Podcast episode 357ish: Darcy Michael

It's always fun having Darcy Michael guest on the show. This marks his fifth appearance. Glad he still has time for the little people now that he's a big star. He's on a prime time network sitcom, afterall. Sure, it's Canadian, but it's still something. Michael stars as the lovable goof Gordon in CTV's Spun Out, which also stars Dave Foley. Darcy talks about all he's got on the go, from getting recognized on public transit, to doing standup, competitions, and opening for Russell Peters at Rogers Arena (aka GM Place to me).

Listen to the episode right here, if you like. Or subscribe at iTunes and it'll just show up in your feed automatically. Or Stitcher, if that's how you roll. You've got options is all I'm saying.

Sept. 7: Darcy Michael

Tonight will mark Darcy Michael's fifth appearance on What's So Funny?, having done shows in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012. But this is his first as a big-shot TV star. Darcy still does standup (he's headlining the Comedy MIX Sept. 18 to 20, is in the finals for the XM Top Comic in Toronto, and is opening for Russell Peters at Rogers Arena on Sept. 27) but he's also one of the stars of CTV's Spun Out starring Dave Foley, which is coming back for a second season. So as you can see, we'll have lots to talk about. But even without all that, there's always tons to talk about with Darcy.

Check us out at 11 pm PT on CFRO 100.5 FM or livestream us at coopradio.org. Got it?

Podcast episode 264ish: Darcy Michael

Photo of Darcy Michael by Tom Belding

Todd Glass recently came out of the closet on WTF with Marc Maron. Not to be outdone, Darcy Michael came out on WSF? last week. He's still as gay as ever, but maybe a tad more so now that he's shed 96 pounds and a beard. A literal one.

On this episode, we talk about Darcy's usually reliable gaydar, his ability to transform into a unicorn, and lots more. Listen right here right now or download the episode on iTunes.

Jan 29: Darcy Michael

When Todd Glass came out of the closet a couple weeks ago, I thought it's been a while since we've had Darcy Michael on the show. Because, well, you know, they're both comics. So tonight on What's So Funny? we catch up with Darcy Michael. It's been almost three years since his last appearance and I know he's had a lot going on. Not sure what, exactly, but he's constantly doing stand-up on the road, acting in one project or another, and debating fellow comics on radio. We'll get the details tonight.

Still more podcasts

A bunch of new podcasts have been added to the library. Eight, to be exact. You can listen to them here, or over at ye olde Comedy Couch, or download them on iTunes, among other places. I haven't heard them in a while, but if memory serves these are all good ones. At least I had fun:

Dave Shumka from June 15, 2008:


Richard Lett from August 31, 2008:


Marcus Ryan from January 4, 2009:


Reza Peyk from January 18, 2009:


John Wing from March 8, 2009:


Toby Hargraves from March 22, 2009:


Jamie Hutchinson & Tim Rykert from March 29, 2009:


Darcy Michael from April 5, 2009:

April 12: me

After shattering the call-in record last week with a staggering five (5) phone calls in the hour for Darcy Michael, we need a break. So tonight there will be no guest. Instead I will take the opportunity to play deejay and spin some comedy discs. I'll play some classics, some you've never heard before, and some local acts, as well. I'll take requests, too, so feel free to call in again. Maybe we can break that week-old record. The studio number is 604-684-7561.

(The previous record, fyi, was four coincidentally set the last time Darcy Michael was on. That guy has a following.)

Next week, as you can see over in the right-hand panel, we have the legend that is Derek Edwards! He's one of the funniest guys in the world so that'll be a good one, I just know.

April 5: Darcy Michael/stuff

Stand-up comic Darcy Michael is going to attempt to make it down to the studio tonight for his third appearance on What's So Funny?. Hopefully his car cooperates. That was his excuse back on December 7, when he was last scheduled as a guest. But he assures us he will, indeed, be there tonight. We'll talk about his upcoming gig at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and his brand new CD, among other things. It's always fun when Darcy drops by.

***

Heads-up on a couple new comedy rooms around town:

Tonight, The Bourbon on West Cordova hosts The Laugh Factory. And on Monday night, it's the grand opening of the Bee's Knees Comedy Arrangement at the Jazz Cellar on Broadway (near Alma). Now, I've never been to The Bourbon, but I've spent many an hour at the Cellar over the years. Not only is it a great room for jazz, it's almost perfect for comedy. Not too big, not too small, great sight lines, great sound, great menu, cool vibe. I'd love for it to work out just because it's a great hang. So if you're free, you should definitely check it out.

***

I interviewed Paula Poundstone a week or two ago. That story will be in the Straight this Thursday. Once it's there, I'll report back here with some extra tidbits I couldn't squeeze into the story – don't want to scoop myself, y'understand. So keep checking back.

Tomorrow I'll be speaking to one of the members of Spinal Tap. Which one? Good question. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. You'll hear about it soon enough. If you've got any questions you want me to ask, add them to the comments section and I'll try to squeeze them in.

December 7: Darcy Michael & Jane Stanton

It's been a while since we've had two guests on at a time. In the early years, it was much more common. Don't know why I switched other than it burns up more guests this way. Either way is fun, though. Tonight Darcy Michael makes his annual visit. This is his third trip to our little show and it's always lots of fun. He is one fun homosexual. But I guess that's redundant. Jane Stanton, on the other hand, will be making her first appearance. She and Darcy are good pals so it's a perfect match. Darcy has a new CD to promote and just finished taping an episode of The Debaters on CBC radio, and Jane has a Teen Angst show she'd like to talk about. Among other things. So tune in tonight and listen, won't you? Please?

All right, it's nap time! My favourite time of day!

PS The Cheech & Chong show was surprisingly good. I really enjoyed it. Read my review here.

THIS JUST IN: Darcy Michael's car broke down so he won't be joining us tonight. He said he'll call in, though. See, this is why I have two guests booked! I knew there was a reason.

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.

Oct. 12: Chris Molineux

Vancouver's a relatively small comedy community. So it's no surprise that I know many of the guests we have on, to varying degrees. Not all, though. Some of my favourite shows are when I literally meet the guest the moment they walk in the studio. I usually find these shows... invigorating?... challenging? I can't think of the word, but I enjoy them. I have to be a little bit sharper, maybe, because I've never met the person before and we don't have a chemistry (whatever it may be) to fall back on. They don't know what to expect and neither do I.

This week we've got Chris Molineux on for his first appearance with us. Prior to a few weeks ago, I had never met the man. I had seen him perform over the years, but never spoken to him. Then, midway through September, a familiar-looking face showed up in my driveway for a garage sale. It took me a second to place him (I'm horrible with out-of-context faces), but I eventually said, "Chris Molineux?" He had no idea who I was, of course. But we talked and agreed that he should come on the show. So this will be the second time we've ever spoken. I'll learn along with you about him. (Listening information is located in the right margin.)

Meanwhile, hey, how well do I know my audience?! Huh? I predicted a whopping six people would partake in the latest survey, Funny/Not Funny. And that's exactly where we are. Now, I realize there are, as of this writing, still two days left of voting, but I have confidence you won't ruin my Nostradamus-like predictions.

In other news, we booked another guest the other day. Darcy Michael will be making his third appearance with us on December 7. Our dance card is filling up... Yes, you heard me: dance card. I'm 96 years old, alright? Now run along, you scallywags. This butter sure ain't gonna churn itself.