Canadianish Comedians!
It’s a well known fact that Canada has produced some of the funniest people in the world. So buckle up and follow along as we present the people who make you laugh…
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Brett MacNeil - Episode 023
02/01/2024
Brett MacNeil - Episode 023
Taylor Swift’s long-lost twin Brett MacNeil is a fabulous Toronto-based stand-up comedian hailing from the small town of Sydney, Nova Scotia. He recently completed his Master of Business Administration at the University of Fredericton, where he and his teammates dedicated their final graduation project to designing an app meant to help make the Toronto stand-up comedy scene a little more inclusive. We made a few references that were incorrect, but that's what life is all about... we do comedy people. ✌️
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Precious Chong - Episode 022
01/02/2024
Precious Chong - Episode 022
Precious Chong is an award winning actress, writer and comedian living in Toronto. Her most recent credits include ‘Murdoch Mysteries’, Syfy’s ‘Chucky’ and CBC Gem’s ‘Homeschooled’. Other film and television credits include USA Network’s, “Falling Water” as well as the Hallmark Christmas movie “Love You Like Christmas” and “Northern Lights of Christmas”. Her web sketch series “Sex and the Single Parent” with fellow comedian Melissa Story (nominated for a 2015 CCA for Best Web Series and Best Female Performance in a web series) has over two million hits on Funny or Die and their weekly podcast “Story with Chong” is currently on itunes, Spotify, and Podcast Addict. She has written about her life for the Toronto Life, Reader’s Digest and the Fix among other publications. She co-wrote, co-produced and co-starred in the full length horror comedy “Homewrecker” alongside Alex Essoe (Doctor Sleep, Starry Eyes) that recently premiered at Fantasia Fest, Fantastic Fest in Austin,Toronto After Dark, and the New York Horror Film Festival where it won best screenplay. Her dad is counter culture icon Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong. She also walks on stilts.
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Episode 021 Kyle Brownnigg
10/01/2023
Episode 021 Kyle Brownnigg
Kyle Brownrigg is an undeniable presence in Canadian comedy. In 2019 he was a finalist in SiriusXM's Top Comic Competition, one of JFL42's New Faces, was selected for the prestigious Just for Laughs Homegrown show, and as a result he was awarded the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Breakout Artist. In May 2022 Brownrigg released his debut Just for Laughs comedy special 'Introducing Lyle' on Crave which was one of the highest trending comedy specials of the year. Kyle can be seen on many television series such as Roast Battle Canada, The Standup Show with Jon Dore, Comedy Night with Rick Mercer, Humour Resources, The New Wave of Stand-up, and The Halifax Comedy Festival on CBC. He is also a regular on the hit CBC Radio show The Debaters. Kyle is also a national touring stand-up comedian that has performed across the entire country including the Arctic. With his years of experience and unique style of joke writing and delivery, Kyle Brownrigg is certainly someone you don't want to miss. We caught up with Kyle at his home in early July of 2023 after a whirlwind month of PRIDE in Toronto. You can follow Kyle for all his shows and podcast
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Janelle Niles - Episode 020
09/16/2023
Janelle Niles - Episode 020
Janelle Niles is a Black - Mi’kmaq woman from Sipekne'katik, Nova Scotia. Janelle’s comedy career began in Ottawa, Ontario and soon to follow with her indigenous comedy show called which expresses solidarity through humour. Janelle had the opportunity to perform on Just For Laughs, JFL42, Toronto in 2022 with Got Land? You can watch Janelle on CBC Gem’s New Wave Of Stand-up Season 2 (Canada Only). Janelle has also performed with Crack up Comedy Festival and Arctic Comedy Festival alongside her peers. Catch her appearance on Episode 1 of CTV’s Battle of the Generations through ON DEMAND, or CRAVE. She appeared on APTN’s Indigenous Day Live 2022, now on APTN’s Lumi. She frequents the United States and hopes to perform in New York City. Janelle’s humour is described as eccentric yet captivating. Catch everything happening in Janelle's world
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Keesha Brownie - Episode 019
08/07/2023
Keesha Brownie - Episode 019
Keesha Brownie is an energetic, multi-faceted performer. She crafts her comedic recipe with a background in theatre, sketch, and music. Making observations about her Jamaican roots and Canadian upbringing, she punctuates punchlines with act-outs, parody songs, and sometimes even backup dancers. Behind that dynamic stage presence lies a fierce work ethic and an entrepreneurial mind. Brownie is a Second City alumni, independent show producer, and she keeps her fingers on the pulse by frequenting open mics all over Toronto. Brownie earned a Canadian Comedy Award nomination for Best Female Stand-Up in 2015. From there, she has made a name for herself on a global scale. Brownie has graced the stage across Canada and the United States. She’s also performed in the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. You can find out more about Keesha and where she is performing here: *Admin’s note - yes, we know it was Sheryl Crowe (and not Melissa Etheridge) who sang "If It Makes You Happy" ... Laura had a momentary brain fart.
