Tyler Shazma is many things - an incomparable standup comedian, filmmaker, standup comedy special director and now TV director. Tyler really is a “one of one”, and as a self-described Canadian comedy nerd he’s been a big supporter of this podcast. Even before Tyler started standup, he had already made connections with some of the country's great comics as a filmmaker, videographer, and producer of comedy specials. Tyler talks about how comedy and David Lettermen used to sooth horrible night terrors as a kid, and as a result he’s been obsessed with comedy his whole life, and specifically Canadian comics like Derrick Edwards, Rob Pue, Mike Wilmot, and of course Manolis. Tyler talks about how growing up in the middle of nowhere, and having no access to comedy at all made him just ride around on his bike trying to make his friends laugh, but wishing he could be in a comedy club. His first performance in a legion was a speech about dirt bikes at age 12, and he’d go on to perform in several other legions. He talks about creating a reenactment of The War of 1812 in high school, complete with Gene Simmons and rabbit masks, may not have been historically accurate, but even his disappointed teacher could tell how funny it was, and encouraged him to keep creating. As resistant as he was to talk about himself, I love this conversation because he can’t hide his love for comedy, documenting things, and focusing on a few things and trying to get really good at them. Tyler is the co-creative force and director of “This Is The Thing”, now streaming on Fibe TV. Music by Devin Bateson.

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Music by @debateson
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