For those of you...

...who are just here to see the results of the Great T-Shirt Battle (You'd have to read my most recent column for that last column to make sense) the results are in the second paragraph.

Upcoming Stuff

Comedy
Monday, July 10 - The Comic Strip
Monday, July 24 - The Comic Strip
Wednesday, July 26 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, July 30 - The Comic Strip

Living Articles in the Journal
Friday, July 7 - Pirates!!!
Friday, July 21 (subject to change) New Age Friend

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in ed magazine...bla, bla, bla...MySpace...bla,bla bla...

-Last week, I was a guest on Lars and Powermann's Kamikaze Komedy on CJSR 88.5, and it was a lot of fun. They're on pretty late (midnight on Wednesday night-Thursday mornings), but I've been told they're having a super-sized episode on July 5 starting at 10pm, so check it out. They're an unlikely pairing but an entertaining one, and you might even learn something about the inner workings of the comedy business.

-I spent most of the weekend answering mail brought about from my latest column. It's great to hear from people. I write for myself, but it's gratifying to know that others are reading and enjoying. Thanks to everyone who wrote in; on the t-shirt poll, Captain Charisma defeated the Utah Jazz by a fairly wide margin. (71% were the final numbers in the Good Captain's favor)

-Monday I got an unexpected bit of stage time at the Strip. I've said this before, but I really, really, really love doing comedy. There's no feeling in the world like it. Some of the new guys are coming along really well, too. MATT LISAC may be starting to find his stride.

Blink and you'll Miss It Update

This will be a short entry as I'm hard at work on the sequel to my short story "The Girl Who Feared Lightning," which will be available shortly in Black Gate magazine. I don't even have time to cut and paste my upcoming dates as I usually do. Feel free to scroll down and ooh and ahh at my busy schedule--and take advantage of the opportunity to see me live with...

...TOM WILSON of Spongebob Squarepants, Freaks & Geeks, and--oh yes--Back to the Future fame is in town at THE COMIC STRIP, and I'm honored to be middling for him. The first show last night went phenomenally well. Come on down and check out the show. If last night was any indication, the weekend should be awesome.

-Also, if you haven't been listening to Lars and Powermann on KamiKaze Komedy Wednesday nights at midnight on CJSR, you're missing out. It's a really refreshing look at the comedy world from the perspective of two guys just starting out (relatively speaking) in the biz. Coincidentally, I'll be on the show next Wed (June 21). I have no idea what I'm going to talk about, but with Lars and Powermann at the helm, it should be entertaining.

-

Update

Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, June 7 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, June 11 - The Comic Strip
Thursday, June 15 - The Comic Strip
Friday, June 16 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, June 17 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, June 18 - The Comic Strip

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal:
- June 9
-June 23

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every week in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.

Other upcoming appearancesFriday,
Wednesday, June 21 - Kamikaze Komedy Radio Edmonton (CJSR FM 88.5)

Be Dan Brodribb's friend on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-Apologies to those expecting to see me on Saturday at The Comic Strip. There was a scheduling mishap. I went down anyway and caught a great set by DEZ REED. I love how spontaneous and unselfconscious Dez's performances are. He puts himself out there for you to either love or hate. And his Star Wars closer on the early show made me laugh until I cried.

-The Wetaskiwin MPW show went great. The guys who didn't bring merchandise wished they had. The guys who did bring merchandise, wish they'd brought more as most of them sold out (I've got to make a 'Martial' Art McNeil t-shirt). I think we've found ourselves a new market. Assault & Battery and the Heatseekers went thirty-five-plus minutes in stifling heat. All four guys were pretty tired out afterwards, but they did a heck of a job reminding the fans how exciting a properly executed tag match can be.

-Monday amateur night at the Strip was postponed for the week. The comics and staff closed down the club and watched the hockey game instead, which was it's own kind of fun, especially with the insightful hockey commentary of MAX MAULT. Too bad the Oilers lost.

