Patrick Maliha: That Was Fun!
So nice to be back in Vancouver! For those of you who don’t know (Editor’s Note: That would be EVERYBODY! Who are you? Jim Carrey!?) I was in Canada’s biggest little city, Winnipeg, over the past week/weekend. I was there for a something called, “The Winnipeg Comedy Fest” and holy crap was it fun! Most of the time as a comedian you have to slog through little crap rooms, lousy one-nighters, the occasional club appearance and everything and anything in between. But, if you’re lucky (Ed’s Note: And good… well I guess in your case, we can simply settle on “lucky”) you get to do the Festival circuit.
The Winnipeg Comedy Fest, which is run by superstar Al Rae, was my first major festival (Other than The Vancouver Comedy Fest, but I live in Vancouver, so that doesn’t really count in my head) and man was it good! They treat you like gold at this one amazing hotel, everything is set out for you, you get a full itinerary of where and when your shows, dress rehearsals, after parties, etc are. They have someone great you at the airport, shuttle you all over town, drive you to and from the gigs, TV/Radio tapings, etc. They even have drivers to shuttle you to and from the after parties! It’s almost like they think of you as someone worthy of proper treatment LOL!
Seriously though, it was one of the greatest 4-5 days of my life. I did a gala at the Pantages Theatre in front of over sixteen hundred people for CBC Television (You can catch it on CBC and the Comedy Network in the Fall sometime) and a show called Dark & Stormy, in a smaller theatre (Ed’s Note; The uncensored filth that you spewed was epic and I’m sure borderline illegal!). I also got to do a taping for Darcy Michael’s, The Skinny (Don’t know when it’s supposed to air) and for CBC Radio’s “The Debaters” (To air in the Fall, I think). The last show of the Fest was at The Pantages Theatre once again, for a gala called, Best of The Fest.
Every show was sold-out, with killer crowds and fantastic comedians. I got to work with people I’ve paid to see in the past and who I’ve stayed up late to watch on TV. It truly was an unbelievable experience. It took everything I had not to geek out and be a total fanboy (Ed’s Note: Not true! I have it on good authority you totally creeped out the Kids in The Hall!). So many times I couldn’t believe I was a part of the shows. I would look around, see who I was on a show with and think to myself, “What the hell?! I don’t deserve to be on a show of this caliber!!” (Ed’s Note; … Ummmm… I’m going to be kind and leave this one alone).
The best part though was that even though it was a ton of fun, a huge career booster (Ed’s Note: For who?!) and I met some wonderful people who I’ll stay friends with for years to come, all the excitement doesn’t have to end! Why? Well, because we’ve got a huge show happening here in Vancouver this week!! In case you haven’t heard, the big show everyone’s talking about is this Friday April 20th (Ed’s Note: Dude! 4/20! LOL, Awesome!) at the Rio Theatre (In Vancouver). Thanks to the good folks at Cariboo Brewing we’re having The Champion of Champions Variety Show #2! The audience votes for the winner and some lucky competitor will walk away with $500 cash money, baby! You know what’s also cool? It’s only $2 at the door!! (Ed’s Note: That’s less than 1 zone travel. You must be high!). Anywho, I gotta go. Diapers need to be changed, dick jokes need to be written, family-friendly impressions need to be edited and my son won’t leave my candy alone! (Ed’s Note: Have you seen your pics from The Winnipeg Comedy Festival? Dude, you do not need candy!)
Here are some pics from the Fest. Please feel free to judge and comment
Hangin’ backstage after my first Gala show of The Winnipeg Comedy Festival with Playboy Playmate of The Year 1982 and Mrs. Gene Simmons, Shannon Tweed. Direct quote, “You’re really funny. I love your impressions!” I think she was talking on the phone to Jim Carrey at the time.
It’s Sabrina‘s Aunt!! Chillin’ at the after party with Caroline Rhea. Direct quote from her, “Sure, I’ll take a picture with you! Who are you?”
One of my favourite stand-up comics of all time; Harland Williams. I’ve loved this guy since I started off as an amateur comic in 1990 (Dear Lord, I’m old!). Direct quite from Harland; “Dude! Loved your Homer Simpson! You saved it right to the end. That was fantastic!” I think he was talking on his blue tooth, with Dan Castellaneta at the time.
Scott Thompson of Kids In the Hall. We did two shows together and had an awesome time. Great guy, hilarious man and wonderfully kind individual. One thing though, and I don’t know if it’s my place to say or not, but I think he might be gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Direct quote from Scott Thompson; “I saw your set last night. Really funny!” I think he was chatting with Harland Williams.
Backstage with Scott Thompson and Kevin McDonald of Kids In The Hall fame. The story behind this pic is one of the top three stories of my life. So incredible, humbling and as you can plainly see, out of focus. Direct quote from Kevin McDonald; “Hey Scott, what’s up!?” I’m pretty sure he was talking to me and simply mispronounced my name.
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Facebook Event Link: The Champion of Champions Variety Show #2
