Kinda Sorta Maybe Like a Podcast

David Steinberg is one of the most respected names in comedy. Besides being second to Bob Hope in appearances on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson", he's written or directed TV episodes spanning 45 years, such as "The Smothers Brothers", "Newhart", "Seinfeld", "Mad About You", "Friends", and "Curb Your Enthusiasm".

With David returning to his hometown for his first show in Winnipeg in 11 years, Paul Little spends nearly 30 minutes hearing a string of fascinating tales of Johnny Carson, Larry David, perseverence through failure, his new show "Inside Comedy", and why Winnipeggers tend to be pretty funny.

Starting out his show business career in Ontario in the early 70s, Alan Thicke has gone from behind-the-scenes writer for top comics and performers, to writing some of the most iconic TV theme songs of all time, to appearing in one of the top-rated shows of the 80s (Growing Pains). In recent years, besides his many on-camera appearances (jPod, How I Met Your Mother, The Goods, and an upcoming Showtime series), he's also written two books about his own experiences with family and raised a superstar son (R&B star Robin Thicke).

In advance of his appearance at this year's Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Paul Little spoke with the iconic performer about his early years in the business, what it was like being on one of the top shows on TV for so long, and the many projects he has on the go right now.

Starting out his show business career in Ontario in the early 70s, Alan Thicke has gone from behind-the-scenes writer for top comics and performers, to writing some of the most iconic TV theme songs of all time, to appearing in one of the top-rated shows of the 80s (Growing Pains). In recent years, besides his many on-camera appearances (jPod, How I Met Your Mother, The Goods, and an upcoming Showtime series), he's also written two books about his own experiences with family and raised a superstar son (R&B star Robin Thicke).

In advance of his appearance at this year's Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Paul Little spoke with the iconic performer about his early years in the business, what it was like being on one of the top shows on TV for so long, and the many projects he has on the go right now.

In the modern era of roasting, made popular by the Comedy Central Roasts, comedian Jeffrey Ross has taken on the symbolic title of Roastmaster General and run with it at a blazing speed. Never afraid of going too far (as long as the targets are in on it, of course), Ross has made a living roasting the likes of Hugh Hefner, William Shatner, Pamela Anderson, and Charlie Sheen. Besides the television appearances, however, he's performed extensively for U.S. troops overseas and appeared on many TV shows (CSI, Children's Hospital, The Sarah Silverman Program).

Of course, a stand-up comic's real work is hitting the road, and Ross has been doing just that with his Jeff Ross Roasts America tour beginning last year. The tour takes a detour north with Jeff Ross Roasts Canada, courtesy of Just for Laughs. Paul Little got the chance to chat with Jeff last week, and they spoke about his start in comedy, the Comedy Central (and Friar's Club) roasts, what Canadians can expect when they come out to see his show, and a lot more.

In the modern era of roasting, made popular by the Comedy Central Roasts, comedian Jeffrey Ross has taken on the symbolic title of Roastmaster General and run with it at a blazing speed. Never afraid of going too far (as long as the targets are in on it, of course), Ross has made a living roasting the likes of Hugh Hefner, William Shatner, Pamela Anderson, and Charlie Sheen. Besides the television appearances, however, he's performed extensively for U.S. troops overseas and appeared on many TV shows (CSI, Children's Hospital, The Sarah Silverman Program).

Of course, a stand-up comic's real work is hitting the road, and Ross has been doing just that with his Jeff Ross Roasts America tour beginning last year. The tour takes a detour north with Jeff Ross Roasts Canada, courtesy of Just for Laughs. Paul Little got the chance to chat with Jeff last week, and they spoke about his start in comedy, the Comedy Central (and Friar's Club) roasts, what Canadians can expect when they come out to see his show, and a lot more.

Tim Gray speaks to Maria Bamford, a comic on the forefront of where stand-up comedy is heading, ahead of this year's Just for Laughs. Maria fits perfectly into the alt-comedy scene that's redefined the art form over the last decade, winning fans through the "Comedians of Comedy" series and making her a highly-sought-after performer.

Knowing Maria can often be reserved in interviews, Tim begins by telling her about his own comedy background. The ensuing conversation has Maria open up about the philosophy of comedy, her endearing attitude toward the craft, and her fixation with improving as a person and a comedian -- and it makes her as likeable a person as she is a comic.

Tim Gray speaks to Maria Bamford, a comic on the forefront of where stand-up comedy is heading, ahead of this year's Just for Laughs. Maria fits perfectly into the alt-comedy scene that's redefined the art form over the last decade, winning fans through the "Comedians of Comedy" series and making her a highly-sought-after performer.

Knowing Maria can often be reserved in interviews, Tim begins by telling her about his own comedy background. The ensuing conversation has Maria open up about the philosophy of comedy, her endearing attitude toward the craft, and her fixation with improving as a person and a comedian -- and it makes her as likeable a person as she is a comic.

A beatboxer headlining shows at comedy festivals? That may seem a bit odd. However, once you see Beardyman (aka Darren Foreman) perform, you realize that the former back-to-back UK Beatboxing Champion manages to bring a lot comedy into his set. Much like U.S. comedian Reggie Watts, Beardyman brings you on a musical journey through his great beatboxing, looping, and improvisational skills, while also being pretty darn funny in the process -- though Beardyman would point out that they're not quite the same, which is indeed true.

Paul Little got the chance to speak with Beardyman in advance of his feature performance at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. He spoke about his introduction to music and beatboxing, his evolution towards performing in comedy settings, dealing with different types of audiences, and his first appearance on American television (when he was on Conan a couple months back).

A short five years ago, John Hastings decided to enter the world of stand-up comedy, and he's already made quite the name for himself across Canada. While comedy was something he grew up enjoying, stand-up wasn't something he pursued until he was told it might be a way to make some money. Of course, that's not exactly the case when just getting started, but he fell in love with it and hasn't looked back. Last year, he even won the Irwin Barker Award at the Just for Laughs Canadian Homegrown Comedy Competition -- a personal highlight for Hastings -- and was named as one of the five comics to watch in 2010 by The Comedy Network.

The man also keeps incredibly busy. Besides performing stand-up around the country and beyond, he also regularly does improv and sketch shows, and through all of that he's managed to record a new podcast six days a week and appear in several videos -- including a "rant series" -- for WatchMojo.com. World domination is clearly next on the docket.

Hastings is making his first appearance at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival this year. In advance of his visit to Winnipeg, Paul Little spoke with him about his start in comedy, his many influences, the role that the internet must play for today's comics, and why Canada is a good place to become a stand-up comic.

Darcy Michael is a comedian not easily categorized -- and he likes it that way. Essentially, he's just an incredibly funny dude who is able to translate real-life situations into gut-busting bits on stage, and we're all the better for it. Starting stand-up only a few short years ago, Darcy has already accomplished quite a lot, including being featured in a pre-taped bit on The Tonight Show, playing Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival, appearing in his own Comedy Now special on CTV, and even earning a Canadian Comedy Award nomination for his performance at the 2009 Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

Darcy is returning to the Winnipeg Comedy Festival this weekend. Paul Little spoke with Darcy over the phone last week from his home in B.C., fresh off of him attempting a Jillian Michaels workout. He was still a bit amped up from the workout, but he provided some laughs while going over his career highlights thus far, why he loves Canadian audiences, and which other Winnipeg Comedy Festival acts he would try and check out this weekend (and of course, who you should try and see).