Podcast episode 282ish: Jay Ono & Pearce Visser

We're a few days late with this latest podcast episode. But there were two guests so I had to work twice as hard. Jay Ono and Pearce Visser from Vancouver TheatreSports League dropped by the What's So Funny? studios to talk improv comedy. In it, we learn that Ono taught Visser how to bomb on stage, that Visser shoved something up his ass once, and learn the trick behind Broken Ankle Guy.

Listen here or download at a place like iTunes. You know how to do it by now.

June 10: Jay Ono & Pearce Visser

We're back live in studio for Tonight's show. It's been a long time since Vancouver TheatreSports League's executive director Jay Ono has been with us. So long, in fact, I can't find the records. I'm going to guess it's been at least six years. As for Pearce Visser, a 20-year vet and now the artistic associate director, he was last with us in 2009. But I don't think I've ever met him. How is this possible, you ask? Easy. On occasion I employ guest hosts (and I use the term 'employ' in the sense of 'make use of' rather than 'pay') and in 2009 Eric Fell and Shawn Stewart took over and grilled him on my behalf. Now it's my turn. We'll find out what's new at the Improv Centre. There's always so many different shows going on at once it's hard to keep track. Of course, a simple visit to their website is a good start, but if you're more of an aural learner, tune in tonight at 11, CFRO 102.7 FM or livestream it at coopradio.org.

Vancouver TheatreSports League's new digs

I was at the grand opening of the new VTSL venue on Tuesday night. What a great space. This one, at 176 seats, is a tad more intimate than the old space but each seat comes with its own cup holder, so that's gotta count for something, right? And the lay-out is theatre-style, so no giant heads will impede your view. There are also about a dozen tables down on the floor. This is a place they can call their own, too, now that the feds have ponied up almost half a mil towards its completion. What's doubly great is the bar and and patio, making a night out to see a show that much better. And the location, I think, is even better than the old Arts Club New Revue Stage. The new Improv Centre is right at the entrance of Granville Island beside Sammy J Pepper's, making it a bit more visible to the gazillions of tourists who visit the island every freakin' day.

Conservative politician and minister of something-or-other, James Moore, spoke at the shindig. My prediction: that guy will be the leader of his party one day. He's young, speaks extremely well, seems smart and has a fantastic sense of humour. He's really funny. And if he ever changes parties, I'd even consider voting for him. He had us all believing the Conservatives care about the arts. That's how good he is.

After the speeches, the enchanting Ellie Harvie came out to lead a stellar cast through some improv games. Randy Schooley, Denise Jones, Pearce Visser, Ted Cole, and Ken Lawson were as great as always and the capacity crowd ate it up. It would only have been better if Ellie had joined in the scenes instead of staying as ring master. But what are you gonna do?

Memo to Mark Breslin: Maybe you should approach the government for help getting a venue for Yuk Yuk's in Vancouver. There's a precedent!

Podcast update

Three good ones to while away the hours. Listen here or download at iTunes:

Brett Martin, from November 9, 2008:


Byron Bertram, from November 16, 2008:


Pearce Visser, from October 11, 2009 (with guest hosts Shaun Stewart & Eric Fell):