called Canada's Jerry Seinfeld." Lord knows every time somebody writes about Gad Elmaleh, they say he's the Jerry Seinfeld of France. And Ivan's way more like Seinfeld than Elmaleh is. Not in a derivative way, either. Like Jerry, he's a real joke craftsman and observationalist, and displays the same commitment to standup comedy. That he's also thin and neat is just extra. Coincidentally, it was just announced earlier this week that Ivan will be opening for Elmaleh at the Chan Centre in November. Ivan has opened for lots of celebrity comics and in most cases, he's been better than the headliner. That's why his star is on the rise. He's been on Conan, won a Juno Award, and has a Netflix special coming out in 2019. I'm sure there's more, too. There always is with Ivan, although he's the last person to tout his successes. I'll pry them out of him tonight.

We're on the air in Vancouver at 11 pm at 100.5 FM so tune in. You can livestream us anywhere in the world at coopradio.org or on the TuneIn Radio app, too.

Podcast episode 499ish: Ivan Decker

What a time to be Ivan Decker! The kid just keeps on winning at life. The last time he was with us – less than a year ago – he had just finished doing standup on Conan. This time around we discuss his big win at the Juno Awards, where he became the first comedian in 34 years to win. He won for his album I Wanted to be a Dinosaur. And we talked about his most recent news: he's recording a Netflix special in Montreal this summer. He truly is a Wonder Boy. (Cue the music!)

Listen to the episode here, or go get it at iTunes (or Stitcher or Podbay or wherever).

July 15: Ivan Decker

Ivan Decker was first with us when he was an up-and-coming local standup comedian. I think he's already up-and-came now. When he was last with us, he just finished performing on Conan, his first US late night talk show appearance. Shortly after that, he became the first comedian in 33 years to win a Juno Award for Best Comedy Album, for his I Wanted To Be a Dinosaur. And just last week it was announced that Mr. Decker will record a Netflix special in Montreal this summer. What a whirlwind. We'll talk all about it and probably about comedy in general, his favourite topic, tonight.

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM at 11pm for our hour-long conversation. If you're not in Vancouver, try livestreaming us at coopradio.org or find us on your TuneIn Radio app.

Podcast episode 478ish: Ivan Decker

Hometown hero Ivan Decker recently made his debut on American network television with his appearance on Conan. Three weeks later, he was a guest with us on What's So Funny? talking about his experience. He took us through all the stages, from first contact, to showcasing at Caroline's Comedy Club in New York City, to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Listen to what he was thinking in the moment and immediately after. Hear what Conan said to him. Laugh at his awkward celebrity hug. Plus, as per usual, we're all over the place with tangents because that's what we do.

Listen to the episode right here right now, or go download (and subscribe!) at iTunes or Stitcher. While you're at it, leave a comment and rating.

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.

Podcast episode 412ish: Ivan Decker

I've been late at getting the radio episodes up and running as podcasts. But there are a zillion other podcasts to keep you busy in the meantime. We'll be caught up soon, though, I promise. Let's start off with Ivan Decker's episode. He arrived right at the stroke of 11 o'clock, when we hit the airwaves. As I recall, the theme song was playing when he came to the door. As they say in comedy, timing is everything. In this episode, we discuss Bill Burr, wisdom teeth extractions, how to approach industry types (hint: don't), observational comedy, his upcoming album, and science! Plus we throw in a couple of audio clips to make him squirm.

Click on the gizmo to get going. Or go download us at iTunes or Stitcher or wherever fine podcasts are dispensed.

Jan. 17: Ivan Decker

It's hat-trick time for Ivan Decker as he makes his third appearance on What's So Funny? tonight. We're both going to see the great Bill Burr earlier tonight so I'm sure we'll talk a bit about that. There's plenty more to talk about. The standup comic is on the rise. He plays festivals all over the country and has a new CD coming out in the next couple of months. I saw him opening up for John Mulaney last year and he killed. That was a perfect pairing. Both are bright, hilarious, dapper young comics. No word yet on if he's opening up for any big hitters next month at the JFL Northwest festival here in Vancouver but maybe we'll get a scoop tonight. He's so busy, apparently he has no more time for his science-based comedy podcast Science Us!, which seems to have ended last April. Last year Ivan was named one of Vancouver's most eligible bachelors. Is he still? We'll find out.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Or listen in anywhere else in the world via livestream at coopradio.org or through your fancy radio streaming apps.

Comedy extravaganza at Pat's Pub, Nov. 22

You're here so I assume you love comedy. Well, have I got a deal for you! Mark November 22 in your calendars. Not only is it the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, but it's also the night of a thousand stars. Or six, anyway. CFRO, Vancouver co-op radio, is holding a fundraiser at Pat's Pub and Brewhouse (home of cheap and delicious beer and eats) and you're invited! For the low, low cost of $10 (plus $1.59 for Eventbrite's troubles), you can get yourself a ticket to the extravaganza featuring six of Canada's top headlining standup comedians, plus the music of James Danderfer and the What's So Funny? Orchestra, and Eric Cottrell of She Was The Law.

Let's run down the line-up for you if you're not sold on it already. What do these comics have in common, besides being hilarious? You guessed it, they've each guested on What's So Funny? on co-op radio over the years. Here, in alphabetical order, is who you'll see:

Dino Archie. This Fresno, California, native is practically a local given the amount of time he spends up here at his home-away-from-home. Vancouver fans have come to love his infectious enthusiasm and "simply dope" comedy. In June, Dino brought in a couple of his comedy brethren from Los Angeles and Toronto, added in Ivan Decker, and packed the Vogue Theatre on the strength of his brand.

