How would you describe your comedy style?

I’d say I’m a blend of silly and dark; some might even say I’m strangely insightful. I’ve been told I have a unique perspective, but that’s probably just a head injury.

Who are some of your influences?

My influences range from comedians and musicians to cartoon characters and writers. I’m inspired by my friends and family, and sometimes I’ll see driftwood or find a lump on my body, and I’ll be influenced by that. My comedic influences, off the top of my head and distilled to a large list of only a few, are: Rodney Dangerfield, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Bug Bunny, Homer Simpson, Marshall Mathers, Weird Al, Mad Magazine, and all of the old Jewish people in my life.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Rodney Dangerfield. He was probably the first stand-up comedian I was aware of. Robin Williams influenced us all, but I didn’t realize he was a stand-up comic for a long time. Rodney starred in an animated film called Rover Dangerfield, and I think my obsession with it led to my mom showing me stand up comedy. I don’t think I was old enough to really understand genre or the craft of stand-up comedy. I remember being shown Airplane and not knowing that movies had genres, so I believed everything I saw, and it scared the hell out of me.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

My favourite guy at the moment is Nate Bargatze. I aspire be that dumb and clever. But I’d say Louis CK and Jerry Seinfeld are the big dogs I look up to the most…as comedians only, of course!

What is your pre-show ritual?

I pray and pace. Pace and pray. I tell myself I’m a good boy. Also, Diet Coke.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

I’ve performed all over North America, but The Corner Comedy Club in Toronto is my home. It’s the place that has allowed me space to grow, to take risks and to evolve. I shot my first special, Love Language, there, and I was in that place since the day it opened. It’s a space where you have to show up and bring your best, or you will be eaten alive. I love that. I have died a lot of deaths to get to where I am now, and I truly owe a lot to that place. A shoutout is also deserved to the now-defunct Underground Comedy Club, also in Toronto.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

My favourite bits are never the ones people like the most. So, I don’t know if I’m proud of them. My favourite crowd pleaser is probably my joke about how people only shave their heads in solidarity with their friends who lose their hair due to chemotherapy, but never for their friends who are losing their hair due to male pattern baldness. I think it’s an issue that deserves more attention. I’m just creating awareness for the bald community.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

It’s not my favourite because it sucks my brain out of my eyes, but Instagram.

Tell us a joke about your city.

I think Toronto is, unfortunately, the best place to live (at least in North America). Sure, it’s a condo-infested human rights violation, but it’s a big melting pot, so at least we can all suffer together.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

For now, I’d like people to follow me, and keep an eye out for upcoming shows, but I have my comedy special/album Love Language available on YouTube, and Apple Music, Spotify, and all the rest. It’s also played on SiriusXM if you have that kind of money.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Very funny newer guy named Ryan Visser, I’m a big fan of his, and he’s doing really well for himself

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Jeremy Dobski appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

My comedic sensibilities tend to lean toward the very dark end of the spectrum. I deal in extremes, but I also aim to inject everything with a bit of silliness or absurdity. I find “dark” is sometimes seen as a dogwhistle for “anti-woke”, punching down, or being offensive for offensive’s sake. I know my material is not for everyone, but I work hard not to fall into those categories.

Who are some of your influences?

George Carlin, Trevor Moore, Bill Hicks, Andy Daly, Doug Stanhope, Dana Gould and Anthony Jeselnik all jump to mind if we’re talking comedians exclusively.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

I grew up on a large number of JFL comedians, most of whose names I was never able to hold onto. Some of my favourites were John Pinnette and Jeremy Hotz, and I remember Brent Butt had a bit about Fabio and a Goose that made my brother and I laugh so hard I was scared he might actually die. Eventually, I discovered George Carlin and Bill Hicks, which were major defining moments.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

