Apr. 23: Colin Lamb

Tonight our guest comes with axe in hand. No, it's not Paul Bunyon. The axe in question is a guitar and the guest in question is Colin Lamb, who'll be making his first appearance on the show. I saw him at Sam Tonning's musical comedy show at Yuk Yuk's a few weeks ago and said to myself, "One day, this man will be on our show." Then it happened. Positive affirmations work, friends! If you like Shirley Gnome, you'll love Lamb. Totally different style from Shirley, but what they have in common is great musicianship, catchy tunes and hilarious (and inappropriate) lyrics. Colin will play for us live in studio, which is always a treat.

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM at 11 pm for all the chatter and chanteys. If you're outside our listening area, you can stream us at coopradio.org or find us on TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 451ish: Joel Plaskett

First off, happy 13th birthday to What's So Funny? On April 18, 2004, we hit the airwaves with our guests Dana Alexander and Paul Bae, with my trusty manservant Kevin Smith on the controls. Look how far we've come: Dana has been living in England for years and tours her standup all over Europe. She's also got a podcast with the apt title of Comedians of the World. Paul has retired from standup but has a very popular – and creepy – podcast called The Black Tapes. And, of course, Kevin retired from pushing buttons after ten years of service and is now in hiding.

But that was 13 years ago. What's the latest, you ask? Why, it's nationally adored singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett, aka Joe Plastic. Based in his home and native province of Nova Scotia, Plaskett junior and senior (his musician father) were on tour and playing the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver so I nabbed him on Sunday afternoon for a free-ranging chat on all things Plaskett. We discuss me fake-kissing his now-wife, plus he tells us about his mom and Jimi Hendrix, how hecklers on Twitter get him down, and his dream of driving John Candy's van across country on tour.

It's all right here for you to enjoy, if you like. Just click and the soundwaves will hit your eardrums. Or take us with you on the road. Go search for us in your favourite podcast peddler, be it iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or what-have-you.

Apr. 16: Brad Upton

Our guest tonight has been doing standup comedy for over 30 years. I'll do the math for you: we're talking 1984 when he first gave it a go. And he still kills wherever he goes, whether it's a club, cruise ship, or theatre. Brad Upton still goes out on the road with crooner Johnny Mathis, but he makes time for a visit to Lafflines about once a year, where we caught him last week. Upton has spent his whole career in Seattle so it's a nice little drive up. He's been an elementary school teacher and a university track & field coach, but comedy won out. We'll talk about all of the above, and more, tonight. (Full disclosure: we already did.)

Tune in tonight at 11 pm to CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Or livestream us at coopradio.org. Or, I suppose, find us on TuneIn Radio. That works, too.

Podcast episode 450ish: Camilo the Magician

Camilo the Magician is the first guest in What's So Funny's 13-year history who's had a pop song written about him. That's right, Vancouver's Said The Whale wrote a catchy little number all about Camilo Dominguez and you'll never guess what it's called: Camilo Juan Tamariz and all week I've been watching Juan Tamariz videos on YouTube. Great stuff. I also went to Camilo's show at the York Theatre with my son and we both loved it. He told me afterwards it was "as good as Mac King's show and maybe even better." High praise indeed. Camilo moved to Victoria as a teenager and immediately made friends through his prestidigitation. And he performed a trick for me, too. They don't call it the magic of radio for nothing!
(The Magician). Go check it out and I guarantee you'll be humming it for weeks, as I've been. Camilo was a great guest, telling us all about magic in Colombia. He told me about

Have a listen.

Podcast 449ish: James Kennedy

And now it's James Kennedy's turn in our mad rush to get our podcasts updated. James was a guest just under a month ago, his first time on the program. This guy shot onto the Vancouver standup scene like a cannon. One day he was brand new, the next he was headlining. But he remains humble. We talk about his previous life in music as well as his love of monkeys. And more, of course, but it's been so long I forget now.

Check it out. You can click below or download us (and subscribe!) at iTunes or Stitcher or wherever. We're everywhere.

Podcast 448ish: Harris Anderson

We're a tad late on our podcast posting so let's get the ball rolling. Dog-loving standup comic Harris Anderson made his WSF? debut back on March 12th. Now, a month later, the episode is available for you in perpetuity for nothing! He's a young man with old taste... except when it comes to jazz. Can't have it all, I guess. But his comedy heroes are the likes of Jonathan Winters and Victor Borge. He even threw in a quote of Milton's Paradise Lost.

Listen quick because the next one is coming down the pipe any day now. Click below or go find us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favourite podcast dispensary.

