10 Canadians Who Killed in Comedy in 2021

Published by Marty Younge at December 26, 2021

After a brutal 2020, this year continued to be a tough year for comedy worldwide, and Canada was no exception. It was a stop and start year in Canadian Comedy. It was bleak and began with a 6-month lockdown. Shaky stage time was the rule, followed by outdoor shows in the summer and fall until it was too cold. As the end of 2021 looms we are facing the uncertain fate of our venues again. Lockdowns are not off the table.

This list is to commemorate the moments that stood out above the bleakness. The moments that brought laughter, contemplation and inspiration. It is a list of 15 people in Canada who helped break through the gloom this year, and perform great comedy, with a special emphasis on albums. The re-emergence of new recorded comedy was a welcome dispatch from an art form we all missed.

To release a comedy album is always a labor of love. To do it in 2021 even more so. It required conquering crippling sadness and doubt. However one choose to go about it, they faced challenges that reflected the secondary viruses the art form is plagued with. Having consistent enough stage time to polish the material as a body of work was a big question. And for those who recorded albums prior to the pandemic, could you trust that the material was still relevant? Could you afford to wait longer to release

The 5 albums on this list– all hilarious in their own right– are vivid souvenirs in the careers of some exciting talent from the funniest country in the world.

In this most difficult year, many struggled, and with good reason. But in many cracks and corners, Canada’s comedy spirit thrived. This list recognizes Canadian comedians who rose to the challenge of understanding their job. When there is little to laugh about, that is when people need it the most. A dark club, a cold drink and killer headliner is a simple joy we all mourn right now. These comics pushed through their versions of grief to make others feel lighter. As we enter the darkest time of the year and the pandemic, we wanted to let everyone on this list know: your talents and efforts are seen.

ALBUM: Keith Pedro. Trillipino (Comedy Records)

It’s absolutely wild that Keith Pedro released two albums in two years. The follow up to 2020’s monster collection of Covid bangers “The Vaccine”, 2021’s “Trillipino” is a love letter and send up of Keith’s heritage and home life that also encompasses the cultural moment it was created in. The album is delivered with a ferocious reflective pace that is a signature of Pedro’s and one of the reasons he was chosen as such a strong opener for the Canadian television incarnation of Roast Battles that also aired this year. It’s the type of album that jumps out from your car stereo and made you long for a dimly lit club show that at too many times this year felt like a distant memory of uncertain pleasure. Follow Keith on IG

Steph Tolev Returns to Her Sketch Roots

After making the move to L.A several years ago Tolev has made short work of reminding the world it’s all a bit off up here in the North. The pandemic brought out a skill set fans of Tolev were eagar to see– a return to sketch comedy. Her TikTok is an hilarious range of characters that have no time for being delicate or humble. Yet she is a stand up through and through appearing on Bill Burr’s The ringers and becoming a paid regular at The comedy store. Follow Steph on TikTok.

ALBUM: Tamara Shevon: Purse wine

Tamara Shevon is one of the most dynamic talents to come out of the world class Toronto comedy scene in a decade. A vivid undeniable performer who can read a room between the lines and in all other directions too. Purse Wine is a time stamped collection of material paying tribute to her former self, her vices and the places it took them. This album should not be streamed a track at a time. You’ll want to hear it in its entirety. it is a performance that has been polished to a point where Shevon is both in total control but entirely in the moment. She is a generous performer who also is not shook or concerned about anything. She knows what she brings to the table….and it’s Purse Wine. Follow Tamara on Instagram

Cowbell Comedy

Braydon Lynch finally got his illegal park show right this summer with creation of Cowbell comedy. Held at Toronto Music Gardens it boasted large crowds and hot lineups all summer. Despite shutdown and by-law tickets Brayden remained resilient and like it or hate it greatly improved the over all quality of Comedy in Toronto this summer. Follow Cowbell Comedy on Instagram

ALBUM: Matt Wright: Here Live, Not a Cat

Matt Wright is comedian who is the next generation in the comedic legacy of Canada’s east coast. The flavour that originates there is a satirical silly salt that washes into humour the world over. ( Trailer Park boys, This hour has 22 minutes) A proud Newfoundlander, Wright has been tasked with this legacy his entire career. Yet on his most recent album Here Live, Not a Cat it is clear he is at a moment where he is truly comfortable shouldering it. The album is an impressive contemporary solid hour of material that calls out all fascists of pandemic living and lack there of for having the audacity to ruin the time. Covid jokes are a harder sell than regular jokes as they require people to laugh about pain they are not entirely over. Wright is never wrong on this album that like the pandemic is squeaky clean but never safe. Here Live, Not a Cat is a beautiful unassuming collection of humour presented by a burgeoning showman from NFLD. Follow Matt on Instagram

This is the Thing: Fibe TV

Just like Staten Island is not New York City, Hamilton is not Toronto and don’t get it twisted. The gritty pretty city produces comedians that are moulded in front of working class audiences and forged in bar shows that can have equal parts doctors (it has some of the best hospitals in the country) and dirtbags. Comedians Mike Mitchell co-created This is the Thing alongside Tyler Shazma comic and director who’s previous work combines the rambunctious energy of a Ramones record with detailed proficiency in digital editing. They have whiz kid wonder woman Ashley Sloggert serving as producer. The show was picked up by Fibe TV, the digital studio from Bell media that was responsible for projects such as Russell Peters Comedy Now special as well as the first national distribution of The Tom Green show. The series follows Mike Mitchell and Tim J Ford as they work at the mall by day and the comedy rooms by night. It’s whip smart and weaves in a generous amount of cameos highlights including Comedy Records President Barry Taylor appearing as himself, Hamilton comic Kev Sheeler’s bizarre youth pastor character, and the legendary Ed the Sock lends his talents to the cast. Musician B.A Johnston is on board as well. His own Hamilton centric project for Fibe entitled HamJam is a sampler of what you sign up for when you come to Hamilton. This is the thing has already been picked up for a second season despite a delayed shooting scheduled due to covid….Mitchell and Shazma promise more of the same in 2022.