Brief Update

Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, May 24 - Yuk Yuks
Thursday, May 25 - The Comic Strip
Friday, May 26 -The Comic Strip
Saturday, May 27 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, June 3 - The Comic Strip
Wednesday, June 7 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, June 11 - The Comic Strip
Thursday, June 15 - The Comic Strip
Friday, June 16 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, June 17 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, June 18 - The Comic Strip

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal - TBA

Articles at www.joseyvogels.com (viewer discretion advised for sexual content)
Thursday, May 25 - The Time I Couldn't Get It Up

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every week in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.

Other upcoming appearances
Friday, June 2 - MPW Fury (as 'Martial' Art McNeil)
Saturday, June 3 - MPW Aftermath (as 'Martial' Art McNeil) [POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER]

Wednesday, June 21 - Kamikaze Komedy Radio Edmonton (CJSR FM 88.5)Be Dan Brodribb's friend on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-Camp Wars was a lot of fun. It looks like the plan is to cut it together into a half-hour TV show, so I'll likely have to do more audio. Watching the boys get ready for the show, I was struck by how much passion CHI CHI CRUZ has for the business. He helps the younger guys with their matches, and always gives everything he has in his own matches, no matter how big or small the show. Afterwards, he's always looking for ways to improve in order to deliver the best possible show. He's been wrestling for 20 years and he still loves what he does. I find that really inspiring.

-I'm still not sure if my next Journal article is running this Friday or next Friday. Apparently there were some complications with the layout. My editor explained it to me, but it was like explaining chess to a goldfish. My job is to write the best articles I can and wear a clean shirt to the photo shoots. Everything else is up to her.

-Tomorrow my final article will go up on Josey Vogels' website. It's been a great experience, and I've really enjoyed hearing from people all over the country. I have mixed feelings about tomorrow's article. It's kind of embarassing, but I think it's also pretty funny. We'll see, I guess.

Upcoming Comedy
Thursday, May 25 - The Comic Strip
Friday, May 26 -The Comic Strip
Saturday, May 27 - The Comic Strip

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal - TBA

Articles at www.joseyvogels.com (viewer discretion advised for sexual content)
Thursday, May 18 - Fantasy Island: Sex Vampires & Kama Sutra Pirates
Thursday, May 25 - The Time I Couldn't Get It Up

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every week in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.

Other upcoming appearances

Sunday, May 21 - MPW Camp Wars (as 'Martial' Art McNeil)
Friday, June 2 - MPW Fury (as 'Martial' Art McNeil)
Saturday, June 3 - MPW Aftermath (as 'Martial' Art McNeil)

Wednesday, June 21 - Kamikaze Komedy Radio Edmonton (CJSR FM 88.5)

Be Dan Brodribb's friend on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-I was doing an interview for CBC after the radio taping last night, and I remember saying how much I enjoy doing comedy in Edmonton. It's true. This is a very supportive community for comedy, and a great place to develop. The show was great. I was the first comic up and I felt a little stiff, but overall i was satisfied. STEVE MCCARTHY, SEAN LECOMBER, and LARS CALLEIOU had really good sets as well. It was kind of neat seeing Lars on a Yuks stage. Never say never, I guess.

-Did another photo shoot for the Journal for my next three articles (got a free piece of cake out of the bargain too. Yum.). We haven't settled on dates to run them yet, but I'll post them once I get word.

-Lots of MPW stuff coming up. CAMP WARS is a free show this Sunday at the MPW training facility. As well, they've got FURY in Wetaskiwin on June 2, before returning to Edmonton for AFTERMATH in the usual location at Alberta Ave. Community Hall. www.monsterprowrestling.com for ticket info.

We Want the Airwaves

Upcoming Comedy
Sunday, May 14 - The Comic Strip
Monday, May 15 - The Comic Strip
Thursday, May 18 - Yuk Yuks, Londonderry Mall (CBC Taping)

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, May 12 - Computer Dating

Articles at www.joseyvogels.com (viewer discretion advised for sexual content)
Thursday, May 11 - Strip For me
Thursday, May 18 - Fantasy Island: Sex Vampires & Kama Sutra Pirates
Thursday, May 25 - The Time I Couldn't Get It Up

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every week in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.

