Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, March 1 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, March 19 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Saturday, April 8 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Friday, April 21 - Student Distress Centre Fundraiser
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Did I brag about the Student Distress Centre fundraiser I'll be MCing? A volunteer from the SDC has put together a comedy show to raise funds for the SDC and the Distress Line. I've volunteered for the Distress Line for a couple years now, and I'm proud to be a part of it. A big thank you also needs to go out to LARS CALLIEOU who is headlining the show and the other comics who will be donating their time (MARK SALAMANDICK, KATHLEEN MCGEE, ANDREW IWANYK)
-MIKE WILMOT is in town at Yuk Yuks, and I strongly encourage you to see him. He's a fantastic comic. GERRY DEE is middling. I saw him for the first time last night and he's really awesome as well (you'd think a professional writer like myself would be able to come up with something better than 'really awesome' but...whatever). Last night MARK SALAMANDICK MC'd for the first time at the last minute and did a really aweso...superlative job. A bunch of other comics came down to watch the show....KEN VALGARDSON, PAUL SVEEN, KENDALL GAWRYLUK, and KERRY UNGER, and I think we had more fun than the audience.
-Speaking of KERRY UNGER, readers of SEE magazine will have seen his cartoons appearing as part of Yuk Yuks latest ad campaigns. Congratulations go out to Kerry as this has been the realization of a longtime dream for him...not the cartooning, but the working in advertising. See folks--dreams do come true.
-Monster Pro Wrestling's Mayhem show is tomorrow. Check out the www.monsterprowrestling.com for ticket info. For those of you wondering about the Battleground show, we're still working on the post-production stuff. I think that show is cursed.
-Between beers, cigarettes, and various other substances, WILMOT had a cool show-biz quote. Apparently when asked about his life style in showbiz, an old New Orleans jazz musician said: "There's two kinds of people in the world. There's Day People and Night People. Day people get up every morning and go to work their whole lives so they can give money to the Night People."
Friday, March 10, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
For those of you wondering...
Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, March 1 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, March 19 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
- In my Journal article this Friday, I ask about which seven celebrities I'd want with me if zombies took over the world (I love my job). Here they are:
Sarah Chalke
Martha Stewart
Chris Benoit
Alan Iverson
Eliza Dushku
Ted Nugent
Lance Armstrong
Feel free to e-mail me with your own choices at dbrodribb@hotmail.com. I'm always willing to hear someone else's case.
-On Thursday I did a show in Lake Louise. ANDREW GROSE headlined and the show went great, though we got stuck in a snowstorm on the way down and the hotel was overbooked so we had to stay elsewhere. Andrew wrote about it in his blog at www.andrewgrose.com. The creepy thing is he wrote the blog before we even left Edmonton. I guess we can add psychic powers to his list of credits.
-I met HEATH MCCOY on Sunday at a signing for his book, PAIN & PASSION, which is a history of Stampede Wrestling. If you're from Alberta, you probably grew up with Stampede, so it's cool seeing that history isn't going to be lost. The best part was GIL HAYES, who wrestled in Stampede from 1967-1985, stopped by with a scrapbook featuring photos of some of his matches. Very cool.
Wednesday, March 1 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, March 19 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
- In my Journal article this Friday, I ask about which seven celebrities I'd want with me if zombies took over the world (I love my job). Here they are:
Sarah Chalke
Martha Stewart
Chris Benoit
Alan Iverson
Eliza Dushku
Ted Nugent
Lance Armstrong
Feel free to e-mail me with your own choices at dbrodribb@hotmail.com. I'm always willing to hear someone else's case.
-On Thursday I did a show in Lake Louise. ANDREW GROSE headlined and the show went great, though we got stuck in a snowstorm on the way down and the hotel was overbooked so we had to stay elsewhere. Andrew wrote about it in his blog at www.andrewgrose.com. The creepy thing is he wrote the blog before we even left Edmonton. I guess we can add psychic powers to his list of credits.
-I met HEATH MCCOY on Sunday at a signing for his book, PAIN & PASSION, which is a history of Stampede Wrestling. If you're from Alberta, you probably grew up with Stampede, so it's cool seeing that history isn't going to be lost. The best part was GIL HAYES, who wrestled in Stampede from 1967-1985, stopped by with a scrapbook featuring photos of some of his matches. Very cool.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
End of an Era
Upcoming Comedy
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Wednesday, March 1 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, March 19 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Monday was the last open stage at the Sidetrack Cafe's current location before moving to a new address. The Sidetrack is where comedy in Edmonton started before the arrival of Yuks. On hand to commemorate the occasion were myself, BRIAN HEGGE, POWERMANN, LARS CALLIEOU, ANDREW IWANYK, and KATHLEEN MCGEE (and her posse). The place was packed with musicians wanting to pay their last respects. Lots of fun.
-I think I've been doing too much comedy lately. Not really, but last night I had a dream that I was at ANDREW GROSE's house (Which I've never been to, but in my dream it looked like the U of A Hospital's Snell Hall). I was doing a guest spot with STEVE MCCARTHY, except the MC, PAUL SVEEN was doing renovations to the house as he hosted, so I had to do my set from a scaffold on the second floor. Bizarre. Maybe it's my brain's way of telling me I have to focus more on my writing. No wait, that's what my editor tells me.
-Apparently the MPW show in Bonnie Doon mall is go. It starts at 2pm, and it looks like we'll be taping so I'll be there for commentary. The next show after that is March 11 at the usual Alberta Ave. Community Hall. I still have to overdub commentary for February's show, so I better take care of my voice.
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Wednesday, March 1 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, March 19 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Monday was the last open stage at the Sidetrack Cafe's current location before moving to a new address. The Sidetrack is where comedy in Edmonton started before the arrival of Yuks. On hand to commemorate the occasion were myself, BRIAN HEGGE, POWERMANN, LARS CALLIEOU, ANDREW IWANYK, and KATHLEEN MCGEE (and her posse). The place was packed with musicians wanting to pay their last respects. Lots of fun.
-I think I've been doing too much comedy lately. Not really, but last night I had a dream that I was at ANDREW GROSE's house (Which I've never been to, but in my dream it looked like the U of A Hospital's Snell Hall). I was doing a guest spot with STEVE MCCARTHY, except the MC, PAUL SVEEN was doing renovations to the house as he hosted, so I had to do my set from a scaffold on the second floor. Bizarre. Maybe it's my brain's way of telling me I have to focus more on my writing. No wait, that's what my editor tells me.
-Apparently the MPW show in Bonnie Doon mall is go. It starts at 2pm, and it looks like we'll be taping so I'll be there for commentary. The next show after that is March 11 at the usual Alberta Ave. Community Hall. I still have to overdub commentary for February's show, so I better take care of my voice.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Update
Upcoming Comedy
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Check SEE magazine in the next few weeks, and you may see some ads for Yuk Yuks featuring the cartooning skills of KERRY UNGER. In addition to being one of my favorite comics, Kerry is a skilled cartoonist--instead of CDs, he sells greeting cards after his shows. He's also recording a CD of his songs with WINSTON HERBERT, and having heard his songs, I'm looking forward to that as well.
An interesting side note: Wednesday, Kerry actually included my name in a new joke he's working on about a discussion we had regarding the origin of the name of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. I'm not sure how I feel about this--on one hand, I'm flattered to be included in the act of someone whose work I've admired for so long, but on the other what I said was so appalling, I'm kind of embarassed to have that particular comment associated with me (to make matters worse, Kerry actually had to clean up what I said to make the joke even remotely presentable, even to a bar crowd)
-There's an MPW show in Bonnie Doon Mall next Saturday at 2pm. I'll be there to do commentary on the action. It's my understanding that a few of the MPW stalwarts are on Tony Condello's Northern Hell tour right now. If so, it should be a great opportunity for some of the other guys to step up and get a little more time.
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Check SEE magazine in the next few weeks, and you may see some ads for Yuk Yuks featuring the cartooning skills of KERRY UNGER. In addition to being one of my favorite comics, Kerry is a skilled cartoonist--instead of CDs, he sells greeting cards after his shows. He's also recording a CD of his songs with WINSTON HERBERT, and having heard his songs, I'm looking forward to that as well.
An interesting side note: Wednesday, Kerry actually included my name in a new joke he's working on about a discussion we had regarding the origin of the name of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. I'm not sure how I feel about this--on one hand, I'm flattered to be included in the act of someone whose work I've admired for so long, but on the other what I said was so appalling, I'm kind of embarassed to have that particular comment associated with me (to make matters worse, Kerry actually had to clean up what I said to make the joke even remotely presentable, even to a bar crowd)
-There's an MPW show in Bonnie Doon Mall next Saturday at 2pm. I'll be there to do commentary on the action. It's my understanding that a few of the MPW stalwarts are on Tony Condello's Northern Hell tour right now. If so, it should be a great opportunity for some of the other guys to step up and get a little more time.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Newz of the World
Upcoming Comedy
Saturday, February 11 - Ft. McMurray
Sunday, February 12 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, February 14 - Drayton Valley
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-I had a good weekend of shows opening for JEBB FINK. The guy's been doing comedy for over two decades, so if you can't learn from watching him, you're doing something wrong. I also noticed the way he conducted himself offstage, making sure to take the time to talk to people who came up to him after the show. The ticket-buying (or newspaper buying) public is what keeps us show-biz types working, so there's something to be said for taking the time to be nice.
-LARS CALLIEOU headlined his first club show on Sunday at The Comic Strip. It was a great night, and I was proud to be a part of it. As a frequent MC, Lars has probably brought me to the stage more than any comic (Second place goes to PAUL MYREHAUG. He MC'd my very first show, my very first middle spot...and now he's moving to Toronto. He's one of the sweetest guys I know and very funny, so I wish him the best of luck, though with his talent, he doesn't need it).
-Congratulations are also in order to CODY, who is heading up to Calgary to take care of business at the Yuk Yuks there. From management to wait staff to the box office, comedy club staff are often overlooked, but they really are such an important part of keeping the show running smoothly...so make sure you tip them well (that way I can hit them up to buy me pretty things).
-My writing course through Metro will be proceeding. Fifty percent of the enrolled students are female which is new for me. SF and Fantasy aren't typically female-dominated genres. It's also a smaller class than I'm used to running, but I'm looking forward to seeing how things go.
-Black Gate magazine like the idea I've come up with for a sequel to my short story "The Girl Who Feared Lightning." As you read this, I'll probably be hard at work developing it.
Saturday, February 11 - Ft. McMurray
Sunday, February 12 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, February 14 - Drayton Valley
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-I had a good weekend of shows opening for JEBB FINK. The guy's been doing comedy for over two decades, so if you can't learn from watching him, you're doing something wrong. I also noticed the way he conducted himself offstage, making sure to take the time to talk to people who came up to him after the show. The ticket-buying (or newspaper buying) public is what keeps us show-biz types working, so there's something to be said for taking the time to be nice.
-LARS CALLIEOU headlined his first club show on Sunday at The Comic Strip. It was a great night, and I was proud to be a part of it. As a frequent MC, Lars has probably brought me to the stage more than any comic (Second place goes to PAUL MYREHAUG. He MC'd my very first show, my very first middle spot...and now he's moving to Toronto. He's one of the sweetest guys I know and very funny, so I wish him the best of luck, though with his talent, he doesn't need it).
-Congratulations are also in order to CODY, who is heading up to Calgary to take care of business at the Yuk Yuks there. From management to wait staff to the box office, comedy club staff are often overlooked, but they really are such an important part of keeping the show running smoothly...so make sure you tip them well (that way I can hit them up to buy me pretty things).
-My writing course through Metro will be proceeding. Fifty percent of the enrolled students are female which is new for me. SF and Fantasy aren't typically female-dominated genres. It's also a smaller class than I'm used to running, but I'm looking forward to seeing how things go.
-Black Gate magazine like the idea I've come up with for a sequel to my short story "The Girl Who Feared Lightning." As you read this, I'll probably be hard at work developing it.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Update
Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, February 1 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Thursday, February 2 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Friday, February 3 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Saturday, February 4 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Saturday, February 11 - Ft. McMurray
Sunday, February 12 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, February 14 - Drayton Valley
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-As you can see it's going to be a busy February for me. I'm also teaching a class on Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction through Metro Continuing Education (www.metrocontinuingeducation.com). If you're interested in such things, there's still time to sign up before classes start on Monday, February 6.
-It feels like there's a thousand things going on right now, but now that I'm updating, I can't think of anything to report. Typical. Between the MPW stuff, writing, and getting ready for this week's comedy extravaganza at Yuks, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. In a good way. I never thought life could get so good. Thank you to all of you who have shared the ride with me.
Wednesday, February 1 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Thursday, February 2 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Friday, February 3 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Saturday, February 4 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Saturday, February 11 - Ft. McMurray
Sunday, February 12 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, February 14 - Drayton Valley
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, February 23 - Private Function, Chateau Lake Louise
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd
Friday, March 3 - The Dice Whisperer
Friday, March 17 - Son of Elvis
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-As you can see it's going to be a busy February for me. I'm also teaching a class on Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction through Metro Continuing Education (www.metrocontinuingeducation.com). If you're interested in such things, there's still time to sign up before classes start on Monday, February 6.
-It feels like there's a thousand things going on right now, but now that I'm updating, I can't think of anything to report. Typical. Between the MPW stuff, writing, and getting ready for this week's comedy extravaganza at Yuks, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. In a good way. I never thought life could get so good. Thank you to all of you who have shared the ride with me.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Update
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, January 24 - Prism, Edmonton--Living Positive Benefit
Thursday, February 2 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Friday, February 3 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Saturday, February 4 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, February 5 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, February 14 - Drayton Valley
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Tonight is the Living Positive benefit at Prism. LARS CALLIEOU is headlining, and if you've seen him before, you know what he can do. The two of us hung out and talked shop at the Sidetack Cafe's Open Mic last night (hosted by talented local musician BEN SPENCER). Monday nights at the Sidetrack is a great place for stage time if you're a local musician, and it's also a great place to check out a lot of great local acts if you're a fan of music and comedy (Interesting historical note: I'm told that at one time the venerable Sidetrack was the ONLY place in town that did comedy, before the arrival of Yuk Yuks in the 80s) .
-I did the commentary for some tapings on Sunday for MPW's Camp Wars. The matches should be shown on the www.monsterprowrestling.com website over the next little while. Also available shortly will be the January Madness DVD--KENNETH BARR of Idion Inc. did a really great job of putting everything together. It's been exciting to watch MPW grow since I first saw them in May of 2005. and the fact they've come so far so fast is a testament to a lot of hard work by the people involved. Don't forget the MPW TV Taping on February 4 (Radio personality YUKON JACK from 100.3 The Bear will be covering for me on commentary as I'll be performing at Yuks). The last show sold out, so make sure to get your tickets now.
-Congratulations to ANDREW IWANYK, who according to all accounts has earned himself a spot at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival. I can't tell you how fantastic it is to see Andrew's uniqueness and creativity recognized by someone other than those of us who have had the pleasure of sharing a stage with him for so many months (years, in some cases). There are times when it feels there's no justice in show-biz--or in life--but sometimes somthing happens when it feels like all is right with the world and this is one of those good times.
Tuesday, January 24 - Prism, Edmonton--Living Positive Benefit
Thursday, February 2 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Friday, February 3 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Saturday, February 4 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, February 5 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, February 14 - Drayton Valley
Sunday, February 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Tonight is the Living Positive benefit at Prism. LARS CALLIEOU is headlining, and if you've seen him before, you know what he can do. The two of us hung out and talked shop at the Sidetack Cafe's Open Mic last night (hosted by talented local musician BEN SPENCER). Monday nights at the Sidetrack is a great place for stage time if you're a local musician, and it's also a great place to check out a lot of great local acts if you're a fan of music and comedy (Interesting historical note: I'm told that at one time the venerable Sidetrack was the ONLY place in town that did comedy, before the arrival of Yuk Yuks in the 80s) .
-I did the commentary for some tapings on Sunday for MPW's Camp Wars. The matches should be shown on the www.monsterprowrestling.com website over the next little while. Also available shortly will be the January Madness DVD--KENNETH BARR of Idion Inc. did a really great job of putting everything together. It's been exciting to watch MPW grow since I first saw them in May of 2005. and the fact they've come so far so fast is a testament to a lot of hard work by the people involved. Don't forget the MPW TV Taping on February 4 (Radio personality YUKON JACK from 100.3 The Bear will be covering for me on commentary as I'll be performing at Yuks). The last show sold out, so make sure to get your tickets now.
-Congratulations to ANDREW IWANYK, who according to all accounts has earned himself a spot at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival. I can't tell you how fantastic it is to see Andrew's uniqueness and creativity recognized by someone other than those of us who have had the pleasure of sharing a stage with him for so many months (years, in some cases). There are times when it feels there's no justice in show-biz--or in life--but sometimes somthing happens when it feels like all is right with the world and this is one of those good times.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
ADDENDUM
Couple things I forgot to mention in the last update.
-Next Tuesday at Prism nightclub there's a comedy benefit for Living Positive, which raises funds for people living with HIV. The show usually starts around 10pm and the address is 10524 101 Street. It's a worthy cause, and should be a great show, so come down and feel good about laughing while you make the world a better place.
-Tonight at The Locker Room on 11834 Kingsway Ave., MPW is showing a sneak preview of the TV taping for January Madness. A lot of the MPW stars will be there, so come down and meet some of them so you'll know who I'm talking about. And stay to watch the show, which features none other than myself (as 'Martial' Art McNeil) calling the action with my broadcast partner RIPPER (one of the most passionate supporters of MPW I know). For more info check out www.monsterprowrestling.com
-Next Tuesday at Prism nightclub there's a comedy benefit for Living Positive, which raises funds for people living with HIV. The show usually starts around 10pm and the address is 10524 101 Street. It's a worthy cause, and should be a great show, so come down and feel good about laughing while you make the world a better place.
-Tonight at The Locker Room on 11834 Kingsway Ave., MPW is showing a sneak preview of the TV taping for January Madness. A lot of the MPW stars will be there, so come down and meet some of them so you'll know who I'm talking about. And stay to watch the show, which features none other than myself (as 'Martial' Art McNeil) calling the action with my broadcast partner RIPPER (one of the most passionate supporters of MPW I know). For more info check out www.monsterprowrestling.com
Monday, January 16, 2006
Update.
Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, January 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 24 - Prism, Edmonton- Living Positive Fundraiser
Saturday, April 1 - Stettler Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Friday, January 20 - Almost Famous, Edmonton Journal, Living Section
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day, Edmonton Journal, Living Section
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd, Edmonton Journal, Living Section
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed section of the Edmonton Journal.
