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Guy MacPherson

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Bryan Callen's standup may be too much of a good thing

Bryan Callen's standup may be too much of a good thing

By Guy MacPherson | January 27, 2012
Going too long can’t totally negate the laughs you had along the way, but it can really diminish the overall experience.
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Margaret Cho unleashes her inner freak

Margaret Cho unleashes her inner freak

By Guy MacPherson | January 26, 2012
Able to be more frank than ever before, the ComedyFest headliner dishes on sexuality, Kim Jong-il, and why standup still rules.
Snowed In Comedy Tour brings the laughs to Granville Island

Snowed In Comedy Tour brings the laughs to Granville Island

By Guy MacPherson | January 16, 2012
Wish for next year: a bigger venue so that a second show won’t have to be added and the comics can stretch out a bit. But keep the snow. It was a nice touch.
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Demetri Martin shows off his comedic charms in Vancouver

Demetri Martin shows off his comedic charms in Vancouver

By Guy MacPherson | January 9, 2012
Demetri Martin is an oddly compelling theatre performer.
Comedian Arj Barker is a man of the world

Comedian Arj Barker is a man of the world

By Guy MacPherson | January 5, 2012
The California native, best known for his role on Flight of the Conchords refuses to play the race card.
The creative sparks flew in Vancouver's arts scene in 2011

The creative sparks flew in Vancouver's arts scene in 2011

By Colin Thomas, Guy MacPherson, Janet Smith, Jessica Werb, and Robin Laurence | December 29, 2011
When you look back on 2011’s arts events, it’s not the overall shows you remember but the small, unforgettable moments.
Comedian Demetri Martin spins the one-liners his way

Comedian Demetri Martin spins the one-liners his way

By Guy MacPherson | December 29, 2011
Law-school dropout Demetri Martin has been telling his brand of absurd one-liners in the tradition of Steven Wright since 1997.
Nothing's obvious about Glenn Wool's standup

Nothing's obvious about Glenn Wool's standup

By Guy MacPherson | November 25, 2011
One of the best comics to come out of Vancouver, Glenn Wool moves from the absurd to the more absurd in his show at the Comedy MIX.
Vancouver TheatreSports League gets a little holly-jolly in Off-White Christmas: An Improvised Holiday Comedy Show

Vancouver TheatreSports League gets a little holly-jolly in Off-White Christmas: An Improvised Holiday Comedy Show

By Guy MacPherson | November 21, 2011
Depending on what you think of the holidays, the local troupe’s latest seasonal offering is not a big departure from the standard fare you can find on Granville Island any other time of the year.
Steve Patterson rolls with the Brits in Just for Laughs Comedy Tour

Steve Patterson rolls with the Brits in Just for Laughs Comedy Tour

By Guy MacPherson | November 15, 2011
The Toronto-based standup comic has had a helluva year, starting with a Montreal set in front of his comedy hero, Steve Martin.
Jim Jefferies brings his brand of debauchery to the Rickshaw

Jim Jefferies brings his brand of debauchery to the Rickshaw

By Guy MacPherson | October 24, 2011
How do you explain a standup comedy show that wasn’t advertised anywhere featuring a nonhousehold name selling out two shows to the tune of about 1,000 tickets?
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Andrew Barber and Adam Pateman: A standup tale of two comics

Andrew Barber and Adam Pateman: A standup tale of two comics

By Guy MacPherson | September 15, 2011
Andrew Barber cashes in on notoriety, and Adam Pateman likes the nomadic lifestyle.
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Fall arts preview: Comedy critics' picks: Dark princes and gossips ready to slay us

Fall arts preview: Comedy critics' picks: Dark princes and gossips ready to slay us

By Guy MacPherson | September 15, 2011
While the city waits patiently for the promised re-opening of Yuk Yuk’s, there’s still lots going on comedywise at venues throughout town.
For standup comic Graham Clark, it's have beard, will paint

For standup comic Graham Clark, it's have beard, will paint

By Guy MacPherson | September 15, 2011
When fellow standup comics Ivan Decker and Charlie Demers teased Clark about his ever-growing facial hair, saying he should paint with it the way an elephant paints with his trunk, he laughed—but socked the idea away.
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Daniel Tosh demonstrates that anything can be made funny, even 9/11 and a deadly hurricane

Daniel Tosh demonstrates that anything can be made funny, even 9/11 and a deadly hurricane

By Guy MacPherson | August 14, 2011
The Comedy Central star can deadpan caustic and cringe-worthy material, but the crowd never really knows how serious he is.
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Russell Brand much more than a pretty face at the River Rock

