Meet the B.C. comics cracking wise on CBC's The New Wave of Standup
Top emerging stand-up comedians talk heroes, advice and current comedy climate
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The New Wave of Standup TV show is back with a new roster of emerging Canadian comics.
Nominated for Best Comedy Special at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, the sixth season lands on CBC TV on Sept. 16 at 9:30 p.m.
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Meet the B.C. comics cracking wise on CBC's The New Wave of Standup Back to video
Filmed on location at Guilt and Co. in Gastown, The New Wave of Standup shines a spotlight on 14 up-and-coming standups that appeared at the Just for Laughs Vancouver Festival earlier this year.
Of those 14 standups, four of them hail from B.C. Get to know the local comics set to star on the show:
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K.C. Novak
Hometown: Vancouver
Q: How long have you been a comedian for?
A: I started in 2016, so I’m nine comedy-years-old. Although, did time count during the pandemic? I’m seriously asking: Did time pass during the pandemic? It felt like an Interstellar time-dilation — we’re all technically decades older now, but still super hot, like Matthew McConaughey during the 2014 Oscar season. Do you remember Tiger King?
Q: How do you describe your comedy?
A: Sharp, smart and feminist. Like if a pantsuit came to life.
Q: Who are your comedy heroes?
A: Nora Ephron, Curious George and Tina Fey.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice another comedian has given you?
A: Matteo Lane told me to learn Italian.
Q: What do you hope to get out of this show?
A: To connect with a wider audience who is also looking for non-criminal ways to subvert their anger about (shakes fist at sky to indicate “everything”). And honestly, to help people laugh during their existential crises.
Q: In today’s current political climate, comedy seems to be divided into factions. How do you feel about this and what do you think the role of a comedian is today?
A: Feel? That’s so kind of you to think I still have feelings. The role of a comedian is to amass a social following that rivals the Catholic church — to become their only source of news, entertainment and sex tips. They should encourage followers to abandon morality, science, and common sense in order to focus on daily cold plunges in a pursuit of immortality. But really? I’ll defer to what Marc Maron said on Howie Mandel’s podcast: “What is this, the f—–g ’80s again?”
Nathan Hare
Hometown: Kelowna
Question: How long have you been a comedian for?
Answer: Around nine years.
Q: How do you describe your comedy?
A: I lean more toward the absurd side of things. I get called weird a lot.
Q: Who are your comedy heroes?
A: Kyle Mooney, Kate Berlant, Chris Locke, and Bugs Bunny have all inspired me a ton.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice another comedian has given you?
A: Danika Thibault told me I should give up my stage name “Shadow” and go by my real name Nathan Hare. I didn’t want to do it, but it was the right choice ultimately.
Q: What do you hope to get out of this show?
A: I hope people enjoy my set and then go check out all the other wonderful content on CBC Gem.
Q: In today’s current political climate, comedy seems to be divided into factions. How do you feel about this and what do you think the role of a comedian is today?
A: It’s definitely a weird landscape, but I think the role of a comedian is to do whatever you want to do and be funny.
Alain Williams
Hometown: Victoria
Question: How long have you been a comedian for?
Answer: I’ve been a comedian for about 13 years now. I started in Victoria in the summer of 2012.
Q: How do you describe your comedy?
A: My comedy is mostly experiential observation. I scour the things I’ve lived through in life, make it funny, then put it out there.
Q: Who are your comedy heroes?
A: Living legends like Murphy, Chappelle, or Conan O’Brien, set the tone for me, then comedians who were up-and-comers just before I started, like Hannibal Buress or Pete Holmes, kind of gave me permission to try it myself.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice another comedian has given you?
A: I’ve gotten a ton of great advice over the years, but I think comedian Sean Proudlove gave me the best I could’ve heard when I first started. “Do the work.” That meant always keep writing. Try your material, assess it, and iterate to make it better. Comedy is fun and it can often feel like hanging out, but never forget the work.
Q: What do you hope to get out of this show?
A: I know it’s important to get my mug (more importantly, the jokes) out there for people to see, but I think my goal after the New Wave show is the same: Seize opportunities, work to make my best effort even better, create more opportunities, repeat.
Q: In today’s current political climate, comedy seems to be divided into factions. How do you feel about this and what do you think the role of a comedian is today?
A: The times may change, but the comedian’s goal is always the same: Make as many people laugh as possible. I think if you’re really good, you shouldn’t have to exploit division to gain influence. The best comedians can make you laugh no matter who you are.
Randee Neumeyer
Hometown: Vancouver
Question: How long have you been a comedian for?
Answer: I’ve been a comedian for 10 years, but I don’t count the first three years because I was drunk.
Q: Answer: How do you describe your comedy?
A: I would say silly, kinda dirty, dark at times, and always surprising. I feel like my brain works in a strange way that when I’m voicing my thoughts and people are like, what the helly? Standup is the only time being weird is a plus.
Q: Who are your comedy heroes?
A: My number-one comedy hero is Adam Sandler. I saw him live a few years ago and it was amazing. He has this way of being able to take you on a journey that’s so silly and you have no idea where it’s going, but you love where it ends up. I used to listen to his albums a lot when I was a teenager. I’d call my friends and make them listen to them over the phone. Also, Chelsea Peretti. She has this special called One of the Greats that I’ve watched a lot. I like her because she’s not trying to be nice, just genuinely herself, and she has major confidence. She once made Pete Holmes’ status “my d–k hurts” without him knowing and I carry on that tradition on my friend’s Instagram story every time he leaves his phone unlocked.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice another comedian has given you?
A: I wish I could answer this, but my phone melted my brain, and I have no memories. Random advice I like: Have fun. Try at least one new thing each set. If you wanna go dirty, start with some clean jokes first to get them on your side. “Don’t get bitter, get better.”
Q: What do you hope to get out of this show?
A: I’m hoping that my mom stops asking me when I’ll get a real job.
Q: In today’s current political climate, comedy seems to be divided into factions. How do you feel about this and what do you think the role of a comedian is today?
A: I honestly think it’s just a bunch of complaining. If your jokes work, then you’re funny. People who talk about not having “free speech” usually aren’t funny. It’s the ultimate cop-out. The role of a comedian is to make people laugh and get them thinking about something in a way they’ve never thought about it before. And it doesn’t have to be serious — it could be as dumb as breakfast cereal.
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