-It's great being around people who are passionate about what they do. It inspires you to work harder to achieve your own dreams, because you realize that chasing the dream is where the fun is, not achieving it. Whether it's talking shop about comedy with KATHLEEN, LARS, ANDREW IWANYK, and POWERMANN at the sidetrack, or looking at what director KENNETH BARR has done with the MPW footage, the thing that sets them apart is that they love what they do.
-Shot the photos for the next series of Living Articles. The next one will see publication on Friday.
-By the time you should read this, I will hopefully have finished the voiceover commentary for MPW Madness. The powers that be are in negotiations to have it air on a local TV station.
Wednesday, January 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 24 - Prism, Edmonton- Living Positive Fundraiser
Saturday, April 1 - Stettler Legion, Stettler
Upcoming Writing
Friday, January 20 - Almost Famous, Edmonton Journal, Living Section
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day, Edmonton Journal, Living Section
Friday, February 17 - Three's a Crowd, Edmonton Journal, Living Section
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed section of the Edmonton Journal.
-It's great being around people who are passionate about what they do. It inspires you to work harder to achieve your own dreams, because you realize that chasing the dream is where the fun is, not achieving it. Whether it's talking shop about comedy with KATHLEEN, LARS, ANDREW IWANYK, and POWERMANN at the sidetrack, or looking at what director KENNETH BARR has done with the MPW footage, the thing that sets them apart is that they love what they do.
-Shot the photos for the next series of Living Articles. The next one will see publication on Friday.
-By the time you should read this, I will hopefully have finished the voiceover commentary for MPW Madness. The powers that be are in negotiations to have it air on a local TV station.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Update
Upcoming Writing
Friday, January 20 - Almost Famous, Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day, Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, February 17 - Untitled Love Triangle Column, Edmonton Journal Living Section
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine
Upcoming Comedy
January 18 - The Comic Strip
-I finished the final edits on "The Girl Who Feared Lightning." Look for it in Issue #11 of Black Gate magazine (http://www.blackgatemagazine.com). There's been talk of making "Girl..." into an ongoing series of short stories. Needless to say, I'm excited at the idea.
-The Monster Pro Wrestling television taping was a rousing success. It's proof that hard work pays off--no matter what industry you're in--been great to see how far the organization and its wrestlers have progressed since I've started going to their shows last May. It was also great to see KENNETH BARR again, whom I worked with on the movie 'Reroute.' Ken was in charge of the technical end, and I'll be meeting him later in the week to do some post-production commentary stuff. The next MPW show is February 4, but they're holding a free Camp Wars show at their training facility on January 22. Check their website (www.monsterprowrestling.com) for details.
-Last Thursday I middled at the Edmonton Yuk Yuks. PAUL MYREHAUG and PAUL SVEEN were on the show and as always, I learned a lot watching them. Sveen was the first guy to tell me to really open up and let the audience into your world. He has a more philosophical approach to the art of stand-up, and it's pretty effective, not to mention inspirational. On another note, I'm told PAUL MYREHAUG will be moving to Toronto to seek fame and fortune. I'll miss him a lot--next to Lars, he's probably introduced me more than anybody else, and I'm superstitious about my 'good luck MCs'. Good Luck, Paul.
-I talk a lot about the comics who have influenced me, but I rarely refer to my writing influences, so for those of you who have asked, here are a few non-fiction (I may cover fiction in a future entry) writers whose work I really enjoy reading:
MISS ALLI - She writes for www.televisionwithoutpity.com doing recaps of various shows. Her Survivor recaps are so hilarious I don't even bother to watch the show anymore--I don't want to spoil the recap.
BILL SIMMONS aka The Sports Guy--He does sports and pop culture for ESPN (www.espn.com). Obviously, if you aren't into either, you probably won't like him, but I think he's hilarious.
CHUCK KLOSTERMAN - author of Fargo Rock City and Killing Yourself to Live. He writes about music, but also relates it to his own life. He once compared his ex-girfriends to members of the band KISS. Well worth reading.
Friday, January 20 - Almost Famous, Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, February 10 - Valentine's Day, Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, February 17 - Untitled Love Triangle Column, Edmonton Journal Living Section
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine
Upcoming Comedy
January 18 - The Comic Strip
-I finished the final edits on "The Girl Who Feared Lightning." Look for it in Issue #11 of Black Gate magazine (http://www.blackgatemagazine.com). There's been talk of making "Girl..." into an ongoing series of short stories. Needless to say, I'm excited at the idea.
-The Monster Pro Wrestling television taping was a rousing success. It's proof that hard work pays off--no matter what industry you're in--been great to see how far the organization and its wrestlers have progressed since I've started going to their shows last May. It was also great to see KENNETH BARR again, whom I worked with on the movie 'Reroute.' Ken was in charge of the technical end, and I'll be meeting him later in the week to do some post-production commentary stuff. The next MPW show is February 4, but they're holding a free Camp Wars show at their training facility on January 22. Check their website (www.monsterprowrestling.com) for details.
-Last Thursday I middled at the Edmonton Yuk Yuks. PAUL MYREHAUG and PAUL SVEEN were on the show and as always, I learned a lot watching them. Sveen was the first guy to tell me to really open up and let the audience into your world. He has a more philosophical approach to the art of stand-up, and it's pretty effective, not to mention inspirational. On another note, I'm told PAUL MYREHAUG will be moving to Toronto to seek fame and fortune. I'll miss him a lot--next to Lars, he's probably introduced me more than anybody else, and I'm superstitious about my 'good luck MCs'. Good Luck, Paul.
-I talk a lot about the comics who have influenced me, but I rarely refer to my writing influences, so for those of you who have asked, here are a few non-fiction (I may cover fiction in a future entry) writers whose work I really enjoy reading:
MISS ALLI - She writes for www.televisionwithoutpity.com doing recaps of various shows. Her Survivor recaps are so hilarious I don't even bother to watch the show anymore--I don't want to spoil the recap.
BILL SIMMONS aka The Sports Guy--He does sports and pop culture for ESPN (www.espn.com). Obviously, if you aren't into either, you probably won't like him, but I think he's hilarious.
CHUCK KLOSTERMAN - author of Fargo Rock City and Killing Yourself to Live. He writes about music, but also relates it to his own life. He once compared his ex-girfriends to members of the band KISS. Well worth reading.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Upcoming Comedy
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, January 8 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, January 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
-Hope everybody had great holidays. I know I sure did.
-I finished up a couple more stories. They are currently floating around seeking a home.
-MPW show is at the usual place on Saturday, January 7. Though it hasn't been confirmed on the official site yet (www.monsterprowrestling.com), rumor has it they'll be taping for TV, so you might want to come on down and bring a sign celebrating your favorite MPW personality (Ace Davidson!). There's also been some discussion about me being a part of the event in some capacity either as an interviewer or as a play-by-play announcer, so that's pretty exciting if it goes through.
-I'll post my upcoming writing dates once I know when stuff is coming out. Everything slowed down because of the holidays.
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, January 8 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, January 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
-Hope everybody had great holidays. I know I sure did.
-I finished up a couple more stories. They are currently floating around seeking a home.
-MPW show is at the usual place on Saturday, January 7. Though it hasn't been confirmed on the official site yet (www.monsterprowrestling.com), rumor has it they'll be taping for TV, so you might want to come on down and bring a sign celebrating your favorite MPW personality (Ace Davidson!). There's also been some discussion about me being a part of the event in some capacity either as an interviewer or as a play-by-play announcer, so that's pretty exciting if it goes through.
-I'll post my upcoming writing dates once I know when stuff is coming out. Everything slowed down because of the holidays.
Friday, December 16, 2005
pre Christmas Update
Upcoming Comedy
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks
Upcoming writin
Friday, January 30 - New Year's Resolutions, the Edmonton Journal
Happy Holidays Everyone! I wish everyone and their families all the best.
-And what goes with Christmas better than zombies? All this week I'll be answering questions in the forums at www.allthingszombie.com about my short story "Glass Houses." Where can I get a copy of "Glass Houses" I hear you ask? Why it's available in the anthology "Cold Flesh, which you can purchase on line at www.hellboundbooks.com
-I had the pleasure of meeting a woman named CARISSA REINIGER after the show on Sunday. Not only is she the president of a company called Silver Lining (www.silverlining.ws), along with Sarah Hutchison and Karen Henderson, she's edited a book called STORIES FROM OUR BLACK BOOKS, a compilation of stories from Canadian women who have played the dating game. LARS bought a copy, partially to learn female dating secrets, but more likely to see how many of the stories have his name in them. Still it looks great, and if you're looking for a gift for a mom, sister, girfriend, etc. check out www.silverlining.ws/blackbook for more.
-I hooked a couple of women at my day job on the 'whacky-mole' game at www.toddk.ca. I deserve a finder's fee. Or at least have my picture in the Memory Game.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Office gossip
Upcoming
Comedy
Wednesday, December 14 - Yuk Yuks
Sunday, December 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Writing
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, December 30 - New Year's in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears in every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine.
-Had a good time on Sunday. The crowd at THE COMIC STRIP was fantastic. Before the show headliner JOHN WESSLING--a great guy--gave us a preview of his documentary HELLGIG USA, where Wessling and two other comics played 50 shows in 50 days in the 50 American states (Yes, that includes Alaska and Hawaii). Now that's doing it for the love of the game. Very inspirational. Afterwards, Wessling hung out with us for a bit, delivered a phenomenal show, and left in the company of a pair of 'exotic dancers' he met the night before. Like I said, very inspirational
-Also on Sunday, KELLY SOLODUKA established his presence as a new ladies' man in town--he convinced a pair of lovelies from a local spa to join the comics for drinks after the show. Funny thing was, he hadn't even performed that night. Looks like LARS has got himself some competition. I, of course, was a perfect gentleman.
-Monday, POWERMANN and I went to the Sidetrack open stage where we put on an absolutely ludicrous vaudeviller routine. It was a pretty good crowd too--the extremely talented human beat box SHAMMIK (sp?) was celebrating his birthday. In hindsight, with that sort of crowd, we should have done a regular show, but a few people enjoyed it, and just like John Wessling, sometimes you have to do stuff for the love of the game. Say good night, Powermann.
-Is there another Dan B playing the memory game at www.toddk.ca? I'm sure I've never scored higher than the low fifties.
Comedy
Wednesday, December 14 - Yuk Yuks
Sunday, December 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Writing
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, December 30 - New Year's in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears in every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine.
-Had a good time on Sunday. The crowd at THE COMIC STRIP was fantastic. Before the show headliner JOHN WESSLING--a great guy--gave us a preview of his documentary HELLGIG USA, where Wessling and two other comics played 50 shows in 50 days in the 50 American states (Yes, that includes Alaska and Hawaii). Now that's doing it for the love of the game. Very inspirational. Afterwards, Wessling hung out with us for a bit, delivered a phenomenal show, and left in the company of a pair of 'exotic dancers' he met the night before. Like I said, very inspirational
-Also on Sunday, KELLY SOLODUKA established his presence as a new ladies' man in town--he convinced a pair of lovelies from a local spa to join the comics for drinks after the show. Funny thing was, he hadn't even performed that night. Looks like LARS has got himself some competition. I, of course, was a perfect gentleman.
-Monday, POWERMANN and I went to the Sidetrack open stage where we put on an absolutely ludicrous vaudeviller routine. It was a pretty good crowd too--the extremely talented human beat box SHAMMIK (sp?) was celebrating his birthday. In hindsight, with that sort of crowd, we should have done a regular show, but a few people enjoyed it, and just like John Wessling, sometimes you have to do stuff for the love of the game. Say good night, Powermann.
-Is there another Dan B playing the memory game at www.toddk.ca? I'm sure I've never scored higher than the low fifties.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Addendum
-Congratuations to MARK SALAMANDICK and LARS CALLIEOU for making the semi-finals in the Corner Gas comedy competition. It's always fantastic to see things starting together for guys you've worked with and admire. Mark is part of a writing group I frequent along with J.P FOURNIER, SHAWN GRAMIAK, and TODD K (speaking of Todd, I finally broke my old high-score of 50 on the memory game on his website at www.toddk.ca). I'm told Mark and J.P. also recently recorded sets for XM radio, so that's another feather in their cap. As far as Lars goes, I can't keep up with all the things he's doing these days. He recently showcased for Just For Laughs, so their may be some Montreal in his future. Check out Mark and Lars' sets in the Comic Genius section of www.cornergas.com
Friday, December 09, 2005
November headLINES and updates
Upcoming Comedy
Sunday, December 11 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Sunday, December 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Writing
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, December 30 - New Year's in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
And of course, Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears in ed every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal etc. etc. etc.
-Exciting times ahead...unfortunately, with the exception of my next middle show at Yuks on January 5, nothing's been confirmed yet. Watch this space for the glorious details. In the meantime, here are November's headLINES
Tuesday, November 1 - The NBA regular season is underway with a brand new look, courtesy of Commissioner David Stern's new dress code. The NBA: Come for the basketball--Stay for the fashion. Says Indiana Pacers bad boy Ron Artest: "Not only does my new Prada handbag bring out my eyes, there's plenty of room for my brass knuckles for when we go back to Detroit."
Wednesday, November 2 - Senior U.S. Vice Presidential aide Lewis 'Scooter' Libby is charged with perjury, false statements, and obstruction of justice after it is discovered that his nickname is not really 'Scooter,' but 'Watermelon-Butt.' The real Scooter--the stage manager for The Muppet Show--declined to comment.
Thursday, November 2 - A number of Calgary companies have been caught in an oil-for-food scandal involving Saddam Hussein's former Iraqi regime. It's like an episode of Arrested Development with cowboy hats. All that's missing is Henry Winker and a stair-car.
Friday, November 3 - Raffi 'Scooter' Torres is charged with perjury, false statements, and obstruction of justice after it is discovered that his name is neither 'Raffi' nor 'Torres,' but just Scooter. The real Tico Torres--Bon Jovi's drummer--and children's entertainer Raffi both declined to comment.
Saturday, November 5 - Two weeks ago, I made fun of Sean Fleming and he led the Esks to victory with five consecutive field goals. Last week I made fun of Raffi Torres and he scored the winning goal in overtime against the Red Wings the night before the issue went to press. I think I'm onto something. Hey, Stoll! Hemsky! You guys suck! Don't rush to thank me at once, Edmonton.
Sunday, November 6 - U2 lead singer Bono is one of the backers in a merger involving Edmonton-based game company BioWare. I guess after playing Jade Empire he found what he was looking for.
Monday, November 7 - Rumor has it the NDP may try to force a Christmas election. Is 'None of the Above' going to be on the ballot? At least I'll have a legitimate excuse for not getting my shopping done.
Tuesday, November 8 - Embattled Conservative leader Stephen Harper says he's ready for a Christmas election. He's got his concession and farewell speeches ready and everything.
Wednesday, November 9 - November in Edmonton seems like a weird time to have a rodeo. Then aagain, nothing says "Yee-HAW" like sliding your Corolla uncontrollably through the Groat Road traffic circle.
Thursday, November 10 - Paul Martin says a Christmas election will grind government business to a halt. After all, a lot of those companies involved in the sponsorship scandal expect Christmas bonuses. Taxpayer dollars aren't going to give themselves away, you know.
Friday, November 11 - On Remembrance Day, I like to remember my great-uncle, a contestant on a show called 'Survivor: Vimy Ridge.' He didn't get a million dollars, but he never had to buy another drink for the rest of his life and he got a metal plate in his head that won him an astonishing number of bar bets. Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?
Saturday, November 12 - NDP leader Jack Layton is politely asking Paul Martin's Liberals to pretty please make the decision to step down and call an election--a patently ridiculous strategy. The 'call an election part' is fine; the 'asking Paul Martin to make a decision' is the impossible part.
Sunday, November 13 - RIP Eddie Guerrero (1967-2005). Hope heaven is ready for some "Lyin', Cheatin,' & Stealin.'"
Monday, November 14 - As riots rock the streets, France continues to cement its reputation as a wussy country by becoming the first nation in history to surrender to itself. Ha-Ha! The only thing more fun than making fun of France is making fun of Toronto.
Tuesday, November 15 - Speaking of which, If you were part of an Alberta police force whose mandate was 'to regain the trust of the public,' would you hire a guy from Toronto? That's what I thought. At least the ethics watchdog can relax a little--the Leafs are only in town once this season.
Wednesday, November 16 - Apparently there are a lot of holes in the case against Saddam Hussein. Unfortunately, they're bullet holes, and they can be found in the torso of his defence team. He doesn't need Perry Mason. He needs 50-Cent and his bulletproof vest.
Thursday, November 17 - Has there ever been a 'Survivor' contestant more unappealing than Judd? And don't bother e-mailing me about Jonny Fairplay--At least he was interesting. If you gave me a choice between hanging out with Judd or having my brains eaten by those beetles from 'Supernatural,' I'd have to flip a coin.
Friday, November 18 - The new Harry Potter movie opens this weekend, the one where they pick his name out of the "Goblet of Fire" to do an impossible task. I don't want to give away the ending, but apparently all charges against Saddam are dropped, and the two of them fly away on Harry's magical broom.
Saturday, November 19 - O.J. Simpson says Robert Blake was a victim of injustice. Now. O.J., let's go over it one more time: Traditionally in murder cases, we reserve the term 'victim' for the dead person. There are so many punchlines here, I don't know where to begin. Too bad they're all stored behind my box of Super Nintendo cartridges in a box marked '1995.'
Sunday, November 20 - The Edmonton Eskimos teach the world a valuable lesson in cooperation and brotherhood as quarterbacks Ricky Ray and Jason Maas work together to send the Esks to the Grey Cup. If Shaq and Kobe could have done the same, the Lakers would have two more NBA titles right now.
Monday, November 21 - A woman I know on the new Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair: "He looks like the bus driver for the 120 to Jasper Place. At least now I understand why the two front seats of the 7:18 are designated as 'distinct society seating.'
Tuesday, November 22 - Other Canadian celebrity lookalikes: Jason Maas...and the devil. I'm not kidding. Maybe Sean Fleming's mysterious kicking improvement over the course of the season isn't such a mystery after all.
Wednesday, November 23 - Prince Albert II ascends the throne of Monaco. Heh-heh. Prince Albert. Some days these jokes write themselves.
Thursday, November 24 – Ralph Klein is giving money away? Has he been replaced by aliens or is he just jealous that Prince Albert of Monaco has a funnier nickname than King Ralph?.
