And by GOD, I mean Group Of Death
When I “started” comedy in 2007, there was an annual competition that Yuk Yuks would hold called the The Great Canadian Laugh Off. Once the franchise agreement expired back in 2010(?), the now independent Comedy Mix decided to keep the tradition going with their own competition. Although the stakes weren’t as high (the Yuk Yuks version sent the winner to Toronto to compete against other comics from across the country), it was just as a competitive because the Vancouver comedy scene has such a high caliber of talent that the competition was a fierce battle till the end.
On a related note in 2007, a personal tradition started for me as well – being selected to be in the annual Group of Death. Every year, it seems that I was placed in the toughest group. This year’s group is no different. In fact, it’s worse! I have two Canadian All Stars who have done every comedy related thing you can do in Canada. There’s also a bonafide headliner from the States, two or three people who are starting to tour, and a couple others I would rather not compete against because their material is strong and unique.
Without further ado, here is 2012’s Group of Death –
Kevin Foxx - The advice this man has given me these past five years has been on point. He had his own radio show in Toronto until he decided he wanted to be in a city that didn’t suck. Forget the fact that he has had his own Comedy Now Special and has done every comedy festival in Canada, the dude has worked with Richard Pryor. Yes, that Richard Pryor.
John Beuhler - This guy is a Comic Genius. No, seriously, he won a competition called Comic Genius. This guy was mentored by the Canadian comedy gem known as Brent Butt. John has also done every imaginable festival in Canada because he has an efficiency in his comedy that is second to none. Every word spoken on stage is integral to each piece he does.
Dino Archie - Like me, Dino is likeable onstage. Unlike me, he KILLS every time he’s onstage. First he charms them, then he slays them. If I didn’t like the guy so much on a personal level, I would tell him to go back where he came from.
Sean Emeny - Last year’s winner of the People’s Champ Comedy Competition, Sean is a good friend of mine and I wish him best …. unless I’m competing with him! Then I wish the hilarious bastard would get Strep Throat.
James Masters - Another guy I want to yell, “Go back where you came from!” Unfortunately, like everybody else in this group, he’s a good guy and he gives me spots from time to time. James is also funny and he’s banged Sam Neill’s daughter. Yes, that Sam Neill.
Katie Ellen Humphries - Forget “she’s funny … for a chick” BS. Katie Ellen is just plain funny. Always nice and personable offstage and hilarious on it, Katie spreads her talents between standup and sketch. In moments like these, I wish she focused more on sketch.
Manraj Sidhu - I hope this guy focuses on teaching because if he put all his focus on comedy. If he did, I’m sure he would leave me in the dust. Manraj has that quirky, intelligent, hipster shit that’s uber popular right now. On a bad night, Manraj is good. On a good night, he could squish me like a bug.
Art Factora - Although our styles are very similar, Art is better on his feet than I am. That said, on any given night, I can easily outshine Art on the simple fact that people often mistake me for him.
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With such a strong group, I will probably get knocked out like Spink against Tyson.
With such a strong group, my best hope is that I can pull off a Tyson vs Bruno I, in that before I get knocked out, I'm able to rock them and know that I at least have the ability to dent them.