Other upcoming appearances
Sunday, May 21 - MPW Camp Wars (as 'Martial' Art McNeil)
Saturday, June 3 - MPW Aftermath (as 'Martial' Art McNeil
Wednesday, June 21 - Kamikaze Komedy Radio Edmonton (CJSR FM 88.5)

Be Dan Brodribb's friend on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-I've been invited to take part in CBC Radio's So You Think You're Funny Comedy Contest. It takes place next Thursday in the Edmonton Yuk Yuks in Londonderry Mall. It promises to be a great evening with some of the best local guys in the business out strutting their funniest (and cleanest stuff) so I hope to see you there.

-In other radio related news, I'll be appearing on KAMIKAZE KOMEDY radio on June 21 for CJSR FM 88.5. Hosted by LARS CALLIEOU and POWERMANN, Kamikaze Komedy Radio is a great look at comedy from an insider's perspective. They often have guests on board--I believe SHAWN GRAMIAK will be up next week and KELLY SOLODUKA often fills in when either Lars or Powermann are out of town on gigs. It's a great show because you can hear the passion Lars and Powermann have for the business. I hope you'll give it a listen. It's every Wednesday night (or Thursday morning, technically) from midnight to one. At the very least, you'll be able to put a voice to some of the people I talk about so much.

Latest News

Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, May 10 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, May 14 - The Comic Strip
Monday, May 15 - The Comic Strip

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton JournalMay articles - TBA

Articles at www.joseyvogels.com (viewer discretion advised for sexual content)
May 4 - Sex is Boring
May 11 - Strip For me
May 18 - Fantasy Island: Sex Vampires & Kama Sutra Pirates
May 25 - The Time I Couldn't Get It Up

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every week in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.

Be Dan Brodribb's friend on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-I got an e-mail from the publisher saying that Cold Flesh, the anthology of zombie stories including my story 'Glass Houses' is the second best-selling book in the history of the publisher. Hooray for all of us who contributed as well as the good folks at www.hellboundbooks.com who made our dream--or more precisely--our post-apocalyptic animated cadaver soaked nightmare--a reality.

-MPW Massacre was a great show with an eye-popping finish. I'll keep you posted on the upcoming DVD release. In the meantime the next show is MPW Aftermath on June 3 at the Alberta Ave. Community Hall. Ticket info is at www.monsterprowrestling.com. I've also heard rumors about taking the MPW show on the road next month. I'll keep you posted as details develop. In the meantime, MPW has their FREE show at their training facility, where the second round of the King of the Camp tournament will be underway.

-I expect my live appearances to slow down a little over the next couple months, as summer is the slow season for both wrestling and comedy. I'm planning to use that time to focus on my writing. I'm developing a sitcom as well as trying to get some more short stories and done and get some columns in the 'bank'.

re: Vogels columns

-Also, for those of you who can't find the guest columns on Josey's website, go to either of her columns (My Messy Bedroom or Dating Girl and click on the pink link on the right side of the page.

Or use this link: www.joseyvogels.com/guestcolumn.html

Re: updating my website

I know, I know.

I'll get to it.

Promise.

-Dan

update

Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, May 10 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, May 14 - The Comic Strip

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
May articles TBA

Articles at www.joseyvogels.com (viewer discretion advised for sexual content)
May 4 - Sex is Boring
May 11 - Strippers
May 18 - Fantasy Island
May 25 - When Good Sex Goes Bad

You can meet Dan at MPW Massacre, Saturday, May 6 at Alberta Avenue Community Hall (.9210-188Ave., Edmonton, Alberta). Doors open at 6pm.

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every week in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.