Friday, November 25 - The honeymoon is over at Edmonton Eskimos practices. Some rascal put a 'Kick Me' sign on Ricky Ray's back..and Sean Fleming put him through the uprights from forty-six yards out. Reportedly, Jason Maas laughed so hard flies came out of his mouth, but he disappeared in a flash of brimstone before reporters could get comments.
Saturday, November 26 - November 26 is Buy Nothing Day, where we refuse to indulge in our consumer culture by not spending any money, or I like to call it--Date Night.
Sunday, November 27 - The Edmonton Eskimos win the 2005 Grey Cup in overtime, capping one of the most physically gruelling seasons ever. I think I pulled a hamstring with all that jumping on and off the bandwagon.
Monday, November 28 - After the Liberals lose a non-confidence motion, the stage is set for an January vote, despite worries that "Canadians don't want another election." Yes, because Canadians have always been against democracy. Hockey games aren't decided by votes; they're decided by shoot-outs. Why should government be any different?
Tuesday, November 29 – Looks like the Black Eyed Peas have a new member—Edmonton Eskimos coach Danny Maciocia. Said Peas member Fergie: “We wanted someone with a similar dance style.”
Wednesday, November 30 - Fans everywhere are distraught over the break-up of Jessica Simpson and Nick What's-his-name. I haven't seen people this upset over a break-up since Conservative backbenchers had to retire their 'I Heart Peter and Belinda' t-shirts.
Sunday, December 11 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Sunday, December 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Writing
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
Friday, December 30 - New Year's in the Edmonton Journal Living Section
And of course, Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears in ed every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal etc. etc. etc.
-Exciting times ahead...unfortunately, with the exception of my next middle show at Yuks on January 5, nothing's been confirmed yet. Watch this space for the glorious details. In the meantime, here are November's headLINES
Tuesday, November 1 - The NBA regular season is underway with a brand new look, courtesy of Commissioner David Stern's new dress code. The NBA: Come for the basketball--Stay for the fashion. Says Indiana Pacers bad boy Ron Artest: "Not only does my new Prada handbag bring out my eyes, there's plenty of room for my brass knuckles for when we go back to Detroit."
Wednesday, November 2 - Senior U.S. Vice Presidential aide Lewis 'Scooter' Libby is charged with perjury, false statements, and obstruction of justice after it is discovered that his nickname is not really 'Scooter,' but 'Watermelon-Butt.' The real Scooter--the stage manager for The Muppet Show--declined to comment.
Thursday, November 2 - A number of Calgary companies have been caught in an oil-for-food scandal involving Saddam Hussein's former Iraqi regime. It's like an episode of Arrested Development with cowboy hats. All that's missing is Henry Winker and a stair-car.
Friday, November 3 - Raffi 'Scooter' Torres is charged with perjury, false statements, and obstruction of justice after it is discovered that his name is neither 'Raffi' nor 'Torres,' but just Scooter. The real Tico Torres--Bon Jovi's drummer--and children's entertainer Raffi both declined to comment.
Saturday, November 5 - Two weeks ago, I made fun of Sean Fleming and he led the Esks to victory with five consecutive field goals. Last week I made fun of Raffi Torres and he scored the winning goal in overtime against the Red Wings the night before the issue went to press. I think I'm onto something. Hey, Stoll! Hemsky! You guys suck! Don't rush to thank me at once, Edmonton.
Sunday, November 6 - U2 lead singer Bono is one of the backers in a merger involving Edmonton-based game company BioWare. I guess after playing Jade Empire he found what he was looking for.
Monday, November 7 - Rumor has it the NDP may try to force a Christmas election. Is 'None of the Above' going to be on the ballot? At least I'll have a legitimate excuse for not getting my shopping done.
Tuesday, November 8 - Embattled Conservative leader Stephen Harper says he's ready for a Christmas election. He's got his concession and farewell speeches ready and everything.
Wednesday, November 9 - November in Edmonton seems like a weird time to have a rodeo. Then aagain, nothing says "Yee-HAW" like sliding your Corolla uncontrollably through the Groat Road traffic circle.
Thursday, November 10 - Paul Martin says a Christmas election will grind government business to a halt. After all, a lot of those companies involved in the sponsorship scandal expect Christmas bonuses. Taxpayer dollars aren't going to give themselves away, you know.
Friday, November 11 - On Remembrance Day, I like to remember my great-uncle, a contestant on a show called 'Survivor: Vimy Ridge.' He didn't get a million dollars, but he never had to buy another drink for the rest of his life and he got a metal plate in his head that won him an astonishing number of bar bets. Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?
Saturday, November 12 - NDP leader Jack Layton is politely asking Paul Martin's Liberals to pretty please make the decision to step down and call an election--a patently ridiculous strategy. The 'call an election part' is fine; the 'asking Paul Martin to make a decision' is the impossible part.
Sunday, November 13 - RIP Eddie Guerrero (1967-2005). Hope heaven is ready for some "Lyin', Cheatin,' & Stealin.'"
Monday, November 14 - As riots rock the streets, France continues to cement its reputation as a wussy country by becoming the first nation in history to surrender to itself. Ha-Ha! The only thing more fun than making fun of France is making fun of Toronto.
Tuesday, November 15 - Speaking of which, If you were part of an Alberta police force whose mandate was 'to regain the trust of the public,' would you hire a guy from Toronto? That's what I thought. At least the ethics watchdog can relax a little--the Leafs are only in town once this season.
Wednesday, November 16 - Apparently there are a lot of holes in the case against Saddam Hussein. Unfortunately, they're bullet holes, and they can be found in the torso of his defence team. He doesn't need Perry Mason. He needs 50-Cent and his bulletproof vest.
Thursday, November 17 - Has there ever been a 'Survivor' contestant more unappealing than Judd? And don't bother e-mailing me about Jonny Fairplay--At least he was interesting. If you gave me a choice between hanging out with Judd or having my brains eaten by those beetles from 'Supernatural,' I'd have to flip a coin.
Friday, November 18 - The new Harry Potter movie opens this weekend, the one where they pick his name out of the "Goblet of Fire" to do an impossible task. I don't want to give away the ending, but apparently all charges against Saddam are dropped, and the two of them fly away on Harry's magical broom.
Saturday, November 19 - O.J. Simpson says Robert Blake was a victim of injustice. Now. O.J., let's go over it one more time: Traditionally in murder cases, we reserve the term 'victim' for the dead person. There are so many punchlines here, I don't know where to begin. Too bad they're all stored behind my box of Super Nintendo cartridges in a box marked '1995.'
Sunday, November 20 - The Edmonton Eskimos teach the world a valuable lesson in cooperation and brotherhood as quarterbacks Ricky Ray and Jason Maas work together to send the Esks to the Grey Cup. If Shaq and Kobe could have done the same, the Lakers would have two more NBA titles right now.
Monday, November 21 - A woman I know on the new Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair: "He looks like the bus driver for the 120 to Jasper Place. At least now I understand why the two front seats of the 7:18 are designated as 'distinct society seating.'
Tuesday, November 22 - Other Canadian celebrity lookalikes: Jason Maas...and the devil. I'm not kidding. Maybe Sean Fleming's mysterious kicking improvement over the course of the season isn't such a mystery after all.
Wednesday, November 23 - Prince Albert II ascends the throne of Monaco. Heh-heh. Prince Albert. Some days these jokes write themselves.
Thursday, November 24 – Ralph Klein is giving money away? Has he been replaced by aliens or is he just jealous that Prince Albert of Monaco has a funnier nickname than King Ralph?.
Friday, November 25 - The honeymoon is over at Edmonton Eskimos practices. Some rascal put a 'Kick Me' sign on Ricky Ray's back..and Sean Fleming put him through the uprights from forty-six yards out. Reportedly, Jason Maas laughed so hard flies came out of his mouth, but he disappeared in a flash of brimstone before reporters could get comments.
Saturday, November 26 - November 26 is Buy Nothing Day, where we refuse to indulge in our consumer culture by not spending any money, or I like to call it--Date Night.
Sunday, November 27 - The Edmonton Eskimos win the 2005 Grey Cup in overtime, capping one of the most physically gruelling seasons ever. I think I pulled a hamstring with all that jumping on and off the bandwagon.
Monday, November 28 - After the Liberals lose a non-confidence motion, the stage is set for an January vote, despite worries that "Canadians don't want another election." Yes, because Canadians have always been against democracy. Hockey games aren't decided by votes; they're decided by shoot-outs. Why should government be any different?
Tuesday, November 29 – Looks like the Black Eyed Peas have a new member—Edmonton Eskimos coach Danny Maciocia. Said Peas member Fergie: “We wanted someone with a similar dance style.”
Wednesday, November 30 - Fans everywhere are distraught over the break-up of Jessica Simpson and Nick What's-his-name. I haven't seen people this upset over a break-up since Conservative backbenchers had to retire their 'I Heart Peter and Belinda' t-shirts.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
update
Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, November 30 - Yuk Yuks (guest spot)
Sunday, December 11 - The Comic Strip (guest spot)
Sunday, December 18 - The Comic Strip (guest spot)
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks (middle)
-shot the photo art for my next three articles on Monday. I think we got some good stuff, especially for the Christmas shopping article on December 16th.
-My Saturday show went extremely well. Shallow person that I am, I measure a show by how many hugs I get from pretty female audience members...it was a Very Good Show. I'll be back at Yuks on Wednesday developing some new material--but don't let that stop you from coming. JOHN WING will be there, and since he doesn't come through a lot, he's worth checking out. He's a great writer and performer and I love watching. HOWIE MILLER will be MCing which is always a good time.
Wednesday, November 30 - Yuk Yuks (guest spot)
Sunday, December 11 - The Comic Strip (guest spot)
Sunday, December 18 - The Comic Strip (guest spot)
Thursday, January 5 - Yuk Yuks (middle)
-shot the photo art for my next three articles on Monday. I think we got some good stuff, especially for the Christmas shopping article on December 16th.
-My Saturday show went extremely well. Shallow person that I am, I measure a show by how many hugs I get from pretty female audience members...it was a Very Good Show. I'll be back at Yuks on Wednesday developing some new material--but don't let that stop you from coming. JOHN WING will be there, and since he doesn't come through a lot, he's worth checking out. He's a great writer and performer and I love watching. HOWIE MILLER will be MCing which is always a good time.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Usually I use this space to shamelessly plug my writing and comedy. I'm a private person and I like to keep my personal life to myself. Having said that, one of the toughest challenges I face is the fact that my writing and comedy often forces me to dig into my insecurities and fears. Somebody once said 'happiness isn't funny.' I know for myself, my most succesful articles and jokes work because I'm letting myself be vulnerable.
Comedians, writers and show business personalities have a reputation as being troubled souls. Looking at the list of famous creative people who have struggled with depression or bipolar disorder, I guess there's some truth to that. And when you're constantly making yourself the butt of the joke, it's easy to let yourself start believing in those negative feelings that come up.
That's why those people who can keep a positive attitude are so awesome. Comics like LARS CALLIEOU and KERRY UNGER are two of my favorites for this. They recognize the place comedy has in their life, and while they love it, they also leave room for the other things that matter to them and refuse to let themselves dwell in negativity.
But here's something interesting:
For myself, I'm finding it largely a matter of attitude. One thing writing about my vulnerabilities has taught me, is that it's okay to be afraid or anxious or less-than-cool. I'm learning to accept the not-so-great parts of my personality, and weirdly enough, that makes me feel pretty good.
I like being positive. I try to make a conscious effort to focus on the good things in my life and the directions that I'm excited about exploring. But instead of trying to ignore the negative things in my life or pretend they aren't there, I'm learning to use them in a positive way--namely, making Mrs. Brodribb's handsome son rich and famous. Or at least moderately well-off and vaguely recognizable.
I've got a show tonight to get ready for. Hope to see you there (I knew I could get a plug in, if I just tried).
Dan
Comedians, writers and show business personalities have a reputation as being troubled souls. Looking at the list of famous creative people who have struggled with depression or bipolar disorder, I guess there's some truth to that. And when you're constantly making yourself the butt of the joke, it's easy to let yourself start believing in those negative feelings that come up.
That's why those people who can keep a positive attitude are so awesome. Comics like LARS CALLIEOU and KERRY UNGER are two of my favorites for this. They recognize the place comedy has in their life, and while they love it, they also leave room for the other things that matter to them and refuse to let themselves dwell in negativity.
But here's something interesting:
For myself, I'm finding it largely a matter of attitude. One thing writing about my vulnerabilities has taught me, is that it's okay to be afraid or anxious or less-than-cool. I'm learning to accept the not-so-great parts of my personality, and weirdly enough, that makes me feel pretty good.
I like being positive. I try to make a conscious effort to focus on the good things in my life and the directions that I'm excited about exploring. But instead of trying to ignore the negative things in my life or pretend they aren't there, I'm learning to use them in a positive way--namely, making Mrs. Brodribb's handsome son rich and famous. Or at least moderately well-off and vaguely recognizable.
I've got a show tonight to get ready for. Hope to see you there (I knew I could get a plug in, if I just tried).
Dan
Friday, November 18, 2005
Weekend Edition
Upcoming Comedy
Saturday, November 26 - Yuk Yuks (20-min. Middle) EARLY SHOW ONLY
Upcoming Edmonton Journal Living articles
Friday, December 2 - First Date
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping
Friday, December 30 -New Year's
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.
-I've just been booked in a middle spot for the Early show on Saturday, November 26 at Yuk Yuks. I'll be doing a twenty minute set, which is longer than my usual appearances. Yuks' website doesn't say the name of the headliner, but I'm sure he's very good--after all, he's following Me. Hope to see everyone there.
-I'm coming off a stretch of eight comedy appearances in eleven days and I've hit the highest of the highs and the lowest of lows in that time. Fortunately, I have a great group of fellow comics to write, rehearse, and share the victories and setbacks with.
-When I haven't been performing, I've been sitting at home writing on my upcoming articles as well as an outline for a teleplay and the usual short stories. It doesn't make for exciting blog updates, but I'm pretty happy with the way things are coming along.
Saturday, November 26 - Yuk Yuks (20-min. Middle) EARLY SHOW ONLY
Upcoming Edmonton Journal Living articles
Friday, December 2 - First Date
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping
Friday, December 30 -New Year's
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.
-I've just been booked in a middle spot for the Early show on Saturday, November 26 at Yuk Yuks. I'll be doing a twenty minute set, which is longer than my usual appearances. Yuks' website doesn't say the name of the headliner, but I'm sure he's very good--after all, he's following Me. Hope to see everyone there.
-I'm coming off a stretch of eight comedy appearances in eleven days and I've hit the highest of the highs and the lowest of lows in that time. Fortunately, I have a great group of fellow comics to write, rehearse, and share the victories and setbacks with.
-When I haven't been performing, I've been sitting at home writing on my upcoming articles as well as an outline for a teleplay and the usual short stories. It doesn't make for exciting blog updates, but I'm pretty happy with the way things are coming along.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
October headLINES (better late than never)
Saturday, October 1 - The American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors recognized the Journal's ed magazine for fearlessness and innovation. Like the time we put the Miss Grand Prix girls on the cover of ed. Bet the competition wishes they thought of that.
Sunday, October 2 - The Edmonton Oilers want to replace Rexall/Skyreach/Northlands Coliseum/Place/Centre with a new rink. I guess they're tired of renaming the old one.
Monday, October 3 - CBC employees are going back to work, which means we'll see Don Cherry on TV this year after all. In preparation for his return, men's fashion experts have already begun clawing out their own eyes.
Tuesday, October 4 - ed Top 10 writer Lars Callieou and I had a great time working on ed's bar special this week. The best part was trying to beat cover charges all over the city under the guise of research. "Fearlessness and Innovation" are our middle names.
Wednesday, October 5 - Lars and I thought we had it made being sent to work on the strip club section of the bar guide, until Lars realized: "Hey that's a MALE stripper. I bet he isn't a real cop either."
COMMENTARY: This story never actually happened. Lars and I wanted to be very clear on that.
Thursday, October 6 - Turns out he was a real cop. He just needed a night job after withdrawing his candidacy for police chief.
Friday, October 7 - American citizens are complaining about President Bush's decision to appoint Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court in spite of her complete lack of qualifications. Weren't American citizens the ones who voted both Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger into political office? They're just prejudiced against Miers because she never appeared in 'The Running Man.'
COMMENTARY: They were also in Predator together. For the record.
Saturday, October 8 - Oiler Ryan Smyth is out of the line-up after Jason Maas took out his knee with a crowbar, yelling "Somehow, some way, I'm going to play somewhere this season!" I guess it worked; he's already signed to fight Tonya Harding in a foxy boxing match.
Sunday, October 9 - The Green Bay Packers win their first game of the NFL season by a margin of nearly fifty points. In other news, the sun rises in the West, Elvis returned to deliver a message of peace and hope from the back of a winged giraffe, and Tom Cruise admitted there might be something to this psychiatry business after all.
Monday, October 10 - Telus and its union are close to a settlement, which means we can expect Telus to "resume it's previous level of service." In that case, maybe I should smash my phone with a hammer now and save myself the aggravation.
Tuesday, October 11 - Season 2 of Arrested Development on DVD, leftover turkey, and
unused sick time...Looks like I'm going to be thankful just a little bit longer.
Wednesday, October 12 - Why do they put Halloween candy on sale six weeks before Halloween? My grocery store receipts are starting to look like David Dingwall's expense account. We aren't even halfway through the month, and I've already gained fifteen pounds and an extra chin.
Thursday, October 13 - PM Paul Martin vows to get tough with the U.S. about the softwood lumber dispute. If the Americans don't shape up, he's going to write a sternly-worded anonymous one-liner to Venting.
Friday, October 14 - Just-In-Case-You-Were-Thinking-of-Trying-It...Don't Dept. The Halloween Candy and Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Diet. It tastes pretty good, but after four days, I was feeling a little queasy. Too bad I used all my sick time.
Saturday, October 15 - Rob and Amber, two reality show stars who gained fame on Survivor are in town, which is fitting since watching the competition for a new police chief is like watching a bizarro-world version of Survivor where the contestants are TRYING to get voted off the island.
Sunday, October 16 - Memo to Michael Flatley: Wearing a ridiculous Masters of the Universe costume and being joined on stage by girls in bikinis does not make you a Celtic Tiger, no matter how much you look like Larry Bird. Not that I was there or anything.
Monday, October 17 - Prince Harry is training at the Royal Military Academy. It will help him with his royal duties in the event he's challenged to single combat by the leader of another nation...or in case Daniel Craig doesn't work out as the new James Bond.
Tuesday, October 18 - A surveyor's error means the Alberta/Saskatchewan border may be wrong. Does this mean we have to split our prosperity cheques with the people of Lloydminster? Because $399.97 doesn't go nearly as far.
