Comedians
All the comedians that have been or will be involved with Red Carpet Comedy and more information about each of them (as more comedians sign on to the show they will be added to this page):
- Marcus Beaubier – Tony Binns – Jason Blanchard – Garrett Clark -
Mike Craigdallie – Donovan Deschner - Scott Dumas -
Lori Gibbs – Dan Guiry – Cory Mack -
Daryl Makk – Brad Muise – Karen O’Keefe – Charles Payne –
Amanda Brooke Perrin – Brian Stollery - Derek Sweet -
Marcus hails originally from Newfoundland, and has been trying to escape the stereotype ever since. The fact that he lives in Alberta now, really doesn’t help his cause. This irony is not lost on him. It has tempered his sense of humour, making him wickedly funny.
It’s the ultimate revenge of the nerd! Tony’s self-deprecating style and myriad of voices and impersonations leaves audiences in stitches. It’s a “nerd’s eye view” of the world that only a grade “A” geek can provide. In addition to doing stand up, Tony is also a founding member of the sketch comedy troupe “Obscene but not Heard.” the evil geniuses behind the shows “Jihad me at Hello” “Cirque Du So Lame.” and “Fahrenheit 7-11″ . He was a contributing writer the hit show “Cocktales”, for which he was nominated for a Betty Award, and was recently a smash hit at the Calgary Comic Expo. In what little spare time he has, he freelances for FFWD Magazine.
Tony takes witty pokes at pop culture, and pop culture icons. Trust us, by the time he’s done with Kermit the Frog, we guarantee you you’ll never look at Sesame Street the same way again. See why the Calgary Herald called his work “wickedly funny!”, and Calgary Magazine said he was “…arguably the best stand up comic in town”
Jason Blanchard is an ex-soldier, ex-husband and ex-tremely funny. After growing up in a typical small town, this friendly and energetic comedian has matured into a versatile headlining comedic entertainer who has toured all across Canada. He has the ability to be corporate clean or cunningly crude, adapting to any venue: Comedy clubs, corporate events, College & Universities, Festivals, Fundraisers and Military Bases. He has been heard on XM Satellite Radio and is the host, producer & creator of Jason Blanchard Presents Next to the Mic and the hit standup comedy contest Stand Up & BITE Me on BITE TV.
Starting his comedy career at the soft and supple age of 17, Garrett Clark has had the opportunity to dabble in a few of its many different forms.
Although born in Canada, Garrett was raised in Australia from a very early age. He first set foot on stage at downtown Toronto’s Yuk Yuk’s amateur night, and it soon became clear that the world of stand-up is where he fit best. Ever since, he has been taking his comedy across the nation and performing for crowds big and small, and as far away as Honolulu, Hawaii. His powerful delivery of sidesplitting comedy captivates audiences of all kinds, and will leave you wanting more.
Mike Craigdallie is a unique, spontaneous, crowd pleaser who enjoys interacting with the people around him. Mike is from Prince George, B.C. and brings some of his small town ideals to the big city. He has the ability to focus a crowd on the show ahead, and involve them where their input is necessary. Drawing on his own life experience, Mike deals with romance, relationships, and losing houses easily, because those things come straight out of his diary. You are sure to find Mike’s razor sharp wit a smack to the funny bone.
Donovan’s eclectic start in show business has led to an equally eclectic show. A combination of physical absurdity, poignant observation, and – yes – even magic, means every show has something for everyone. It’s this show that has been seen in corporate ballrooms, exotic resorts, and comedy clubs across North America.
Website – Facebook Page – Twitter – YouTube Channel – Yuk Yuk’s Roster Listing
After graduating from Carleton University in Ottawa with a degree in Psychology, Doom (that’s what they call him) took the next logical step that anyone with such a prestigious certificate would make. He pursued a career in life insurance sales. Two years of commission-less paydays later, he took his sales and financial skills, as well as his knowledge of the human psyche and got a job hustling mortgages at Bank of Montreal. It took seven years before he put two-and-two together and didn’t come up with four. He realized that people are screwed up…. because of money. In 1997, he moved to Calgary, quit his job and decided to pursue something else. He had no idea it would be stand-up comedy.
Within six months he was performing shows for Yuk Yuk’s and within a year had performed at all Yuk Yuk’s venues in Western Canada. He was a finalist in the Alberta’s Search for Funniest New Comic in 1999, and has showcased for the Just For Laughs in 2001, 2004 and 2007. He has performed for numerous corporate functions, fundraisers and golf tournaments as a member Yuk Yuks’ Western Canada Roster. Doom can also be heard on XM radio talking about his mom’s nipples.
His fearless attitude and versatility as well as his comfortable presence in front of a camera landed him a job as host of M-Style, a “Maxim Magazine” type show on Men TV on the digital network. Look for it on channel 97, where the show is played 6 days a week, 3 times per day.