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Mickey Dykeman - Episode 018
07/10/2023
Mickey Dykeman - Episode 018
We caught up with Mickey at their home in Toronto. Their bio reads as follows: The human equivalent of a golden retriever, Mickey Dykeman is a high energy, punch up comic. Through personal storytelling and silly word play Mickey's stand up covers topics such as relationships, religion and the Queer experience. They also do freelance script and screenplay writing, primarily comedy. They are a regular comic at the Comedy Lab and the booker and host for Black Sheep Comedy. You can follow Mickey on
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Kelly Zemnickis - Episode 017
06/21/2023
Kelly Zemnickis - Episode 017
Kelly Zemnickis got her start in comedy at 17, cleaning toilets at a local Toronto comedy club. She eventually worked her way up to running the technical side of things, but it was only at the age of 37 when she took the mic for the very first time. In the 6 years since her first set, Kelly has shared the stage with comedians such as Kevin Farley and has been featured at the Burbank Comedy Festival (2020- best of the fest selection), Boston Comedy Festival, North Carolina Comedy Festival and L.A's Laugh Riot Grrl Festival. She has also graced the stages of The Comedy Nest (Montreal), Absolute Comedy (Toronto/Ottawa/Kingston), Broadway Comedy Club (NYC), West Side Comedy Club (NYC), The Market Lounge & Comedy Club (Valparaiso, Indiana) and Annoyance Theatre (Chicago). As a host & producer, Kelly runs the monthly fully-accessible comedy show Comedy on The Avenue and runs a number of online comedy shows. She is also the host/producer of the YouTube baking series It'll Be Fine: A Baking Show and as a filmmaker has been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award. Kelly’s debut comedy album Sugar and Spice and Smirnoff Ice was recently released on Howl & Roar Records and is available here: Get everything Kelly Zemnickis right here, including her podcast, her YouTube channel and so much more!: Editor's note: Thrill Coffee, mentioned in the podcast, is currently undergoing restructuring and is not available at the time of publication.
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Stephanie Herrera - Episode 016
05/23/2023
Stephanie Herrera - Episode 016
Stephanie Herrera is an Honours Graduate of the York University Theatre Playwright program and is currently a Writer’s Guild of Canada member, and award winner, writing for TV and Film, as well as for Kids Animation. Stephanie has written, directed, produced and performed in over 10 original dinner theatre shows that have toured Ontario. Her slate of work also contains dozens of sketch and comedy shows, including the Toronto Fringe Festival. She founded Durham Improv, where she produced hundreds of live comedy shows, two seasons of “Stephanie’s Comedy Chat” on Rogers TV, which inspired her to publish a book called “The Ten Commandments!…Of Improvising.” An active member of ACTRA Toronto, you can see her in a variety of commercials, TV Shows, plus Lifetime and Hallmark movies. She is also the mother of 4 kids!!! Follow Stephanie on or catch all of her TV and film activity on her . Check out her latest creation on Facebook
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Jane Luk - Episode 015
05/07/2023
Jane Luk - Episode 015
Jane Luk is an actor, improvisor, and writer. Jane’s favourite stage credits include years of Improv shows at Bad Dog Theatre, Second City, The Social Capital as well as many stages across Canada. Jane will also be joining the cast of Les Belles Soeurs in Stratford, August 2023, playing Gabrielle Jodoin (one of the sisters). Selected film and TV appearances include Handmaid’s Tale, Murdoch Mysteries, Kim’s Convenience, Anne With an E, The Clark Sisters, Saw lll, World Improv Championships (Just For Laughs Fest) as well as a few Hallmark holiday movies. She is currently playing Pearl in Chateau Laurier (streaming on Apple +TV, Google Play, Vimeo on Demand), and is still working on a script for a short (Title Unknown right now) about revenge. Jane has also voiced for the animated series Abby Hatcher Fuzzly Catcher, Rosie’s Rules, Space Ranger Roger, Toot and Puddle, Deus Ex Human Revolution and X-Men the series and video game. Jane is a four-time nominee for the Canadian Comedy Awards for Funniest Female Improvisor as well as a winner in Comedy Ensemble with Monkey Toast. She is also a recipient of a Dora Award and Chalmers Award for Best Youth Script and is a Humber Theatre graduate. Her independent short “How to be More Chinese” enjoyed a two year broadcast with the Comedy Network. Jane recently directed 365 Days/365 Plays by Suzan Lori-Parks for University Players at University of Windsor. She also directed and created “Smokey Topaz Multimedia Extravaganza” for the Fringe and Asianploitation’s “Be Pacific”, “Tofu TV”, “Be More Pacific”. And “How to be More Chinese” (Comedy Network). Connect with Jane here:
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Joanne O'Sullivan - Episode 014
04/24/2023
Joanne O'Sullivan - Episode 014
Joanne has worked in the live Canadian arts scene for over 20 years, across many genres, including performing stand-up from Vancouver to Toronto. She has written and performed in three solo shows and her third, She Grew Funny, premiered to sold-out audiences at the Toronto Fringe Festival, where it was the Factory Theatre Studio Patron’s Pick and one of Now Magazine’s Outstanding New Plays. As a Screenwriter, Joanne’s selected credits include writing for CBC’s popular news parody show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and as a contributing writer for the Baroness von Sketch Show. Joanne’s podcast, , where guests tell her their funniest, happiest and most amazing true stories, recorded three episodes live in front of an audience as part of the 2022 Meighen Forum at the Stratford Festival. CONNECT WITH JOANNE through her social media here: See all her greatness on her . Check out her other podcast Just For Once wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Jackie Hoffart - Episode 013
04/05/2023
Jackie Hoffart - Episode 013
Jackie Hoffart is a short film maker, comedy producer & host, comedian, and writer who lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, also known as Vancouver. Jackie served twice as a JUDGE for the JUNO Comedy Album of the Year category. They created a Telus STORYHIVE-funded docu-series called “YVR Funny” featuring 8 Vancouver comedians performing standup and giving intimate interviews. The first season of YVR Funny is now live on YouTube and the second season is in production. You can find everything on Jackie’s website, https://www.jackiehoffart.com/ If you're in Vancouver, catch one of their shows - which you can find here: https://linktr.ee/moonbasedcomedy
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Celeste Lampa - Episode 012
03/26/2023
Celeste Lampa - Episode 012
Celeste Lampa hails from Edmonton, AB and has become a favourite in Western Canada’s comedy scene. Her material stems from being a first generation Filipino-Canadian, a mom, a wife; and being tired. Her talent has led her to work with some of today’s best comics. She has performed all across Canada and the United States, and has been featured at the SheDot Comedy Festival in Toronto and The Grindstone Comedy Festival in Edmonton. WATCH FOR CELESTE coming to Toronto with her SWEET & SALTY Tour with Crystal Ferrier!
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Stephanie Haller - Episode 011
03/06/2023
Stephanie Haller - Episode 011
Steph Haller is a Toronto based actor and improvisor. She is a graduate of the Second City Sketch Conservatory and has studied extensively with Bad Dog Comedy Theatre and The Assembly. In 2022, Steph completed a 30 show tour of her 50-minute improv show “Too Much Information Improvised” with her improv partner (and ex-lover) Paddy. Steph loves big feelings, tarot cards and reminiscing (so we asked her about all of it). When she is not performing, you can find Steph knitting socks, and singing Harry Styles songs to her cats (yeah, we asked her about that too!). Find Stephanie on Instagram
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Zabrina Douglas - Episode 010
02/18/2023
Zabrina Douglas - Episode 010
Born and raised in Brampton, Zabrina Douglas is a comedian that draws from her experience as a Nurse, a mother, and the daughter of 2 Jamaican parents. "She's one of the most exuberant and cheerful stand-ups working in the city. She can turn a whole show around by kicking up the energy in the room." Steve Fisher --Torontoist.com. Zabrina has been a regular and headlined Kenny Robinson's legendary "". She Created and Produces her Critically acclaimed show "". The album of the same title received a Juno Award nomination for Comedy Album of the Year in 2023. She has performed in well-known festivals like Just For Laughs Toronto, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Slo Comedy Festival in California and The women's Comedy festival in Boston. Her work can be seen on Teletoons, The Comedy Network and CBC. She has shared the stage with comedians like Gilbert Godfrey, Cocoa Brown and Luenell. Zabrina has been nominated for a Juno Award in 2023. We had such a great conversation!
