August 1, 2011
Steve Smith AKA Red Green
Steve Smith is the creator of one of Canadian television's best-loved, and most enduring, comic characters - Red Green. The Red Green Show, which featured Smith as a misguided handyman who believes everything can be fixed with a little duct tape, debuted in 1991 and ran for 15 seasons, the last eight of which were carried on CBC. In all, 300 episodes were produced, making The Red Green Show one of the most successful Canadian comedy shows ever. Now Red Green's homespun wisdom is available in book form. How To Do Everything is Green's guide to both do-it-yourself and self-help.
August 1, 2011
Zach Galifianakis
The Hangover made Zach Galifianakis one of the hottest comedians in Hollywood. He's paid his dues though, having spent 15 years as an alternative comic before landing on Hollywood's radar with the web-based celebrity interview series Between Two Ferns. That led to The Hangover, Dinner For Schmucks and now It's Kind of a Funny Story, a comedy-drama about a depressed teen who checks himself into a psychiatric unit and is befriended by a fellow patient, played by Zach.
August 2, 2011
Russell Peters
Raised in Brampton, Ontario, Russell grew up brown in mostly white Canadian society. With his Indian heritage, he got picked on - a lot. So naturally, he took up boxing, and developed a sharp wit. Eventually, Russell became a fixture on the Canadian comedy circuit, but the mainstream media wasn't really interested. That changed sometime around 2001. Russell started to talk more about his background, and did a couple of comedy specials. Focusing on race and cultural taboos, Russell's career took off. Today, Russell performs to packed houses all over the world. Plus, he's had two hit DVD's: 'Outsourced' and 'Red, White, and Brown.' This year, Russell turned 40. He reflects on his life, both on and off the stage, in a new book, 'Call Me Russell.'
August 2, 2011
Jeremy Hotz
One of the most unique voices in stand-up comedy is Canada's own Jeremy Hotz. A favorite recurring act at the 'Just For Laughs' festival, Jeremy has also appeared on Letterman, Leno and has had specials on MTV, Comedy Central and CTV. He wrote for the Jon Stewart Show and received a Gemini for his role in 'The Newsroom' on CBC. Jeremy has a DVD of his celebrated live act called 'What A Miserable DVD This is'.
August 3, 2011
Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly's humour isn't always scripted, but it's always funny. Over the years, Billy's spontaneous comedy became his trademark, and he's been faithfully following his instincts for the past four decades. Billy flourished despite a painful past: He was raised by his father and two aunts, in a complicated and often abusive environment. Somehow, Billy emerged with his sense of humour still in-tact. In his late teens and early 20s, he worked as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards. From there, he became a folk musician, and by the early 1970s, Billy was on stage, telling jokes (guitar optional). In his career, Billy has produced a staggering number of comedy specials, musical albums and acting credits - all in a day's work for the man they call "The Big Yin".
August 3, 2011
Amy Sedaris
Offbeat, irreverent, and fearless... Amy Sedaris has made her name playing ugly, freaky characters. She's best known for her cult hit on the Comedy Channel called 'Strangers With Candy', which she made with a couple of old 'Second City' pals - Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert. That role made her fans out of everyone from David Letterman to Sarah Jessica Parker, and led to appearances on 'Sex and The City'... plus a bunch of films like 'Maid In Manhattan' and 'Shrek The Third'.' Amy has also written several plays with her brother David Sedaris. Her book 'I Like You' was a hilarious guide to entertaining that was on the 'New York Times' best sellers list for 12 weeks. Now, she's got a new book - a satirical, tongue in cheek book called 'Simple Times: Crafts For Poor People.'
August 4, 2011
Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons has made being a super-geek super-cool. His show The Big Bang Theory, about two brilliant physicists and their sexy neighbour, has made Jim a star - mainly because underneath the nerdy social awkwardness, it's about kindness and loyalty. And in a world where Jersey Shore is a hit, it's nice to see someone make smart guys popular.
August 4, 2011
John Leguizamo
Fast-talking, multi-faceted performer and Emmy award winner - John Leguizamo's career defies categorization. From the comedy circuit, the theater stage and the screen... John's been a breakthrough performer for the Latino community in countless ways. He won an Obie award for his Off-Broadway sensation 'Mambo Mouth' in which he played seven different characters, and followed that with two more successful one-man shows. In 1998 Spike Lee made a TV version of John's Broadway debut 'Freak', and it got them an Emmy. He's also shown his feisty versatility in Hollywood, acting in films like 'Moulin Rouge', 'Ice Age', 'Romeo and Juliet', and the indie 'Hangin' with the Homeboys'. He's back on stage with his new, explosive one-man show 'Ghetto Klown' (directed by Academy Award winner Fisher Stevens).
August 5, 2011
Tom Green
Tom Green has built a career on crossing the line and taking chances. His Ottawa-based cable TV show featured some pretty freaky stuff. Tom drank milk from a cow's udder. And put a cow's head in his parents' bed as they slept. When the show moved to MTV Tom became a star, married and divorced Drew Barrymore and launched a film career that, in the end, failed to soar. Freddie Got Fingered, which Tom wrote, directed and starred in, 'won' five Razzie awards, including Worst Picture. In 2006, he made a comeback with Tom Green's House Tonight, a live nightly, more mature talk show - shot in his own living room. Now, Tom is back doing stand-up, with a world tour.
August 5, 2011
Judah Friedlander
Don't get offended, but Judah Friedlander is better than you at everything... or, so he claims. In his stand-up, Judah plays a self-appointed "World Champion of the World" - basically, a bragging, egotistical jerk. In real life, Judah is a 20-year stand-up comedy veteran, a gifted comedic actor, and not nearly so self-centered. Judah is best known for playing 'Frank Rossitano' on 30 Rock, but the guy's got serious range - just watch his performance in the critically-praised 2003 cult classic, American Splendor (watch closely - he's virtually unrecognizable). To top it off, Judah's egomaniacal alter ego can now add "author" to his long list of accomplishments: he's got a new book called, "How to Beat Up Anybody".
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