Check out Dan Brodribb on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-I left a pen in the dryer and got inkstains all over one of my favorite dress shirts, so anybody who knows how to get ink out of a dress shirt, e-mail me through my website www.danbrodribb.ca. I've heard spot remover, Crest toothpaste, water and vinegar, and nail polish so far. Or maybe I'll just leave it and wear it to the MPW show at Alberta Ave. Community Hall this Saturday for the first blood match between Massive Damage and Darren "The Bomb" Dalton in case they decide to bring their shenanigans over to the announce table like at Mayhem (as always ticket info is at www.monsterprowrestling.com)

(If this next part reads familiar, it's because I cribbed it nearly verbatim from my myspace blog at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb)

Saturday I was in Red Deer middling for PAUL SVEEN and MC ALLISON SMITH. The show went well and I got a kiss from a pretty girl, though she said she'd prefer to make out with Allison. I would be okay with that. Allison is very charming and one of the best people I've seen at dealing with audience members after the show. Still, as a woman in comedy, I'm sure she's had some stories, although I wonder if anything will beat the proposal KATHLEEN MCGEE got one evening at the Comic Strip (you'll have to ask her the story yourself--this is a family blog).

Sunday, I got the call from Yuks to do some time. Peter Kelamis was headlining. I had never seen him before, and he's hilarious. It was a busy show for a Sunday--180-200 peeps and they were great. I was pretty good too, if I do say so myself. I ran into a couple women I was pretty close to back in college, a pair of sisters from Poland. It was cool to see them again, and one of the staff fell in love with one of them at first sight. I wish he'd said something to me earlier--I would have been happy to arrange an introduction...except that it's been so long, I couldn't remember one of their names.

Update

Upcoming Comedy
Saturday, April 29 - Legion, Red Deer
Wednesday, May 10 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, May 14 - The Comic Strip

Upcoming WritingLiving
Articles in the Edmonton Journal
May articles TBA

Articles at www.joseyvogels.com (viewer discretion advised for sexual content)May 4 - Sex is BoringMay 11 - Strippers
May 18 - Fantasy Island
May 25 - (Title TBA)

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every week in the Edmonton Journal's ed magazine supplement.

Check out Dan Brodribb on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-For those of you wondering why my column didn't run today in the Journal, it's becaue GRAHAM ANDREWS will be using the space for a four part feature on mental health. It's some powerful writing, so do check it out.

-If you're looking for something to do, check out the local comedy amateur nights: Hit or Miss Mondays at THE COMIC STRIP or proam night Wednesdays at YUK YUKS Both are extremely affordable and give you a chance to see not only new talent develop, but you can also watch established vets work out new material.

Had a great time after the Comic Strip amateur night Monday night hanging out with some comedy buddies: Shawn Gramiak, Max Mault, Kelly Soloduka, Don Campbell, Bill Gee, and various attractive (and a couple drunk) women. Hope I didn't forget anyone. It was lots of fun. Max Mault is one of the funniest humans alive. Plus, he seems to think I'm funny and that's good for the ego. Shawn Gramiak knows lots of cool words too. As a writer, you gots to give respect for that.

-WEdnesday at Yuk Yuks I had my first 'request.' It was flattering that people know me well enough that they now my jokes and want to hear them again. Or maybe it just means I'm overplaoying Yuks. Either way, it was pretty cool.

The next MPW show--Massacre--is Saturday, May 6 at the Alberta Ave. Community hall. If you come down, be sure to say hi before the show or at intermission. I'll be in the at the Canadian Broadcast Table, calling the action.

Update (EDITED)

Upcoming Comedy
Saturday, April 29 - Legion, Red Deer
Wednesday, May 10 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, May 14 - The Comic Strip

Upcoming Writing

Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
May articles TBA

Articles at www.joseyvogels.com (viewer discretion advised for sexual content)
May 4 - Sex is Boring
May 11 - Strippers
May 18 - Fantasy Island
May 25 - (Title TBA)

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal
Check out Dan Brodribb on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-Had a good set Sunday at Yuk Yuks. It was new material night, and I didn't have much written. The MC, LARRY VASEO[sp?] suggested I go up and talk about my day. I'm one of those guys who prefers to write, edit and polish jokes before I take them up, but Sunday, I actually felt confident enough to give it a try. That's the whole point of comedy--to keep pushing yourself to develop. Okay, maybe the point is a network deal and a sitcom, but the development thing is a close second.