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Chandra Pepper - Episode 009
01/29/2023
Chandra Pepper - Episode 009
We spoke with the delightfully funny Chandra Pepper! Chandra is an accomplished actress, writer, director, and teacher of theatre & meditation. She is passionate about living in a world full of connection and respect and theatre is the gateway drug to all that fun stuff! She has an imaginary friend named Fred and her letters to him are soon to be a book. We talked to her about life, comedy, and Fred.
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Lisa Merchant - Episode 008
01/14/2023
Lisa Merchant - Episode 008
Lisa Merchant is a highly sought-after improvisation instructor/facilitator/performer. She has been studying, performing and teaching the art of improvisation for 35 years. Currently a professor at Humber College in the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts - teaching Improvisation for the Comedy Program. Lisa is faculty at SoCap Theatre in Toronto and a 29 year Senior Faculty member at The Second City Training Centre and corporate facilitator with The Second City Works division and privately. She is a multiple nominee and winner of 4 Canadian Comedy Awards, 3 for Best Female Improvisor. Lisa was a cast member of the Gemini nominated Joe Blow Show. Some television credits include: Murdoch Mysteries, Private Eyes, American Gods, Degrassi XV, Train 48... Most recently she was invited to perform in the Artic Comedy Festival in Iqaluit, Nunavut. In addition to live performance around Toronto and across Canada, she has performed in David Shore’s Monkey Toast, the live improvised talk show, since its inception 19 year’s ago. Some accolades: Platinum Winner of The Toronto Star Reader's Choice Award - category of Best Theatre Instructor for 2019 and 2020 Awarded the 2019 Frank McAnulty Faculty Award With Marcel St. Pierre won the 2019 World's Biggest Improv Tournament surviving 126 teams "...a week of unbridled improv - at which she's peerless." NOW Magazine “Taking improv with Lisa Merchant was a game changer for me. It not only helped me be a better communicator, it made me a better person. I learned fundamental ideas that I still apply to this day. Over ten years after taking that original class, I invited Lisa to come and speak to the 2012 Canadian Olympic team to give them a competitive advantage. Such is the value of what she has to teach.” Mark Tewksbury, Olympic Champion and 2012 Canadian Olympic Team Chef de mission “How does improv lead to insights into effective communication, greater creativity, and conflict resolution? Through the inspired teaching of Lisa Merchant. Thank you, Lisa, for contributing your wisdom to classes over the years.” Leslie H. Macleod, B.A., LL.B., LL.M. (ADR), Principal of Leslie H. Macleod & Associates, Specialists in Conflict Resolution. You can reach Lisa via her webite - or on Instagram
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Al Val Comedy - Episode 007
01/01/2023
Al Val Comedy - Episode 007
Since coming out as transgender, Al Val has enjoyed nothing short of a meteoric rise in the Canadian comedy scene. Val has made multiple appearances at the Halifax Comedy Festival, the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival, in Vancouver and Toronto, and has taped stand-up sets for CBC Gem, Crave TV, CTV, and "JFL Originals". Al Val is in season three of a show called "Drag Heals", in which she and a handful of other entertainers go through this intense workshop and build a short one-person show based on their stories. It's very raw and emotional in some parts, and you get a cute snippet of where exactly she was during her transition! Drag Heals S3 will premiere on Friday, February 10th 2023 at 9:30pm ET/PT on OUTtv and the OUTtv channel on Amazon and Apple TV in Canada. She has also written for "This Hour Has 22 Minutes". She’s a graduate of Second City's Conservatory Program, and one part of improv-rock musical duo "OverDude"
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Angela Maiorano Thurston - Episode 006
12/25/2022
Angela Maiorano Thurston - Episode 006
Angela Maiorano-Thurston was born into a loud Italian family. Since birth she knew she had a voice that needed to be heard. Yes, her voice is a little unusual and squeaky at times, but you always know its Angela's distinctive trademark. While studying Improv at the famous during the 90's she made quite an impact, and it started the beginning of her Comedy career. Angela has become a seasoned Stand up Performer, while touring in North America. She has appeared in countless television commercials, movies for film and T.V. This has all made Angela very recognizable and continues to bring her great success. Angela is hilarious, definitely a star in our books, AND a force to be reckoned with. You can reach Angela and follow her on
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Cathy Gatlin - Episode 005
12/04/2022
Cathy Gatlin - Episode 005
Cathy Gatlin is the improv instructor for . Over the last 22 years she has taken classes at Second City, Bad Dog Theatre (formerly Theatresports) and most recently at the Kate Ashby Academy. She was also in the improv troupe “Born a Swirly” performing throughout the city of Toronto. Her passion is building community, as well as strengthening confidence in kids and adults. She volunteers to teach improv at St. Joseph’s hospital in Toronto, in the In-Patient Children’s mental health unit. Teaching at St. Joe’s has helped her to create a strong online improv curriculum.