Apr. 9: Joel Plaskett

We like to branch out once or twice a year with guests outside the direct world of comedy. Tonight is one of those nights. Last Sunday, I spoke with new old friend – and goddamn national treasure! – Joel Plaskett. I first met the singer-songwriter back in the mid- to late-nineties when he was still with his Halifax-based band Thrush Hermit. It was a brief hello in a diner and we hadn't spoken since. But we picked up right where we left off lo those many years ago... only we said more than hello to each other this time. Plaskett, who still lives in Nova Scotia, was out for an afternoon stroll in East Van the day after he and his pa played the Vogue Theatre in support of their new album, Solidarity, and walked right into Co-op Radio for a little chin-wag with me, which you will hear tonight if you tune in to 100.5 FM at 11 pm.

And if you're far from a radio – or far from Vancouver – you can always livestream the show at coopradio.org. Or just wait for the podcast to drop.

Apr. 2: Camilo the Magician

I love magic. And magic on radio is something truly special! Okay, not so much. But Camilo the Magician (Camilo Dominguez) will tell us his story of moving from Bogota, Colombia, to Victoria as a 15-year-old. That's gotta be some culture shock, I'm thinking. He's got a show at the York Theatre that ends next weekend. I've seen his magic via the old computer and it's pretty amazing. Check him out, and then tune in tonight to CFRO 100.5 FM at 11 pm to hear our conversation. We'll even play a song by Said the Whale that called, crazily, Camilo (the Magician).

If you're away from a radio, you can livestream us at coopradio.org

Mar. 19: James Kennedy

Tonight we've got James Kennedy on the old program. This is NOT Jamie Kennedy, I found out after booking him... Not true. I mean, no, they're not the same but it's not true that I ever thought they were. In fact, it wasn't until checking to see if he had a website that I put the two together. James is a local comic who's been killing it the last couple years... and he hasn't been doing comedy all that long, relatively speaking. He was in the music biz for a decade before switching over to the laughs. We'll talk about that, and welcome him back to Vancouver. From where? Not sure. But I know he's been away for a few weeks.

We're on the air at 11 pm. Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM to eavesdrop on our conversation. If you don't have a radio, try livestreaming us at coopradio.org. That oughta do it.

Podcast episode 447ish: Barry Crimmins

Here's a special episode. The legendary Barry Crimmins was in town for the JFL Northwest Comedy Festival a few weeks ago and he very generously agreed to sit down with me for an hour, despite being hounded to do podcasts wherever he goes. I first heard of Crimmins in 1988 when I heard the album Strange Bedfellows. Some know him from his book, Never Shake Hands with a War Criminal. And more lately, a whole new group of people know him from the Bobcat Goldthwait documentary, Call Me Lucky (on Netflix on a TV near you). He's also the godfather of the Boston comedy scene that birthed the likes of Goldthwait, Steven Wright, and Louis CK, all of whom he talks about in this episode.

Unfortunately, the sound is a bit crap. But whatcha gonna do? We can hear his words and that's the most important thing. Live and learn. The political satirist and activist talks about who he considers to be the best and worst president of his lifetime, his problems with Hillary, his experience on Air America (or "Err" America, as he dubs it), and the early days in the Boston comedy scene.

You can hear the episode at the gizmo below or you can download it at Stitcher or iTunes or wherever fine podcasts are dispensed. Go subscribe to us and the next episode will pop up automatically in your feed.

Mar. 12: Harris Anderson

Our guest tonight is a first-timer. He's what they call in the business a young up-and-comer. I have no idea how young Harris Anderson is, but it's all relative. They're all whippersnappers to me. He's established enough that they're roasting him later this month. On March 20th, his friends and colleagues will rip him a new comedy hole at Yaggers in Kitsilano, all for a good cause. The proceeds are going to the BC SPCA. Harris is also a pretty good musician, I hear, so we'll talk about that. He hates jazz, so that's a potential stumbling block, but maybe we can work through it.

And Sam Tonning is in week #2 of his audition to be my new manservant. This is his first time with a real live guest in studio so pressure's on.

Turn on your radios at 11 pm (new time) in Vancouver to CFRO 100.5 FM. If our streamer is up and working, you can stream us at coopradio.org. If not, we'll be out in podcast format in a couple weeks.

Feb. 26: Barry Crimmins

The JFL Northwest Comedy Fest has come and gone. I saw a lot of good shows. Hope you did, too. I also got the opportunity to sit down with the legendary Barry Crimmins for an hour. That conversation runs tonight. Crimmins has been the preeminent American political satirist for the last forty-plus years. We spoke in his noisy hotel room. The sound quality ain't the greatest, but hopefully you can cut through the noise to the scintillating conversation, which ran the gamut from Trump and Clinton, to Air America, to the old Boston comedy scene from which he sprang and helped develop.

For those who may not be familiar with him, check out the Bobcat Goldthwait-directed documentary on him on Netflix, Call Me Lucky. It's fantastic. He's also the author of Never Shake Hands with a War Criminal. And I first heard him back in the late 1980s on a great political comedy album called Strange Bedfellows, which also featured Will Durst, Jimmy Tingle and Randy Credico. Check it out. It's all about the Reagan era but it sadly still holds true. And holds up comedically.