-Here are some pictures that KATHLEEN MCGEE was kind enough to send me. The first is from the Friday night fundraiser for the Distress Line. I'm really proud of the comics that came out to help me for this cause. They're great people and great friends as well as great comics. The show went well despite a late start caused by the Oilers game going into overtime (comedy has always been at the mercy of sports. Home games tend to drop attendance at comedy clubs and bar shows with televisions often mean we can't start til the game is done.)



Distress Line Fundraiser (L to R): Andrew Iwanyk, Powermann, Roxanne S. (event organizer), Dan Brodribb, Lars Callieou, Kathleen McGee. Not pictured: Todd K.











-This one is Me, Lars, Kathleen, and Andrew Iwanyk at...I think it's Prism. Realistically though, it could be any one of what feels like a million places--Hill 426 of open mic Viet Nam. No one who hasn't been there can hope to understand it. It's just you and your buddies, trying to make it out alive. But the bonds you do forge are really something special, and I'm glad to have these memories to share with them once we all achieve our dreams and these turn into 'the good old days.'

Update

Upcoming Comedy
Friday, April 21 - Student Distress Centre Fundraiser
Saturday, April 26 - Legion, Red Deer

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, April 28 - Online Dating (this should be a good one)

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal

Check out Dan Brodribb on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb

-Well, my work on MPW MAYHEM is finished; we did the last of the replays yesterday. Word is that EL NINO had some mic trouble on AGGRESSION, so they might not be able to use it. Nino, RIPPER and I may have to go in and re-do it. That's what they get for trying to do a show without the Martial Art-ster. Although, I really sympathize with KENNETH BARR the mad genius behind IDIOM Inc. who is in charge of putting the shows together. Seems like every show ends up needing extra work, like some kind of wrestling Goodfellas: "Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in."

-Starting May 4, a series of my articles will be appearing on www.joseyvogels.com. Josey is a popular relationship/sex columnist. Josey's informal writing style was definitely an influence on me when I started writing non-fiction, so I'm pretty excited. The columns will be sex-themed so if you're a) offended by sexual content or b) my Mom, stay away.

-Meeting with a guy from a production company this week about some scripts o' mine. Wish me luck. Better yet, wish me Emmys. I'll remember you all on Oscar night.

-Who is Kelly Donald and how has (s)he gained virtually uncontested master of the Memory Game leaderboard at www.toddk.ca? I'm this close to putting out a bounty. No one's memory is THAT good.

-Finally, for those of you looking for something to do this Friday, here's the press release on the Distress Line Comedy For A Cause fundraiser. Hope to see you there:

The Distress Line is pleased to present a comedy fundraiser on Friday, April 21 at Debney Armouries in Edmonton featuring some of Edmonton's fastest-rising and most talked about local comics.

Hosted by DAN BRODRIBB (2005 Comedy Idol Finalist, humor columnist for the Edmonton Journal), the fundraiser will feature gala performances by ANDREW IWANYK (upcoming appearance at Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, 2005 Comedy Idol Finalist, POWERMANN (2006 Funniest Person with a Day Job winner, co-host of Kamikaze Komedy Radio show), KATHLEEN MCGEE (Funniest Person with a Day Job Finalist), and TODD K (Winner Red Deer College Comedy Contest), as well as a headlining performance by LARS CALLIEOU (2004 Comedy Idol Winner, finalist in CBC Stand and Deliver and Corner Gas Comic Genius competitions, co-host of Kamikaze Komedy Radio show).

WHEN: Friday, April 21, 2006 (doors open at 7:00, showtime at 8:00)

WHERE: Debney Armouries Junior Mess Hall 8403 Roper Road, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

HOW MUCH: $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door. For ticket information call Roxanne at 707-4038 or e-mail debney_JR@yahoo.ca.

Congratulations

Upcoming Comedy
Friday, April 21 - Student Distress Centre Fundraiser
Saturday, April 26 - Legion, Red Deer

Upcoming WritingLiving Articles in the Edmonton Journal
April 14 & 28

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal

-Congratulations to POWERMANN for winning The Comic Strip's 'Funniest Guy with a Day Job' contest. I don't know if strictly speaking Powermann's extracurricular activities as a University station radio host and world's fattest contortionist qualify as a 'day job,' but it could just be sour grapes on my part. Seriously, congratulations, Powermann.

