This week in press releases: John Mulaney

JOHN MULANEY

Saturday February 21, 2015

The Centre

777 Homer St, Vancouver BC

Doors 9pm Show 10pm

Advance Tickets: $32.50 + s/c

TICKETS ON SALE Thursday January 8 at 10am

northwestcomedyfest.com

 

January 5, 2015 (Vancouver, BC) - John Mulaney is quickly becoming one of the most sought after young comedians and actors in the comedy world. Mulaney can currently be seen starring in FOX’s new comedy Mulaney, about a rising stand-up comic trying to take his career to the next level. He also serves as creator, writer and executive producer on the series.

Mulaney began his career in New York’s East Village as part of the two-man “Oh Hello Show” with comedian Nick Kroll. He has since performed everywhere from Ireland, to Australia to Grand Isle, Nebraska. He was named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” in 2008--the same year he began working at Saturday Night Live where he appeared as a “Weekend Update” correspondent and co-created characters such as “Stefon” with Bill Hader. 

Mulaney’s first comedy special, The Top Part, was released in 2009 and reviewed as "a finely-crafted piece of work" by THE HUFFINGTON POST. He released his second Comedy Central Special and Album New In Town in 2012,  and upon review EW.com hailed Mulaney as “one of the best stand-up comics alive.” 

Mulaney currently resides in Los Angeles.

Tickets go on sale Thursday January 8 at 10am PST at northwestcomedyfest.com.

Previously Announced Events

Craig Ferguson's Hot & Grumpy Tour: Walking The Earth

Wednesday February 18, 2015

The Centre

Maria Bamford

Saturday February 21, 2015

The Vogue Theatre

Doug Benson

Friday February 20, 2015

The Vogue Theatre

Hannibal Buress

Wednesday February 18, 2015

The Vogue Theatre

CBC's The Debaters

Saturday February 21, 2015 *matinee show*

The Vogue Theatre

Moshe Kasher

Friday February 20, 2015

The Biltmore Cabaret

Ali Wong

February 13 & 14, 2015

Yuk Yuk's

Brian Posehn

February 12, 13 & 14, 2015

Lafflines, New Westminster - Official Satellite Venue!

Todd Glass

February 19, 20 & 21, 2015

Yuk Yuk's

Follow us online!

Facebook: facebook.com/nwcomedyfest

Twitter: twitter.com/nwcomedyfest

Instagram: instagram.com/nwcomedyfest

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Jan. 4: Ron Vaudry

It's a new year! We've got a new guest! Tonight on the radio we've got a first-timer to the show, but no stranger to standup stages the world over. Ron Vaudry is one of Canada's comedy pioneers. I've never met the man but have seen him perform a few times many years ago. The Montreal native spent most of his Canadian career in Toronto and would occasionally find himself in the far reaches of the country. I remember seeing him at Yuk Yuk's and the Jupiter. I guess somewhere around that time he went off to conquer Europe. He moved off to the UK where he's done TV and festivals and theatres. Not quite clear on the timeline but we'll ask him tonight. We also hope to find out why he's been in our humble burgh the past couple months. Is it permanent? Tune in tonight and find out.

We're on Co-op radio 100.5 FM and coopradio.org at 11 pm. Be there.

2014 inventory

Happy New Year everyone. It's that time of year again where we take stock of our previous year. Let's recap, shall we?

I started keeping yearly track of things (essentially since the start of this blog) back in 2009. That year, we did 42 shows in the year. Not bad at all. Of course, we were on every week on the radio, but I'm counting just the new shows with live or recorded guests.

In 2010, that number dropped to 38 shows.

In 2011, we upped our game to 44 shows. That included a total of 53 guests since some weeks we had multiple guests.

In 2012, we were in the ballpark with a total of 41 shows (and 47 total guests.)

In 2013, we dipped all the way down to 35 shows (and 37 guests).

So how does 2014 stack up? Let's crunch the numbers. Drum-roll please...