We're on the air tonight at 11 pm, as always, on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. If you're elsewhere in the world and can't wait until the episode drops as a podcast, you can livestream us at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 446ish: Fred Ewanuick

Professional pretender Fred Ewanuick teaches me how to pronounce his name and then we get on with it, in this latest podcast episode of the hit show What's So Funny? He also tells us he's more than a professional pretender; he's also a voice prop. His words, people! In reality, he's one of Canada's finest comedic thespians. You know him and love him as Hank on Corner Gas. He talks about that, and about his regrets in his starring turn in Dan For Mayor. We also delve into his years as a bad theatre student and his time performing improv at his mom's coffee shop.

And away we go! You can listen here and now, or go find us on iTunes or Stitcher or some such place. If you subscribe at one of those places, new episodes will just pop up on your device when they come out. How convenient.

Podcast episode 445ish: Lori Gibbs

The always crafty Lori Gibbs (right)

How time flies! It had been five years between Lori Gibbs' last (first) visit and this one. Actually, it was I who did the visiting both times – to her hotel room. That's just the way she rolls, inviting men up to her room. Not really, but she did recently receive a proposition on the road, as she tells us in this episode. She also talks about the genesis of her nickname "the human antidepressant," her career in morning radio, developing into keynote speaker mode, and the art of crafting. We also settle, once and for all, who has the bigger head.

You can listen here. Or you can listen at iTunes. Or you can listen at Stitcher. Or you can find us somewhere I'm not familiar with. Go now and do what you have to do.

Feb. 5: Fred Ewanuick

Over the years on What's So Funny? we've had Brent Butt (twice), Lorne Cardinal, and most recently Nancy Robertson, all from Corner Gas. Tonight we've got comic actor Fred Ewanuick. Who's left? Tara Spencer-Nairn, Gabrielle Miller, and Eric Peterson. (I interviewed the late Janet Wright on set in Saskatchewan for print once.) Maybe we'll get all the way through some day. But tonight, we'll focus on Fred. He's best known for his Gilligan-like character Hank Yarbo on Corner Gas but he's been in a ton of other things, including starring as the eponymous Dan For Mayor. We're going to talk about all that and more.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Or livestream us at coopradio.org or on your fancy TuneIn Radio app.

Jan. 29: Lori Gibbs

Welcome to 2017, officially. Our first guest of 2017 was Harry Doupe, but he counted as the last guest of 2016 since we rehashed the year in comedy. Then we had two weeks of highlights from our 2016 season. Tonight we get going with the new year, a month into it. Lori Gibbs was in town in December, in the middle of our white season. I bundled up and met her in her hotel room to chat away the cold. It was perfect because she's warm and funny. The Calgary-based comic (originally from Vancouver) is branching out from standup. She's now a keynote speaker, too. And a real craftsperson. Literally. We talk about all of the above. We also measure each other's giant noggins. Who's is bigger? You'll have to tune in to find out!

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM tonight. Lori and her posse can listen in from Calgary at coopradio.org or find us on the TuneIn Radio app. In fact, no matter where you are in the world, as long as you have wi-fi, you can tune in. And, of course, the show will drop as a podcast soon(ish).

Jan. 22: 2016 highlights (part 2)

We had fun last week with all those clips of our past guests in 2016, right? Tonight we get to the rest of them: Steve Bays, Graeme Duffy, Jy Harris, Ed Hill, Chris James, Richard Lett, Brett Martin, Efthimios Nasiopoulos, Scott Patey, Nancy Robertson, Ari Shaffir, and Sam Tonning. More fun!

Tune in at 11 and we'll get started. CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver or livestream us at coopradio.org or find us on your TuneIn Radio app.

Podcast episode 444ish: Harry Doupe

It's Harry Doupe time again! The veteran standup comic/producer/writer has recently moved back to Vancouver (or thereabouts) (again). We rehash the year that was in comedy. And, of course, go off on tangents, as we do. So you'll hear us gabbing about comedy "specials," comedy deaths, the Human Rights Tribunal, game shows, and Saturday Night Live. He also gives us a taste of a book he's been working on for years which he hopes will be published in 2017.

Here you go. It's the first show of the new year. Have a listen. Also available at iTunes and Stitcher and elsewhere, if you can find it.

Podcast episode 443ish: Nancy Robertson

It's not often you get Nancy Robertson in studio for an hour of free-wheeling conversation, so no matter how sick I was, I was going to be there. And I was sick. Usually the guest and I will sit in the same room but on this night I quarantined myself in the control room and had Nancy sit in the studio. But boy was I golden-throated! Best I've ever sounded; worst I've ever felt. After the show, I drove home and slept for 30 of the next 32 hours. Fun times! Robertson, as everyone knows full well, is best known for her role as Wanda on Corner Gas. We talked about that, how she started in acting (learning from one of the finest cowboy thespians in the business), and her formative years improvising with the Vancouver TheatreSports League. We also got into her love of obscure British TV series, her dislike of her new slow cooker, and her loss of respect for me for having not seen so many classic movies.

