Five laughing matters at Vancouver Comedyfest
If you believe Mark Twain’s contention that our only really effective weapon is laughter, then consider yourselves well- armed, Vancouverites, as Vancouver Comedyfest takes over the city Feb. 15 to 26, bringing some of the biggest names in comedy to town. Now in its ninth year, the festival features more than 45 acts, including Betty White, Carol Burnett, Magaret Cho, Jermey Hotz and other big- names, fortified by an arsenal of local up- andcomers. If you can stockpile just five shows, may we suggest ...
OPENING NIGHT GALA Feb. 16, 7 p. m.
It’s like dessert first: Eight of Fest’s top acts hit the stage with highlights of their shows. Includes: Comedy Central star Howard Kremer ( above), who currently writes for Beavis and Butthead and raps with Zooey Deschanel; Brad Williams, the wisecracking dwarf, whom Robin Williams called “Prozac with a head,” Garfunkel & Oates, Doug Benson, and more. ( Note: Due to a scheduling conflict, David Hasselhoff will not be available to host the show.)
GARFUNKEL/ OATES Rio Theatre Feb. 17, 9: 30 p. m.
The L. A.- based comedy/ folk duo, which gets its name from “two famous rockandroll second bananas,” Art Garfunkel and John Oates, performs witty ditties like, Sex With Ducks, which parodies arguments against same- sex marriage, and Pregnant Women Are Smug. Also appearing: Dragon Boy Suede ( comedian Howard Kremer), Seattle’s Entertainment Show ( Travis Vogt & Kevin Clarke) and comedians Kevin Hyder and Tristan Devin.
BETTY WHITE Centre for Performing Arts Feb. 18, 7 p. m.
At 90, Betty White is busier than ever. Best known for her TV roles on
The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls, she currently stars in Hot in Cleveland, and appears in Off Their Rockers in which senior citizens roam the streets pulling wicked pranks on youngsters. Last year, White became the oldest person to guest- host
Saturday Night Live, for which she won
an Emmy.
WTF WITH MARC MARON Rio Theatre Feb. 24, 7 p. m.
Featuring interviews with such giants of comedy as Conan O’brien, Louis CK and Ben Stiller, the podcast WTF with
Marc Maron, boasts 20 million downloads to date and has been called a “must- listen” by Vanity Fair and New
York Times. This episode of WTF will feature guests Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, of the cult classic Mr. Show.
BOB ODENKIRK AND DAVID CROSS Centre for Performing Arts Feb. 25. 7 p. m.
The stars of the legendary sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David reunite to host the Fest’s closing night gala — and to mock everything, from Satanism and teenage suicide to hermaphrodites and after- school specials. Odenkirk ( Breaking Bad), and Cross ( Arrested Development), will be joined by their favourite comedians of the Fest.