What's So Funny?

Michael Gelbart got his big break on Speaker's Corner...okay, that's not true but I'd like to believe it. The Toronto comic has been living in Los Angeles for a while now where he writes for TV, pens novels, performs standup, and unsuccessfully dates starlets. But don't expect any dirt; the guy is just too positive for that.

Dave Nystrom returns to his pseudo-hometown and tells us all about life in sunny Southern Cal. Dave's last visit to our show was way back in 2004 so we had lots of catching up to do. He talks about the funny looks he gets in LA when people see his wedding ring... not to mention his three kids all under the age of six. And we get a vicarious ride on the Hollywood roller coaster.

Brian Regan is a very funny man (as the song goes). What song? I've sampled a bit at the beginning of this episode. Regan was kind enough to talk to What's So Funny? prior to his show in Vancouver. We spoke to Dr. Regan for just over 30 minutes about his numerous degrees, his love of reading short books, and an invention he's thought up that really should be made. All that plus Brian Regan comedy clips to fill out the hour!

Ryan Hamilton ventures into our studio for the first time despite not being asked by a teacher. It seems he can never say no to a teacher. He'll explain that as well as talk about other Ryan Hamiltons, discuss peddling booze and his favourite missionary position. This episode brought to you by McMahon and Tate.

Paul Anthony goes waaaay back with Arsenio Hall. But it was an unrequited love, it turns out. We get busy talking about his experience on the new Arsenio Hall show, his macabre thoughts on becoming a dad, his unease at performing standup, and mysteriously talk about his latest film work (hint: this is the first bleeped WSF? episode).

Ewan Currie of The Sheepdogs has the rough-hewn exterior of a rock star but the sensitive interior of a jazz musician. That's where we bonded. We spoke to the former Rolling Stone cover boy about his Aussie beginnings, band squabbles, shampoo, Tim Horton's, and he fails miserably at The $20,000 Pyramid. This episode regretfully recorded on Wii Rock Band mics.

Jeff McEnery has spent the last two years living in Vancouver. We meet for the first time and he tells us he's moving back to Toronto in a couple of months. That's a fine how-do-you-do. The rhubarb genius from Acton tells us about avoiding hard labour at all costs, dishes the dirt on film sets he's been on, waxes poetic about Williams Lake, and stuff like that. This episode catered by KFC.

Steve Bays, the raw dog, returns for his annual check-up. He tells us why he's averse to the definite article, reveals his anxiety dreams, explains why it's Mad over Cracked every time, brainstorms potential band names and famous Gords, and names his all-time dinner guest list.

Kyle Bottom makes his solo debut on What's So Funny? We relive the time I busted his balls, him dancing in front of Pete Holmes, a horrible set that led him to step away from comedy for 3.5 years, and his dreams of an all-heckle comedy show.

Kevin Foxx teases me about our Canadian Comedy Award nomination for Best Podcast. He also explains astrology and sets a show record for most number of c-words dropped in a single episode.