Wednesday, October 19 - You know you're getting desperate for a Halloween costume when you start looking at the guy dressed as Sailor Moon from a past issue of ed and think, "You know, I think I could pull that off."
Thursday, October 20 - I picked up a new book called "In Praise of Slow," about reducing the pace of modern life, but I haven't yet had time to read it. Maybe I'll get an audio version so I can fast-forward through the boring parts.
Friday, October 21 - Prince Harry defeats Prince Nana from Ghana in gladiator combat. Meanwhile Paul Martin and George W. Bush are all set to settle their softwood differences over a spirited game of Connect Four. That does it--North America is officially WussyLand.
COMMENTARY: Prince Nana is a real character, though he's not a real prince. He's Jimmy Rave's manager in Ring of Honor wrestling. Aren't you glad I do my research?
Saturday, October 22 - Alice Cooper performed at the Winspear of all places. Take note, up and coming artists, he might be old, but the guy's been cutting off his own head at shows for over thirty years. Now that's commitment.
Sunday, October 23 - Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko is in hot water for trying to ban coffee and other caffeinated products from Alberta prisons. He's braver than me. Law-abiding citizens going though caffeine withdrawal are scary enough, let alone someone who can turn a toothbrush into a murder weapon.
Monday, October 24 - Tragedy struck at the Monday night open stage at the Sidetrack Cafe when local singer/songwriter Ben Spencer was hospitalized for blood loss after cutting off his own head. Apparently, it isn't as easy as Alice Cooper makes it look.
Tuesday, October 25 - In an NHL special treat, the Edmonton Oilers' opponents tonight will be...the Colorado Avalanche. Again. Since their latest expansion, the NHL has, like, 948 teams. Can't we play one of them for a change? It would be nice to lose to someone different, that's all.
Wednesday, October 26 - Saddam Hussein's trial has been delayed again, after he had a scuffle with his guards. Maybe they let him have too much coffee.
Thursday, October 27 - A pair of Montreal parents are suing a teacher for being verbally abusive to their child. Preposterous. Verbal abuse is good for kids. Professor Snape was sarcastic and condescending too, yet that Harry Potter kid turned out okay.
Friday, October 28 - Katie Holmes is pregnant. I wonder who the father is. Oh, come on. I can't be the only one thinking it.
Saturday, October 29 - The good news: Sean Fleming kicked five field goals in the Edmonton Eskimos victory over B.C. in CFL action. The Bad News: I have to pick another local sports figure to mercilessly abuse. How does everybody feel about Raffi Torres?
Sunday, October 30 - 10 years ago today, in a close referendum, the people of Quebec voted to remain a part of Canada. Well, except for the Nordiques.
Monday, October 31 - For a special Halloween treat, ed writer Dan Brodribb appears on the Adler on Line radio show talking as an expert on women relationships. I will now pause so my ex-girlfriend can wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes and seek medical treatment for the burns suffered from spraying hot coffee out her nose.
Sunday, October 2 - The Edmonton Oilers want to replace Rexall/Skyreach/Northlands Coliseum/Place/Centre with a new rink. I guess they're tired of renaming the old one.
Monday, October 3 - CBC employees are going back to work, which means we'll see Don Cherry on TV this year after all. In preparation for his return, men's fashion experts have already begun clawing out their own eyes.
Tuesday, October 4 - ed Top 10 writer Lars Callieou and I had a great time working on ed's bar special this week. The best part was trying to beat cover charges all over the city under the guise of research. "Fearlessness and Innovation" are our middle names.
Wednesday, October 5 - Lars and I thought we had it made being sent to work on the strip club section of the bar guide, until Lars realized: "Hey that's a MALE stripper. I bet he isn't a real cop either."
COMMENTARY: This story never actually happened. Lars and I wanted to be very clear on that.
Thursday, October 6 - Turns out he was a real cop. He just needed a night job after withdrawing his candidacy for police chief.
Friday, October 7 - American citizens are complaining about President Bush's decision to appoint Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court in spite of her complete lack of qualifications. Weren't American citizens the ones who voted both Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger into political office? They're just prejudiced against Miers because she never appeared in 'The Running Man.'
COMMENTARY: They were also in Predator together. For the record.
Saturday, October 8 - Oiler Ryan Smyth is out of the line-up after Jason Maas took out his knee with a crowbar, yelling "Somehow, some way, I'm going to play somewhere this season!" I guess it worked; he's already signed to fight Tonya Harding in a foxy boxing match.
Sunday, October 9 - The Green Bay Packers win their first game of the NFL season by a margin of nearly fifty points. In other news, the sun rises in the West, Elvis returned to deliver a message of peace and hope from the back of a winged giraffe, and Tom Cruise admitted there might be something to this psychiatry business after all.
Monday, October 10 - Telus and its union are close to a settlement, which means we can expect Telus to "resume it's previous level of service." In that case, maybe I should smash my phone with a hammer now and save myself the aggravation.
Tuesday, October 11 - Season 2 of Arrested Development on DVD, leftover turkey, and
unused sick time...Looks like I'm going to be thankful just a little bit longer.
Wednesday, October 12 - Why do they put Halloween candy on sale six weeks before Halloween? My grocery store receipts are starting to look like David Dingwall's expense account. We aren't even halfway through the month, and I've already gained fifteen pounds and an extra chin.
Thursday, October 13 - PM Paul Martin vows to get tough with the U.S. about the softwood lumber dispute. If the Americans don't shape up, he's going to write a sternly-worded anonymous one-liner to Venting.
Friday, October 14 - Just-In-Case-You-Were-Thinking-of-Trying-It...Don't Dept. The Halloween Candy and Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Diet. It tastes pretty good, but after four days, I was feeling a little queasy. Too bad I used all my sick time.
Saturday, October 15 - Rob and Amber, two reality show stars who gained fame on Survivor are in town, which is fitting since watching the competition for a new police chief is like watching a bizarro-world version of Survivor where the contestants are TRYING to get voted off the island.
Sunday, October 16 - Memo to Michael Flatley: Wearing a ridiculous Masters of the Universe costume and being joined on stage by girls in bikinis does not make you a Celtic Tiger, no matter how much you look like Larry Bird. Not that I was there or anything.
Monday, October 17 - Prince Harry is training at the Royal Military Academy. It will help him with his royal duties in the event he's challenged to single combat by the leader of another nation...or in case Daniel Craig doesn't work out as the new James Bond.
Tuesday, October 18 - A surveyor's error means the Alberta/Saskatchewan border may be wrong. Does this mean we have to split our prosperity cheques with the people of Lloydminster? Because $399.97 doesn't go nearly as far.
Wednesday, October 19 - You know you're getting desperate for a Halloween costume when you start looking at the guy dressed as Sailor Moon from a past issue of ed and think, "You know, I think I could pull that off."
Thursday, October 20 - I picked up a new book called "In Praise of Slow," about reducing the pace of modern life, but I haven't yet had time to read it. Maybe I'll get an audio version so I can fast-forward through the boring parts.
Friday, October 21 - Prince Harry defeats Prince Nana from Ghana in gladiator combat. Meanwhile Paul Martin and George W. Bush are all set to settle their softwood differences over a spirited game of Connect Four. That does it--North America is officially WussyLand.
COMMENTARY: Prince Nana is a real character, though he's not a real prince. He's Jimmy Rave's manager in Ring of Honor wrestling. Aren't you glad I do my research?
Saturday, October 22 - Alice Cooper performed at the Winspear of all places. Take note, up and coming artists, he might be old, but the guy's been cutting off his own head at shows for over thirty years. Now that's commitment.
Sunday, October 23 - Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko is in hot water for trying to ban coffee and other caffeinated products from Alberta prisons. He's braver than me. Law-abiding citizens going though caffeine withdrawal are scary enough, let alone someone who can turn a toothbrush into a murder weapon.
Monday, October 24 - Tragedy struck at the Monday night open stage at the Sidetrack Cafe when local singer/songwriter Ben Spencer was hospitalized for blood loss after cutting off his own head. Apparently, it isn't as easy as Alice Cooper makes it look.
Tuesday, October 25 - In an NHL special treat, the Edmonton Oilers' opponents tonight will be...the Colorado Avalanche. Again. Since their latest expansion, the NHL has, like, 948 teams. Can't we play one of them for a change? It would be nice to lose to someone different, that's all.
Wednesday, October 26 - Saddam Hussein's trial has been delayed again, after he had a scuffle with his guards. Maybe they let him have too much coffee.
Thursday, October 27 - A pair of Montreal parents are suing a teacher for being verbally abusive to their child. Preposterous. Verbal abuse is good for kids. Professor Snape was sarcastic and condescending too, yet that Harry Potter kid turned out okay.
Friday, October 28 - Katie Holmes is pregnant. I wonder who the father is. Oh, come on. I can't be the only one thinking it.
Saturday, October 29 - The good news: Sean Fleming kicked five field goals in the Edmonton Eskimos victory over B.C. in CFL action. The Bad News: I have to pick another local sports figure to mercilessly abuse. How does everybody feel about Raffi Torres?
Sunday, October 30 - 10 years ago today, in a close referendum, the people of Quebec voted to remain a part of Canada. Well, except for the Nordiques.
Monday, October 31 - For a special Halloween treat, ed writer Dan Brodribb appears on the Adler on Line radio show talking as an expert on women relationships. I will now pause so my ex-girlfriend can wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes and seek medical treatment for the burns suffered from spraying hot coffee out her nose.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
You're a Rock Star...and your friend was pretty good too
Upcoming Comedy
Thursday, November 10 - The Roost (AIDS benefit)
Saturday, November 12 - Yuk Yuks (LATE SHOW ONLY)
Sunday, November 13 - The Comic Strip
Upcoming Edmonton Journal Living articles
Friday, November 18
Friday, December 2
Friday, December 16
Friday, December 30
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.
-Every once and a while in comedy, you do a show where everything goes right and you get to play Rock Star for a little while. I'm not one to toot my own horn (actually, I am, but in this case, TODD K. already did it for me. Check out the November 9 entry at www.toddk.ca for all the details. While you're there, check out his schedule and see when he's doing a show in your area next). I think I understand why comedians sell CDs after shows now. It isn't so much the money as you have an excuse to stand by the door as people are leaving so you can grub for compliments.
In his entry Todd talks about the "you were pretty good too" phenomenon, which has probably happened to everyone in showbiz at some point. It's when you're standing next to someone who did a fantastic job (Usually LARS, ANDREW IWANYK, or--more and more often it seems--KATHLEEN MCGEE) and people are coming telling them how great they are and then they kind of notice you and as an afterthought say, "Oh, yeah. you were pretty good too." I wonder if there's a column in this somewhere.
-headLINES will be posted shortly.
Thursday, November 10 - The Roost (AIDS benefit)
Saturday, November 12 - Yuk Yuks (LATE SHOW ONLY)
Sunday, November 13 - The Comic Strip
Upcoming Edmonton Journal Living articles
Friday, November 18
Friday, December 2
Friday, December 16
Friday, December 30
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.
-Every once and a while in comedy, you do a show where everything goes right and you get to play Rock Star for a little while. I'm not one to toot my own horn (actually, I am, but in this case, TODD K. already did it for me. Check out the November 9 entry at www.toddk.ca for all the details. While you're there, check out his schedule and see when he's doing a show in your area next). I think I understand why comedians sell CDs after shows now. It isn't so much the money as you have an excuse to stand by the door as people are leaving so you can grub for compliments.
In his entry Todd talks about the "you were pretty good too" phenomenon, which has probably happened to everyone in showbiz at some point. It's when you're standing next to someone who did a fantastic job (Usually LARS, ANDREW IWANYK, or--more and more often it seems--KATHLEEN MCGEE) and people are coming telling them how great they are and then they kind of notice you and as an afterthought say, "Oh, yeah. you were pretty good too." I wonder if there's a column in this somewhere.
-headLINES will be posted shortly.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Update
Upcoming events:
Comedy: October 13 - The Comic Strip
Writing in the Edmonton Journal's living section
Friday, November 18: Lucky Me
Friday, December 2 - First Dates
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping
Friday, December 30 - New Year's
-www.danbrodribb.ca is up and running. I just need to make sure I know how to update the sucker. It's not as fancy as some out there, but it gets the information I want out there in a clear and easy to find way, so I'm really happy with it. Thanks TAMMI for all your help.
-My radio interview ended up going last Thursday. If you missed it, I was brilliant.
-Found out I'll be writing a couple more articles for Christmas and New Year's in the Journal. Check out the Upcoming events for the dates.
-I've been having some great sets lately at Yuks and the Comic Strip. I don't always get the dates up here in a timely fashion, because a lot of them are 'surprise guest' spots, but one thing I love is how great the crowds are in this city. You guys make the shows happen.
-Caught the MPW show on Saturday. I always love watching the bad guys--it's cool seeing guys like SHANE O'RYAN and ACE DAVIDSON taking those extra steps to make the crowd hate them or to make the 'good guy wrestler (that's babyface for all you internet fans) look good. If you get a chance to see them, show your appreciation by booing them unmercifully. Trust me--they like it. I should have a commentary up at their site in the next week or so.
Comedy: October 13 - The Comic Strip
Writing in the Edmonton Journal's living section
Friday, November 18: Lucky Me
Friday, December 2 - First Dates
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping
Friday, December 30 - New Year's
-www.danbrodribb.ca is up and running. I just need to make sure I know how to update the sucker. It's not as fancy as some out there, but it gets the information I want out there in a clear and easy to find way, so I'm really happy with it. Thanks TAMMI for all your help.
-My radio interview ended up going last Thursday. If you missed it, I was brilliant.
-Found out I'll be writing a couple more articles for Christmas and New Year's in the Journal. Check out the Upcoming events for the dates.
-I've been having some great sets lately at Yuks and the Comic Strip. I don't always get the dates up here in a timely fashion, because a lot of them are 'surprise guest' spots, but one thing I love is how great the crowds are in this city. You guys make the shows happen.
-Caught the MPW show on Saturday. I always love watching the bad guys--it's cool seeing guys like SHANE O'RYAN and ACE DAVIDSON taking those extra steps to make the crowd hate them or to make the 'good guy wrestler (that's babyface for all you internet fans) look good. If you get a chance to see them, show your appreciation by booing them unmercifully. Trust me--they like it. I should have a commentary up at their site in the next week or so.
Update
Upcoming events:
Comedy: October 13 - The Comic Strip
Writing in the Edmonton Journal's living section
Friday, November 18: Lucky Me
Friday, December 2 - First Dates
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping
Friday, December 30 - New Year's
-www.danbrodribb.ca is up and running. I just need to make sure I know how to update the sucker. It's not as fancy as some out there, but it gets the information I want out there in a clear and easy to find way, so I'm really happy with it. Thanks TAMMI for all your help.
-My radio interview ended up going last Thursday. If you missed it, I was brilliant.
-Found out I'll be writing a couple more articles for Christmas and New Year's in the Journal. Check out the Upcoming events for the dates.
-I've been having some great sets lately at Yuks and the Comic Strip. I don't always get the dates up here in a timely fashion, because a lot of them are 'surprise guest' spots, but one thing I love is how great the crowds are in this city. You guys make the shows happen.
-Caught the MPW show on Saturday. I always love watching the bad guys--it's cool seeing guys like SHANE O'RYAN and ACE DAVIDSON taking those extra steps to make the crowd hate them or to make the 'good guy wrestler (that's babyface for all you internet fans) look good. If you get a chance to see them, show your appreciation by booing them unmercifully. Trust me--they like it.
Comedy: October 13 - The Comic Strip
Writing in the Edmonton Journal's living section
Friday, November 18: Lucky Me
Friday, December 2 - First Dates
Friday, December 16 - Christmas Shopping
Friday, December 30 - New Year's
-www.danbrodribb.ca is up and running. I just need to make sure I know how to update the sucker. It's not as fancy as some out there, but it gets the information I want out there in a clear and easy to find way, so I'm really happy with it. Thanks TAMMI for all your help.
-My radio interview ended up going last Thursday. If you missed it, I was brilliant.
-Found out I'll be writing a couple more articles for Christmas and New Year's in the Journal. Check out the Upcoming events for the dates.
-I've been having some great sets lately at Yuks and the Comic Strip. I don't always get the dates up here in a timely fashion, because a lot of them are 'surprise guest' spots, but one thing I love is how great the crowds are in this city. You guys make the shows happen.
-Caught the MPW show on Saturday. I always love watching the bad guys--it's cool seeing guys like SHANE O'RYAN and ACE DAVIDSON taking those extra steps to make the crowd hate them or to make the 'good guy wrestler (that's babyface for all you internet fans) look good. If you get a chance to see them, show your appreciation by booing them unmercifully. Trust me--they like it.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Whoops
-My radio interview has been rescheduled for tomorrow at 2:30. Sorry for those of you who booked time off work to listen to my pearls of wisdom--apparently the Radio Powers that Be think the actual "News" takes precedence over my Confucious-like brilliance. They better put me up tomorrow and not just be using the Brodribb Hype Machine for their own ends.
Adler on Line is heard, Monday through Friday
2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (ET)
Check local listings for broadcast times
in your area:
680 CJOB Winnipeg AM 640 Toronto Radio 940 Montreal
900 CHML Hamilton 980 CFPL London
630 CHED Edmonton 770 CHQR Calgary
980 CKNW Vancouver
980 CJME Regina 650 CKOM Saskatoon
The good news is, having to re-schedule means, I can correct the dates for my Upcoming Comedy Shows (I think I've been putting up the wrong month).
They are:
Upcoming Comedy Dates:
Thursday, October 3 - Yuk Yuks
Sunday, November 13 - The Comic Strip
Current and Upcoming writing
NEW! 'Tyrannosaurus Al appears in this Fall's Storyteller Magazine. Order online at www.storytellermagazine.com
Friday, November 18 - Edmonton Journal Living section
'Glass Houses' in the anthology 'Cold Flesh,' available through www.hellboundbooks.com
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed supplement
Adler on Line is heard, Monday through Friday
2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (ET)
Check local listings for broadcast times
in your area:
680 CJOB Winnipeg AM 640 Toronto Radio 940 Montreal
900 CHML Hamilton 980 CFPL London
630 CHED Edmonton 770 CHQR Calgary
980 CKNW Vancouver
980 CJME Regina 650 CKOM Saskatoon
The good news is, having to re-schedule means, I can correct the dates for my Upcoming Comedy Shows (I think I've been putting up the wrong month).
