Comedy Always Wins
…Comedy is much more difficult than tragedy. It’s much easier to make people cry than to make them laugh.
Vivien Leigh
…Comedy is much more difficult than tragedy. It’s much easier to make people cry than to make them laugh.
Vivien Leigh
ImPort Stanley is weekly series about life and discoveries by a recent “import” to Port Stanley, ON.
Every time I’ve gone to see a small-town theatre production, it was worth it. Port Stanley’s Festival Theatre included. It’s been many years since I’ve seen a show there. The last time, I drove from my home in Toronto. Now that we live here, it’s time to rediscover this gem of an attraction.
…Do you remember the character Griffin played on Seinfeld? As a stand-up comic, she used real encounters with Jerry in her act. It deeply embarrassed him. When he appealed to her to stop, that became a bit, too. That was a character but the real Kathy Griffin is also outspoken, honest and unafraid. No matter what she does or who she offends, I kind of love her.
…Sometimes, a commercial can cut through the clutter of ordinary advertising and become entertainment. “START THE CAR” from Ikea comes to mind. And this new one featuring our talented pal, Ed. …
Kevin Meaney died last weekend. You may not know his name, but in stand-up comedy circles and among stand-up comedy nuts like me, he was a mainstay. Only 60, he was a favourite of Johnny Carson’s on The Tonight Show back when that was where comics got their big break. If Johnny invited you over to the couch, you became a star. Kevin always got to go to the couch. …
I feel like a bit of a jerk for my response to this book, but I’m just a person too! …
Garry Shandling always made me laugh. From his early stand-up days through It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, The Larry Sanders Show, and a recent appearance on Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, there was never a time when he seemed dated or out of touch. Fellow comics had mad respect for him. …
How lucky was Joan Rivers to live so long that there are generations of people who have no idea of the influence she had over entertainment. One day at work, a long time ago, a much younger colleague called her “a joke”. It wasn’t meant as a compliment. To him, Rivers was just a raspy old broad who took cheap shots at celebrities. But she used to be much more than that. …
Stand-up comedians, the good ones, are the philosophers of our time. There are people working in other realms that make us think, but it’s my belief that comics are pushing the walls of our minds open and forcing us to see things in new ways. …
When Jimmy Fallon was part of the Saturday Night Live cast, I never imagined he would have a stellar performing career. He ruined several skits by cracking up and seemed to be just okay most of the time, with his brightest spots coming via impressions. He starred in a couple of entirely forgettable movies and didn’t seem to be going anywhere fast. Shows you what I know! …
Jerry Lewis is a tool. Yes, a tool who raised lots of money for kids with M.D. but a tool nonetheless. One of the biggest jerks I ever worked with was nicknamed Mr. Telethon and that moniker had nothing to do with his caring personality – which didn’t exist – and everything to do with his deep cravings for attention. But I digress.
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Brandt’s Randt – Jerry Lewis Makes Unfunny Comments on Women ComicsRead More »
As the London Food Bank (and Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank) launches its spring food drive, with a greater need than ever, it reminds me that our world has its priorities all wrong. …
As a student of stand-up comedy I love to know little tidbits about the comics I enjoy. But imagine my surprise when I discovered a comic I’ve enjoyed for years is very likely a routine thief. …
Imagine how difficult it is to get two people who get up for work at 3:30 am to go out on a Sunday night. It’s nearly impossible. But Jim Gaffigan decided to make a tour stop in London’s Centennial Hall on a Sunday, so, what could we do? We bought front-row seats. We literally had the best seats in the house. …
“Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right.” …
There is documented proof on this website that I’m not a fan of comic Mike MacDonald. Years ago, I sat stone-faced through his gala set at the Just For Laughs Festival gala in Montreal. He was never funny to me. But he has been dubbed Canada’s funniest comic by the adoring press and has thousands of fans. And my feelings about his act aside, the man needs help and fast. …
If you’ve visited here before, you may already be aware that I’m a stand-up comedy nut. Nut! I have a long list of favourites that includes Jim Gaffigan who is coming to London in July and we have front-row seats for his Centennial Hall show. …
Our friend Eddie is a man of truly rare talents. He’s an incredible mimic and voice artist and you won’t find a funnier guy on the planet. …