How would you describe your comedy style?

Like a playful little spank on the bum… Ok, maybe not so playful.

Who are some of your influences?

I used to love me some Tough Crowd back in the day, Greg Giraldo, Nick Di Paolo, Patrice O’Neal, good stuff. Sarah Silverman always made me laugh. Of course, some of the OG classics like Rodney Dangerfield and Joan Rivers. Locally? Derek Edwards was one of the first comics I ever saw live. I was a teenager when I saw him at Yuk Yuks. He had a joke about going to the Dentist and asking for strawberry fluoride, and he says, “Strawberry? This doesn’t taste like strawberry. Maybe if they were soaking in a bucket of goat piss…” Or something like that. Ha, I can still hear his voice.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Favorite? I can’t pick one. But the first time I watched stand-up comedy, I was 12 years old at a friend’s house, shout out to Jeff Gilbert. He popped in Eddie Murphy’s Delirious, and I was blown away. It was the first time I had ever heard anybody talk like that. I remember thinking, “Wow, there is a whole world out there I know nothing about.” Which is how I currently feel about AI.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Again, so hard to narrow the field, but here we go. Dan Soder, Doug Stanhope, Eddie Pepitone, there are easily ten more. As a comedian, you can watch another comic and think they’re really funny and not laugh because you’re appreciating the mechanics of the joke or something specifically about the performance, but those guys make me laugh out loud like an audience member.

What is your pre-show ritual?

Well, I don’t eat anything heavy before the show, did that a few times, big mistake. Then I’m up on stage feeling bloated like I’m gonna have a heart attack. I still got another 20 years left in me before I go out like that. Depending on the show, I like to get there early, sit in the back and take an inventory of the crowd, spot the drunks come up with a little plan to head them off at the pass.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

I used to host/roast an amateur strip contest in the Bronx. It was wild, the place was always jammed packed and smelled like blunts. I was the only white person there other than cops outside, and the only reason they were there was to collect their payoffs. I worked at that club for 6 years. Cardi B is also an alumni.

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

Well, this segues nicely. I got a stripper to come to my dad’s bedside while he was dying of cancer. Guess which Toronto hospital?

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

Instagram reels, at the airport, on the John, on the John at the airport…

Tell us a joke about your city.

I came back to Toronto for my high school dropout reunion, nobody is doing well. We had to have it in Oshawa.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

My special, ‘Best Son‘, and my podcast Fight Stories that I co-host with my buddy Tyler Morrison. Got a Fight Story? Give me a buzz.

Where can we follow you? 

Instagram | YouTube

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

Well, I gotta plug my co-host for Fight Stories, Tyler Morrison. He’s an assassin.

And Dan Guiry is a silly goose who makes me laugh.

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

How would you describe your comedy style?

Slice of life, health & romance… I’m just trying to find a way to laugh as my body changes, my parents grow older! I’m generally a family-friendly comedian, but I can add a little sass to things, too.

Who are some of your influences?

Rita Rudner, Wendy Liebman, Jerry Seinfeld & Norm MacDonald are some of my absolute favourite stand-ups. I appreciate the dry wit, the honesty, strong writing and word play. But I’m also equally influenced by humorists like Calvin Trillin and Erma Bombeck, too.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Humorist Erma Bombeck was my favourite comedian growing up. I was introduced to her writing by my parents. She wrote a successful newspaper column (& a number of books) about being a housewife in middle America, which is kinda of funny that I gravitated to her when I was like 10 years old. But I just thought what she wrote was so funny! I have a distinct memory of bringing in her book The Ties That Bind… And Gag! into my Grade 5 homeroom class and laughing my ass off. I was TEN!! It’s ridiculous, but even then, I knew it was good stuff.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Wendy Liebman is still atop my list, and I feel very lucky that life has connected us and that she’s done online shows of mine. She’s one of the funniest, smartest and nicest comedians you’ll meet. But gosh, I also adore SO many comedians out there: Jason Salmon, Tracy Hamilton, Adam Gabel, Desiree Walsh, Charles McBee, Erin McGuire, Arthur Simeon, Mary Kennedy, Brian Kiley, Josh Johnson… seriously, we could be here for HOURS.