They are:
Upcoming Comedy Dates:
Thursday, October 3 - Yuk Yuks
Sunday, November 13 - The Comic Strip
Current and Upcoming writing
NEW! 'Tyrannosaurus Al appears in this Fall's Storyteller Magazine. Order online at www.storytellermagazine.com
Friday, November 18 - Edmonton Journal Living section
'Glass Houses' in the anthology 'Cold Flesh,' available through www.hellboundbooks.com
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed supplement
Saturday, October 29, 2005
World's Fastest Update
Upcoming Comedy
The Comic Strip - Sunday, November 13
Radio Appearance
Monday, October 21 at 2:30pm on Adler on Line.
-I guess people have been reading my articles, since I've been invited to appear on Adler on Line today (Monday) at 2:30pm to talk about weddings, friends, and relationships. That doesn't leave me much time to set the wheels of the Mighty Brodribb Hype Machine (Basically, this blog and an out-of-date e-mail list), in motion, but if you want to check it out, the info on the station that runs Adler on Line in your market can be found at www.charlesadler.com (I'm told it's 630 Ched in Edmonton, since most of the people reading this are from there). I'd post more about how excited I am and more information on where you can hear it, but I'm too busy trying to figure out what the heck I'm going to say.
-I also got an unexpected set at THE COMIC STRIP last night, which was awesome, because I wasn't expecting any shows this week. It was a great crowd and everyone on the show did really well. The headliner TOM RHODES just became one of my new favorites. Keep an eye out for him, as he doesn't make too many trips up to Canada.
-Geez. And to think I thought this was going to be a slow week.
The Comic Strip - Sunday, November 13
Radio Appearance
Monday, October 21 at 2:30pm on Adler on Line.
-I guess people have been reading my articles, since I've been invited to appear on Adler on Line today (Monday) at 2:30pm to talk about weddings, friends, and relationships. That doesn't leave me much time to set the wheels of the Mighty Brodribb Hype Machine (Basically, this blog and an out-of-date e-mail list), in motion, but if you want to check it out, the info on the station that runs Adler on Line in your market can be found at www.charlesadler.com (I'm told it's 630 Ched in Edmonton, since most of the people reading this are from there). I'd post more about how excited I am and more information on where you can hear it, but I'm too busy trying to figure out what the heck I'm going to say.
-I also got an unexpected set at THE COMIC STRIP last night, which was awesome, because I wasn't expecting any shows this week. It was a great crowd and everyone on the show did really well. The headliner TOM RHODES just became one of my new favorites. Keep an eye out for him, as he doesn't make too many trips up to Canada.
-Geez. And to think I thought this was going to be a slow week.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Tuesday Update
-Thanks to my friend TAMMI LEE at Storm's Eye, my website should be up and running pretty soon. It won't be as fancy as some out there, but I'm not a very fancy person; all I need is a place to brag about my accomplishments, and I'm happy. Speaking of which...
-I got my contributor's copy of the Fall 2005 issue of Storyteller featuring my story "Tyrannosaurus Al" along with a number of other great stories by Canadian authors too numerous to name. I don't see the issue at their website at www.storytellermagazine.com, but contact them about availability. I'm told that Storyteller is moving to subscription only, so you won't be able to pick this one up on news-stands.
-More stuff is up in the Inside MPW section of www.monsterprowrestling.com under my various aliases. See if you can figure out which ones are me.
-I got my contributor's copy of the Fall 2005 issue of Storyteller featuring my story "Tyrannosaurus Al" along with a number of other great stories by Canadian authors too numerous to name. I don't see the issue at their website at www.storytellermagazine.com, but contact them about availability. I'm told that Storyteller is moving to subscription only, so you won't be able to pick this one up on news-stands.
-More stuff is up in the Inside MPW section of www.monsterprowrestling.com under my various aliases. See if you can figure out which ones are me.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
September headLINES & Updates.
Upcoming:
Comedy:
Tuesday, October 12 - Yuk Yuks
Sunday, October 16 - The Comic Strip
Writing
-Friday, October 14 - The Edmonton Journal's Living Section
-Friday, October 28 - The Edmonton Journal's Living Section
-My website is nearly finished. I'm very excited. If I were a bell, I'd ring.
-I went in today to shoot the artwork for my next couple of Journal articles. Everyone at the Journal did a great job. I look like a total fool--which pleases me, because looking like a total fool is what pays my rent. I can't wait to see them when my articles come out this Friday and Friday, October 28
Enjoy September's headLINES:
Thursday, September 1 - Two more months until the start of the NBA regular season. So far my Utah Jazz are undefeated at 0-0. I have a feeling this will be the happiest I'll be all year.
Friday, September 2 - Edmonton Hemp Fest Day kicks into full swing. Hemp is a very useful material that can be used to make many things like rope and clothes...and oh come on, who are these people trying to kid? When was the last time you heard of anyone celebrating Hemp Fest with a tug-of-war?
Saturday, September 3 - At the tattoo festival this weekend I got a tattoo on my face...of Brad Pitt's face. Maybe I'll have better luck with women now that I'm telling them I'm 'in town working on a movie.'
Sunday, September 4 - Local singer/songwriter Vic de Sousa does a gig as an Elvis impersonator at West Edmonton Mall. Judging from the number of screaming women, I got the wrong tattoo.
Monday, September 5 - Retired seven time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and singer Sheryl Crow are engaged. Do you think we'll see them around town on a bicycle built for two?
Tuesday, September 6 - Hey, everybody! Fraggle Rock is out on DVD! I am not happy about this. The show was cancelled in 1987 and it took me another twelve years to get that stupid theme song out of my head. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
Wednesday, September 7 - University starts today. I love U of A in September. The clean-smelling air, the golden leaves--and the first-years are still dressing up for classes. Take a good look. In three weeks, it'll be scrunchies, sweatpants, and Golden Bear hoodies like everyone else.
Thursday, September 8 - CN claims they have an 'above average' record when it comes to avoiding oil spills. There you go--a C+. What are you tree-huggers complaining about?
Friday, September 9 - This month Cosomopolitan magazine celebrates 40 years with its finger on the pulse of modern womanhood. This month's article: 50 Ways to be a Better Girlfriend. You've come a long way, baby.
Saturday, September 10 - Todd Babiak might be able to write novels about city landmarks, but can he make amusing signs to hold up for the cameras at Monster Pro Wrestling events? I don't like to brag, but I think it's clear who the real artist is.
Sunday, September 11 - Outrageous gas prices are causing a lot of controversy these days. One guy almost died when he saw the price of a tank of unleaded. It was one of those environmentalist flakes--he was laughing so hard, he nearly fell off his ten-speed.
Monday, September 12 - Circle your calendars and sharpen your cutlasses, me hearties. There's just seven days left til Sepember 19--Talk Like A Pirate Day. Check out www.talklikeapirate.com for examples of how far a combination of 'enterprenerial spirit' and 'way too much time on one's hands' can take you. Aye, 'tis a heady grog.
Tuesday, September 13 - "You can DANCE...You can JIIIVVVE...Having the time of your Life!" What kind of sadist's idea was it to write a musical about ABBA? I saw Mamma Mia! on the weekend, and now I can't get 'Dancing Queen' out of my head. Did I say cutlasses earlier? I need a lobotomy knife.
Wednesday, September 14 - The Edmonton Police Commission is having a hard time finding candidates to interview for the job of police chief. They should interview me. To catch a crook, you have to be able to think like a crook...and I've played a lot of Grand Theft Auto on PlayStation.
Thursday, September 15 - Kicking-a-Man-When-He's-Down-Department: Edmonton Eskimos kicker Sean Fleming is frustrated about the missed field goals that have landed him on the bench in recent weeks. He says he could just kick himself...of course he'd probably miss.
Friday, September 16 - I don't blame Fleming. He's just been unlucky. He's been so unlucky members of the Edmonton Police Commission have been phoning him saying, "Boy, you've sure been jinxed lately."
Saturday, September 17 - The new designs for the Edmonton Art Gallery are pretty good, but if they want to make it great, they should have it designed by the same guy who did the city of Minas Tirith in the third Lord of the Rings movie. Just thinking out loud here.
Sunday, September 18 - William Shatner wins an Emmy for his acting? Is there an apocalypse going on no one told me about?
Monday, September 19 - Ex-PM Brian Mulroney his been scandalized by some off-color comments he made to a person he thought was a friend, only to find out they taped the conversations and used them for personal gain. Weird--I thought Linda Tripp's 15 minutes of fame was up six years ago.
Tuesday, September 20 - System of a Down has great music, but just because they sing about poor people going to war, it doesn’t make them the “most relevant band in the world.” It just makes them an Armenian-American Creedence Clearwater Revival. Not that that’s a bad thing.
Wednesday, September 21 – Now that Mark Messier is retired, maybe he’d accept a job as Edmonton’s police chief. We know he’s tough, and at least he’d have an excuse to get into hockey games for free.
Thursday, September 22 - Local comedian Andrew Iwanyk's Thursday night talent search at Picard's Coffeehouse by Grant MacEwan to discover the 'funniest person on campus' has turned into a quest to discover 'funniest person on campus not at home watching 'The O.C.' Clearly the government needs to start spending more on education--those poor students can't even afford TiVo.
Friday, September 23 - My comedy set at Andrew Iwanyk's Thursday night talent search was ruined by a heckler who just wouldn't stop yelling at me. He was profane, he was abusive, he was arrogant...why didn't anyone tell my Brian Mulroney was in town?
Saturday, September 24 - I think all our streets should be named after former Oilers, just because giving directions would be so much fun. "Take Coffey over to Gretzky and then to Kurri. That should get you to Winner's. Avoid Semenko--it's really slow, and if you find yourself on Steve Smith then you're going the wrong way."
Sunday, September 25 - Ashton Kucher marries a much-older Demi Moore. Moore's kids from her previous marriage refer to him as My Other Dad--which is weird, since they were home babysitting him at the time.
Monday, September 26 - Umm...Happy Birthday, Olivia Newton-John? So sue me--it's a slow news day.
Tuesday, September 27 - Thanks to oil revenue surpluses, the provincial government will be reimbursing us $400 or half a tank of gas, whichever is cheaper.
Wednesday, September 28 - Recently Jennifer Aniston told Oprah Brad Pitt no longer occupies her every waking thought. See, Edmonton? If she can move on, so can we.
Thursday, September 29 - Not every Edmontonian is obsessed with Pitt though. Some are obssessed with hockey. When they heard there was a movie called Mr. and Mrs. Smith they wondered if it was about Jason or a misspelling of Ryan.
Friday, September 30 - Albertans are complaining about the government's method of distributing the $400--namely, hiding it at the end of the Lacombe Corn Maze. When asked what he had to say to citizens thrashing through poorly lit, unlabeled, and overgrown trails to get to where they were going a senior infrastructure official shrugged and said: "Get used to it."
Comedy:
Tuesday, October 12 - Yuk Yuks
Sunday, October 16 - The Comic Strip
Writing
-Friday, October 14 - The Edmonton Journal's Living Section
-Friday, October 28 - The Edmonton Journal's Living Section
-My website is nearly finished. I'm very excited. If I were a bell, I'd ring.
-I went in today to shoot the artwork for my next couple of Journal articles. Everyone at the Journal did a great job. I look like a total fool--which pleases me, because looking like a total fool is what pays my rent. I can't wait to see them when my articles come out this Friday and Friday, October 28
Enjoy September's headLINES:
Thursday, September 1 - Two more months until the start of the NBA regular season. So far my Utah Jazz are undefeated at 0-0. I have a feeling this will be the happiest I'll be all year.
Friday, September 2 - Edmonton Hemp Fest Day kicks into full swing. Hemp is a very useful material that can be used to make many things like rope and clothes...and oh come on, who are these people trying to kid? When was the last time you heard of anyone celebrating Hemp Fest with a tug-of-war?
Saturday, September 3 - At the tattoo festival this weekend I got a tattoo on my face...of Brad Pitt's face. Maybe I'll have better luck with women now that I'm telling them I'm 'in town working on a movie.'
Sunday, September 4 - Local singer/songwriter Vic de Sousa does a gig as an Elvis impersonator at West Edmonton Mall. Judging from the number of screaming women, I got the wrong tattoo.
Monday, September 5 - Retired seven time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and singer Sheryl Crow are engaged. Do you think we'll see them around town on a bicycle built for two?
Tuesday, September 6 - Hey, everybody! Fraggle Rock is out on DVD! I am not happy about this. The show was cancelled in 1987 and it took me another twelve years to get that stupid theme song out of my head. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
Wednesday, September 7 - University starts today. I love U of A in September. The clean-smelling air, the golden leaves--and the first-years are still dressing up for classes. Take a good look. In three weeks, it'll be scrunchies, sweatpants, and Golden Bear hoodies like everyone else.
Thursday, September 8 - CN claims they have an 'above average' record when it comes to avoiding oil spills. There you go--a C+. What are you tree-huggers complaining about?
Friday, September 9 - This month Cosomopolitan magazine celebrates 40 years with its finger on the pulse of modern womanhood. This month's article: 50 Ways to be a Better Girlfriend. You've come a long way, baby.
Saturday, September 10 - Todd Babiak might be able to write novels about city landmarks, but can he make amusing signs to hold up for the cameras at Monster Pro Wrestling events? I don't like to brag, but I think it's clear who the real artist is.
Sunday, September 11 - Outrageous gas prices are causing a lot of controversy these days. One guy almost died when he saw the price of a tank of unleaded. It was one of those environmentalist flakes--he was laughing so hard, he nearly fell off his ten-speed.
Monday, September 12 - Circle your calendars and sharpen your cutlasses, me hearties. There's just seven days left til Sepember 19--Talk Like A Pirate Day. Check out www.talklikeapirate.com for examples of how far a combination of 'enterprenerial spirit' and 'way too much time on one's hands' can take you. Aye, 'tis a heady grog.
Tuesday, September 13 - "You can DANCE...You can JIIIVVVE...Having the time of your Life!" What kind of sadist's idea was it to write a musical about ABBA? I saw Mamma Mia! on the weekend, and now I can't get 'Dancing Queen' out of my head. Did I say cutlasses earlier? I need a lobotomy knife.
Wednesday, September 14 - The Edmonton Police Commission is having a hard time finding candidates to interview for the job of police chief. They should interview me. To catch a crook, you have to be able to think like a crook...and I've played a lot of Grand Theft Auto on PlayStation.
Thursday, September 15 - Kicking-a-Man-When-He's-Down-Department: Edmonton Eskimos kicker Sean Fleming is frustrated about the missed field goals that have landed him on the bench in recent weeks. He says he could just kick himself...of course he'd probably miss.
Friday, September 16 - I don't blame Fleming. He's just been unlucky. He's been so unlucky members of the Edmonton Police Commission have been phoning him saying, "Boy, you've sure been jinxed lately."
Saturday, September 17 - The new designs for the Edmonton Art Gallery are pretty good, but if they want to make it great, they should have it designed by the same guy who did the city of Minas Tirith in the third Lord of the Rings movie. Just thinking out loud here.
Sunday, September 18 - William Shatner wins an Emmy for his acting? Is there an apocalypse going on no one told me about?
Monday, September 19 - Ex-PM Brian Mulroney his been scandalized by some off-color comments he made to a person he thought was a friend, only to find out they taped the conversations and used them for personal gain. Weird--I thought Linda Tripp's 15 minutes of fame was up six years ago.
Tuesday, September 20 - System of a Down has great music, but just because they sing about poor people going to war, it doesn’t make them the “most relevant band in the world.” It just makes them an Armenian-American Creedence Clearwater Revival. Not that that’s a bad thing.
Wednesday, September 21 – Now that Mark Messier is retired, maybe he’d accept a job as Edmonton’s police chief. We know he’s tough, and at least he’d have an excuse to get into hockey games for free.
Thursday, September 22 - Local comedian Andrew Iwanyk's Thursday night talent search at Picard's Coffeehouse by Grant MacEwan to discover the 'funniest person on campus' has turned into a quest to discover 'funniest person on campus not at home watching 'The O.C.' Clearly the government needs to start spending more on education--those poor students can't even afford TiVo.
Friday, September 23 - My comedy set at Andrew Iwanyk's Thursday night talent search was ruined by a heckler who just wouldn't stop yelling at me. He was profane, he was abusive, he was arrogant...why didn't anyone tell my Brian Mulroney was in town?
Saturday, September 24 - I think all our streets should be named after former Oilers, just because giving directions would be so much fun. "Take Coffey over to Gretzky and then to Kurri. That should get you to Winner's. Avoid Semenko--it's really slow, and if you find yourself on Steve Smith then you're going the wrong way."
Sunday, September 25 - Ashton Kucher marries a much-older Demi Moore. Moore's kids from her previous marriage refer to him as My Other Dad--which is weird, since they were home babysitting him at the time.
Monday, September 26 - Umm...Happy Birthday, Olivia Newton-John? So sue me--it's a slow news day.
Tuesday, September 27 - Thanks to oil revenue surpluses, the provincial government will be reimbursing us $400 or half a tank of gas, whichever is cheaper.
Wednesday, September 28 - Recently Jennifer Aniston told Oprah Brad Pitt no longer occupies her every waking thought. See, Edmonton? If she can move on, so can we.
Thursday, September 29 - Not every Edmontonian is obsessed with Pitt though. Some are obssessed with hockey. When they heard there was a movie called Mr. and Mrs. Smith they wondered if it was about Jason or a misspelling of Ryan.
Friday, September 30 - Albertans are complaining about the government's method of distributing the $400--namely, hiding it at the end of the Lacombe Corn Maze. When asked what he had to say to citizens thrashing through poorly lit, unlabeled, and overgrown trails to get to where they were going a senior infrastructure official shrugged and said: "Get used to it."
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Zen and the Art of Sales
Upcoming dates
Wednesday, October 5 - Yuk Yuks (guest spot)
Sunday, October 16 The Comic Strip (guest spot)
-It looks like I'll be celebrating the anniversary of my first year in comedy on the same stage I started on--a five minute guest spot at Yuk Yuks. What a year it's been. When I think of what I've learned, the people I've met, and the new opportunities I've enjoyed, I can say without exaggeration that comedy has changed my life. Thanks go out to STEVE MCCARTHY who got me started on this adventure as well as the other comedians and club staff who have gone out of their way to help me develop.
-I also have to give a thank you to LARS CALLIEOU, who offered to put me up at The Comic Strip on the 5th if I didn't get a spot at Yuks, despite me not being on the schedule. It was something he didn't have to do, and I appreciate the gesture. He's also a very funny guy, and while I'm told he'll be reducing the amount of Edmonton shows he's doing for the next couple of months to avoid overplaying the market, if you're in the Edmonton area and you want to see him, your best bet is to call The Comic Strip and ask when his next show is.