Here she is. You just need to click the button below to start listening to Nancy with the laughing face. Or you can download the show at iTunes or Stitcher or similar places. (NOTE: I just tried the button and it took 45 seconds before the audio started playing. Not sure if that's just my machine. Individual results may vary.)

Jan. 15: 2016 highlights (part 1)

We started off 2017 with a recap of 2016 with guest Harry Doupe. Tonight and next week we look back audibly on highlights from our shows last year. We can't get to them all because there are too many, but we'll do about half this week and we'll the rest next Sunday. You're going to hear snippets of conversations from the following guests tonight (not in this order): Dino Archie, Byron Bertram, Jason Bryden, Sophie Buddle, Sara Bynoe, Jeff Cooper, Grahaeme Cowie, Ivan Decker, Glen Foster, Jessica Holmes, Paul Hooper, Caitlin Howden, Shauna Johannesen, Sean Kent, Julie Kim, Simon King, Dave Merheje, Camille Mitchell, Tim Nutt, Rob Pue, and Mike Storck.

Tune in tonight at 11 sharp to CFRO 100.5 FM. Or livestream us at coopradio.org or on the TuneIn Radio app. It'll be a fun show, promise.

Jan. 8: Harry Doupe

It's become a bit of an irregular tradition on the show to have Harry Doupe on the show at the end of the year to talk about the year in comedy. He's been with us in late December in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2014. He's back tonight – really late December! Ah, first week in January is close enough. As anyone who's heard him on the show previously will know, Doupe was one of the first comics I ever saw live, back in the early 1980s at the now-defunct Punchlines Comedy Club in Gastown. Then he moved to Toronto (and elsewhere). He moved back to Vancouver a few years ago only to move away again. But I hear he's back to live again in the lower mainland, which is why I can welcome him back to the studio tonight. I saw him opening for his old buddy Norm Macdonald at the casino theatre in Coquitlam (I can never remember its name). We'll talk about the year that was and whatever else we can think of.

We're on the air at 11 pm and will go until we're finished, at least midnight, on CFRO 100.5 FM. If you're elsewhere in the world (or don't own a radio), you can livestream us at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 442ish: Sam Tonning

Getting back to business here after the holidays. Let's start with the posting of Sam Tonning's podcast episode. Sam is a guy I've probably seen more at jazz clubs than comedy clubs, but he's a very funny comic. And despite his good musical taste, he's also an unabashed and unironic lover of Phil Collins and Ted Nugent. Comedically, he's not ashamed to admit he adores Jay Leno and Dennis Miller, too. Got like a guy with the courage of his convictions. In this episode, we also discuss TV talk show sidekicks, moustaches, voice-over acting, playing the bass, and a whole lot more.

Check it out below. Or go download it iTunes or Stitcher (or elsewhere) and take it on the road with you.

2016 in a nutshell

Greetings from sunny Edmonton. The year isn't over yet but we've got enough information in to be able to compile our annual head-count. Each year (well, starting in 2009, five years into our run) I tally the number of guests we've had in a calendar year. Here's how it's looked each year:

• 2009: 42 shows with guests
• 2010: 38 shows with guests
• 2011: 44 shows with 53 guests
• 2012: 41 shows with 47 guests
• 2013: 35 shows with 37 guests
• 2014: 36 shows with 39 guests
• 2015: 36 shows with 40 guests

So how does 2016 stand up? Colleen Brow fills in and she usually plays comedy clips. She did have Marlene Swidzinski and Lauren McGibbon as guests two of those Sundays but we don't podcast those episodes so they aren't included. Even with them, we would have been a record low. Another factor is, well, it's just one of those years. So here are the numbers:

A record low! Now, there are some factors to consider. Halfway through the year I decided to take the last Sunday of each month off.

• 2016: 32 shows with 33 official guests (36 if you count Vishal Ramesh, who joined in with Chris James, and Siobhan Williams and Pal Mann, who joined in with Steve Bays).

Big thanks to all our guests in 2016:

• Byron Bertram
• Ivan Decker
• Chris James
• Sara Bynoe
• Mike Storck
• Ari Shaffir
• Shauna Johannesen
• Dave Merheje
• Caitlyn Howden
• Ed Hill
• Dino Archie
• Julie Kim
• Richard Lett
• Jessica Holmes
• Camille Mitchell
• Lauren McGibbon
• Glen Foster
• Jeff Cooper
• Grahaeme Cowie
• Simon King
• Jy Harris
• Tim Nutt
• Jason Bryden
• Brett Martin
• Rob Pue
• Efthimios Nasiopoulos
• Sophie Buddle
• Sean Kent
• Steve Bays
• Graham Duffy
• Scott Patey
• Sam Tonning
• Nancy Robertson

Dec. 18: Nancy Robertson

Our last show before Christmas is a goodie. We've got first-time guest Nancy Robertson live in studio. Her hubby, Brent Butt, has guested twice before. She'll be the third former Corner Gas star to grace our studios (Lorne Cardinal was the other). But Nancy is more than Wanda Dollard. She also starred in Hiccups and has acted in other film and television. And if you go back far enough, you might remember her from her work on stage with Vancouver TheatreSports League. We'll cover it all. Promise.