Graham Clark. The bearded wonder spent the summer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where his show garnered great reviews like this and this. A four-time nominee at the Canadian Comedy Awards and co-winner twice for his podcast Stop Podcasting Yourself. In 2008, Graham pocketed $25,000 as the winner of the Great Canadian Laugh-Off in Toronto. He's appeared on HBO's Funny as Hell series. Zach Galifianakis (of Hangover fame) calls him, "A really great comic... I wish more people knew of him." And that's not a made-up quote!

Ivan Decker. The Georgia Straight called the boyish(-looking) Decker "a real star in the making." Yes, I wrote that. And I stand by it. He never ceases to amaze and amuse with his smart(-aleck) observations. Decker has played the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal and this past summer performed at JFL42 in Toronto. Maybe you saw him opening for Brent Butt at the River Rock Show Theatre. In 2011, Ivan won the Vancouver Comedy Showdown.

Charlie Demers. CBC radio listeners are familiar with Demers through his numerous appearances on The Debaters. But that's just one aspect of this multi-faceted performer. He's the author of the novel Prescription Errors and the book of essays Vancouver Special. Charlie's latest gig is as adjunct new media studies professor in the creative writing depart of UBC, but don't let that scare you off. The 32-year-old doesn't lecture when he's on stage telling jokes.

Shirley Gnome. The voice of an angel, but her lyrics are anything but angelic. The naughty songstress sings hilariously filthy c*untry songs. Shirley won the 2012 People's Champ of Comedy award, which was accompanied by a cheque for a cool $20,000. This past summer Shirley took her act on the high road, all the way sunny Scotland where her performances drew raves (and more raves, and still more) at the Edinburgh Fringe Fest.

Erica Sigurdson. One of the most prolific comics in the country. Sigurdson never ceases to impress me with her constantly changing act. No wonder she holds the record for most appearances on CBC's The Debaters. The woman knows how to write. Erica has performed all over the world, from Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan (during a rocket attack, yet!) to Alert, Nunavut, the northernmost permanently people place on the planet. She's played in every province and comedy festival in this country. Plus, she won a Leo Award for Best Comedy Screenwriting.

What a winner of a show! If you get your tickets online at eventbrite.ca, not only will you be saving yourself money (tickets are 12 bucks at the door), but you'll be entered into a draw for prizes, such as passes to the two premier comedy clubs in town, the Comedy MIX and Yuk Yuk's. And you'll be helping co-op radio, which relies on memberships and donations from its listeners to keep on keeping on.

Podcast episode 278ish: Ivan Decker

In this episode of What's So Funny?, Ivan Decker reveals for the first time what his post secondary education consisted of, how Gleeful his high school career was, and his greatest fear. All this and more! Have a listen. Better yet, download the episode at your favourite podcast hub (mine is iTunes, but you do what you gotta do).

 

May 13: Ivan Decker

Happy Mother's Day, mothers. To commemorate this special day, our guest tonight will be Mama's Boy Ivan Decker. The Georgia Straight recently said Decker's "a real star in the making." Okay, that was me who wrote it, but I'm somebody and I believe it. I see Ivan all over town and never tire of watching him perform. That's a good sign right there. But checking back in our archives I notice that first and last time he guested on What's So Funny? was March 11, 2007! So he's overdue for a return visit. Tune in tonight at 11, CFRO 102.7 FM in Vancouver or livestream it at coopradio.org. If you forgot to get your mom something today, pull up a chair for her around your radio and let her listen with you.

May 1: James Danderfer & Joe Poole

Jazz musicians on a show about comedy? Say what? It's not as strange a notion as you might think. Especially if you've ever seen James Danderfer in action. Not only is he one of the best jazz musicians in the country (and, I daresay, the best clarinetist), he's also a very funny dude in his own understated way. Half the fun of going to one of his shows is listening to him talk between tunes. But James is also a huge comedy fan. And, as such, has decided to marry the two art forms. Again. There's a bit of a tradition going back years and years. I remember Jimmie Walker told me that he used to open for Miles Davis at the Cellar Door in Washington, DC. And that's just one example. But it's a rarity these days.

Now we've got two of Danderfer's favourite local comics, Graham Clark and Ivan Decker, supplying the professional jokes while Danderfer's trio (featuring Joe Poole on drums) will supply the swinging tunes at the Jazz Cellar on Broadway, near Alma, on May 6 & 7. I can't wait. Comedy and jazz? What's not to love about that?! (By the way, if you think you don't like jazz, I bet you really do. You just need to experience it live.)

Both Danderfer and Poole have played cruise ships and have some stories about that experience. One of them involved Bill Burr's brief stint as a cruise ship comic. So we'll share some stories and also play some music-related comedy, from Paul F. Tompkins' hilarious take on jazz to Martin Mull talking about the blues to the 2000-Year-Old Man explaining music. And a whole lot more. So tune in tonight at 11 PST on CFRO, 102.7 FM or livestream it at coopradio.org. If you want to hear/read more of James' thoughts on music and life, read his most excellent blog. And for even more, read an in-depth interview I did with him in 2009 for vancouverjazz.com. We even talk a bit about comedy.