-Random Ramble: LARS CALLIEOU, KELLY SOLODUKA, ANDREW IWANYK, POWERMANN, and I were sitting around at the Sidetrack on Monday, when Andrew pretended to answer Lars' phone and proceeded to have a five-minute imaginary phone call (Doing these sort of thing is one of Andrew's favorite past-times. When Yuk Yuks mis-spelled my name on their marquee, he spent nearly five minutes insisting that their's was the correct spelling and that I had been mis-spelling my name my whole life). In writing that doesn't look like much, but what was funny about the whole situation is how Andrew tried to convince us the call was real even though it clearly wasn't.
This made me think two things. Thing one was to keep Iwanyk away from my cell phone.
Thing two is about something called Selling.
I have no definition for the word selling which is weird, because it's probably the single-most important skill any performer can learn. Selling is the point where the performance meets the crowd, where you do what you do with such conviction, that they get swept up in the moment and forget that they're watching a show. People aren't stupid: they know many of the comedian's 'spontaneous comments' are usually carefully rehearsed and the fortune-teller can't really read minds and the stripper isn't going home with them at the end of the night no matter how much money they throw at her. But a good Sell creates that moment of doubt which allows people to leave reality behind and enter into the world you're trying to show them--and that's what makes the performance not the jokes you tell, or the moves you do.
I was going somewhere with this, but I forgot. I think it was--if you're a performer and you want to be succesful, before you do anything else, learn to Sell.
headLINES for September should be posted shortly.
Wednesday, October 5 - Yuk Yuks (guest spot)
Sunday, October 16 The Comic Strip (guest spot)
-It looks like I'll be celebrating the anniversary of my first year in comedy on the same stage I started on--a five minute guest spot at Yuk Yuks. What a year it's been. When I think of what I've learned, the people I've met, and the new opportunities I've enjoyed, I can say without exaggeration that comedy has changed my life. Thanks go out to STEVE MCCARTHY who got me started on this adventure as well as the other comedians and club staff who have gone out of their way to help me develop.
-I also have to give a thank you to LARS CALLIEOU, who offered to put me up at The Comic Strip on the 5th if I didn't get a spot at Yuks, despite me not being on the schedule. It was something he didn't have to do, and I appreciate the gesture. He's also a very funny guy, and while I'm told he'll be reducing the amount of Edmonton shows he's doing for the next couple of months to avoid overplaying the market, if you're in the Edmonton area and you want to see him, your best bet is to call The Comic Strip and ask when his next show is.
-Random Ramble: LARS CALLIEOU, KELLY SOLODUKA, ANDREW IWANYK, POWERMANN, and I were sitting around at the Sidetrack on Monday, when Andrew pretended to answer Lars' phone and proceeded to have a five-minute imaginary phone call (Doing these sort of thing is one of Andrew's favorite past-times. When Yuk Yuks mis-spelled my name on their marquee, he spent nearly five minutes insisting that their's was the correct spelling and that I had been mis-spelling my name my whole life). In writing that doesn't look like much, but what was funny about the whole situation is how Andrew tried to convince us the call was real even though it clearly wasn't.
This made me think two things. Thing one was to keep Iwanyk away from my cell phone.
Thing two is about something called Selling.
I have no definition for the word selling which is weird, because it's probably the single-most important skill any performer can learn. Selling is the point where the performance meets the crowd, where you do what you do with such conviction, that they get swept up in the moment and forget that they're watching a show. People aren't stupid: they know many of the comedian's 'spontaneous comments' are usually carefully rehearsed and the fortune-teller can't really read minds and the stripper isn't going home with them at the end of the night no matter how much money they throw at her. But a good Sell creates that moment of doubt which allows people to leave reality behind and enter into the world you're trying to show them--and that's what makes the performance not the jokes you tell, or the moves you do.
I was going somewhere with this, but I forgot. I think it was--if you're a performer and you want to be succesful, before you do anything else, learn to Sell.
headLINES for September should be posted shortly.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
New Columns
Dates for new Living columns
(all in the Edmonton Journa)
Friday, Oct 14
Friday, Oct 28
Friday, Nov 18
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement
-I'll be celebrating my one-year anniversary of doing stand-up comedy on October 5. I've been begging to get onstage at Yuks to commemmorate the happy event, but we'll see what happens.
-I've been writing like crazy these days. Exciting for me, but not the stuff thrilling blog entries are made of
-Spent Monday evening with NICK ROY, LARS CALLIEOU, SEAN LECOMBRE, and ANDREW IWANYK. Great comics all, and each has their own distinctive style. Nick's planning to make the move to Vancouver, so I hope the left coast is ready for him.
-I spent last night in the company of some good friends who are not involved in writing or comedy. You need those people to keep you grounded. I've been blessed with a wonderful family and an abundance of awesome people in my life, so no matter what my future holds, I consider myself a very succesful man.
-MPW has a show this Saturday, which means somehow another month has slipped by. Amazing how fast life happens sometimes. If you see me, come say hi. I'll be in the front row with my 'Captain Charisma' t-shirt and notepad.
(all in the Edmonton Journa)
Friday, Oct 14
Friday, Oct 28
Friday, Nov 18
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement
-I'll be celebrating my one-year anniversary of doing stand-up comedy on October 5. I've been begging to get onstage at Yuks to commemmorate the happy event, but we'll see what happens.
-I've been writing like crazy these days. Exciting for me, but not the stuff thrilling blog entries are made of
-Spent Monday evening with NICK ROY, LARS CALLIEOU, SEAN LECOMBRE, and ANDREW IWANYK. Great comics all, and each has their own distinctive style. Nick's planning to make the move to Vancouver, so I hope the left coast is ready for him.
-I spent last night in the company of some good friends who are not involved in writing or comedy. You need those people to keep you grounded. I've been blessed with a wonderful family and an abundance of awesome people in my life, so no matter what my future holds, I consider myself a very succesful man.
-MPW has a show this Saturday, which means somehow another month has slipped by. Amazing how fast life happens sometimes. If you see me, come say hi. I'll be in the front row with my 'Captain Charisma' t-shirt and notepad.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Update
Upcoming Comedy
Yuk Yuks-September 21
Yuk Yuks-Sepember 24
The Comic Strip-September 25
The Comic Strip-October 16
-I've written a couple other articles for the MPW site under various noms-de-plume (Art McNeil, Dan Brodribb, "Devil" Ray Gagne) in the 'Inside MPW' section of www.monsterprowrestling.com. It's a different style of writing for me, and I love any opportunity to try something different and new.
-I could have learned a lesson from some of those wrestlers last week. One of the first and most basic business lessons young wrestlers are taught is that even if you show up to an event you aren't scheduled to work, bring your gear anyway, because there's always a chance that injuries or cancellations will result in an opportunity to get on the show. Last Tuesday, PAUL SVEEN offered me a five-minute guest spot on the Stan Thomson Benefit Show. I went up underdressed and underprepared, and though I had a decent set, it certainly wasn't the kind of impression I wanted to make in front of a crowd, not to mention a 'jury of my peers' that included some of the best and most succesful names in the local scene: PAUL MYREHAUG, PAUL SVEEN, WINSTON HERBERT, KERRY UNGER, SEAN LECOMBRE, ANDREW GROSE, and HOWIE MILLER. All in all though, it was a great show for a great cause, and showcased the best sides of the local comedy scene, not just as performers, but as people.
-ANDEW IWANYK has opened a 'alternative-comedy night' Thursday nights at Picard's Coffee House and Pub across from the downtown Grant MacEwan campus. Each week
he'll be hosting a funniest person on campus contest, so come on down and join the fun or cheer on your favorites. Last week I slipped past a Field of Champions featuring KATHLEEN MCGEE, NICK ROY, LARS CALLIEOU, and BRIAN HEGGE, only to be defeated in the finals--which was decided in a game of Tic-Tac-Toe--by KEVIN (don't know his last name) due to an act of treachery so heinous, the written word doesn't do it justice. Kevin is now the proud champion and is the current holder of the LUIGI statue (come down to Picard's and see it), but after coming so close, I'm determined to come back this week and take home the championship. Remember Kevin: You can run, but you can't hide, and the next time I walk in to Picard's Coffee House and Pub, I'm walking out the champion. Okay, now I know I've been spending to much time watching Monster Pro Wrestling.
-Got together with a bunch of comics this week for a writing group. TODD K organizes the group (ironically enough, he actually missed this week as he's quite busy with shows--check www.toddk.ca to see what he's up to), and it's great, if only because writing can be such a lonely business sometimes, it can be great to share tips and ideas with others who share the same passion. It's also great to get a 'sneak preview' of what other comics are working on. I won't spoil any surprises, but I will say this: SHAWN GRAMIAK and KATHRYN WHEATON have some very funny new bits. Check them out if you get a chance.
Yuk Yuks-September 21
Yuk Yuks-Sepember 24
The Comic Strip-September 25
The Comic Strip-October 16
-I've written a couple other articles for the MPW site under various noms-de-plume (Art McNeil, Dan Brodribb, "Devil" Ray Gagne) in the 'Inside MPW' section of www.monsterprowrestling.com. It's a different style of writing for me, and I love any opportunity to try something different and new.
-I could have learned a lesson from some of those wrestlers last week. One of the first and most basic business lessons young wrestlers are taught is that even if you show up to an event you aren't scheduled to work, bring your gear anyway, because there's always a chance that injuries or cancellations will result in an opportunity to get on the show. Last Tuesday, PAUL SVEEN offered me a five-minute guest spot on the Stan Thomson Benefit Show. I went up underdressed and underprepared, and though I had a decent set, it certainly wasn't the kind of impression I wanted to make in front of a crowd, not to mention a 'jury of my peers' that included some of the best and most succesful names in the local scene: PAUL MYREHAUG, PAUL SVEEN, WINSTON HERBERT, KERRY UNGER, SEAN LECOMBRE, ANDREW GROSE, and HOWIE MILLER. All in all though, it was a great show for a great cause, and showcased the best sides of the local comedy scene, not just as performers, but as people.
-ANDEW IWANYK has opened a 'alternative-comedy night' Thursday nights at Picard's Coffee House and Pub across from the downtown Grant MacEwan campus. Each week
he'll be hosting a funniest person on campus contest, so come on down and join the fun or cheer on your favorites. Last week I slipped past a Field of Champions featuring KATHLEEN MCGEE, NICK ROY, LARS CALLIEOU, and BRIAN HEGGE, only to be defeated in the finals--which was decided in a game of Tic-Tac-Toe--by KEVIN (don't know his last name) due to an act of treachery so heinous, the written word doesn't do it justice. Kevin is now the proud champion and is the current holder of the LUIGI statue (come down to Picard's and see it), but after coming so close, I'm determined to come back this week and take home the championship. Remember Kevin: You can run, but you can't hide, and the next time I walk in to Picard's Coffee House and Pub, I'm walking out the champion. Okay, now I know I've been spending to much time watching Monster Pro Wrestling.
-Got together with a bunch of comics this week for a writing group. TODD K organizes the group (ironically enough, he actually missed this week as he's quite busy with shows--check www.toddk.ca to see what he's up to), and it's great, if only because writing can be such a lonely business sometimes, it can be great to share tips and ideas with others who share the same passion. It's also great to get a 'sneak preview' of what other comics are working on. I won't spoil any surprises, but I will say this: SHAWN GRAMIAK and KATHRYN WHEATON have some very funny new bits. Check them out if you get a chance.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
September 13 Updates
Upcoming
Comedy
Saturday, September 24 - Yuk Yuks (guest spot, 8:00pm show)
Sunday, September 25 - The Comic Strip (unpaid guest spot)
Writing
-Confessions of the Hugging Impaired- Friday, September 16 in the Life Section of the Edmonton Journal
-Dan Brodribb's short story 'Tyrannosaurus Al' will be appearing in the Fall issue of Storyteller Magazine (www.storytellermagazine.com)
-Another short story, "Glass Houses" is available in the anthology 'Cold Flesh' which you can pick up at www.hellboundbooks.com or visit the 'Cold Flesh' website at http://www.exit66.net/cold.htm
-Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine
-I've got an article in the Edmonton Journal this Friday on being hugging-impaired (If you don't know me, this may mean nothing to you, but to anyone who knows me, this should make perfect sense.There's some pictures with the article and due to an illness the person playing my sister in the articles is in fact--my sister. Although I write about my family a lot, I usually like to respect their privacy as much as possible as far as keeping them out of the public eye by not using their names or printing pictures of them. This Friday will mark an exception to that rule...collector's take note--this could be your only chance to see an actual member of my family in a an article.
-Yuk Yuks is celebrating their 20th anniversary next week. MIKE MCDONALD will be headlining. I've been given a guest spot on the Saturday 8:00pm show, and I'm thrilled to be sharing the stage with a legend in Canadian comedy. (Note: Due to a change in the way Yuk Yuks is scheduling guest spots, I might be able to post a lot of the dates for my guest appearances more than a day or two in advance. Of course, that might change if my legions of loyal fans start phoning the Yuks offices at 481-9857 (481-YUKS) and demanding to know the next appearance of Mrs. Brodribb's handsome first-born son. Not that I'm recommending it or anything. In the words of SEAN LECOMBRE: "That would be gauche.")
-'Tyrannosaurus Al' will be appearing in the Fall issue of Storyteller (www.storytellermagazine.com/). Keep an eye on this space or check out their website for details.
-SHORT NOTICE DEPARTMENT: There's a benefit happening at the Edmonton Yuk Yuks for comedian STAN THOMSON, who was stabbed out east in Ontario. I don't know Stan, but I do know that for five dollars, you can see some of the best pro comics in Western Canada including as well as give money to a good cause. There will be another benefit on September 28 for the victims of hurricane Katrina, also featuring some of Yuks finest. For details on both these events take a look at the Yuk Yuks website at www.edmontonyuks.com
Comedy
Saturday, September 24 - Yuk Yuks (guest spot, 8:00pm show)
Sunday, September 25 - The Comic Strip (unpaid guest spot)
Writing
-Confessions of the Hugging Impaired- Friday, September 16 in the Life Section of the Edmonton Journal
-Dan Brodribb's short story 'Tyrannosaurus Al' will be appearing in the Fall issue of Storyteller Magazine (www.storytellermagazine.com)
-Another short story, "Glass Houses" is available in the anthology 'Cold Flesh' which you can pick up at www.hellboundbooks.com or visit the 'Cold Flesh' website at http://www.exit66.net/cold.htm
-Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine
-I've got an article in the Edmonton Journal this Friday on being hugging-impaired (If you don't know me, this may mean nothing to you, but to anyone who knows me, this should make perfect sense.There's some pictures with the article and due to an illness the person playing my sister in the articles is in fact--my sister. Although I write about my family a lot, I usually like to respect their privacy as much as possible as far as keeping them out of the public eye by not using their names or printing pictures of them. This Friday will mark an exception to that rule...collector's take note--this could be your only chance to see an actual member of my family in a an article.
-Yuk Yuks is celebrating their 20th anniversary next week. MIKE MCDONALD will be headlining. I've been given a guest spot on the Saturday 8:00pm show, and I'm thrilled to be sharing the stage with a legend in Canadian comedy. (Note: Due to a change in the way Yuk Yuks is scheduling guest spots, I might be able to post a lot of the dates for my guest appearances more than a day or two in advance. Of course, that might change if my legions of loyal fans start phoning the Yuks offices at 481-9857 (481-YUKS) and demanding to know the next appearance of Mrs. Brodribb's handsome first-born son. Not that I'm recommending it or anything. In the words of SEAN LECOMBRE: "That would be gauche.")
-'Tyrannosaurus Al' will be appearing in the Fall issue of Storyteller (www.storytellermagazine.com/). Keep an eye on this space or check out their website for details.
-SHORT NOTICE DEPARTMENT: There's a benefit happening at the Edmonton Yuk Yuks for comedian STAN THOMSON, who was stabbed out east in Ontario. I don't know Stan, but I do know that for five dollars, you can see some of the best pro comics in Western Canada including as well as give money to a good cause. There will be another benefit on September 28 for the victims of hurricane Katrina, also featuring some of Yuks finest. For details on both these events take a look at the Yuk Yuks website at www.edmontonyuks.com
Thursday, September 08, 2005
August headLINES & updates
-Congratulations to KERRY UNGER, whose Comedy Now! special aired last week. I would have plugged it here, but I didn't know it was happening. However, Kerry will be appearing at the Edmonton Yuk Yuks from September 15 to 17th. As far as local talent goes, Kerry has been the biggest influence on the way I do stand-up whose initials aren't A.I. (For the record, that would be ANGIE ISMOND and ANDREW IWANYK)
-I've got a couple more upcoming humor articles in the Journal. I'm doing a photo shoot for one next week, so it could see print as soon as next Friday.
-Storyteller Magazine is looking to pick up a short story I wrote called 'Tyrannosaurus Al.' I'm doing some edits right now, and I'll post on the blog information as it develops.
Without further ado, on to August's headLINES
Monday, August 1 - We are fighting the Danish, right? Or is it the Dutch? Either way, it'll be a war for the ages. It's a good thing it's a long weekend.
Tuesday, August 2 - It's Motley Crue...Again. First they wouldn't come here at all, now they won't leave.
Wednesday, August 3 - VEHICLE FOR SALE: Space shuttle, 1984, white. Fair condition. 158 859 429 km. Call 555-NASA.
Thursday, August 4 - Folkfest begins, and as much as I'd love to see Alpha Blondy & the Solar System just on their name alone, what I really want to do is be among people who thought it was cool when Max Sterling dressed his giant robot in a Zentraedi uniform. Hence, I'll be spending the weekend at...
Friday, August 5 - ...Animethon 12, featuring the best in Japanese anime. It's the only one of our many festivals where you can get together with friends and talk about how Neon Genesis Evangelion will never measure up to Astroboy and then get shot down trying to pick up girls dressed like Sailor Moon.
Saturday, August 6 - There's nothing like sitting in a downpour watching Ruthie Foster sing "Another Rain Song" while trying to use the power of your mind to will the patch of blue sky on the horizon to float over to Gallagher Hill. I love this city. Where else can you be so miserable and so happy at the same time.
Sunday, August 7 - Also overheard at the Folk Fest: "Boy, this hill is tippy." Umm...you aren't on the hill, sport. Maybe you should spend more time listening to the music, and less money at the beer tent.