We're on the air at 11 pm in Vancouver on CFRO, 100.5 FM. If you've recycled your radio, you can always livestream us at coopradio.org or on TuneIn Radio.

Podcast episode 441ish: Scott Patey

It's always exciting to have a first-timer on the show. I'd seen Scott Patey perform for years at the Improv Centre on Granville Island with Vancouver TheatreSports League, but I'd never met him until this momentous night. Patey hails from the border town of Lloydminster, Alberta. Or is that Saskatchewan? It's confusing when you can cross the street in your town and be in another province. He explains. We also talked about how his hockey career was cut short by a break-up, his funnier brother, portraying Donald Trump, and what it's like working in movies with celebrities. Most exciting of all, I take him on in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors (a game he hosts at various venues around town, but mostly at Corduroy in Kits on Monday nights). I've also got him promising me on air that he'd take me to New York City when/if he gets to host Saturday Night Live. I'm holding him to it.

Here's the episode for you. Do with it what you will. I'd recommend listening. You can also go download/subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher. And elsewhere!

Dec. 4: Sam Tonning

We're going to learn all about Sam Tonning tonight. I know him a little bit but not the finer points. I see him out and about at comedy shows and jazz shows. I know he's from my hometown, Victoria. I know he plays the bass a bit. I know he does standup, I know he unironically loves Jay Leno and Ted Nugent. And I know he's the sidekick/second banana to Brett Martin on the live monthly Brett Martin talk show at Yuk Yuk's (next one is next Sunday, Dec. 11). We'll fill in the details tonight at 11 pm if you care to join us.

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM or livestream us at coopradio.org. Tonight from 11 to midnight-ish.

Podcast episode 440ish: Graeme Duffy

Improvisor and actor Graeme Duffy joins us to talk about his very public – and swift! – engagement. He tells us how he proposed to his girlfriend in front of 1100 people four months after their first date. Did she say yes? Did she say no? You'll have to listen to find out! The Vancouver TheatreSports mainstay also talks about being bullied in Scotland, the thriving local film and TV scene, cruising the Baltic Sea, his dislike of St. John,and his love of moustaches, tattoos, and Kanye West.

Have a listen, won't you? You can do it right here and now. Or you can go download us on iTunes or Stitcher and elsewhere. And give the show a rating and comment on iTunes while you're there.

Podcast episode 439ish: Steve Bays

It's Steve Bays time once again. It's always fun hanging with the rocker. His former band (maybe) Hot Hot Heat has a new album out, eponymously titled, and it's great. He came to the studio armed with his girlfriend, actress Siobhan Williams, so I came in armed with my brother-in-law, visiting from out of town. The three of us do our best to get Steve to organize one last tour for HHH. Also in the episode, Steve tries to name all 20 bands he's been in over the years, and we talk about lyrics, emo and ego. And we tie it all together with comedy.

Here's the gizmo to get you started. Or you can go download us and/or subscribe to the show at iTunes. Or Stitcher. Or other places.

Nov. 13: Scott Patey

I've seen tonight's guest Scott Patey many, many times over the years at the Improv Centre. Never met him, though. Not too long ago, I saw him playing Donald Trump in Trump Card and thought, 'I should have him on the show.' Little did I know Trump would win and now I feel deep resentment towards the guy. I'll try to keep it bottled up for the hour tonight. We'll see how he feels about the orange man, and we'll talk about his own history. He started acting when he was but an 11-years-old. To date, the Albertan and VTSL main stage performer has shared the silver screen with the likes of Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black. He also hosts a show that I've got to get down to one of these days. It's called Rock, Paper, Scissors at Corduroy and has been going strong for over four years, if my math is correct.

Tune in tonight at 11 pm to CFRO, 100.5 FM in Vancouver or livestream us at coopradio.org or many a radio-streaming app.

Nov. 6: Graeme Duffy

Graeme Duffy (right)

Happy November. Happy first day of the dark days of winter. I love how we don't need to remember to turn the clocks back because all our robot devices do it for us. So there goes that excuse for missing tonight's show at 11 pm. My homeboy Graeme Duffy returns for his second visit. The actor and Vancouver TheatreSports League mainstay recently got engaged in a very public way. We'll see how that went. We'll also talk about all the various shows he's written at VTSL and movies he's working in and why he loves weird facial hair and whatever else we think up in the moment.

Tune in to 100.5 FM at 11 pm for all the conversation. Or livestream us at coopradio.org.