In the early months of 2008, Doom headlined his first tour through his home province of Ontario and then headed for the east coast telling “nutty” stories from one end of the Trans-Canada to the other. Start looking for him on a regular basis “zig-zagging” across the country. There isn’t enough humidity, hostility or garbage strikes to keep him away.
Doom is also a published writer who regularly contributes to Vex Magazine, a Calgary-based men’s lifestyle magazine. In the past 2 years he has interviewed and written articles on Tom Cochrane, Mike Keenan, Craig Conroy and Kaleb Toth, to name a few.
This military brat has an overwhelming urge to travel and has taken him to a dozen different countries in the last 10 years. He saw the sun rise up over Tokyo, Japan on January 1, 2000. He scalped tickets at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia as well as the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Whether it’s Watrous, Saskatchewan or Luangphabang, Laos, Doom will dazzle you with wacky stories about life on the road.
Lori was recently nominated for Best Newcomer at the Canadian Comedy Awards 2009, was the Alberta finalist in Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off 2008, and has been seen on Global TV.
This irresistable comedian has become a favorite on comedy stages across Canada. Lori’s ability to instantly connect with an audience has made her one of the most sought-after comedians working today. Her comedy is genuine, surprising, and wonderfully energetic, appealing to both men and women.
Feeling at home on stage at a corporate fundraiser, a small town pub, and everything in between, Lori turns any event into a fun time. Playfully leaping between the roles of Goddess, Best Friend, and Shameless Flirt, she truly does have something for everyone.
Website – Facebook Page – Yuk Yuk’s Roster Listing
I first began making people blow milk out their noses in elementary. Little did I realize that this would be a recurring theme throughout my life. I was voted “funniest person” in grade nine and I couldn’t understand why people wouldn’t take me seriously. It was then that I expanded into the world of improvisation and acting. I did every play I could in high school and was even elected captain of the Improv team (Smashy Smashy And the Rage Case Senario). I led the team to greatness when we achieved the highest scoring scene of the high
school Improv tournament, where we would later suffer defeat. I took it in stride and I began improvising with the Loose Moose Theatre company. We traveled into the depths of lunacy with the 53 hour Impro Challenge where i was on stage for 53 hours straight with 5 other Improvisers. It was around this time that I first discovered Stand Up Comedy. It was with Stand Up Comedy that I finally found a place where I could utilize all of my talents: music, improv, and hilarity. This is how people would finally take me seriously. I quickly began touring Western Canada building up my act.
It’s been five years since then and I have had the oppourtunity to tour coast to coast with Yuk Yuks and last year I was a finalist in the Great Canadian Laugh Off. Stand Up Comedy helped me learn how to use my voice and subsequently I landed a role on APTN’s cartoon “Raven Tales,” which is now going into its fifth season. Throughout all of this madness I have toured and played with four bands. All of which have crashed and burned in the turbulent landscape of the music business. Music has always been a love of mine, since the age of five when I first started playing piano and later when I taught myself guitar, bass, and triangle. This past year I have composed the score to two plays(“Caligula” and “The Glass Menagerie”) for the Calgary based theatre company, Theatre Encounter. Currently I’m involved in a Calgary Fringe Festival Sketch show “Boobs: a Tale of Two Titties” and working on an album with my Band “Illicit Business”. I am planning another east coast tour with Yuk Yuk’s and for whatever awaits me…
MySpace Page – Facebook Profile – Yuk Yuk’s Roster Listing
Cory Mack is a very popular headliner with a unique brand of prairie sass.
She’s been a hit as a headliner and MC with audiences across Canada for almost 19 years – in fine comedy clubs and theatres; and at conventions, corporate parties and fundraisers.
Cory has starred in her own Comedy Now special; she’s been featured on CBC-TV’s Western Alienation Comedy Hour and the Comedy Network’s Yuk Yuk’s Komedy Stampede, and on CBC Radio’s Madly Off in All Directions and The Debaters; she’s performed at Just for Laughs International Comedy Festival and been nominated for two Canadian Comedy Awards. Cory is a regular guest on the Unconventional Panel on CBC Radio’s Calgary Eyeopener and has recently written her first solo show, The Goose Queen of Kindersley.
Website – Citizens of the Whimsy State Website – Facebook Profile – Twitter – Yuk Yuk’s Roster Listing
Daryl Makk has been re-educating the sheeple of the world…one joke at a time since 1993! An extended tour in Australia in 2005 had him in sold out shows at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Described by CBC radio as “A friendly good ‘ol boy, with knowledge and he’s not afraid to use it” he is a hit where ever he goes. His shows are hysterical exercises of trying to understand society, its attempts at making the world a gentler, more tolerable place and all that has gone wrong with this effort. Truth and reality are sweet when served up with his brand of humor. His one hour “Comedy Now” special was selected to kick off season 8 of the award winning show.