Well, it wasn't our lowest output. But it was close. We weighed in with 36 shows (and 39 total guests). Thanks to all our guests in 2014:

1. Peter Carlone
2. Chris Wilson
3. Mike Storck
4. Shirley Gnome
5. Kwasi Thomas
6. Shauna Johannesen
7. James Danderfer
8. Steve Bays
9. Hawksley Workman
10. Ryan Dahl
11. John Cullen
12. Ross Dauk
13. Donovan Patrick Mahoney
14. Kyle Bottom
15. Iliza Shlesinger
16. Rich Elwood
17. Graeme Duffy
18. Ryan Lachance
19. Wes Barker
20. Alicia Tobin
21. Gerry Swallow
22. Garrett Clark
23. Denise Jones
24. Darcy Michael
25. Tim Rykert
26. Sean Lecomber
27. Dana Alexander
28. Alonzo Bodden
29. Kevin Banner
30. Michael Teigen
31. Peter Greyy
32. Art Factora
33. Mike MacDonald
34. Orny Adams
35. Darren Frost
36. Mark Forward
37. Ken Lawson
38. Matt Besser
39. Harry Doupe

Dec. 28: Harry Doupe

It's the last show of the calendar year so that can only mean one thing: Harry Doupe! It's a tradition dating back all the way to last year. Well, that's when we codified it. He appeared with us on Dec. 29 last year. The year before it was June 17. But the year before that, in 2011, it was Dec. 18. And his first live visit to the studio was in 2009 on Dec. 27. So when we recognized the trend and realized most of his visits were late in December, we made it a rule. And there's no one better to end the year with because Harry, a standup comic and producer, has an opinion on everything and keeps his finger on the pulse of the comedy world. He also has, without question, the best memory of anyone I've ever met. So we'll rehash the year in comedy and, of course, talk about other stuff. Join us, won't you?

We're on Vancouver's Co-op radio CFRO 100.5 FM at 11 pm. Also available online at coopradio.org and on radio apps aplenty.

Podcast episode 371ish: Matt Besser

Here's our Christmas present to you: Matt Besser talking comedy (and music) on What's So Funny? Mostly comedy, though, because that's what he does best. Besser is an improviser, actor and standup comic who also happened to cofound UCB Theatre. He tells us here why "if then" is better than "yes and," explains why they don't pay performers, and throws out more sports analogies than cheerleader throws out t-shirts from a cannon. We reminisce about Steve Martin and Andy Kaufman. And I stick my big foot in my big mouth on the subject of Tim Meadows.

So start opening this gift by clicking on the gizmo below. Should that not work for you, you can always find us at all the usual podcast repositories like iTunes, Stitcher, PodcastLand, etc. etc.

Dec. 21: Matt Besser

Last week we had Ken Lawson on teaching us improv games. Tonight we've got Matt Besser talking the big picture. Professor Besser loves to talk comedy and we love to listen. The co-founder of the Upright Citizen's Brigade (UCB) was in town recently to record an episode of his podcast improv4humans with the Sunday Service folks. He was nice enough to sit down with me for an hour before his own show and we've got the fruits of that labour for you tonight. Say yes and listen, won't you? If you listen, then you might know what this sentence is all about.

We're on the air at 11 pm in Vancouver on CFRO 100.5 FM. Livestream us at coopradio.org or whatever radio app you've got on your device.

Podcast episode 370ish: Ken Lawson

Birdman Lawson (left) with one of his peeps

This episode was a whole lotta fun even if I sucked way more than usual. You see, Mr. Ken "Birdman" Lawson, improviser extraordinaire, put my manservant Colleen and me through the improv wringer. He taught us and led us through several improv games, much as he would at the Improv Comedy Institute on Granville Island. Colleen was a natural. Me, not so much. It's harder than it looks, people! But he sure is encouraging and positive, which is why I'm releasing this episode to the world.

Have a listen here. If you don't see the gizmo below, it's your server or your phone. Fret not: the show is also available at iTunes, PodcastLand, Stitcher, and a bunch of other places, too numerous to mention.