Russell Brand much more than a pretty face at the River Rock

By Guy MacPherson | August 7, 2011
The bulk of his act was variations on dick jokes, but they were artful dick jokes.
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Rob Schneider is alive and standing up, thanks

Rob Schneider is alive and standing up, thanks

By Guy MacPherson | July 20, 2011
Rob Schneider may have felt his career die a few times over the years, but let the record show that the man is still alive and working.
Things get downright dirty at Just for Laughs Presents: The Nasty Show

Things get downright dirty at Just for Laughs Presents: The Nasty Show

By Guy MacPherson | June 13, 2011
Deep-throating a communal microphone was just the tip of the iceberg at this raunchy comedy show.
Hannibal Buress isnât resting on his laurels

Hannibal Buress isn’t resting on his laurels

By Guy MacPherson | June 9, 2011
The 28-year-old Chicago native is already nine years into his life calling, but standup comedy is a tough game.
Phil Hanley finds funny in the truth

Phil Hanley finds funny in the truth

By Guy MacPherson | June 7, 2011
The lanky cardigan-loving comic has spent the last seven-and-a-half years cultivating a nebbishy persona with a misplaced confidence.
Samantha Bee boasts âbizarre skill setâÂ

Samantha Bee boasts “bizarre skill set”

By Guy MacPherson | June 2, 2011
Samantha Bee leads a charmed life. And she knows it.
Shaun Majumder speaks the language of funny

Shaun Majumder speaks the language of funny

By Guy MacPherson | May 26, 2011
Self-described “Pewfie” Shaun Majumder switches gears from TV crime drama to take his hugely likable comedy act on the road.
Tommy Tiernan relishes being the jester

Tommy Tiernan relishes being the jester

By Guy MacPherson | May 16, 2011
The Irish wit's act was a well-executed symphony of laughs.
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Tommy Tiernan talks his way out of controversy

Tommy Tiernan talks his way out of controversy

By Guy MacPherson | May 12, 2011
The press release calls Tommy Tiernan “the Bono of Irish Comedy”. That’s a bit like saying Angelina Jolie is the Joan Rivers of American acting.
I Canât Believe Itâs Not Butter Chicken hams it up in The Butter Chickenâs Backâ¦Alright!

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Chicken hams it up in The Butter Chicken’s Back”¦Alright!

By Guy MacPherson | April 25, 2011
There were some good lines and strong premises, but the overall writing bordered on amateur hour.
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Brent Butt makes a welcome return to Vancouver's standup scene

Brent Butt makes a welcome return to Vancouver's standup scene

By Guy MacPherson | April 14, 2011
I’ve long held that there’s not a funnier comic working than Brent Butt.
George Lopez keeps it real in his first standup appearance in Vancouver

George Lopez keeps it real in his first standup appearance in Vancouver

By Guy MacPherson | April 11, 2011
The comic is relatable with stories from his youth, being raised by a racist grandmother, and his love of the sauce.
Maz Jobrani is still just a comedian

Maz Jobrani is still just a comedian

By Guy MacPherson | April 5, 2011
Maz Jobrani has been breaking down stereotypes with his comedy for years.
Spring arts preview: Comedy critics' picks

Spring arts preview: Comedy critics' picks

By Guy MacPherson | March 3, 2011
There’s enough to keep you chuckling through the blossoms this season, from the clubs to the big theatres.
Lisa Lampanelli an equal-opportunity offender

Lisa Lampanelli an equal-opportunity offender

By Guy MacPherson | February 24, 2011
A couple of weeks ago, puppets on Avenue Q were telling us that everyone’s a little bit racist. They’ve obviously never seen Lisa Lampanelli.
Fans got their money's worth at Chelsea Handler's Vancouver show

Fans got their money's worth at Chelsea Handler's Vancouver show

By Guy MacPherson | February 21, 2011
She’s smart, she’s opinionated, she’s got a defined persona, and she writes good jokes. That is, she used to write good jokes.
How do you handle Chelsea Handler?

How do you handle Chelsea Handler?