What is your pre-show ritual?

Three things: I eat, light stuff, but I have to eat on account of my being “very very anemic” (an actual quote from my doctor). I also write keywords on my set on a piece of paper, and hold it for a few minutes before putting it in a pocket or (if need be) my shoe. I’m bemused by the fact that I have to hold the paper for a minute or two… do I think it will be absorbed into my bloodstream? And finally… I work on calming my breathing. I’d rather be grounded than amped up before a set.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Oh, that’s a good question… There could be various answers to this one, like any fully accessible venue because comedy shouldn’t be only for those who can walk up & down stairs… but I think the (and this will be ironic given what I just said) but the 3rd floor stage at the Social Capital Theatre in Toronto. It’s my fave because it’s where I did my very first set in January of 2016. So it just has a special spot in my heart. I’ve been in the Toronto comedy community since the early 1990s, when I did tech for shows & clubs as a teen… but it took a personal loss to push me to try things I’d long dreamed of, like doing stand-up to actually give it a go.

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

One of the earliest jokes I ever wrote, about handing off my nephew to my brother after a visit… giving him a squeeze and saying I love you, is easily a favourite of mine. I don’t dive too deep into the dynamics with my siblings, but I’m a proud aunt, and that joke just has a punch that just makes it funnier as they get older. Because I cap it with “Aunty Kelly, put me down, I’m 32!” And as he gets older, the age just is more ridiculous. And that joke is on my first album, Sugar n’ Spice & Smirnoff Ice, which just makes me beam. It was literally one of the first jokes I ever wrote.

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

Life! The medium of life. That’s a very general answer, but Instagram/YouTube, or in-person at a mic or a show online, I’m just keeping my eyes open. I produce shows, too, so I want to make sure I’m using whatever platform I have to give a good show and give stage time to those you don’t see enough. And Toronto has a bounty of amazing voices, some of whom use wheelchairs or walkers, so that’s why I need to put in the work to make sure I produce shows in spaces where they can be heard. John Mandrow is an incredible comic, who uses a wheelchair, isn’t seen nearly enough, and Rosani Christy and Desiree Walsh should be headlining across the country because they’re very very funny folks. But wheelchairs and stairs… well… yeah. That’s why I love the virtual medium… it really opened my eyes to who else is in the community with me. And I gotta do better so more people know they’re there.

Tell us a joke about your city.

“Living in Toronto is like living in a live-action game of Tetris… we’re gonna stuff a building there, and, there… is that a tiny empty square of land? Let’s put a condo there…”

Do you have anything to promote right now?

My latest album, Lady Comic! And I’ll produce shows in Toronto that any BODY can come to, walk or wheel on it. You can find it all on my website.

Where can we follow you? 

Instagram | YouTube

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

Rob Ito is one of my favourites, a nice guy and just so funny!!

Rosani Christy is an absolute killer who doesn’t let MS slow down her brilliant mind. I love her.

And really, what can you say about Desiree Walsh? She’s incredible, and I’m grateful to call her a friend and share the stage with her.

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Kelly Zemnickis appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

Real, Honest and Irish

Who are some of your influences?

Billy Connolly, Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Tommy Tiernan, Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Billy Connolly

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Tommy Tiernan

What is your pre-show ritual?

I write out my set during the day and perform it for my dog. Once I get to the gig, I will write it out again before show, just one keyword to remind me of the joke; this could also be due to my memory being fried from perimenopause.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Newfoundland is fantastic, like Ireland on Steroids, and they are so up for the craic

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

My absolute favourite joke I wrote is about period products now vs when I was a teenager, and we had to use Single Ikea Mattresses. I love it because as soon as I mention the word “Period,” everyone tenses up, and then I have to win them over. It’s a lovely feeling when all the older women and men start hitting each other and laughing because they can relate to the struggle we all had.

