If you run into strangers doubled over with laughter this week, here’s why. The Canadian Comedy Awards Fest is taking over the city, with nominee showcases at clubs like the Comedy Bar, Yuk Yuk’s, Bad Dog and the Second City.
Dave Foley hosts the actual Awards show on Monday (October 18) at the Isabel Bader, while Mary Walsh hosts the star-?studded Best Of The Fest show at the Winter Garden on Sunday (October 17).
I checked in with a few nominees before the festivities. See Comedy Listings.
Chelsea P. Manders
(nominated, best one-person show, Naughty Little Children)
Why do you deserve to win? Because my costume is entirely polyester and I performed in July.
Toughest competition? Rob Ford’s Spanx – they work hard!
Who do you most want to meet at the awards, and what’s your schmoozing technique? I want to sing twisted thirds with Seán Cullen. My schmoozing technique: Cuervo Gold.
If you win, who will you not thank? The Taliban. They said some nasty things about my last album.
Last-?minute message to the T.O. mayoral candidates? Keep giving us good material.
The Imponderables
(nominated, best sketch troupe)
Why do you deserve to win? When you’re a wealthy hundred-?aire, recognition means everything. Everything.
Toughest competition? The Second City. That is, until we illegally change our name to the Second City and accept all their awards. We’re from Hamilton, after all.
Who do you most want to meet at the awards, and what’s your schmoozing technique? Anyone who will listen to our social networking movie pitch: MySpace: The Musical (in 3-?D).
If you win, who will you not thank? That comedy club in Sudbury. Now who sucks!?
Last-?minute message to the T.O. mayoral candidates? Trash talking won’t get you nearly as far with voters as does trash collecting.
Sandy Jobin-?Bevans
(nominated, best male improvisor)
Why do you deserve to win? Because Kerry Griffin and Dave Pearce aren’t nominated.
Toughest competition? Myself. I don’t even know how I get out of bed in the morning.
Who do you most want to meet at the awards, and what’s your schmoozing technique? Bob Hope. Using the “séance” technique.
If you win, who will you not thank? My mom. She still wants me to be a teacher.
Last-?minute message to the T.O. mayoral candidates? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Jo-?Anna Downey
(nominated, best female stand-up)
Why do you deserve to win? Because I am the oldest and I will die first.
Toughest competition? Kate Davis for sure. She is the Susan Lucci of the CCAs.
Who do you most want to meet at the awards, and what’s your schmoozing technique? I want to meet whoever is working the bar… I don’t schmooze and tell.
If you win, who will you not thank? Wow. That is a long list.
Last-?minute message to the T.O. mayoral candidates? How about the subways running until after last call?