Dec. 14: Ken Lawson

Tonight we go live in studio with Ken "Awesome" Lawson. It's his third appearance on What's So Funny? I had forgotten he once came in with the Comic Strippers. Tonight, though, he'll be keeping his pants on (we hope). Lawson, a longstanding member of Vancouver TheatreSports League, also teaches the art form at the brand new Improv Comedy Institute on Granville Island. He's going to come in tonight and tell us about that and maybe run Kevin* (aka Colleen) and I through some training. I can't speak for Colleen, but I might very well be the worst student he has ever faced. We'll see how he does. Regardless, it's always fun when Lawson visits.

We are on the air at CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver at 11 pm tonight. You don't even need a radio to listen to us as we stream worldwide at coopradio.org and on apps and devices and things like that. Join us.

This week in press releases, part 2: Bo Burnham

It's a busy day in the comedy promoting department. Here's another release I just got:

BO BURNHAM

“MAKE HAPPY TOUR”

HITS THE VOGUE THEATRE

 IN VANCOUVER ON FEBRUARY 24

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 at NOON

December 9, 2014, Montreal – AEG Live Canada and Just For Laughs are thrilled to announce that standup comedian, actor and writer Bo Burnham will kick-off his 24 city North American tour dubbed Make Happy Tour with a performance in Vancouver on Tuesday, February 24 at the Vogue Theatre. 

In 2008, a young Bo Burnham performed at Just For Laughs on Amp’d the Music Show which caught the eye of Judd Apatow and led to Burnham signing a development deal with the famed director.  Burnham became the youngest person to ever record a half-hour Comedy Central special at the age of 18. He has released two hour-long specials since then: Words, Words, Words in 2010 and what. in 2013. The latter, what., was released on Netflix and Youtube simultaneously (a year later, it has received 6 million views on YouTube alone).

Bo recently created and starred in the MTV series Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous and wrote a book of poetry,EGGHEAD, which became a New York Times Bestseller. Bo's live shows are a unique blend of stand-up, music and theatre.

A complete list of Bo Burnham’s North American Tour can be found at www.boburnham.com.

BO BURNHAM

TICKETS ON-SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

Vancouver – Vogue Theatre

Tuesday, February 24 – 8:00 PM

Tickets available at the Vogue Theatre Box Office

by phone at 604-569-1144

or online www.voguetheatre.com

Tickets: $37.50 (taxes included + facility and service charges)

This week in press releases: Northwest Comedy Fest

This just in:

CRAIG FERGUSON'S HOT & GRUMPY TOUR: WALKING THE EARTH

MARIA BAMFORD

DOUG BENSON

HANNIBAL BURESS

THE DEBATERS

MOSHE KASHER

PLUS!

ALI WONG, TODD GLASS & BRIAN POSEHN

A TRIBUTE TO ROBIN WILLIAMS

AN EVENING OF COMEDY SHORT SHORTS

+ more to be announced!

FEBRUARY 12 - 21, 2015

VANCOUVER BC

TICKETS ON SALE Thursday December 11 at 10am

northwestcomedyfest.com

 

December 9, 2014 (Vancouver, BC) - It's that time of year again! NorthWest Comedy Fest is proud to make their first line up announcement for 2015 with special headlining performances by Craig Ferguson, Maria Bamford, Doug Benson, The Debaters, Hannibal Buress, Moshe Kasher plus the return of our stellar Comedy Club series with multiple shows by Ali Wong, Brian Posehn and Todd Glass. All shows go on sale Thursday December 11 at 10am PST at northwestcomedyfest.com.

2015 boasts the beginning of a beautiful friendship between NorthWest Comedy Fest and comedy festival heavy hitter, Just For Laughs who are lending some of their booking prowess to our Fest out West.  If this year’s announced lineup as well as the surprises we have up our sleeves, are any indication, the relationship is off to a stellar start.