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Crystal Ferrier - Episode 004
11/20/2022
Crystal Ferrier - Episode 004
Crystal Ferrier has performed all over the world from Canada, to NewYork, to India. The only Indian woman to headline Kenny Robinson’s Nubian Disciples of Pryor, an addition to Kevin Hart’s LOL network, and a part of Roast Battle Canada Season 2, she is one to watch out for. By day, this SuperWoman is a Behavioural Therapist. By night, she is an actress, comedian, writer and producer. Also a mother of 2, this funny mummy's real-life, raw comedic personality is unforgettable and will captivate anyone who falls in her company. Don't forget to check her out on Instagram
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Jessie Olsen - Episode 003
10/29/2022
Jessie Olsen - Episode 003
Jessie Olsen is a loud and bold Toronto stand-up comedian who hosts comedy shows all over the City. Living her best life - sexually, physically, emotionally, and mentally - Jessie is empowering other women to do the same. She’s passionate about living authentically as a curvy body-positive, sex-positive, feminist babe. She feels the world would be a better place if more women embraced pleasure and allowed themselves to feel more! In the fall of 2020, she started hosting her own podcast called , sharing a combination of comedy talk. sexy stories, and conversations with friends about the dating life in Toronto. There’s laughing, crying, plus inspiring and stimulating conversation! Consider yourself warned for this IS Jessie Olsen! You can reach Jessie through her website or via her Instagram account And don't forget to check out her using promo code JESSIEOLSEN.
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Jan Caruana - Episode 002
10/20/2022
Jan Caruana - Episode 002
Jan’s career has been interesting and varied. She is a multiple Canadian Comedy Award winner and has performed across North America in a variety of comedy shows. A mainstay of many Toronto stages, Jan co-wrote and performed in the Second City Toronto’s critically and audience acclaimed revues The Meme-ing of Life and We Can Be Heroes (named one of NOW Magazines Top Ten Shows of 2013). Jan was a member of the cast of “One Night Only”, a fully improvised two-act musical at Factory Theatre and was part of the Off-Broadway workshop production in 2018. She was also the winner of a Dora Award as part of the ensemble for “The Wonder Pageant”. She has appeared in films and television shows including Baroness Von Sketch (where she is also a writer), Rookie Blue, Odd Squad, Mean Girls, Pretty Hard Cases and Kim’s Convenience. Jan is a Canadian Screen Award nominated writer for her work on City TV's Sunnyside and the YTV youth sketch show That’s So Weird, creating some of the series most memorable and colourful characters. She is also very proud to have written for The Baroness Von Sketch Show, The Happy House of Frightenstein and the international sensation The Next Step on BBCKids. Currently, Jan is a writer (and panelist) for CBC's Because News with Gavin Crawford. You can reach Jan on Instagram or or on Twitter
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Meagan McConnell - Episode 001
10/07/2022
Meagan McConnell - Episode 001
We had technical difficulties right out of the gate, including Laura blatantly NOT listening and being distracted. This has been a problem of hers since grade 1 🙄 We spoke to the absolutely lovely Meagan McConnell (that’s 2 C’s 2 N’s 2 L’s and don’t you forget it!) as she takes us through her comedic journey through life.
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