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.

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.

Tomorrow's show; More podcasts!

Summertime and the livin' is easy. Who has time to blog when the fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high? Not I, it seems. Sorry about that. But I've been thinking about you. Honest.

We took a station-mandated time-out last week. No fault of ours. There was other more important programming that needed airing, is all. And this week, as I mentioned, I'm out of town. In fact, I'm lying in a hotel room in Seattle as I write this. But I
talked it over with my manservant, Kevin, and we decided that the show must go on. In a sense. We won't have a live guest this week. Instead, Kevin will play comedy deejay and spin you some funny trax. Knowing Kevin, I can almost guarantee that means you'll be hearing some Flight of the Conchords and Daniel Tosh. But who knows, he might surprise me.

Meanwhile, if you're jonesin' for some interviews, seven more just joined the podcast family. As always, they're available at the Comedy Couch, on iTunes, or a friendly neighbourhood podcast server near you. Or you could just click on the episode below and let the magic of the intertube take you away.

Colleen Brow, from June 1, 2008:


Irwin Barker, from August 3, 2008:


Derek Edwards, from April 19, 2009:


Urban Improv, from April 26, 2009:


Leland Klassen, from May 17, 2009:


Eric Fell & Shaun Stewart, from May 24, 2009:


Nathan Clark, from May 31, 2009:

May 17: Leland Klassen

It was four years ago almost to the day that Leland Klassen last visited us: May 15, 2005, to be exact. Tempus fugit, baby. I missed the giant-handed freak, so I invited him back to catch up. We set the date for tonight and then I remembered I'd be out of town. D'oh! Thankfully Colleen Brow came to the rescue and agreed to guest host for me. So I'll be listening along with you. It's a shame for me because I was looking forward to seeing Leland again. For a while I'd see him all over the place. I ran into him at Sun Peaks and we chatted in the hotel swimming pool. Then on another vacation, we stopped in a mall in Swift Current (world travellers that we are) and spot a poster for comedy starring none other than the omnipresent comic, Leland Klassen. But that was a couple years ago now. I'll miss the big fella this time around.

Leland is a Christian comedian. What's that mean, you ask? Well, it means he works clean. That's about it from what I can tell. Mind you, I've only ever seen him perform in clubs and rooms, not church halls. He plays all over the continent. After leaving our studio, Klassen heads out on the road to Virginia, Maryland, New Mexico, Indiana, Saskatchewan, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina and Ontario. And that only gets him through June.

I'm sorry I won't get to be there tonight. But on the other hand, I'm looking forward to listening to the show.