NorthWest Comedy Fest has also partnered up with the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and will be presenting a special series of currated film events at the Vancity Theatre including A Tribute to Robin Williams and An Evening of Comedy Short Shorts. 

Craig Ferguson's Hot & Grumpy Tour: Walking The Earth

Wednesday February 18, 2015

The Centre

Maria Bamford

Saturday February 21, 2015

The Vogue Theatre

Doug Benson

Friday February 20, 2015

The Vogue Theatre

Hannibal Buress

Wednesday February 18, 2015

The Vogue Theatre

CBC's The Debaters

Saturday February 21, 2015 *matinee show*

The Vogue Theatre

Moshe Kasher

Friday February 20, 2015

The Biltmore Cabaret

Ali Wong

February 13 & 14, 2015

Yuk Yuk's

Brian Posehn

February 12, 13 & 14, 2015

Lafflines, New Westminster - Official Satellite Venue!

Todd Glass

February 19, 20 & 21, 2015

Yuk Yuk's

NORTHWEST COMEDY FEST & VIFF present

A Tribute to Robin Williams

Friday February 13, 2015

Vancity Theatre

Description: Join comedian and host, Simon King for an evening honouring Robin Williams and his contribution to comedy, dramatic acting and bridging the two very different worlds of stand up and Hollywood. King, along with a panel of guests (to be announced) will also lead a conversation about mental health and addiction, the impact of these serious issues on the comedy community and the support and solutions available. The evening will wrap with a screening of the 1987 classic Good Morning, Vietnam starring the incredible Robin Williams 

An Evening of Comedy Short Shorts

Thursday February 12, 2015

Vancity Theatre

Description: Who likes short shorts? We like short shorts. The NorthWest Comedy Fest and VIFF are proud to announce An Evening of Comedy Short Shorts a delightful hodgepodge of original Pacific Northwest submissions and VIFF curated comedy pieces from up and down the Left coast.

All tickets on sale Thursday December 11 at 10am at northwestcomedyfest.com

Follow us online!

Facebook: facebook.com/nwcomedyfest

Twitter: twitter.com/nwcomedyfest

Instagram: instagram.com/nwcomedyfest

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Podcast episode 369ish: Mark Forward

Mark Forward opens up! The Toronto actor/standup is a "ridiculously private" guy but we got him talking. He told us about his three years on CBC-TV's Mr. D and how that ended. That's a scoop, by the way. He also talked about being an overly emotional kid and going to therapy and how that made him a better person. Or at least a less angry one. But we talked about all sorts of other stuff, too, including poop, germs, Paul F. Tompkins, Jon Dore, Patton Oswalt, Greg Evigan, Matt Billon, Graham Clark, Dave Shumka, Norm Macdonald, Rob Ford, Bill Cosby, and journalists. It's guaranteed fun: 100 percent!

Listen now. (That's a suggestion, not an order. I can't control you.) If you don't see the gizmo below, it's your server. But we're also on iTunes and all the usual podcast places. Go find us.

Dec. 7: Mark Forward

Tonight Mark Forward guests on What's So Funny? Is it live or is it Memorex? You be the judge. The Toronto standup was headlining the Comedy MIX a couple weeks ago and he sat down with me. Or did he fly back just to do our show? Maybe he's here and he just doesn't want to be bothered by paparazzi so he wants to leave the impression this is recorded. You'll never know. Maybe you know Mark as Mr. Leung, the seething school librarian, on the hit CBC sitcom Mr. D. Maybe you recall him from The Jon Dore Television Show. He's also the host of Joke or Choke, which will air on the Comedy Network on Dec. 12. Just a single episode but maybe if enough people watch, they'll pick it up for a season.

We'll talk about all of the above – and more! – tonight at 11 pm. Or will we? Maybe. I'll just have to see how it goes. Tune in to 100.5 FM in Vancouver, or find an app that plays radio stations, or livestream us at coopradio.org.