-Hope everyone's going to have a Happy Easter. I need to finish up some MPW voiceover stuff. I missed the last show, and apparently my replacement EL NINO, THE SICILIAN ASSASSIN did an able job as a replacement. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it's a lot of pressure off me; on the other, it's disconcerting knowing you can be so easily replaced. As Lars sometimes says, "You're only as good as your last show." In some ways though, it's a welcome pressure. I love the feeling of constantly being expected to deliver--and I fully intend to live up to the challenge.

Short update

-I've joined the myspace revolution. Come say hi at http://www.myspace.com/danbrodribb andI'll add you to my friends list once I figure out how.

-My life has been pretty crazy for the last couple weeks, and I have a question for the people who know what I'm talking about: Can you look around and see if I left a pair of my jeans at your place? They're my last good pair, and it's driving me crazy that I can't find them.

4:30am update

Upcoming Comedy
Saturday, April 8 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, April 9 - The Comic Strip
Wednesday, April 12 - The Comic Strip
Friday, April 21 - Student Distress Centre Fundraiser
Saturday, April 26 - Legion, Red Deer

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal
April 14 & 28

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal

-The sound was messed up on the latest MPW recording, so I had to go in to re-record portions of my intro. It was kind of fun. I had to match what I was saying to what my mouth was already doing on the video, so it was an interesting challenge. Hopefully it won't look too much like a kung fu movie. The DVD is called Mayhem, and should be available at the April 8 MPW show, if you're interested in picking up a copy. Tickets to the event and other DVDs are available at www.monsterprowrestling.com

-A fellow from a local production company has expressed interest in potentially collaborating with me on something. I'm meeting with him on Saturday. Hopefully it will turn into something.

-I wasn't expecting to use the words 'red-hot,' 'Stettler,' and 'crowd' in the same sentence, but the Stettler show was fantastic. I was opening for KERRY UNGER and the show went great for both of us.

-On the subject of comedy and comedians, KELLY SOLODUKA seems to have made the Leap in the last couple months. His writing and stage presence have grown in leaps and bounds. Make sure to see him if you get a chance.

Dream Come True

Upcoming Comedy
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Saturday, April 8 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, April 9 - The Comic Strip
Wednesday, April 12 - The Comic Strip
Friday, April 21 - Student Distress Centre Fundraiser
Saturday, April 26 - Legion, Red Deer

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal (subjects to be announced)
March 31
April 14 - (Subjects to be announced)
April 28

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal

-Well, a dream came true last night, as I got to guest spot on a show featuring MITCH FATEL, who is a really big influence on me. Watching Mitch shows you that there is room for people with their own voice. Thanks go to LARS CALLIEOU for lobbying to get me on stage and to RICK BRONSON for allowing it. I was told there wouldn't be guest spots so I showed up completely underdressed (I mean I had clothes on, but not stage clothes). I'm sure I've written in a previous entry how important it is to always have your 'working boots' with you. I should take my own advice.

-Did the photo shoot for next months Journal articles. I'm especially nervous about the one appearing in the article at the end of April. I think we got a pretty good view of the inside of my nostrils. But the photo guy liked the lighting so guess which one's the keeper. Sigh.

-Monday amateur night at The Comic Strip was great, not just for the comedy, but because so many guys came down that I don't get a chance to see anymore. I've always been a bit of a loner, but I do appreciate that there are some great guys (and gal--Kathleen McGee) trying to make it locally. The highlight of the night for me was MAX MAULT (I believe I may have told the infamous 'Max Mault Rye & Coke Incident' in an earlier entry'), who toned down his usual histrionics to do some jokes. It's great to see comics who are unafraid to grow and evolve. Max also gave me a little pep talk after the show, about how he'd watched me develop over the time I've been doing comedy. His words meant a lot, because it's easy to lose sight of how far you've come, when all you're focused on is where you are or where you want to be.

Some days you get the bear...