Oct. 30: Marlene Swidzinski

When the cat's away, the mouse will play. It's the last Sunday of the month, so regular host Guy MacPherson is taking it easy. Colleen Brow gets in the game tonight. She welcomes Marlene Swidzinski. When a polka princess leaves the old country (Saskatchewan) for the downtown eastside, she's bound to ask, "Where are the men who can polka?" Colleen will talk with Swidzinski about her prairie Slavic origins, eventual urbanization, and her comic insights on art, society, motherhood, and livestock.

Tune in to 100.5 FM at 11 pm. Or livestream the show at coopradio.org.

Podcast episode 438ish: Sean Kent

It's almost US election time! Better get this puppy up and running. It's my conversation with Texas-based standup comic Sean Kent, an avowed anti-Trumpist. And that's what we talk about for most of this very special Election '16 episode. He even tells us about the time he was kicked out of a Donald Trump rally just outside of Austin. Sean was with us back in 2010 (not 2006 as I incorrectly thought) if you want to compare episodes. Back then he gave us the full hour. This time we only got about 40 minutes of talk so I've supplemented it with his standup comedy. So this way you get some laughs along with the political conversation. Although I guess there are plenty of laughs as it is in their general election.

Have a listen before it's too late, especially if you're an American voter. You can click on the gizmo, or go subscribe to What's So Funny? on iTunes or Stitcher or wherever fine podcasts are dispensed. See you there.

Podcast episode 437ish: Sophie Buddle

This one was a long time coming. But totally worth the wait. Since this episode aired on the radio, the big $25,000 Sirius comedy competition has come and gone in Toronto. Our guest, Sophie Buddle, didn't take home the big bucks but she did achieve her goal of placing, finishing in the top 3. Not bad for a 22-year-old. Not bad for anyone, actually. We talk about her start in comedy at the tender age of 15, a photo shoot that wasn't a whole lot of fun, hobnobbing at a Hollywood Emmy Awards party, and she explains why Woody Allen is innocent. And funny.

Listen before it gets any older. You can click on the link below or go download the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher or wherever you go to get your podcasts.

Oct. 23: Steve Bays

Tonight rock 'n' roller Steve Bays joins the 5-timers club. Coincidentally, while in a Gastown tourist shop this very afternoon, I heard his band, Mounties, playing over the speaker. Last time he was with us, I heard him playing at a coffee shop the same day. Kismet, baby. But his other group, Hot Hot Heat, just released their latest and last album and it's fantastic. So we'll talk about that, play a couple of tracks for you, and I'll find out why they say this is their last album and why they're not touring it. Maybe I'll convince him to keep the band going. I'll do my best. We'll also talk comedy because Steve is a huge comedy fan who has composed music for various comedy shows.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. If your old-timey radio is on the fritz, you can livestream us at coopradio.org.

Oct. 16: Sean Kent

We survived the storm of '16. Someone make the t-shirts. Just before it "hit" yesterday, I spoke with Texas comic Sean Kent, who was headlining the MIX all weekend. I thought I better turn it around quickly because we mostly talked about Donald Trump, a figure Sean has contempt for (for proof, see the photo below of him flipping the bird to Trump at a rally – and he tells us the story behind the photo in this episode). I figured if I sit on this and run it in a few weeks, twelve other Trump scandals or controversies could emerge. Or Hillary, for that matter. So that'll air tonight. Sean's been on the program once before. I told him I thought it was in 2006, but a careful search of the archives proves I was wrong: we spoke in 2010. So you can go find that one to listen to it to warm up for tonight's show.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. You can livestream us at coopradio.org, too, if you'd rather.

Podcast episode 436ish: Efthimios Nasiopoulos

Tune in to this podcast episode just to hear me nail the name Efthimios Nasiopoulos. Efthimios joined us at the last minute when our regularly scheduled guest fell ill. I ran into him at Yuk Yuk's on the night when he told me he just moved to town the week before from Toronto so I dragged him down to the studio and we faked it for an hour. He talks about glaciers out west (he considers anything west of Toronto to be "out west"), he opens up about his two broken engagements to be married, reveals how he retired undefeated from boxing, and discusses jobs like limo driving and serving summonses to unsuspecting folk.

Here it is. Have a listen to my conversation with the biggest name in comedy (tied with Costaki Economopoulos) by clicking below or finding us on iTunes or Stitcher or the like. And give us a rating, why don't you?

Podcast episode 435ish: Rob Pue

Rob Pue makes his debut appearance on What's So Funny?... again. That's right, he was with us years ago, but that is one of the lost episodes. Maybe one day it'll resurface. In the meantime, check this one out. He was keen to return, given how early he showed up. One of us mixed up AM and PM. We talk about his harrowing car accident, his new album Puegilist, juggling drama with hockey in high school, winning the San Francisco Comedy Competition, punking celebrities, and we end with him taking the Trivial Pursuit Challenge. Who will win?! Tune in to find out.