Monday, August 8 - Special thanks to the ed reader who after reading that I found Sailor Moon costumes sexy sent in some pictures from Animethon. I said GIRLS in Sailor Moon costumes, damn it. Now, hand me that oven brush--I'm off to scrub my eyeballs.
Tuesday, August 9 - As small-market teams continue to sign big-name free agents, it becomes clear the players have taken a pretty big pay cut in the new NHL collective bargaining agreement. Games will now end with the PA announcer reminding fans to "please remember to tip your goalie."
Wednesday, August 10 - Oil and gas prices take another jump. It's gotten so bad, the other day I saw a bunch of guys heading out to Lake Wabamun with jerry cans.
Thursday, August 11 - Scientists have discovered a 10th planet, a desolate waste of rock and ice in a freezing, empty void. Defense Minister Bill Graham is already on his way to claim it for Canada
Friday, August 12 - Hey, everybody, it's Ben Affleck's birthday today. For those of you who care, let's give him a real treat: Let's pretend Gigli never happened.
Saturday, August 13 - U.S. fighters accidentally bomb Australia. Accidentally? How do you make that kind of mistake? Australia is its own continent, for crying out loud. There's a Crocodile Hunter joke crying to be made here, but I'm too disgusted to bother.
Sunday, August 14 - More violence in the city as a wedding reception ends with three stabbings and a hit-and-run. All things considered, though, things could have been a lot worse. At least they waited to start the bloodbath until after the pictures were taken.
Monday, August 15 - There's a new device for cell phones now, called the Jerk-O-Meter that tells you if you're being annoying during your conversations. What's the point? If you're so antisocial you need a machine to tell you that you're being a creep, you probably aren't spending that much time on the phone.
Tuesday, August 16 - Bertuzzi's been reinstated in the NHL following a suspension for attacking another player from behind. No news whether other players will be adding rear-view mirrors to their equipment or just putting little stop signs on the back of their jerseys like the kids in minor hockey.
Wednesday, August 17 - I've used up all my cell phone minutes pestering Journal personality-cum-actor Olivia Cheng on the set of her new mini-series trying to convince her to get me Dwight Yoakam's autograph. And guess what? I set a new high score on my Jerk-O-Meter.
Thursday, August 18 - Since thanks to the U.S., Australia is now a bombed-out wasteland (There's a Mad Max joke crying out to be made here, but I'm too disgusted to bother), the Crocodile Hunter will now be filmed in Afghanistan--"Crikey! Take a look at this little beauty! It's Osama bin-Laden!)
Friday, August 19 - Speaking of Mad Max, with gas prices hitting 9 837 dollars a barrel, is anyone else tempted to go Road Warrior and started raiding small Alberta towns for their fuel? Lord Humungus, you were a man ahead of your time.
Saturday, August 13 - U.S. fighters accidentally bomb Australia. Accidentally? How do you make that kind of mistake? Australia is its own continent, for crying out loud. There's a Crocodile Hunter joke crying to be made here, but I'm too disgusted to bother.
Saturday, August 20 - I had more fun at Louise McKinney park than the fans at Commonwealth Stadium did watching Damon Allen celebrate his 406th birthday with a win over the Esks, but wouldn't the Dragon Boat races be even better if the boats actually breathed fire at one another? Don't tell me I'm the first person to have thought of this.
Sunday, August 21 - As Edmonton sweltered beneath a blazingly hot sun, a bunch of Fringe-goers did the unthinkable to escape the heat--they actually bought tickets and went to some of the plays.
Monday, August 22 - John Cena remains the lamest WWE champion of all time. If you're reading this and just asked yourself 'John WHO?" you just proved my point exactly.
Tuesday, August 23 - The U.S. continues to encourage energy companies to find sound alternatives to Middle East oil. President George W. Bush recently earmarked $4 billion dollars to explore vehicles that run on "happy thoughts and a handful of pixie dust."
Wednesday, August 24 - The Simpsons DVD set with the Homer's head-shaped box is a great idea--until you have to fit the thing in with the rest of your collection. Did the the manufacturers learn nothing from Total Recall?
Thursday, August 25 - The media has been criticizing PM Paul Martin for rushing his appointment of new Governor General Michaelle Jean. Hey, at least he made a decision this time. Baby steps, folks, baby steps.
Friday, August 26 - Product placement isn't just for NASCAR anymore. The other night I saw a dragon boat with a Texaco sticker on the side. It's going to be entered in the "Second-Star-to-the-Right-and-Straight on til Morning 5000."
Saturday, August 27 - Microsoft announces it will be sponsoring the Edmonton Eskimos football club for the rest of the year. "It's a perfect match," a spokesman enthused. "We're both known for games that don't run very well."
Sunday, August 28 - Local comedian Andrew Iwanyk describes the new Sunday night comedy show at the Thirsty Turtle as 'gladiator comedy.' He's right. It's like 'Soulcalibur' with dirty jokes. Are you not entertained?
Monday, August 29 - At the MTV Video Music Awards, host Sean "P. Diddy, Puffy, Diddy, Living-Example-of-why-Famous-People-Shouldn't-be-Allowed-to-Choose-their-own-Nicknames" Coombs awarded $100 000 prize to the best dressed celebrity "to help pay for gas." Too bad the Province of Ontario wasn't nominated for anything--they could have used that money.
Tuesday, August 30 - Hey, that new kickboxing movie, Ong Pak is out on DVD today. That's a must-buy for me. Maybe I'll pick up some moves I can use at the Thirsty Turtle.
Wednesday , August 31 - I'm tired of the constant wrangling between the police commission and EPS. This is Alberta. Why don't we just privatize law enforcement? It worked in 'Robocop.'
-I've got a couple more upcoming humor articles in the Journal. I'm doing a photo shoot for one next week, so it could see print as soon as next Friday.
-Storyteller Magazine is looking to pick up a short story I wrote called 'Tyrannosaurus Al.' I'm doing some edits right now, and I'll post on the blog information as it develops.
Without further ado, on to August's headLINES
Monday, August 1 - We are fighting the Danish, right? Or is it the Dutch? Either way, it'll be a war for the ages. It's a good thing it's a long weekend.
Tuesday, August 2 - It's Motley Crue...Again. First they wouldn't come here at all, now they won't leave.
Wednesday, August 3 - VEHICLE FOR SALE: Space shuttle, 1984, white. Fair condition. 158 859 429 km. Call 555-NASA.
Thursday, August 4 - Folkfest begins, and as much as I'd love to see Alpha Blondy & the Solar System just on their name alone, what I really want to do is be among people who thought it was cool when Max Sterling dressed his giant robot in a Zentraedi uniform. Hence, I'll be spending the weekend at...
Friday, August 5 - ...Animethon 12, featuring the best in Japanese anime. It's the only one of our many festivals where you can get together with friends and talk about how Neon Genesis Evangelion will never measure up to Astroboy and then get shot down trying to pick up girls dressed like Sailor Moon.
Saturday, August 6 - There's nothing like sitting in a downpour watching Ruthie Foster sing "Another Rain Song" while trying to use the power of your mind to will the patch of blue sky on the horizon to float over to Gallagher Hill. I love this city. Where else can you be so miserable and so happy at the same time.
Sunday, August 7 - Also overheard at the Folk Fest: "Boy, this hill is tippy." Umm...you aren't on the hill, sport. Maybe you should spend more time listening to the music, and less money at the beer tent.
Monday, August 8 - Special thanks to the ed reader who after reading that I found Sailor Moon costumes sexy sent in some pictures from Animethon. I said GIRLS in Sailor Moon costumes, damn it. Now, hand me that oven brush--I'm off to scrub my eyeballs.
Tuesday, August 9 - As small-market teams continue to sign big-name free agents, it becomes clear the players have taken a pretty big pay cut in the new NHL collective bargaining agreement. Games will now end with the PA announcer reminding fans to "please remember to tip your goalie."
Wednesday, August 10 - Oil and gas prices take another jump. It's gotten so bad, the other day I saw a bunch of guys heading out to Lake Wabamun with jerry cans.
Thursday, August 11 - Scientists have discovered a 10th planet, a desolate waste of rock and ice in a freezing, empty void. Defense Minister Bill Graham is already on his way to claim it for Canada
Friday, August 12 - Hey, everybody, it's Ben Affleck's birthday today. For those of you who care, let's give him a real treat: Let's pretend Gigli never happened.
Saturday, August 13 - U.S. fighters accidentally bomb Australia. Accidentally? How do you make that kind of mistake? Australia is its own continent, for crying out loud. There's a Crocodile Hunter joke crying to be made here, but I'm too disgusted to bother.
Sunday, August 14 - More violence in the city as a wedding reception ends with three stabbings and a hit-and-run. All things considered, though, things could have been a lot worse. At least they waited to start the bloodbath until after the pictures were taken.
Monday, August 15 - There's a new device for cell phones now, called the Jerk-O-Meter that tells you if you're being annoying during your conversations. What's the point? If you're so antisocial you need a machine to tell you that you're being a creep, you probably aren't spending that much time on the phone.
Tuesday, August 16 - Bertuzzi's been reinstated in the NHL following a suspension for attacking another player from behind. No news whether other players will be adding rear-view mirrors to their equipment or just putting little stop signs on the back of their jerseys like the kids in minor hockey.
Wednesday, August 17 - I've used up all my cell phone minutes pestering Journal personality-cum-actor Olivia Cheng on the set of her new mini-series trying to convince her to get me Dwight Yoakam's autograph. And guess what? I set a new high score on my Jerk-O-Meter.
Thursday, August 18 - Since thanks to the U.S., Australia is now a bombed-out wasteland (There's a Mad Max joke crying out to be made here, but I'm too disgusted to bother), the Crocodile Hunter will now be filmed in Afghanistan--"Crikey! Take a look at this little beauty! It's Osama bin-Laden!)
Friday, August 19 - Speaking of Mad Max, with gas prices hitting 9 837 dollars a barrel, is anyone else tempted to go Road Warrior and started raiding small Alberta towns for their fuel? Lord Humungus, you were a man ahead of your time.
Saturday, August 13 - U.S. fighters accidentally bomb Australia. Accidentally? How do you make that kind of mistake? Australia is its own continent, for crying out loud. There's a Crocodile Hunter joke crying to be made here, but I'm too disgusted to bother.
Saturday, August 20 - I had more fun at Louise McKinney park than the fans at Commonwealth Stadium did watching Damon Allen celebrate his 406th birthday with a win over the Esks, but wouldn't the Dragon Boat races be even better if the boats actually breathed fire at one another? Don't tell me I'm the first person to have thought of this.
Sunday, August 21 - As Edmonton sweltered beneath a blazingly hot sun, a bunch of Fringe-goers did the unthinkable to escape the heat--they actually bought tickets and went to some of the plays.
Monday, August 22 - John Cena remains the lamest WWE champion of all time. If you're reading this and just asked yourself 'John WHO?" you just proved my point exactly.
Tuesday, August 23 - The U.S. continues to encourage energy companies to find sound alternatives to Middle East oil. President George W. Bush recently earmarked $4 billion dollars to explore vehicles that run on "happy thoughts and a handful of pixie dust."
Wednesday, August 24 - The Simpsons DVD set with the Homer's head-shaped box is a great idea--until you have to fit the thing in with the rest of your collection. Did the the manufacturers learn nothing from Total Recall?
Thursday, August 25 - The media has been criticizing PM Paul Martin for rushing his appointment of new Governor General Michaelle Jean. Hey, at least he made a decision this time. Baby steps, folks, baby steps.
Friday, August 26 - Product placement isn't just for NASCAR anymore. The other night I saw a dragon boat with a Texaco sticker on the side. It's going to be entered in the "Second-Star-to-the-Right-and-Straight on til Morning 5000."
Saturday, August 27 - Microsoft announces it will be sponsoring the Edmonton Eskimos football club for the rest of the year. "It's a perfect match," a spokesman enthused. "We're both known for games that don't run very well."
Sunday, August 28 - Local comedian Andrew Iwanyk describes the new Sunday night comedy show at the Thirsty Turtle as 'gladiator comedy.' He's right. It's like 'Soulcalibur' with dirty jokes. Are you not entertained?
Monday, August 29 - At the MTV Video Music Awards, host Sean "P. Diddy, Puffy, Diddy, Living-Example-of-why-Famous-People-Shouldn't-be-Allowed-to-Choose-their-own-Nicknames" Coombs awarded $100 000 prize to the best dressed celebrity "to help pay for gas." Too bad the Province of Ontario wasn't nominated for anything--they could have used that money.
Tuesday, August 30 - Hey, that new kickboxing movie, Ong Pak is out on DVD today. That's a must-buy for me. Maybe I'll pick up some moves I can use at the Thirsty Turtle.
Wednesday , August 31 - I'm tired of the constant wrangling between the police commission and EPS. This is Alberta. Why don't we just privatize law enforcement? It worked in 'Robocop.'
Saturday, August 27, 2005
End of August
Upcoming Shows
Yuk Yuks--Friday, September 2
Yuk Yuks'--Saturday, September 3
-Hope everyone is enjoying the last week of summer. I didn't get to go to the Fringe this year, and I'm doubly disappointed because they put on Chris Craddock's "Boy Groove," which is tied with Marty Chan's "The Bone House" as my favorite play EVER.
-I'm working hard getting ready for these upcoming weekend shows at YUKS. When you're sharing a stage with NICK ROY, you have to be at your best. If you can make it out, come say hi. It's interesting looking back over the past year and seeing how far some guys have come and the unexpected directions people's careers have taken, I'm amazed at the amount of growth there's been. Edmonton is a great city for comedy and with three comedy clubs running plus numerous open mics, there's always plenty of chances to check out some really funny people.
-I'll also be at the Monster Pro Wrestling show on Saturday (check www.monsterprowrestling.com for showtimes and ticket information). I'm not performing or anything, but I will be posting a write-up of the results on the Monster Pro site. If you see me there, come say hi. I'll be the guy with the pen and pad forgetting to write things down because he's busy getting caught up watching the action.
-On another wrestling-related note, I stumbled across www.lannypoffo.com on the internet. "Leaping Lanny" aka "The Genius" was one of my favorite wrestlers growing up. He's currently promoting a book of poetry he wrote aimed at keeping kids from smoking. Nothing wrong with that. I dropped him an e-mail and he actually replied, so that was a real thrill. It's not every day you get a message from the World's Smartest Man.
Yuk Yuks--Friday, September 2
Yuk Yuks'--Saturday, September 3
-Hope everyone is enjoying the last week of summer. I didn't get to go to the Fringe this year, and I'm doubly disappointed because they put on Chris Craddock's "Boy Groove," which is tied with Marty Chan's "The Bone House" as my favorite play EVER.
-I'm working hard getting ready for these upcoming weekend shows at YUKS. When you're sharing a stage with NICK ROY, you have to be at your best. If you can make it out, come say hi. It's interesting looking back over the past year and seeing how far some guys have come and the unexpected directions people's careers have taken, I'm amazed at the amount of growth there's been. Edmonton is a great city for comedy and with three comedy clubs running plus numerous open mics, there's always plenty of chances to check out some really funny people.
-I'll also be at the Monster Pro Wrestling show on Saturday (check www.monsterprowrestling.com for showtimes and ticket information). I'm not performing or anything, but I will be posting a write-up of the results on the Monster Pro site. If you see me there, come say hi. I'll be the guy with the pen and pad forgetting to write things down because he's busy getting caught up watching the action.
-On another wrestling-related note, I stumbled across www.lannypoffo.com on the internet. "Leaping Lanny" aka "The Genius" was one of my favorite wrestlers growing up. He's currently promoting a book of poetry he wrote aimed at keeping kids from smoking. Nothing wrong with that. I dropped him an e-mail and he actually replied, so that was a real thrill. It's not every day you get a message from the World's Smartest Man.
Monday, August 22, 2005
More Updates, Less Title
UPCOMING
Thursday, August 25 - Yuk Yuks
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks
Saturday, September 3 - Yuk Yuks
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in ed magazine, a supplement of the Edmonton Journal
-Well, BLUE CHICAGO is no more. I'll miss it--I'll never forget that magical night where MAX MAULT shaved his head on stage. On the bright side, KATHLEEN MCGEE has opened a new room Sunday nights at the THIRSTY TURTLE just about Funky Pickle on Whyte Ave. This Sunday I caught a great performance there by SHAWN GRAMIAK and the evening was capped by a bunch of great pros: PAUL MYREHAUG (and his lovely and talented assistant KERRY UNGER) and HOWIE MILLER. It was a raucous crowd; ANDREW IWANYK described it as "Gladiator Comedy" and he's not incorrect. Go on down and give it a try.
-I'll be teaching my course on writing Science-Fiction and Fantasy again trhough Metro Continuing Education. It will be running five Mondays starting October 17. If you're interested you can contact them at www.metrocontinuingeducation.ca or phone them at 428-1111.
-As I reported, I'm putting a website together. I've had a few pictures taken (Thanks to Tammi at Storm's Eye Inc. (www.stormi.ca)) and I'm looking to see which ones people like the most. If you want to put your two cents in you can see the pictures and vote at http://photos.stormi.ca/gallery/dan.
Thursday, August 25 - Yuk Yuks
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks
Saturday, September 3 - Yuk Yuks
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in ed magazine, a supplement of the Edmonton Journal
-Well, BLUE CHICAGO is no more. I'll miss it--I'll never forget that magical night where MAX MAULT shaved his head on stage. On the bright side, KATHLEEN MCGEE has opened a new room Sunday nights at the THIRSTY TURTLE just about Funky Pickle on Whyte Ave. This Sunday I caught a great performance there by SHAWN GRAMIAK and the evening was capped by a bunch of great pros: PAUL MYREHAUG (and his lovely and talented assistant KERRY UNGER) and HOWIE MILLER. It was a raucous crowd; ANDREW IWANYK described it as "Gladiator Comedy" and he's not incorrect. Go on down and give it a try.
-I'll be teaching my course on writing Science-Fiction and Fantasy again trhough Metro Continuing Education. It will be running five Mondays starting October 17. If you're interested you can contact them at www.metrocontinuingeducation.ca or phone them at 428-1111.
-As I reported, I'm putting a website together. I've had a few pictures taken (Thanks to Tammi at Storm's Eye Inc. (www.stormi.ca)) and I'm looking to see which ones people like the most. If you want to put your two cents in you can see the pictures and vote at http://photos.stormi.ca/gallery/dan.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Update
Upcoming Events
Thursday, August 25 - Yuk Yuks
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks
Saturday, September 3 - Yuk Yuks
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Black Gate magazine contacted me recently asking to see a short story I wrote a few years ago called "The Girl Who Feared Lightning." Weird that this is coming on the heels of my publication in Hellbound Books' 'Cold Flesh' anthology. My fiction career is finally starting to take off, and I've barely written any fiction in the last year or so. Time to get back at it, I guess.