By Guy MacPherson | February 17, 2011
With a new TV show in the works and a reputed $19-million income last year, the hard-drinkin’, hard-sexin’ comic can manage herself, thanks.
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Comedian Dan Quinn has been a go-getter from the get-go

Comedian Dan Quinn has been a go-getter from the get-go

By Guy MacPherson | February 8, 2011
Standup comics aren’t universally known as the hardest workers—which shouldn’t be all that surprising given a typical shift might be 45 minutes, if they’re any good—and they can drink on the job.
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The Laugh Gallery makes a New Yearâs Eve appearance

The Laugh Gallery makes a New Year’s Eve appearance

By Guy MacPherson | December 28, 2010
Once upon a time, the Laugh Gallery was a mainstay of the local comedy scene.
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Billy Connolly is an infinite jester

Billy Connolly is an infinite jester

By Guy MacPherson | November 26, 2010
The show would have been better chopped by an hour, but how can you rein in such a raconteur?
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For comic Ryan Hamilton, getting clean laughs just comes naturally

For comic Ryan Hamilton, getting clean laughs just comes naturally

By Guy MacPherson | November 10, 2010
The Howdy Doody–faced comic makes his living working sinful nightclubs surrounded by drunks and his fellow comedians, most of whom are offensive heathens. But he loves it.
Comedian Paul F. Tompkins tells jokes for his own amusement

Comedian Paul F. Tompkins tells jokes for his own amusement

By Guy MacPherson | November 10, 2010
Standup comic, actor, and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins isn’t ashamed to admit that he finds himself hilarious.
Gerald Gerald Geraldson breaks new ground in the horror comedy genre with Hellgig

Gerald Gerald Geraldson breaks new ground in the horror comedy genre with Hellgig

By Guy MacPherson | October 25, 2010
Gerald Varga never really liked his given name.
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No weak links in Vancouver TheatreSports Leagueâs Bite Me

No weak links in Vancouver TheatreSports League’s Bite Me

By Guy MacPherson | October 18, 2010
If you love improv, you might think the new Vancouver TheatreSports League show, Bite Me, is a case of gilding the lily.
Comedian Kathy Griffin doesnât wait around for questions

Comedian Kathy Griffin doesn’t wait around for questions

By Guy MacPherson | October 12, 2010
Kathy Griffin loves to talk. On her terms, anyway.
Bollywood-flavoured sketch troupe I Canât Believe Itâs Not Butter Chicken aims for meaning behind the laughs

Bollywood-flavoured sketch troupe I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Chicken aims for meaning behind the laughs

By Guy MacPherson | October 5, 2010
Munish Sharma and Leena Manro say they’re like brother and sister.
Vancouver made Darryl Lenox into the comedian he is today

Vancouver made Darryl Lenox into the comedian he is today

By Guy MacPherson | September 28, 2010
Lenox has become one of the best comics this city—and country—has ever produced.
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While scaled down, Global ComedyFest still leaves 'em laughing

While scaled down, Global ComedyFest still leaves 'em laughing

By Guy MacPherson | September 27, 2010
While there was still more than enough comedy, hopefully next year it rebounds to its former size.
Marc Maron's podcasts venture beyond the world of comedy

Marc Maron's podcasts venture beyond the world of comedy

By Guy MacPherson | September 21, 2010
In the do-it-yourself world of podcasts, there is one comedy show that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
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For comedian Tom Green, the fun is in the process

For comedian Tom Green, the fun is in the process

By Guy MacPherson | September 21, 2010
Little Tommy Green from down the street is growing up.
Joe Mande and Iliza Shlesinger bridge the comedy divide at Vancouver's Global ComedyFest

Joe Mande and Iliza Shlesinger bridge the comedy divide at Vancouver's Global ComedyFest

By Guy MacPherson | September 20, 2010
There’s a great divide in the standup-comedy world.
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Sunee Dhaliwal and A. J. McKenzie: These comedians stand up to the laughs

Sunee Dhaliwal and A. J. McKenzie: These comedians stand up to the laughs

By Guy MacPherson | September 16, 2010
Sunee Dhaliwal mixes hoops and hilarity, while A. J. McKenzie has a laid-back delivery—and philosophy
Fall arts preview: Comedy critics' picks: Big and indie names take the standup mike

Fall arts preview: Comedy critics' picks: Big and indie names take the standup mike

By Guy MacPherson | September 16, 2010
The saving grace of humour, as cup-half-full comedian A. Whitney Brown once said, is that if you fail, no one laughs at you.
Joe Wong a comedian first and Chinese second

Joe Wong a comedian first and Chinese second

By Guy MacPherson | September 14, 2010
Moving to the States from China in 1994, the Mandarin-speaking Comedian’s original goal was to become a professor.
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Book review: ¡Satiristas! by Paul Provenza and Dan Dion

Book review: ¡Satiristas! by Paul Provenza and Dan Dion

By Guy MacPherson | September 7, 2010
In ¡Satiristas!, comedian Paul Provenza has interviewed a collection of comedians, writers, directors, and musicians whose art falls under the rubric of satire, however loosely defined.

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