Nov. 30: Darren Frost

Hey there, radio fans. Tonight we've got Darren Frost with us on What's So Funny? Or at least, we're airing the episode he recorded a couple weeks ago. And, in fact, the episode we dropped as a podcast yesterday. So it's out there and you don't have to wait up to 11 pm to hear it if you don't want. But I know some people love the warm crackle of a radio. This is for them. It's Darren's fifth time on the show, but this one's my favourite. Don't know why. And I'm not just saying that to get you to listen. But please do.

We're on the air at 11 pm in Vancouver on CFRO 100.5 FM. If the streams are working, you can always livestream us at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 368ish: Darren Frost

Are you ready for another pre-pod? This is something I'm doing now with pre-recorded shows. I'll drop the podcast episode before the radio episode airs. I hope no one minds. Today we've got my latest conversation with Toronto comic Darren Frost. Darren thought this was his fourth appearance on the show, but further research proves it was his fifth. A high honour, indeed, for an out-of-towner. We had a fun wide-ranging talk that included his opinion that standup is, if not dying, then evolving, his marriage to Mark Breslin, his funnypants era, werewolf babies, working with bigtime movie stars, jumping the shark career-wise, the death of his podcast, and, of course, his nominations at the latest Canadian Comedy Awards.

So get a jump on the radio show and listen to this one today. Click below. Or, if you don't see it (some servers are weird, let's face it), go check out iTunes, Stitcher, PodcastLand, TuneIn, Player.FM, or even the Danish site MusicGoal.de. And if all else fails, let Google be your friend.

Nov. 23: Orny Adams

If you're a radio listener who hasn't yet figured out the whole podcasting world, tonight's your night. For the first time in our 10-year history, we released the podcast version before it aired on radio. A couple weeks ago, the podverse received our Orny Adams episode into its clutches. But some of you prefer the old-fashioned way, over the airwaves. Tonight we play that episode and it's a doozy... Wait, is 'doozy' a good thing? Because this is. Orny and I talked for almost two hours (the episode runs 1:46) about all things under the comedy sun. Best of all, we hashed out our differences in a most cordial manner. He's a good guy. And a great comic. Apparently he got standing ovations at every show he performed at Yuk Yuk's the week he was in town. I witnessed two of them myself.

So tune in tonight for this extend-o episode to 100.5 FM in Vancouver at 11 pm. You can livestream us at coopradio.org, too. Because we care.

Podcast episode 367ish: Mike MacDonald

Ten years on the air and we finally got Canadian standup legend Mike MacDonald. And it was awesome. As anyone who follows comedy in the country knows, MacDonald went through a lot in the past few years. Diagnosed with hepatitis C, he lost 100 pounds before getting a liver transplant. He walks us through his ordeal, which included a suicide attempt. But as heavy as that is, he's still the hilarious sarcastic guy we'd grown to love over the past 30-odd years, and he shows it in this episode. There was lots more he talked about, too, besides his illness. He talked about his early days working rock clubs, his problem with TV comedy editing, how he met his wife, why he doesn't like to be talked to before a show, the science of smoking weed, and lots, lots more.

Enjoy this one. You can click below (if you see the gizmo) or you can go download us at iTunes, Stitcher, PodcastLand, Player.FM, TuneIn.com, etc. If you can't find us, Google us.

Nov. 16: Mike MacDonald

Big surprise tonight. I had originally planned to run the pre-recorded Orny Adams interview tonight. But since that's already been released as a podcast, it can wait. Especially because the opportunity to have the legendary Mike MacDonald in studio came up. The King of Canadian Comedy has been back on the road after recuperating from a liver transplant that literally saved his life. He got it on St. Patrick's Day (of all days to get a new liver, as he points out in his new act) and has been getting better by the day. It was a shock to all of us to see him wasting away from hepatitis C leading up to that operation. I saw him on Thursday at Yuk Yuk's and was so happy to see him back to his old sarcastic-as-all-hell hilarious self. The guy has done more Just For Laughs festivals than anyone else. He's performed on Letterman. Had his own specials here and in the US. Even starred in his own sitcom back in the day. He's done it all. Well, except for What's So Funny? but that's about to be rectified tonight.