-I've also written a piece for the Monster Pro Wrestling website under the pen name of 'Martial' Art McNeil. You can find it in the Inside MPW section of www.monsterprowrestling.com. It's always fun to try something a little different, and I've always been a rasslin' fan at heart, and the MPW are great guys with a great product, so I'm happy to help out.
-August has been a quiet month for me for comedy, but I'm looking forward to my next few shows, especially the weekend shows on September 2 and 3. Hope to see you there.
-Meanwhile, work on my website continues, slowly but surely. I had a photo shoot yesterday, so hopefully my gorgeous mug will be gracing this space soon.
Thursday, August 25 - Yuk Yuks
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks
Saturday, September 3 - Yuk Yuks
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
-Black Gate magazine contacted me recently asking to see a short story I wrote a few years ago called "The Girl Who Feared Lightning." Weird that this is coming on the heels of my publication in Hellbound Books' 'Cold Flesh' anthology. My fiction career is finally starting to take off, and I've barely written any fiction in the last year or so. Time to get back at it, I guess.
-I've also written a piece for the Monster Pro Wrestling website under the pen name of 'Martial' Art McNeil. You can find it in the Inside MPW section of www.monsterprowrestling.com. It's always fun to try something a little different, and I've always been a rasslin' fan at heart, and the MPW are great guys with a great product, so I'm happy to help out.
-August has been a quiet month for me for comedy, but I'm looking forward to my next few shows, especially the weekend shows on September 2 and 3. Hope to see you there.
-Meanwhile, work on my website continues, slowly but surely. I had a photo shoot yesterday, so hopefully my gorgeous mug will be gracing this space soon.
Friday, August 12, 2005
July headLINES (somehow these never got posted)
Upcoming Events
Thursday, August 25 - Yuk Yuks
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks
Saturday, September 3 - Yuk Yuks
-Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine.
Friday, July 1 - Now thanks to new provincial labor laws, when people say a 12 year old could do your job...it isn't just a figure of speech anymore.
Saturday, July 2 - What a wonderful Canada Day celebration. Using red and white colored tear gas to disperse the rioters on Whyte Avenue was an especially nice touch.
Sunday, July 3 - Oh wait, those weren't rioters, they were people looking for a place to smoke. No wonder the tear gas didn't bother them.
Monday, July 4 - With the NBA draft over, I can't do anymore basketball jokes. In order to fill our weekly sports requirement, it's on to professional wrestling: Ric Flair is so old, when he started doing the figure-four leglock, it was only a figure-one.
Tuesday, July 5 - The Edmonton Public School Board announced the impending closings of three more schools. Apparently, thanks to new government regulations, all our twelve-year olds are at work.
Wednesday, July 6 - Critics are sick of Bono and his meetings with world leaders, claiming, "no one wants to hear what a singer has to say." The 916 viewers of reality shows from "The Osbournes" to "Nick & Jessica" say otherwise.
Thursday, July 7 - Tom Cruise continues to deride the psychiatric profession, which is ironic, because if there's anyone who needs a good shrink, it's him. Even Michael Jackson described Cruise's recent behaviour as "a little over the top."
Friday, July 8 - Summer's here, and everywhere you look, kids are out playing in parks, running through sprinklers, and biking. Why can't they just get jobs?
Saturday, July 9 - A pair of immigrants are suing the Canadian government for false advertising because they couldn't find the jobs they wanted when they moved here. Does that mean I can sue the makers of Irish Spring? I bought their soap based on an ad with an Irish guy surrounded by beautiful women. I've been using the soap for months and I still don't have an accent.
Sunday, July 10 - Calgary Health Region reports that a computer error caused the medical records of 2000 people to be filed under the wrong names. They discovered the error when Calgary radio personality Red Dawg tested positive for pregnancy.
Monday, July 11 - After blasting the Comet Tempel 1 with the Deep Impact probe, NASA. has decided to go ahead and fire probes at more comets. When asked what scientific purpose the blasting serves, NASA spokemen replied: "None, it's just a lot of fun. It's just like shooting Stop signs on a more cosmic scale."
Tuesday, July 12 - The price of oil is so high right now, The U.S. needs find another country to invade, preferably within walking distance to save on gas. It was a nervouse couple of minutes for Canada, but the Americans don't like the cold so they're going after Texas.
Wednesday, July 13 - No word on whether Toronto Argonauts Robert Baker and Noel Prefontaine have fended any fences after their sideline scuffle a couple weeks ago. This is why the CFL is looked at as a second-rate league. In other leagues, athletes know who to take that aggression out on--the fans.
Thursday, July 14 - Georges Laraques is giving out relationship advice on the Bounce. His first callers were 'Rob and Noel from Toronto.'
Friday, July 15 - The war in Texas is not going well for the U.S. Apparently, Texans have weapons of mass destruction. The 131st Airborne was held off by a pair of Houston eleven year olds with My First Magnum starter kits.
Saturday, July 16 - The said to ed mailbag overflows with complaints about the scantily clad Grand Prix girls on the cover of a recent issue. It wasn't our fault. The original plans were for a cover featuring the 'Men of the Gravel Trucker's Union,' but at the time they were still on strike.
Sunday, July 17 - The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie shows off her dance skills at a concert at Rexall Place. She looks like a bee showing the rest of the hive where the honey is. In other entertainment news, Eminem is rumored to be leaving rap to pursue other interests--as long those interest don't involve Katie Holmes or Scientology, that's fine with me.
Monday, July 18 - Senator Collin Kenny says Canadians are unprepared for a terrorist attack. I think he underestimates our mental toughness. We didn't even blink when the NHL held hockey hostage for a year.
Tuesday, July 19 - According to rumor, Brad Pitt could be in Fort Edmonton RIGHT NOW working on a movie, but everything is being kept top secret. Don't worry though--I'll have all the answers once I confirm a couple details with Karl Rove.
Wednesday, July 20 - Amazing how our culture has changed. Fifty years ago when an unmarried woman got pregnant, she had to leave town to have the baby. The other day I saw a girl with SLUT written in rhinestones across the front of her maternity dress.
Thursday, July 21 - The Catholic Church claims reading the Harry Potter books makes it hard for children to distinguish between good and evil. I guess they should know--a few of their priests face the same challenge.
Friday, July 22 -
437
128
956
Okay, maybe I have a LITTLE Sudoku problem.
Saturday, July 23 - Telus says despite recent labour troubles, they'll maintain the same level of service that we've come to expect from the telecommunications company. Do I even need to add a joke here or does that sentence pretty much speak for itself? That's what I thought.
Sunday, July 24 - Some guy called Canadian males apathetic. Whatever.
Commentary: Sorry, Lars. You know why.
Monday, July 25 - My message to Telus. "Your labour problems are important to me...Please stay on the line an wait for the next available operator. Your labour problems are important to me...Please stay on the line or wait for the next available..."
Tuesday, July 26 - A couple of B.C. men dug a tunnel beneath the U.S. border so they could smuggle pot into the U.S. "Hey, there was no hockey," one of them said. "We had to fill the time somehow."
Wednesday, July 27 - Bands coming through town over the next few months include: System of a Down, Queensryche, Motley Crue (again!), Judas Priest, Megadeth, Anthrax, KMFDM, and Nine Inch Nails. It's a great time for metal fans...and a terrible time for metal fans' credit cards
Thursday, July 28 - With all my metalhead buddies off to watch the Sounds of the Underground show at Rexall and my goth posse attending the Pocket Universe show at New City, it's a great night to dust off the old Kylie Minogue albums.
Friday, July 29 - I'm still upset that guy called me apathetic. There are lots of issues I care deeply about--such as the Klassic Kung Fu Kollection on DVD and my Big Brother 6 Fantasy Team.
Saturday, July 30 - The Danish are coming! The Danish are coming! I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm willing to fight with every drop of blood in my body to defend Hans Island's exalted shores...too bad I have no idea where it is.
Sunday, July 31 - We'll fight them on the beaches. We'll fight them on the landing grounds. We'll fight them on the mainland, in the bars, and by the foosball tables. We'll defend our island. If the Danish invade, they'll face the toddler of all battles.
Thursday, August 25 - Yuk Yuks
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks
Saturday, September 3 - Yuk Yuks
-Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine.
Friday, July 1 - Now thanks to new provincial labor laws, when people say a 12 year old could do your job...it isn't just a figure of speech anymore.
Saturday, July 2 - What a wonderful Canada Day celebration. Using red and white colored tear gas to disperse the rioters on Whyte Avenue was an especially nice touch.
Sunday, July 3 - Oh wait, those weren't rioters, they were people looking for a place to smoke. No wonder the tear gas didn't bother them.
Monday, July 4 - With the NBA draft over, I can't do anymore basketball jokes. In order to fill our weekly sports requirement, it's on to professional wrestling: Ric Flair is so old, when he started doing the figure-four leglock, it was only a figure-one.
Tuesday, July 5 - The Edmonton Public School Board announced the impending closings of three more schools. Apparently, thanks to new government regulations, all our twelve-year olds are at work.
Wednesday, July 6 - Critics are sick of Bono and his meetings with world leaders, claiming, "no one wants to hear what a singer has to say." The 916 viewers of reality shows from "The Osbournes" to "Nick & Jessica" say otherwise.
Thursday, July 7 - Tom Cruise continues to deride the psychiatric profession, which is ironic, because if there's anyone who needs a good shrink, it's him. Even Michael Jackson described Cruise's recent behaviour as "a little over the top."
Friday, July 8 - Summer's here, and everywhere you look, kids are out playing in parks, running through sprinklers, and biking. Why can't they just get jobs?
Saturday, July 9 - A pair of immigrants are suing the Canadian government for false advertising because they couldn't find the jobs they wanted when they moved here. Does that mean I can sue the makers of Irish Spring? I bought their soap based on an ad with an Irish guy surrounded by beautiful women. I've been using the soap for months and I still don't have an accent.
Sunday, July 10 - Calgary Health Region reports that a computer error caused the medical records of 2000 people to be filed under the wrong names. They discovered the error when Calgary radio personality Red Dawg tested positive for pregnancy.
Monday, July 11 - After blasting the Comet Tempel 1 with the Deep Impact probe, NASA. has decided to go ahead and fire probes at more comets. When asked what scientific purpose the blasting serves, NASA spokemen replied: "None, it's just a lot of fun. It's just like shooting Stop signs on a more cosmic scale."
Tuesday, July 12 - The price of oil is so high right now, The U.S. needs find another country to invade, preferably within walking distance to save on gas. It was a nervouse couple of minutes for Canada, but the Americans don't like the cold so they're going after Texas.
Wednesday, July 13 - No word on whether Toronto Argonauts Robert Baker and Noel Prefontaine have fended any fences after their sideline scuffle a couple weeks ago. This is why the CFL is looked at as a second-rate league. In other leagues, athletes know who to take that aggression out on--the fans.
Thursday, July 14 - Georges Laraques is giving out relationship advice on the Bounce. His first callers were 'Rob and Noel from Toronto.'
Friday, July 15 - The war in Texas is not going well for the U.S. Apparently, Texans have weapons of mass destruction. The 131st Airborne was held off by a pair of Houston eleven year olds with My First Magnum starter kits.
Saturday, July 16 - The said to ed mailbag overflows with complaints about the scantily clad Grand Prix girls on the cover of a recent issue. It wasn't our fault. The original plans were for a cover featuring the 'Men of the Gravel Trucker's Union,' but at the time they were still on strike.
Sunday, July 17 - The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie shows off her dance skills at a concert at Rexall Place. She looks like a bee showing the rest of the hive where the honey is. In other entertainment news, Eminem is rumored to be leaving rap to pursue other interests--as long those interest don't involve Katie Holmes or Scientology, that's fine with me.
Monday, July 18 - Senator Collin Kenny says Canadians are unprepared for a terrorist attack. I think he underestimates our mental toughness. We didn't even blink when the NHL held hockey hostage for a year.
Tuesday, July 19 - According to rumor, Brad Pitt could be in Fort Edmonton RIGHT NOW working on a movie, but everything is being kept top secret. Don't worry though--I'll have all the answers once I confirm a couple details with Karl Rove.
Wednesday, July 20 - Amazing how our culture has changed. Fifty years ago when an unmarried woman got pregnant, she had to leave town to have the baby. The other day I saw a girl with SLUT written in rhinestones across the front of her maternity dress.
Thursday, July 21 - The Catholic Church claims reading the Harry Potter books makes it hard for children to distinguish between good and evil. I guess they should know--a few of their priests face the same challenge.
Friday, July 22 -
437
128
956
Okay, maybe I have a LITTLE Sudoku problem.
Saturday, July 23 - Telus says despite recent labour troubles, they'll maintain the same level of service that we've come to expect from the telecommunications company. Do I even need to add a joke here or does that sentence pretty much speak for itself? That's what I thought.
Sunday, July 24 - Some guy called Canadian males apathetic. Whatever.
Commentary: Sorry, Lars. You know why.
Monday, July 25 - My message to Telus. "Your labour problems are important to me...Please stay on the line an wait for the next available operator. Your labour problems are important to me...Please stay on the line or wait for the next available..."
Tuesday, July 26 - A couple of B.C. men dug a tunnel beneath the U.S. border so they could smuggle pot into the U.S. "Hey, there was no hockey," one of them said. "We had to fill the time somehow."
Wednesday, July 27 - Bands coming through town over the next few months include: System of a Down, Queensryche, Motley Crue (again!), Judas Priest, Megadeth, Anthrax, KMFDM, and Nine Inch Nails. It's a great time for metal fans...and a terrible time for metal fans' credit cards
Thursday, July 28 - With all my metalhead buddies off to watch the Sounds of the Underground show at Rexall and my goth posse attending the Pocket Universe show at New City, it's a great night to dust off the old Kylie Minogue albums.
Friday, July 29 - I'm still upset that guy called me apathetic. There are lots of issues I care deeply about--such as the Klassic Kung Fu Kollection on DVD and my Big Brother 6 Fantasy Team.
Saturday, July 30 - The Danish are coming! The Danish are coming! I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm willing to fight with every drop of blood in my body to defend Hans Island's exalted shores...too bad I have no idea where it is.
Sunday, July 31 - We'll fight them on the beaches. We'll fight them on the landing grounds. We'll fight them on the mainland, in the bars, and by the foosball tables. We'll defend our island. If the Danish invade, they'll face the toddler of all battles.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Latest News
Upcoming Gigs:
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks (co-middling)
Saturday, September 3 Yuk Yuks (co-middling)
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal.
-I've been writing a few profiles this month for ed magazine. In addition to singer/songwriter CHRISTINA SCHMOLKE, I've written about a suspension artist/DJ/metal artist named SCOTT "DJ DERVISH" Fox, who will be doing some suspension on August 13 at Dragon FX in Kingsway Mall. For tix, contact bagofskin@gmail.com To see a sneak preview, check Scott out at www.lanejensen.com. I'm also working on an article about "YOUNG LION" BOBBY SHARP the 16 year old wrestling phenom who is the reigning MPW Junior Heavyweight Champion. He'll be defending his title against "ALL STAR" TOM MACDONALD at the MPW Back to School Extravaganza on September 3 (why not go to the show, and then come by Yuk Yuks to watch my comedy--an entertainment double feature). I've seen both Bobby and Tom wrestle, so I think if you're a rasslin' fan (and who isn't?), you should go to www.monsterprowrestling.com and see how you can get tickets.
-I just found out that PAUL MYREHAUG will be the MC on my first two co-middling performances at Yuk Yuks. Paul also was the MC the first night I went on stage doing comedy back in October 2004. Strange, but cool. I hope you're writing this down--this kind of trivia might be worth something some day.
-headLINES should be up in a couple days, with or without commentary (I know, I'm getting lazier--or possibly just less self-indulgent)
-Looks like OLIVIA CHENG is really living her dream--getting raped by DWIGHT YOAKAM. Olivia's got a part as a Chinese prostitute in a movie starring none other than ROBERT DUVALL. She wasn't kidding a few weeks ago when she said she had big things in store. I have to admit to being a bit jealous--after all, I'm a huge Dwight Yoakam fan.
-Incidentally, I caught a couple of great acts at the Folk Fest this year: The WARSAW VILLAGE BAND and RUTHIE FOSTER. If you get a chance to check them out, I'd recommend them. If your of a more metallic slant, BILL GEE made me a compilation disc of some acts, and I'm really digging a group called TRIVIUM.
Friday, September 2 - Yuk Yuks (co-middling)
Saturday, September 3 Yuk Yuks (co-middling)
Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal.
-I've been writing a few profiles this month for ed magazine. In addition to singer/songwriter CHRISTINA SCHMOLKE, I've written about a suspension artist/DJ/metal artist named SCOTT "DJ DERVISH" Fox, who will be doing some suspension on August 13 at Dragon FX in Kingsway Mall. For tix, contact bagofskin@gmail.com To see a sneak preview, check Scott out at www.lanejensen.com. I'm also working on an article about "YOUNG LION" BOBBY SHARP the 16 year old wrestling phenom who is the reigning MPW Junior Heavyweight Champion. He'll be defending his title against "ALL STAR" TOM MACDONALD at the MPW Back to School Extravaganza on September 3 (why not go to the show, and then come by Yuk Yuks to watch my comedy--an entertainment double feature). I've seen both Bobby and Tom wrestle, so I think if you're a rasslin' fan (and who isn't?), you should go to www.monsterprowrestling.com and see how you can get tickets.
-I just found out that PAUL MYREHAUG will be the MC on my first two co-middling performances at Yuk Yuks. Paul also was the MC the first night I went on stage doing comedy back in October 2004. Strange, but cool. I hope you're writing this down--this kind of trivia might be worth something some day.
-headLINES should be up in a couple days, with or without commentary (I know, I'm getting lazier--or possibly just less self-indulgent)
-Looks like OLIVIA CHENG is really living her dream--getting raped by DWIGHT YOAKAM. Olivia's got a part as a Chinese prostitute in a movie starring none other than ROBERT DUVALL. She wasn't kidding a few weeks ago when she said she had big things in store. I have to admit to being a bit jealous--after all, I'm a huge Dwight Yoakam fan.
-Incidentally, I caught a couple of great acts at the Folk Fest this year: The WARSAW VILLAGE BAND and RUTHIE FOSTER. If you get a chance to check them out, I'd recommend them. If your of a more metallic slant, BILL GEE made me a compilation disc of some acts, and I'm really digging a group called TRIVIUM.
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