What's So Funny?

Bobby Slayton may be billed as the Pitbull of Comedy but he's a real pussycat. But even though he's a big fan of vanilla, he's no vanilla comic. In this episode, I get hung up on An Evening at the Improv from the 1980s so we talk about those early days, and venture from there to L. Ron Hubbard, Fox News, his pop star daughter, and tattoos. This episode brought to you by Too Much of Everything.

Sean Lecomber buckles up for a trip in the roving What's So Funny? studio. He calls it Driving Miss Podcast. I like it. In this one, the Edmonton comic talks about t-shirts in swimming pools, self-confidence, squelching baby hecklers, the correct pronunciation of 'flaccid', Tisdale's slogan, Christian athletes, and sanctified abortions. This episode is loaded with fair points.

Goldie Hoffman is no shrinking violet. Hence our extendo-episode. The actress/comedian (and pretend doctor), who is between the ages of 16 and 65 - chronologically young but with an old soul – isn't afraid to rock the boat. In this episode, she explains why Vancouver isn't a real city but one filled with "townies," discusses the problem with progressives, and rails against taxes on tampons. She also talks about growing up in what she calls the "cult" of Hasidic Judaism and being one of ten children. This episode brought to you by the Truth.

Aaron Read is a triple threat: improviser, musician, and visual artist. No wonder he was a couple minutes late to the show. When the man with buns of steel showed up, we talked about kissing Ryan Beil, his obsession with beaded curtains, top phone mime techniques, noise music, burnt pubes in Finland, and we end it with the big closer: racism and misogyny. This episode brought to you by Duffin's Donuts.

Dino Archie may be a Choosy Lover but he's indiscriminate when it comes to doing this show. This is his fourth visit as guest (he also hosted one episode). In this one, he gets down with us about softball, gratitude and having a good attitude, being a heckler whisperer, the Dubai/Mumbai connection, delivering ice cream to Charles Manson, and bike lane/weight room assholes. This episode brought to you by bonus tracks.

Paul Anthony returns to talk about his recent foray into European game show hosting. That's right, the unilingual actor/comedian just did a stint in Austria. What was that all about? Good question. Just remember, loopholes are part of ze fun! We also talk about Talent Time, peeing on Mozart, doing Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in LA, and the pros and cons of Gallagher. This episode brought to you (unofficially) by Red Bull.

Daniel Chai and Chip Ellis are co-founders of the improv troupe The Fictionals. They really should go by the name Chip and Chai. Regardless, they stop by to play a round of Cards Against Humanity with me and tell us about their monthly show at the Vogue Theatre based on the game. It's called Improv Against Humanity. We also talk about karaoke and find out who the most horrible person in the room is.

Jacob Samuel is our first New Yorker contributor. He's a single panel cartoonist with two contributions to the esteemed publication. Not only that, but he does standup comedy, too. We discuss the differences between Toronto and Vancouver, he tells us about Jewish summer camps, and coming face-to-snout with a bull in Kenya.

Craig Northey has been in a lot of bands in his life and they all get a mention in this episode, especially Odds. Or is it The Odds? We also talk about his association with Kids in the Hall (or The Kids in the Hall?) and Brent Butt. Yes, the Brent Butt. I also mentor him on the correct pronunciation of Corner Gas and his own name. He speaks of his love for Abbott and Costello and how his vocabulary was aided by his old boss, Warren Zevon.

Ryan Hamilton becomes the first guest in What's So Funny? history to record a whole episode while being driven around Vancouver in my car. The conversation becomes part travelogue. He talks about his Norman Rockwell-like upbringing in Idaho, we debate how hard Drew Carey works, he reveals who his best roommate was, discusses repeating jokes, I teach him a useful tidbit about the UK, and he opens up about his standard regret about doing podcasts. Come along for the ride!