Comedy Reviews

Laugh It Out finds the recipe for good comedy

Laugh It Out finds the recipe for good comedy

By Guy MacPherson | February 1, 2010
Question: do you have to have a case of Olympic fever to enjoy the Cultural Olympiad? I don’t. And I did. I just have never understood the thrill of curling, luge, bobsled, biathlon or—gasp!—hockey. But music and jokes? I’m there.
Jay Leno's standup act needs to move beyond the headlines

Jay Leno's standup act needs to move beyond the headlines

By Guy MacPherson | January 11, 2010
It’s hard to reconcile the 59-year-old comic Everyman with the Young Turk who used to wow audiences as a monthly guest on the old Late Night With David Letterman show on NBC.
The Life Game aims for a full range of emotions

The Life Game aims for a full range of emotions

By Guy MacPherson | November 24, 2009
Rather than a long-form improvisation where the cast gets all its information upfront from the conversation with the guest, The Life Game is presented as a series of vignettes.
Practised jokers give comedy fans the goods at the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour

Practised jokers give comedy fans the goods at the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour

By Guy MacPherson | November 19, 2009
Just for Laughs has been producing comedy galas for 25 years, creating slick shows that always give the audience what it wants. This year’s Comedy Tour was no exception.
Louis C.K.'s hilarity requires a new vocabulary

Louis C.K.'s hilarity requires a new vocabulary

By Guy MacPherson | October 19, 2009
Watching Louis C.K. in action, I feel like Alvy Singer professing his “lurve” to Annie Hall. Funny is too weak a word for describing C.K.’s standup comedy.
No way to see all the greatness of Global Comedy Fest

No way to see all the greatness of Global Comedy Fest

By Guy MacPherson | September 28, 2009
Trying to squeeze 46 shows into five days is no easy feat. That’s exactly what the Global Comedy Fest did between September 23 and 27.
Steve Martin and David Cross present a contrast in styles at Global Comedy Fest Q & A

Steve Martin and David Cross present a contrast in styles at Global Comedy Fest Q & A

By Guy MacPherson | September 28, 2009
Watching two comedic masters sit and answer questions in a large theatre doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun. But both Steve Martin and David Cross proved that they can get laughs in any situation.
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Nardwuar and Graham Clark bring impressive end to Olio Festival's comedy

Nardwuar and Graham Clark bring impressive end to Olio Festival's comedy

By Guy MacPherson | August 17, 2009
Comedy performances at the Lamplighter on August 13 and Media Club on August 15 made for an impressive finish to the comedy portion of this maiden festival.
Comedy rock star Russell Peters delivers good, old-fashioned standup comedy

Comedy rock star Russell Peters delivers good, old-fashioned standup comedy

By Guy MacPherson | June 17, 2009
It’s easy—and fun—to dump on the übersuccessful, but comedian Russell Peters is a solid performer who appeals to every ethnicity, and just about every culture seemed represented at June 16’s show at GM Place.
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Dane Cook's gifted storytelling leads nowhere

Dane Cook's gifted storytelling leads nowhere

By Guy MacPherson | June 5, 2009
After Dane Cook’s gig at GM Place on Thursday night, it now seems possible to enjoy standup in a stadium. That didn’t happen on this night, but it’s still possible.
Self-deprecating Lewis Black has range and vulnerability

Self-deprecating Lewis Black has range and vulnerability

By Guy MacPherson | May 11, 2009
Lewis Black knows expectations ruin everything. How often in life do things live up to their hype?
Unwigged & Unplugged a show to remember

Unwigged & Unplugged a show to remember

By Guy MacPherson | April 20, 2009
Despite looking like slightly hipper versions of the aging folk singers they parody in A Mighty Wind, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, of Spinal Tap fame, kept the crowd with them through two hours and two encores.
Likable Tracy Morgan delivers a sloppy, aimless performance

Likable Tracy Morgan delivers a sloppy, aimless performance

By Adrian Mack | April 6, 2009
Tracy Morgan is a funny guy and a big star, but he had his ass handed to him by a local boy on Friday.
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Life Savers serves up sweet female roles

Life Savers serves up sweet female roles

By Colin Thomas | April 2, 2009
Serge Boucher’s dark comedy Life Savers is all about how we deal—or don’t deal—with tragedy.
Too many highlights at TheatreSports' Impro-vivor

Too many highlights at TheatreSports' Impro-vivor

By Guy MacPherson | March 23, 2009
Vancouver TheatreSports League’s ads say Impro-vivor is back “by popular demand”. Judging from Friday night’s performance, that’s no marketing hyperbole.
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