Website – The Planet Tour – Comedy Detour
Brad Muise has been entertaining Canadian audiences for nearly a decade. Originally from Nova Scotia Brad now makes his home in Calgary, Alberta. Having toured from coast to coast and written and performed for CBC TV’s Halifax Comedy Festival and is a familiar face at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival Gala shows. He has written and performed for CBC Radio One’s new hit series “The Debaters”. Brad is now solidly entrenched in the Canadian Comedy scene.
Brad’s comedy has been described as a delicate balance of clean, cleverly written comedy with just enough naughtiness to get the big laughs.
Karen is sassy, silly, and always witty. Hailing from Canada’s Northwest Territories, she now lives and laughs in Calgary. She shares her take on dating, drinking, and getting along with other humans, usually while in front of an audience.
In 2006, Karen was featured on the CBC Radio One series “So You Think You’re Funny?”, where she was named one of their top five new Canadian comics to watch. Since then she has gained exposure on XM satellite radio’s “Laugh Attack”, “The Debaters” on CBC radio, and performed at the 2009 Halifax Comedy Festival.
Charles Payne is a professional comic, actor, writer and motivational speaker. He has performed in comedy clubs all over Canada and parts of the United States. He was the featured comic in the HBO comedy pilot “Bust” and a guest writer for the CBC Children’s show “Spilt Milk.” Charles has also appeared in over 130 film, television and commercial productions including The “X files”, “The Long Weekend”, ‘The L Word”, “Stargate”, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “The Santa Clause”.
Combining his 18 plus years of selling to the C level for Fortune 100 companies with his background as an actor, writer and comic Charles Payne provides seminars and comedy performances that are informative and entertaining.
Charles has done Sales Training, Keynote Speeches and Motivational Seminars for such notable organizations as: Great West Life, Peers Vancouver, JBAA, Junior Achievement, Barr Advertising, Rogers Wireless, Corrpro and Re/Max Realty.
Charles likes to riff on the state of the world, basing his humor and presentations on what’s happening, has happened or what he would like to have happen in his life. His act can be corporate clean, comedy club clean or bar room clean; he has the ability to adjust as required.
Formerly from a little third world island country in the West Indies called Grenada which is the Newfoundland of the West Indies hence he often refers to himself in his act as a West Indian Newfie who went from living in a three room house with fourteen people; having no hot and cold running water, electricity, indoor appliances, toys and other niceties to now living in a land where he has so much he can afford not to eat, take more than one shower in a day and head into the bush to live like poor people and call it a vacation, Charles has a unique and interesting comedic perspective on life. As he often says, “it’s fabulous to live in a country that has socialized health care, paved roads and homogenized milk. God bless Canada, our home on native land.”
Amanda Brooke Perrin is kind of awkward… Okay she’s a lot awkward. Maybe that’s the reason she hasn’t done “IT” yet. That will all change as soon as she grows the mermaid hair she has always aspired to have.
A ‘virgin’ to stand-up comedy, Amanda decided to challenge herself and finally grab the microphone at an open mic night in 2007. In such short time, Amanda has already performed in various venues around British Columbia and Alberta, and was also a semi-finalist in the 2008 Great Canadian Laugh Off in Calgary.
Her hobbies and interests include making people laugh, competitive face slapping, bagging dudes so she can be ‘one of the guys,’ growing her hair, improv, and bubble breaker.
In trying to find a word that describes her perfectly, Amanda looked up ‘naive’ in the dictionary. It read: simple, unaffected, unsuspecting, artless, guileless, candid, open.
…Bingo.
Brian Stollery has been a fixture on the Western Canadian comedy circuit for twenty years. He began his entertainment career as an actor appearing in over twenty films and television shows. Today, he tells jokes for a living. What happened?!
“I needed to find a career where I could make less money and have fewer benefits” Stollery quips.
Well, his career change has not been without success. In 2009 Brian was named “Canada’s Next Top Comic!” by XM Satellite Radio Canada. In the same year he appeared at The Vancouver Comedy Festival. In 2008 Brian performed at The Winnipeg Comedy Festival and was a featured comedian on MySpace Canada. He has also been heard on the CBC radio programs: “The Debaters” and “Laugh out Loud”
With dark, insightful comedy that achieves its effect by forcing the audience into self-examination, Derek Sweet eases the shock to their ego by coupling his mockery with outrageous confessions. In the end everyone ends up pointing a finger at the human race and laughing together.
Derek performed in the 2008 Great Canadian Laugh-Off in Toronto, Canada, showcased for Just For Laughs in 2009, and has quickly become a regular at all the clubs in Calgary. He has toured all over BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. While he prefers to get edgy, and downright filthy when he can, Derek prides himself on providing every audience with the show that’s right for them.
Derek has been watching Standup Comedy obsessively since he was 5 years old and has many inspirations: Louis C.K., Bill Hicks, Doug Stanhope, David Cross, Joe Rogan, George Carlin, Steve Martin, Dave Chapelle, Marilyn Manson, and Hunter S. Thompson are just a few of them.