Tune in at 11 pm to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver or livestream us at coopradio.org or any radio app that works for you. Should be good.

Podcast episode 366ish: Orny Adams

Here's a What's So Funny? first: We're releasing this episode as a podcast before it hits the air! (We'll air it on radio this coming Sunday.) But I wanted to get this one out as soon as possible because not only do I think it's pretty great, but it's also much longer than usual, clocking in at just under 1 hour 47 minutes. It's also got a pretty good backstory, this one, which I explain in the intro.

Any serious fan of comedy knows the name Orny Adams. There's only one Orny, afterall. Any non-serious comedy fan probably knows him from his role as the lacrosse coach on Teen Wolf. But I, like many of you, first saw him in Jerry Seinfeld's documentary Comedian, which came out in 2002. And this is at the heart of the aforementioned backstory.

I interviewed Adams by phone last year and wrote about him in the Straight. You can read that article here. Orny had issues with it. We hashed it out over email but in a very constructive and positive manner. And he said if he was ever in Vancouver again, he'd gladly do my show. He's good on his word. We had a really nice conversation. He, himself, thought it was the best podcast he's done, content-wise.

So I think you'll enjoy it, especially if you love talk about comedy. The guy lives and breathes it.

Stream it here or go download it at iTunes, Stitcher, PodcastLand, Player.FM, TuneIn.com, etc. etc. You know the drill.

Podcast episode 365ish: Art Factora

We're at podcast episode 365ish. You know what that means? You can go back to the beginning and listen to one a day for a year. Art Factora was our guest on this one. He talked about shucking alcohol and washing dishes between his commercial radio gigs. The Filipino-Canadian standup who recently visited the homeland also revealed he doesn't know where it is geographically (it's in the northern hemisphere, for the record). And he talked about his stage fright. Good talk. Good guy, that Art Factora.

Have a listen here or download on iTunes, Stitcher, PodcastLand, TuneIn Radio, etc. etc.

Nov. 9: Art Factora

Has it really been four years since Art Factora made his one and only appearance on What's So Funny? Turns out it's true. I saw Art recently at the Comedy MIX on Burrard where he was on in between Graham Clark and Debra DiGiovanni so we arranged another visit for him. We'll check in on what he's been up to. I know he just produced a show with fellow Filipino comic Rex Navarrete at the Columbia Theatre on Friday. We'll see how that turned out, too, and find out if he's still Patrick Maliha's wingman.

Tune in to 100.5 FM tonight at 11 pm, livestream us at coopradio.org or TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 364ish: Peter Greyy

I told you there'd be a quick turnaround with this one. It aired on radio late last night and it's already out as a podcast. Record time! So you know all about it. Let's see, was there anything I didn't cover in yesterday's write-up for Peter Greyy? I know I asked him about the spelling of his surname... We talked about comedy hosting... deejaying... news anchor taglines... comedy contest judging... the Bremerton Effect... and lots more. Plus if you're a comic looking to do the Seattle or San Francisco competition, maybe there's some useful info for you.

Check it out here. Or go download the episode at iTunes, Stitcher, PodcastLand, etc. And subscribe! And leave a comment and rating! And all that.

Nov. 2: Peter Greyy

It's November. That means besides horrible moustaches, it's Seattle International Comedy Competition time. Week 1 begins on Nov. 5. Tonight we've got the big boss man of the competition, Peter Greyy. He's also the head honcho of the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, but that's already over and done with for the year. I recorded this chat a few weeks ago when Greyy was up in town taking in a showcase at Yuk Yuk's for hopefuls. Sure, we talked about the contests, but we also delved into his past, from his days deejaying to a breakup that led to his standup career. He also has a theory about Canadian competency in comedy that's quite interesting.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO, 100.5 FM in Vancouver. You can livestream us coopradio.org or on TuneIn Radio. And because this one's in the can, expect the podcast version very soon. (Spoiler alert: It's exactly the same!)