How would you describe your comedy style?

My comedy style has been described as beautiful nonsense or freestyle yelling. A lot of crowd interaction. Although I do have a lot of material, everyone has a story, and because I do a lot of international shows, I enjoy hearing about different people’s lives, perspectives, etc.

Who are some of your influences?

So many people ask me this. I wouldn’t say that people influence me, but I’m definitely influenced by my surroundings. I’m a huge social butterfly, and I love people watching. I’m influenced by just being a fly on the wall watching the world go round.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Again, wasn’t passionate about comedy growing up, so I would have to say Dave Chappelle because literally every millennial grew up on the Chapelle show.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Sounds basic and mainstream, but honestly, there is nobody more effortlessly funny than Shane Gillis, dude is an animal.

What is your pre-show ritual?

Depends on whether I’m on tour or at home. But if there is music, a cocktail or a hot tub or a pool involved, that’s usually a good shout for what I’m doing. When I’m at the venue before the show, I like to look at the front row and let the creative juices start flowing before we kick it off.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Budapest. Amazing city with a vibrant nightlife scene and super cool venues. So many people from all over the world go there to party, so every time I have done a show there, you always get like 15+ nationalities in the audience. Super cool.

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

I have actually almost never sat down and wrote a joke. Maybe in the first few years of my career, but as long as I can remember, I just get an idea and bring it onstage and work it out there. Get the reps in at mics and get it to the level I want it to. Being able to work my craft on the fly and have it feel organic and genuine to me is something that I can definitely be proud of.

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

Aside from my personal comedy career, I also manage a comedy club in Ottawa. Seeing new or up-and-coming comics shine on my stage is one of the best parts of running the business.

Tell us a joke about your city.

Nah, I’m off the clock.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Anybody heading to Ottawa should check out any of the shows we have at the Laugh Lounge. We are a moody new york style speakeasy comedy room right in the middle of the Byward Market, open Thursday-Sunday every week with the absolute best comics in Canada coast to coast.

Where can we follow you?

Come see my nonsense on Instagram

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

In my native city of Ottawa, the best up-and-coming comic is Rob Morgan by a mile. Guy is an absolute superstar in the making.

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Nick Burden appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

A mixed bag of fun with one or 2 black licorices candies in it.

Who are some of your influences?

Patrice O’Neal, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Les Brown, Martin Lawrence, the Old Spice Guy, A guy I saw on a bus once handle a confrontation in such a beautiful, commanding way that led to a peaceful outcome.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Katt Wiiliams or Dane Cook

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Jarrett Campbell

What is your pre-show ritual?

Pace around the room in circles like a dog; you can never find a good place to sit down.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

My favourite place to perform is Halifax, because they are all weirdos who want to have fun.

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

My favourite bit is “My mom’s white, relatable?” cause the audiences in Canada are mostly white, and it is relatable. Get it?

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

Instagram, where else

Tell us a joke about your city.

Toronto, more like, no parking here town.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Follow me on social media at @itsmichaelmoses and watch my Kill Tony appearance on YouTube

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook

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

@gregpalone

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Michael Moses appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

Confessional – things you’d only tell a priest or your doctor, but instead I’m saying them in front of a group of strangers in a dimly lit basement and getting paid in drink tickets and chicken wings (if I’m lucky).

Who are some of your influences?

Christopher Guest (Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind), Monty Python, Bernie Mac, Gilda Radner, The Sopranos (comedically underrated in my opinion), Norm Macdonald, Beth Stelling, Michelle Wolf, Tina Fey, my Zia Pina.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

I loved Amanda Bynes growing up. I remember watching All That, The Amanda Show, She’s the Man, and Sydney White and wanting to be her. The industry can be very cruel. You could tell by her range, comedic timing, and physicality that comedy came naturally.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Right now, I’m really enjoying Josh Johnson, Chris Fleming, Chloe Radcliffe, Geoffrey Asmus & Maddy Wiener.

What is your pre-show ritual?

A crisp Diet Coke with a lime wedge. Pace a bit. Make sure I don’t have anything stuck in my teeth. Scroll my notes app and question why I didn’t just go to law school.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

The cabaret space at Comedy Bar on Bloor is one of my favourite places in Toronto. It’s intimate, lively, and there’s no green room, so if you bomb, you have to face the audience after the show as they clear out.

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

I froze my eggs, and I wrote a lot of material about that experience, which I’m proud of. It’s deeply personal. I enjoy the process of bringing people into my inner world. In all honesty, I’m also trying to monetize the experience to recoup some of the egg debt that I incurred through the process.