My favourite comedians aren’t standups; they’re improvisers or sketch comics. Andy Daly just might be the funniest person alive. Aunty Donna are top tier. Jacob Wysocki, Vic Michaelis, and basically everyone involved in Dropout TV are turning out some of the most consistently funny stuff these days. But if we’re talking exclusively about standups, Doug Stanhope and Dana Gould still rank highly for me. On the younger side, Geoffrey Asmus is right up there. The guy is a genius, and everything Steph Tolev does is gold.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I try to run through my set a couple of times at home, drink plenty of water, and remind myself that the stakes are rarely that high. And my fiancé always sends me out the door with the simplest and best advice: have fun, be funny.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Centennial Hall in London, Ontario. I was born in London, and playing one of the city’s biggest venues felt like a significant milestone.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

I have a very dark joke about climate change that is my favourite. It encapsulates my sense of humour perfectly. It was also a difficult bit to work out, so I hold a lot of pride in it now. I pitched it to my fiancé, Megan Myke (who’s an incredible comedian in her own right), basically saying I won’t be able to crack this, but I think it’s funny. She forced me to write it and helped me figure it out. We had to do a bunch of research to make it work, but we did, and it’s now my best closer. It’s a very convoluted bit, but it always gets a big reaction.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

I feel like it’s unavoidable for it to be Instagram for discovery. Every time I open my feed, I see a new comedian. If I’m looking for an album or special, I’ll usually use YouTube.

Tell us a joke about your city.

I’m currently living in Hamilton, which is like if the east end of every other city broke off to form its own.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

I co-produce a monthly pro show at Comedy Bar West with Abhi Pamnani called Break Point Comedy, 7 pm the first Sunday of every month. I’m also working on an album/special right now that will be produced by New Metric Media.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Megan Myke, she’s a brilliant joke writer and carries herself on stage in a way I can only dream of. She has made me an infinitely better comic, and I owe her so much.

My co-producer Abhi Pamnani. Kid works harder than anyone I know in the city. You can find him on a show in the city almost any night of the week.

Gee Gethiga & Jeremy Dobski are two guys I will shout out whenever I get the chance. Jeremy’s special Love Language is available on YouTube and is well worth checking out.

Ava Val is an absolute legend, a huge inspiration to me.

I’d also like to give props to Jeff Hobbs, who is an absolute treasure; his rapid-fire joke-telling is something to behold. I believe his album is 140 jokes across 12 tracks.

There are honestly too many to name. Go to any show in this city, and you’re guaranteed to see at least one comic worth mentioning here.

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Ryan Visser appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

My comedy style is like if the band Nirvana were a regional comedian doing jokes about their wife.

Who are some of your influences?

Charles Dickens and whoopi cushions.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Norm Macdonald and a close second would be Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

My favourite comedians now are Josh Johnson and Dylan Gott.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I draw a pentagram on the floor and then write out my set list in the blood of a transient drifter I’ve murdered that no one will miss. After I make this Faustian deal, I shave all of my body hair and scream into a mirror, “You can do this”.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Previously, I would have said Massey Hall, but then last week I performed in a bowling alley in Perth, Ontario, and it made me fall in love with the art form all over again. After the show, there was a drunk man from the audience who gave me some excellent jokes I could do at my “next skit”.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

My favourite bit I’ve ever written was a comparison of how different going out is when you’re in your 30s vs when you were in your 20s. I don’t want to spoil the entire joke, but the punchline is “the other people in the McDonald’s were pretty upset”. I was proud of it because of the originality.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

Facebook Marketplace has some really exciting and original new voices popping up.

Tell us a joke about your city.

I live in the hipster part of Toronto. It’s called “Toronto”.

Much like my other joke about Toronto being a really nice city once they finish building it, I think this joke is both fearless and groundbreaking.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

I am recording a special in Toronto soon with New Metric, and I will comp tickets to anyone who sends me a DM on Instagram with the words “Toronto Guardian”.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about? 

Jeewan Gill

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Alex Wood appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

Very low-key, yet high energy. Conversational, observational and sometimes deliberately awkward. I try to aim for a style that is similar to overhearing your funny friend that is thinking out loud. It seems like I am not really “trying” to tell a joke, letting the punchlines sneak up on you.

Who are some of your influences?