Here's the link. That's all you need. But if you prefer, go subscribe to What's So Funny? on iTunes and it'll magically show up in your feed every time a new podcast episode is dropped. We're also on Stitcher.

Podcast episode 434ish: Brett Martin

Brett Martin's talk show premiered at Yuk Yuk's on Sunday, September 11, i.e. before we recorded this episode. But I believe it'll be a monthly show so you can still check it out. And if the next one is anything like the first, get your tickets early. The place was packed! I was impressed with the show. It had everything you want in a talk show: a band, a sidekick, crummy monologue jokes, prepared bits, and interesting guests (an Olympic bronze medalist, a comedy reviewer – ahem! –, a freak show, a comedian, and a wrestler). Good times.

But I'm here to talk about this latest podcast episode. Sure, we talked about the upcoming (now past) talk show, but we also talked about Brett's varied career. Did you know he ran for mayor of Calgary when he was in his early 20s? He also worked at the Calgary Sun despite not graduating from high school. And we end with a Trivial Pursuit smackdown. More good times.

Here's the episode in its sweet entirety. You can also go download it at iTunes or Stitcher and the like.

Sept. 18: Sophie Buddle (again... for the first time)

Efthimios was our guest last week.
(Check last week for Sophie's picture.)

If you read this blog without tuning in to the show on radio, you'll be surprised to read that Sophie Buddle is our guest tonight when I wrote last week that she'd be our guest. After I wrote that, Sophie informed me she was sick. So at the last moment, I snagged Efthimios Nasiopoulos to sub in for her. And tonight, Sophie will make her return visit... for the first time.

Tune in to CFRO 100.5 FM at 11 pm to see if she's there. You can also livestream us at coopradio.org or on TuneIn Radio and other such apps.

In the Dark – episode 14

What's this now? In the Dark? Yeah, remember a while back when I had Jason Bryden on What's So Funny? I told you about his new podcast, In the Dark? And I mentioned I guested on it. Well, here it is. I gotta say this is some of his best work! If you haven't heard his podcast yet, check my episode out and then work your way backward. I really enjoy it. Something about the way Jason thinks and talks greatly amuses me. In each episode, he gives a lengthy solo preamble to a conversation he has with someone on some esoteric topic, and then at the end gives a rundown of five (or so) things he learned in the discussion. It's a lot of fun and you might even learn something, too. Not necessarily from me in this episode, but I had a great time talking to him.


This hyperlink will take you to our talk. And, as with What's So Funny?, you can always go find it yourself on iTunes or Stitcher.

Sept. 11: Sophie Buddle Efthimios Nasiopoulos

Who's been the youngest guest on What's So Funny? Good question. I don't keep stats but I betcha tonight's guest is right up there. We've got 22-year-old standup sensation Sophie Buddle in studio. And she's already a wily 7-year standup vet having started at the tender age of 15. She's already played Just For Laughs in Montreal twice and been on cool alt shows in Los Angeles. Tonight we'll find out how this happens and where she'll go from here.
Turns out Sophie was sick so we got Efthimios Nasiopoulos in at the last moment. Sophie will be in studio on Sept. 18. Fingers crossed!
We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM. Tune in.

Podcast episode 433ish: Jason Bryden

Jason Bryden left us for Toronto 3.5 years ago but we still love him. He was back in town visiting family so we nabbed him while we could. In this episode, JB talks about being a quitter. He's quit comedy, quit theatre, and quit social media. He's still acting in almost every TV commercial, though. Plus he's started something new. In the Dark with Jason Bryden is his new podcast. Get in on the ground floor and start listening. As of today, he's only 12 episodes in so it's manageable. But first listen to this fun talk I had with him. He may or may not have been wearing adult diapers during our conversation.

Here's the link to get you started on your way. If you prefer, you can always go to iTunes or Stitcher or Tunein Radio or PlayerFM or wherever else you can find it. We're there for you.

Sept. 4: Rob Pue

September already? Good lord. We went on the air officially in September 2004 (after our first unofficial episode aired in April of that year). So what does this make it? The start of our 13th year? That can't be right. I don't know. I just take it one show at a time and give 110 percent each show.

Tonight we've got Rob Pue for the first (second) time. I do believe Rob was with us once before but I wasn't there for it and it's not in our audio archives so it never happened. Rob used to live in Vancouver. Used to live in L.A., too. And Edmonton. But he's been in Toronto for the last ten years. He's got a new album out called Puegilist available on iTunes and Spotify and the like. Rob was headlining Yuk Yuk's Vancouver this past weekend and will be doing the new Yuks in Abbotsford and Victoria in coming weeks. We'll play a clip from his new album and talk about everything we haven't talked about before, including a near-death experience he had five years ago.

Tune in tonight at 11 pm to 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Or livestream us from Toronto (and anywhere else) at coopradio.org or on Tunein Radio.

