Rebecca Kohler is incredibly funny -- which, oddly enough, is a great thing when making a living as a comic. Jumping between performing on stage and stepping behind the scenes to write for television, Kohler has appeared on CTV's Comedy Now!, Much Music's Video on Trial, and The Jon Dore Television Show while writing for children's program Scaredy Squirrel and CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

Kohler spoke to Paul Little in advance of her appearances at this year's Winnipeg Comedy Festival about her early interest in comedy, her relationship with stand-up as a career, and what she has on deck for the next little while.

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.

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).