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

I’m fortunate enough that I get to travel and do comedy. I’ll visit exciting places like London, Ontario, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Lethbridge, Alberta (all three actually have amazing comedy audiences that often give the acts more energy than the average Toronto audience). I enjoy getting the opportunity to meet and watch comics from different cities and explore new places through their comedy scene. More realistically, Instagram and TikTok have exposed me to so many funny people. Your favourite comics will also probably name-drop some of their favourite people to watch; that’s always a good way to broaden your horizons.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

My debut album, Big Naturals, was released on February 27th, 2026, with Comedy Records. I also host a monthly late-night stand-up show at Comedy Bar called Ghost Orgy.

Where can we follow you?

@unclebria on Instagram and TikTok

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

Freddy Jan

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Bria Hiebert appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

A theatrical, character-based comedian whose work explores the joy of taking language, idioms, and emotions far too literally—often through song.

Who are some of your influences?

Carly Heffernan, Andy Assaf, Hannah Spear, Carrie Brownstein, Fred Armisen, Nicole Sullivan, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Mark Procksh, Vanessa Bayer, Jennifer Coolidge

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Eddie Murphy, George Carlin

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Emily Catalano

What is your pre-show ritual?

I haven’t created one yet. When I was Powerlifter, I would meditate; maybe I should bring that back.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Comedy Bar Danforth because it feels like home.

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

This is tough! I really enjoyed performing my Manic Pixie Dream Crystal Sketch, but I have a bunch of other characters and sketches I haven’t had a chance to perform outside of an audition. I am performing a New York Psychic Medium on a blind date at Sketch to the Death, and she is a lot of fun. I also love bringing wrote a that will potentially be in a Valentine’s Sketch Show at Comedy Bar Danforth that is called Ghosted Busters. Stantz, Venkman and Spangler are attempting to rid the dating world of the phenomenon of Ghosting. I have a 13-year-old step-kid, and I was inspired to try my hand at using gen-alpha slang for one of the scenes, and it’s a riot. My kiddo helped me with special effects for character Science Sarah, who wanted to debunk the whole Labubu’s are Possessed theory, but realized it was true!

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

Reels always pop up on socials and youtube but going to shows is a great way to check out and support local talent

Tell us a joke about your city.

Ajax by the beach, not the bleach

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Select Sundays from March 8-June 21st, Comedy Bar Danforth 9:30—Studio Sundays Sketch Troupe Test Sets

March 29th, Comedy Bar Bloor 5pm—Actually, It’s Love: And Improvised Standup Set

April 22nd, Second City Time TBD—Conservatory 2 Show

April 25th, Palmerston Library Theatre 7pm—Storytelling Toronto: Tales of Wisdom

April 30-June 11th, Comedy Bar Danforth 8:30– Studio Thursdays

May 16-June 6th, Comedy Bar Danforth 6PM—Longform Musical Improv Set

June 27th & 28th, Comedy Bar Danforth Time TBD—Untitled Sketch Show

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

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

@adi_comic

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Yvy Ringler appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

I would say my style is dark misdirects with a hint of cringe. I like to take the crowd one direction and then take them somewhere they didn’t expect it to go.

Who are some of your influences?

For stand-up, I’d say Anthony Jeselnik in terms of his timing and misdirection. Dave Chappelle, in terms of his impact and influence. And I would also say Shane Gillis and Mark Normand are also a couple of my current favourites. In terms of sketch comedy, Tim Robinson is my favourite currently.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Russel Peters was the first stand-up special I watched, and I loved how he could make racial jokes very funny for all. His being from the Greater Toronto Area also let me know this was possible. I also think Jim Carey, as a comedic actor, was always one of my favourites.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

I currently think Ryan Long is hilarious, and coming out of Toronto is great. Also, Shane Gillis, Dave Chappelle and Mark Normand as mentioned earlier.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I like to do a workout the day of a show because I feel like going through the struggle in a workout helps my mind come showtime. I’m also a stoner, but funny enough, for big shows I don’t like to smoke before, I like to use it as an incentive for after my set.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Nothing beats a sold out yuk yuks, specifically the Toronto location. When you get that room erupting with laughter, it legit shakes and you can feel it in your bones. Nothing beats the intimate environment of a packed comedy club with low ceilings.

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

I have a land acknowledgment, but I love it because it’s super silly and also addresses the current climate we’re in. Making everyone laugh about a current issue, finding common ground is always fun.

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

Being at local shows and watching comics live is my favourite way to find new comics. Seeing someone live for the first time in person is a one-of-a-kind experience that can’t be replicated online.

Tell us a joke about your city.

When the Blue Jays and Leafs are in the playoffs, it reminds me of white people’s version of Caribana. They all flood the streets out of nowhere, drunk, going wild… and usually end up with disappointment and a hangover.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

I make comedy music as well and have an album coming out soon called “Cracker Rap”. I also have a collab album with Jared Nathan called Spectrum, currently out, with the sequel album on the way in 2026

Where can we follow you?

@cringekev on all platforms

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

Dave Sealy

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Kevin Campbell appeared first on Toronto Guardian.