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

Usually, Instagram and YouTube or seeing a newer comic at a gig, there are so many great comics in Canada.

Tell us a joke about your city.

Do you know how to spot a real Irish person on St Patrick’s Day in Toronto?

We are the ones wearing NOTHING from Dollarama

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Yes, my latest album “FIONA 51” on Spotify and Apple; thanks to Cottage Comedy for helping me.

Where can we follow you?

All my links to my social media are on the website. Please follow me. Thanks very much.

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

Eric Andrews is a joy to watch on stage, makes me really laugh every time. Also, John Mostyn, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, living in Toronto now, is hilarious.

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Fiona O’Brien appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

This is painful for me to answer but deadpan, literal, honest, and surreal.

Who are some of your influences?

The movie Muriel’s Wedding, Lisa Kudrow, David Lynch, the band The Knife, my mom, my friends, and people who are making interesting and genuine work!

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

I was always obsessed with anything Molly Shannon and Maria Bamford was my first favourite stand-up comedian.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

I love the Nymphowars podcast, Richard Perez, and Jackie Pirico!

What is your pre-show ritual?

I look myself in the mirror and ask, “Is this really the right form of expression for me?”

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

For me, performances are always extremely dictated by my mood, vibe, comfortability etc so I never really know if a show is going to feel good. Would love to figure that out one day…But for ease let’s say the Comedy Bar Cabaret space in Toronto!

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

It’s a bit about when I was a little girl and I asked my mom to marry me and she said she couldn’t be with me because she was already with my dad. Not because I was her daughter, or that we share the same blood, or that it’s illegal etc, it was simply the fact she was already taken.

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

Podcasts, television/film, real-life.

Tell us a joke about your city.

That is private information.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Keep your eyes open for Ryan Steel’s Telefilm Talent To Watch feature film MEAT. I got to play a deranged She-EO and it was so incredibly fun. I’m also releasing my first short film called Ends Meat. Big meat year for me!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Website

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

Isabella Campbell and Harrison Weinreb

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

How would you describe your comedy style?

My comedic style is very off the cuff and sometimes very tongue-in-cheek. I lighten my show by not taking it too seriously and allow a lot of audience play to create a fun environment and welcoming atmosphere while still performing some impossible psychological feats. It’s important to create laughter as it brings a room together

Who are some of your influences?

My influences are across many genres. The Amazing Kreskin was always on television as a child, as was Doug Henning, although he was known for Grand Illusion. His relaxed style was always welcoming. As for characters, I am a huge fan of classic wrestling with some of the bombastic ones heavily influencing my nuances and even look over the years.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Red Foxx is the GOAT, and his ability to adapt to both the mainstream and Chitlin circuit is unmatchable. His albums were so important for their time, and Sanford and Son was one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. That being said, I never work “blue” but understand the importance of knowing your audience.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Jimmy Carr and Jim Jeffries are a tie. I also enjoy the comedy of Canadian improv genius Ken Hall of the two-man no show, as well as many other award-winning live shows.

What is your pre-show ritual?

Usually, I don’t have much time for a ritual, but if anything, I often will listen to a few music tracks on my Spotify and envision the success of the night.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA, it is the world’s most prestigious venue for magicians, and had having the opportunity to work there over 100 shows was my dream come true.

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

I enjoy what’s known as a book test, where a guest thinks of a word in a book, and I am able to know it. I created my own version of this effect, and it’s so strong and personal and can play for an entire 15 minutes with layers and even turns the audience member into a thought reader. I’m proud of the amount of thinking that went into it and the results it’s had with me and other mentalists using it in their show.

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

Going to clubs, watching and meeting them. I have a fun act named Kali Williams on my next public show as an opener, who I met at a venue I work at monthly, and they killed it. Online is fine, but seeing the acts and the audience reaction is key.

Tell us a joke about your city.

The Transit System. It is so delayed whenever I use it that it’s not uncommon I start performing for patrons to elevate the mood and kill time. Then I’m asked, “Why are you on the TTC?” To me, usually replying “why are you?”

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok

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

Kali Williams

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