Podcast episode 432ish: Tim Nutt

The hits just keep on comin'. This episode features the great Tim Nutt, one of the country's top headliners. That he manages this feat being based in West Kelowna is remarkable. He explains it here. We also talk about the Sirius Comedy Competition, but the voting for that is over now. Spoiler alert: Tim didn't advance. It tells you something either about the level of talent in the country or the competition itself that Nutt, John Beuhler, and Chuck Byrn didn't make it to the next level. Any one of those three in any given year could win the whole thing, yet here they are on the outside looking in. I really hate competitions. But that's neither here nor there. We talk about other things, too, including the problem with open mics, human rights commissions, and parenting today.

I give you my permission to start listening right now by offering you this gizmo below. You may also go off on your own to find it and download it on iTunes or Stitcher or elsewhere. Go now in peace.

Podcast episode 431ish: Jy Harris

I told you the podcasts would be coming fast and furious for the next little while. Two days after posting Simon King's episode, we've got Jy Harris for y'all! It had been six long years since Jy was last with us and he returned a new man. He's found peace in his personal life. Or at least is on a never-ending quest for it. The guy meditates, is a vegan, reads new-age spiritual books, and experiments with microdoses of psychedelics. All just to get over feeling the Bern for the last eight months. We also talk about his real-life Jerry Springer-like upbringing and real-life Jerry Springer experience. Julian Angel-Joynt also makes an appearance to recite a pretty cool slam poem.

Here you go. Start listening. And keep going until it ends.

Aug. 28: Brett Martin

Brett Martin first (and last) was on What's So Funny? in 2009 when he first moved to Vancouver, if memory serves. He's back. The guy tours all over Canada doing standup. In September he's hosting a live talk show at Yuk Yuk's on Cambie with sidekick Sam Tonning. Only tonight I'll be asking the questions. See how he likes that. And I'll probably ask him some of the questions I asked back seven years ago because memory doesn't always serve.

We're on the air on 100.5 FM in Vancouver tonight at 11 pm. You can livestream us at coopradio.org or your TuneIn Radio app. So listen, why don't you?

Podcast episode 430ish: Simon King

We've got some catching up to do, podcast-wise. To get things back on track, here's the episode with Simon King recorded at the end of July. Mighty Mouth was back in studio after a 7.5 year absence. We talked about the Canadian ghettos of England, comedy intermissions (pros and cons), protest comedy, Donald J. Trump, funny voices, and political correctness. He also amazes me with his Asberger's-like knowledge of World War I aces.

 Get started on this immediately because more will be coming fast and furious. You can click below or download us at iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you happen to get your podcasts.

Aug. 21: Jason Bryden

JB is back! Jason Bryden was last with us in 2011. He's since moved to the centre of the universe (Toronto) but was back in town for a family visit and I scooped him up. We recorded this a couple weeks ago. It's always fun talking to JB. And it's fun listening to him, too. He's quit comedy but is always funny. You recognize him from every other commercial on TV. That guy with the horns on the right? Yeah, that's him. Pretty accurate resemblance, too. Jason's joined the podcast bandwagon. His new baby is called In the Dark with Jason Bryden and it's available on iTunes and Stitcher and on its own website. Check it out. But only after you listen to him on What's So Funny?

We hit the airwaves at 11 pm on 100.5 FM in Vancouver. Jason in Toronto can livestream us at coopradio.org or on any reputable radio app.

Aug. 14: Tim Nutt

Tonight we finally get to talk to Tim Nutt. The veteran (some would say legendary) comic has been doing comedy since 1993 and started right here in Vancouver, yet he's never been on the show before. He was headlining the Comedy MIX this weekend and I spoke with him on Friday late afternoon in the showroom. You've seen him on Just For Laughs if you've ever watched Just For Laughs because he's done so many of them. He's toured the country with the Just For Laughs comedy caravan, too. He manages all these big gigs despite living in the comedy outpost of West Kelowna (or the dark side of the moon, as he puts it). He's also in the running for SiriusXM's Top Comic competition with 25 grand on the table. Go vote for your favourites. Tim hopes it's him but won't force you.

We're on 100.5 FM tonight at 11 pm in Vancouver. Tune in! You can livestream us at coopradio.org, too, if you'd rather.

Aug. 7: Jy Harris

I can't keep track of Jy Harris but for one glorious night I'll know where he is – in the What's So Funny? studios. Jy was born in Ontario, started his standup career on the west coast, then moved to Toronto, and now... is back? I think. He is tonight anyway. We'll find out for sure. He's only been with us once before and that was way back in 2010. What's he been up to since then? Doing standup, acting, performing slam poetry, making videos, and feeling the Bern, sure, but what else? Hopefully he tells us. That photo to the right, by the way, has not been altered in any way. He really does give off that electricity when he's on stage. He's a live wire, that Jy.

We're on the air at 11 pm on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver. You can livestream us at coopradio.org and elsewhere. Honestly.