Producing your comedy in Canada

I've been watching with interest the results of  this week's poll - which asks the question "How often will you buy a CD/DVD of a comic you really like?" While there aren't a lot of results (at the time of writing this, "Never" is leading by 37%).  I find this interesting and can't help but think that question should have been "How often do you find a CD/DVD...etc."

Ever go to HMV and look for the stand-up comedy section?  The last store I checked had merged them with the fitness videos.......kinda random I thought. I found the usual: Chris Rock, Ellen Degeneres, Jeff Foxworthy.....and two Canadians - Russell of course, and Gerry Dee.  And I started to wonder - how many Canadian comics actually have CD/DVD's available?   I've seen some performers sell CD/DVD's at show's - but I admit that the percentage is small. Some people sell through their websites, like Chris Quigley is currently advertising. Jeremy Hotz sells his CD's through his website too (but he wouldn't give me one to play on air! Apparently getting $20 from 200 people is more lucrative than broadcasting to a million potential ticket buyers....humph) But I digress

So my question of the day is this: How difficult is it to professionally produce a CD/DVD and get it distributed in Canada? There are so many fantastic comedians in this country who should be represented on the shelves of HMV - right next to that cute Pilates instructor!

- TR