Jim Carrey was born in Newmarket, a small community north of Toronto. It's hard to believe that this major film star was once a struggling stand up comic. His early impersonations bombed and he had a difficult time finding work. Like many comics, his act became more polished over time. Carrey was noticed by comedian Rodney … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 9

Day 8 brings me to Mike Myers. A Toronto boy who made it big in U.S. TV and movies. After graduating from high school, Myers was accepted into the Second City Canadian touring company and later joined the Toronto troupe of Second City. From 1989 to 1995, he had a successful run on Saturday Night … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 8

On May 4, 1958, Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster, Canada's most famous and successful comedy duo, make their much-anticipated debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. They went on to appear on his show 67 times, more than another other performers. They started on radio and their humour was partly adapted from vaudeville. Their most famous … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 7

CODCO was a Canadian comedy troupe from Newfoundland, best known for a sketch comedy series which aired on CBC Television from 1987 to 1992. They began as a theatrical revue in 1973, CODCO drew on the province's cultural history of self-deprecating "Newfie" humour, frequently focusing on the cod fishing industry. The troupe's name was an … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 6

David Steinberg was born in Winnipeg, the son of a rabbi. He was destined to be a rabbi as well until he attended a performance by Lenny Bruce and decided he wanted to be a comic as well. He appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson more than 130 times (second only to Bob … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 5

Canada's 150th birthday is just one week away. I'm marking the milestone by featuring great Canadian comic legends. Today is Dan Aykroyd. He was an original member of Saturday Night Live and went on to have a successful movie career. Aykroyd was born in Ottawa on Canada Day.  In 1973, joined the Second City comedy … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 4

A few nights ago a Twitter follower posted an unusual tweet. She indicated that she wasn't made out to be writer and indicated she was quitting. At some point every new writer feels this way. I was there just a few weeks ago. So I messaged her and asked what's up. As we started chatting, … Continue reading There Are No Rules For Writing

In 1976, SCTV (Second City Television) premiered in Canada and had an incredible run. The sketch comedy show was an offshoot of Toronto's Second City stage troupe (which also supplied Saturday Night Live with many of its performers). The show ran until 1984 and performers included Rick Moranis, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short. … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 3

The Kids in the Hall is a Canadian sketch comedy group which was formed in 1984 and disbanded about 10 years lager. It was an all-male cast and it wasn't unusual to see one of the cast members portraying a woman. Several of them were offered writing positions for Saturday Night Live. https://youtu.be/tkAQLLbJbDw

Canadians seemed to have a reputation for being boring and polite. For the most part, we aren't brash, loud or obnoxious. But believe it or not - we're funny! Canada has been producing top notch sketch and improv comedians for decades. Some are even known outside of the country. Since this is supposed to be … Continue reading 10 Days of Canadian Humour – Day 1