Upcoming Comedy
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Saturday, April 8 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, April 9 - The Comic Strip
Wednesday, April 12 - The Comic Strip
Friday, April 21 - Student Distress Centre Fundraiser
Saturday, April 26 - Legion, Red Deer

Upcoming Writing
Living Articles in the Edmonton Journal (subjects to be announced)
March 31
April 14 - (Subjects to be announced)
April 28

Dan Brodribb's headLINES appears every Saturday in the ed magazine supplement to the Edmonton Journal

The trouble with being a comedian is that if you have a bad day at the office, it's in front of a whole bunch of strangers. Last night I had a bad day at the office. Comedy is unique in that there is no way to 'practice' at home; the only way to get better is by performing in front of a live audience. I'm not bothered for myself when I do poorly--I recognize the only way to get better is by experience--but I always feel bad for crowds who paid money to watch my growing pains. If there's a bright spot, it's that I was a last-minute replacement, so another comic's name was on the marquee, and that's the name the crowd will remember. Sorry, Dana.

-MITCH FATEL is at The Comic Strip all weekend. Check him out if you get a chance. Like DEREK EDWARDS and MIKE WILMOT, he doesn't come to town often, and he's really worth seeing.

-MPW is hosting a free show at their training site (9774-54 Ave, Edmonton) Sunday at 2pm. Doors open at 1. A lot of the MPW mainstays will be there, and ladies, it may interest you to know that one of them will be BRADY ROBERTS, who was the March 14 Hunk of Day at www.ProWrestlingDaily.com, putting him in the same illustrious company as wrestling sex symboll L'il Nate and BG James.

Notes from the Weekend

Upcoming Comedy
Wednesday, March 15 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, March 19 - The Comic Strip
Saturday, April 1 - The Legion, Stettler
Saturday, April 8 - Yuk Yuks, Edmonton
Sunday, April 9 - The Comic Strip
Wednesday, April 12 - The Comic Strip
Friday, April 21 - Student Distress Centre Fundraiser
Saturday, April 26 - Legion, Red Deer

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

-The MPW Mayhem taping was awesome. MASSIVE DAMAGE and A.J. SANCHEZ crashed through a table; I got a massage from two pretty ring girls. I think any objective observer would agree that I had a better night. I so much prefer doing commentary live as opposed to in post-production. Unfortunately, I will likely be doing just that for the next show, as I’m already booked to do a middle spot at Yuk Yuks. MPW is calling for a battle royal main event, which are a bitch to do commentary for, but are awesome to watch live. We may have to re-do parts of this one, as I completely blew the finish of the Johnny Handsome/Synn vs. Steve Rivers/Darren ‘The Bomb’ Dalton. Plus I kept accidentally referring to Darren Dalton as ‘Adam Bomb.’

-Commentary is a lot of fun, although it’s a lot harder than you might think (though not as hard as actually wrestling; I did a sixty minute broadway with the ringside barriers before the show, and my arms are still sore) Basically, you’re trying to juggle a few different things.
1) Commentating on the match
2) Introducing the characters
3) Advancing or explaining the storylines
4) Hyping merchandise and the next show (check out http://www.monsterprowrestling.com/ for details)
5) Establishing your own character
When I started, I tried to completely ignore 5) as I believed then (and still do) that it’s the wrestlers and the wrestling that make the show, not the commentators. My broadcast partner RIPPER insisted that we set-up a relationship between our two personalities, and I’m glad he did. We’re not the most polished tandem out there, but I think we have pretty good chemistry. In some ways we represent extreme versions of the two common stereotypical wrestling fans--me as the smarkish, uptight internet dork and Ripper as the loud-mouthed, beer-swilling caveman. Every wrestling fan knows people like us, and I think that makes us relatable and hopefully adds character to the DVD releases.

-Speaking of strange chemistry, LARS CALLIEOU and POWERMANN are hosting a comedy show on CJSR 88.5 from 1am-3am Thursday nights/Friday mornings. Good for them. I’m interested in hearing what they sound like together as they are very different personalities. Then again, like with MPW, maybe that’s what will make the show great.

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."