Jarrett Campbell, Andrew Santino, Jordan Jensen, Shane Gillis, Norm Macdonald

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Dane Cook, Robin Williams,

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Shane Gillis, Tim Dillon, Jordan Jensen, Sam Burns, Kyle Patan, Jarrett Campbell

What is your pre-show ritual?

Take a big ol walk and listen to music

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

The Irvine Improv was a blast just based on the size, but the Corner Comedy Club in Toronto is where I call home. Nice and intimate, best vibes. Nothing beats a full house on a weekend.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

I have extensive bits about being getting sober, and the absurdity of the love people have given me while they are simultaneously high on drugs. I like it because it’s very relatable and paints a good picture of what it’s like getting sober while hanging out with (supportive) party animals.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

I enjoy comedians riffing on podcasts or interviews. Social media makes it fairly easy to find new faces.

Tell us a joke about your city.

Traffic in Toronto sucks. Anyone who drives the Gardiner Expressway knows how awful the commute is. I just found out that the Gardiner Expressway is named after a guy named Frederick G Gardiner.

Frederick G gardiner was a Canadian politician, lawyer and businessman. He was the first chairman of the Metropolitan Toronto Council, the governing body for the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, from 1953 to 1961. As Metro Chairman, Gardiner, nicknamed “Big Daddy,” was a staunch advocate of growth and expansion and was responsible for many capital works projects, including the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.

I learned all of this WHILE ON THE GARDINER EXPRESSWAY!

Do you have anything to promote right now?

My debut album with comedy records, entitled “Progress Not Perfection,” is available anywhere you stream your music!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Sarah Ashby, Peter Saran, Liam Andres, Hannah Veldhoen, Dean Hebscher, Kerby Derius

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Gavin Coscarella appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

I would describe my comedy as personal. I always try to invite the audience into my inner world with sincerity, then subvert their expectations with the right amount of vulnerability. I found out quickly in my career that whenever honesty isn’t the engine behind the material, it never lands the way it should—so I always try to come from truth.

Who are some of your influences?

I do picture comedians that inspire me when I write, especially, but honestly, my peers and friends are the ones that have had the biggest effect on me.

Hannah Veldhoen, Stephen Karmazyn, and Kyle Lucy for their chaos and authenticity.

Manny Mangat and Callum O’Neil for their ability to draw out unique premises and keep hammering tags, never leaving any meat on the bone.

Shanil Patel and Cameron Pheonix for their precision and composure. The list goes on. I started comedy in Toronto, so everything I am I owe to the people around me.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Hard tie between Eddie Murphy and Billy Connolly. I couldn’t believe that human beings were capable of entertaining audiences like that. I still can’t believe it if I’m honest.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Geoffrey Asmus

What is your pre-show ritual?

Depends on the stakes – I always find I perform better when I detach myself from the outcome, and I can be free to experiment, so in those situations, nothing – it’s just another day, and I clock in.

But more often than not, about 4 cigarettes and a couple beers.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Its tough to say – Absolute Comedy club has given me the highest consistent thrills

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

It’s my closer, and it has been for almost a year now. What’s exciting is that it keeps evolving — the more I write, the more new angles I find that feed into it. The premise is about how I’m not confident with dirty talk, but I’ve learned to get good at it by just saying nonsense in Greek to my partner, which they absolutely love.

Eventually, the bit turns into me saying real truths in Greek — about them, about my relationship with my mother, about who I actually am. It always feels like the perfect way to end a set. I’m scared I’ll never write anything better.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

The classics, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc., but live shows will always be king.

Tell us a joke about your city.

I grew up in Nicosia, Cyprus. I miss it, my friends. They’re all just short, hairy Greek dudes who think the movie 300 is a documentary.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Every Sunday, I host an 8 PM show called Shock Collar Comedy at Backroom Comedy Club. The premise of the show is that I wear a shock collar, and I get zapped if the other comedian on stage isn’t being funny. It’s a fun space to try new material or riff with the audience as the prospect of me getting electrocuted is a pretty satisfying safety net.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Manny Mangat

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Dimitrios Kolovopoulos appeared first on Toronto Guardian.