The 2010 Alberta Comedy Spectacular, filmed in May 2010 at the Arden Theatre, airs tonight across the province on CBC at 7 p.m.
Hosted by Lorne Cardinal of Corner Gas fame, the first of this two-part series is titled Turtle Island Too, a look at the scintillating humour of western Canada’s aboriginal comedians.
“It’s like watching a great one-hour-long comedy special with six different views of aboriginal life. Some are traditional views and others draw different and unexpected conclusions,” says CBC senior communications officer Sarah Stall.
Leading the clan is Don Burnstick, a Cree son from Alexander First Nation, just north of St. Albert.
“He’s quite the character. He had great fun with celebrities like Britney Spears and Angelina Jolie.”
The only woman on the bill, Dawn Dumont is a former lawyer who got her start on the stage in Toronto. She is a CBC Radio comedy writer and a story editor for By the Rapids, an animation comedy series on APTN.
“She talked about her life on the reserve, her brothers and sisters. Hers was more of a personal reflection on her life.”
On the other hand, Winnipeg-based Ryan McMahon steers clear of cultural stereotypes. Instead he mixes traditional stand-up with an improvised, slacker style. “You feel he’s like a friend talking to you.
The Edmonton based Howie Miller, hailed as one of the funniest voices on the current comedy circuit, has a quick wit and views on multi-ethnic stereotypes that makes him much in demand. “He’s a seasoned professional and his piece was very polished.”
Another Edmonton-based comic, Lars Callieou, winner of the 2004 Comedy Idol, has been featured on City TV, CBC Radio and currently broadcasts his own weekly comedy radio show on CJSR 88.5 FM. “Like Dawn, he told his story through personal experience, but I didn’t expect him to do it in a stand-up style.”
And finally, Don Kelly, a host and writer of the Gemini-nominated Fish Out of Water, speaks his piece. “He’s a pretty jovial, stand-up guy. He focused on a couple of different stories.”
But underneath all the chuckles and laughs, the comedians focus on a swath of issues that affect aboriginals from unemployment and single mothers to young kids taking on parenting roles. There’s even a few digs thrown at bingo and shopping. “They all find a way to communicate something that is personal.”
Best of the West, part two of the comedy spectacular, airs on Saturday, Sept. 4.
