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My First Joke with Mark DeBonis

My First Joke Image
My First Joke Image

Welcome to Episode #9 of My First Joke.

Mark DeBonis is a Canadian comedian known for his stand-up performances and contributions to the comedy scene. He has achieved significant recognition in his career, including winning The Great Canadian Laugh Off and a Canadian Comedy Award.

DeBonis has performed at major events like Just For Laughs and appeared on platforms such as CBC and the Comedy Network.

In addition to live performances, Mark DeBonis released a comedy album titled Minutiae in 2020, further cementing his reputation as a talented writer and performer.

DeBonis can be followed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markdebonis

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My First Joke with Sandra Battaglini

Welcome to episode #8 of My First Joke.

Sandra Battaglini is a Toronto-based stand-up comic who has been performing since around 2001. She began her comedy journey after taking improv classes at Second City, where she and some classmates decided to try stand-up. Her first performance was at the Laugh Resort club in Toronto, followed by a more successful set at Yuk Yuks.

Battaglini’s comedy style evolved from storytelling to incorporating more structured jokes, often drawing from personal experiences and family stories, particularly about her father. She also studied clown in 2002-2003, which influenced her performance style.

She has expressed views on the challenges Canadian comedians face in the industry, particularly regarding access to the American market, and has been involved in lobbying for comedy for about ten years.

Battaglini can be followed on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sandrabattaglini

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My First Joke with Garrett Jamieson

Garrett Jamieson
Garrett Jamieson

Welcome to episode #7 of My First Joke.

Garrett Jamieson is a Canadian comedian, writer, and actor known for his dark, absurdist style and storytelling.

Jamieson’s comedy has been featured on SiriusXM, CBC Comedy, MTV Canada, and Comedy Network. He has toured across Canada and has performed at clubs and theaters, including NXNE and JFL 42.

You can follow Garrett on Instagram ⁠@GJPartyHugs⁠. Garrett’s website is ⁠https://www.garrettjamieson.com/⁠.

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My First Joke with Ali Hassan

karim kanji with ali hassan
karim kanji with ali hassan

Welcome to episode #6 of My First Joke.

Ali Hassan is a multi-talented Canadian entertainer who has made significant contributions to comedy, radio, television, and literature.

Hassan began his stand-up journey in Montreal, eventually moving to Toronto in 2011 to further his career. He has performed at prestigious comedy festivals, including Just For Laughs in Montreal and Toronto, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His solo show “Muslim Interrupted” has toured extensively across Canada and internationally.


Hassan is best known as the host of CBC Radio’s popular stand-up comedy show “Laugh Out Loud,” which reaches over a million listeners on CBC Radio. He has also been the host of CBC’s “Canada Reads” and frequently guest-hosts other CBC Radio programs such as “Q” and “The Next Chapter”. Hassan’s acting career spans both television and film. In 2024, Hassan received two Canadian Screen Award nominations for his performances in “Sort Of” and “Run the Burbs”⁠.

His comedic memoir, “Is There Bacon in Heaven?”, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2022.

Hassan remains an active presence in Canadian media, balancing his roles as a comedian, actor, author, and broadcaster.

Check out his website! https://standupali.com/

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My First Joke with Adrienne Fish

Adrienne Fish
Adrienne Fish

Welcome to episode #5 of My First Joke.

Adrienne Fish is a prominent Canadian stand-up comedian based in Toronto, Ontario. Known for her energetic and engaging performances, she has made significant contributions to the comedy scene in Canada. Adrienne has recorded four nationally aired TV tapings and appeared on shows like “Roast Battle Canada” (Season 2) and “The Beaverton Digital”. She is also a regular on SiriusXM comedy channels.

Adrienne has received several accolades, including being named COCA Comedian of the Year in 2019, recognizing her as the top comedian for Canadian colleges and universities. Additionally, she was nominated by NOW Magazine as Toronto’s Best Female Stand-up in 2015. Beyond her live performances, Adrienne frequently participates in major comedy festivals such as the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the Toronto Comedy Festival.

Check out her website! https://www.adriennefish.com/

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My First Joke with Carlos Yance

Carlos Yance
Carlos Yance

Welcome to episode #4 of My First Joke.

Carlos Yance is my next guest on My First Joke. Carlos is a comedian based in Scarborough. He can be found at comedy clubs and shows across the city. He is very funny and is always repping Scarborough.

Visit Carlos Yance on Instagram to keep up to date on where he’s performing next!

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My First Joke with Dave Merheje

Dave Merheje with Karim Kanji

Welcome to episode #3 of My First Joke.

Today’s guest is one of my favourite comedians and a Toronto comedy legend, Dave Merheje!

Dave Merheje is a talented Canadian stand-up comedian and actor, celebrated for his engaging and relatable comedic style. Born on July 21, 1980, in Windsor, Ontario, to a Lebanese family, he has carved out a niche in the comedy scene with his unique blend of storytelling and observational humor.

Merheje gained recognition for his roles in the popular Canadian sitcom Mr. D and the Hulu series Ramy, where he portrays Ahmed. His 2019 comedy album, Good Friend Bad Grammar, won the Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in Canadian comedy.

In 2023, Merheje co-starred alongside Daisy Ridley in the film Sometimes I Think About Dying, directed by Rachel Lambert.

With a growing body of work and a loyal fan base, Dave Merheje continues to make waves in both stand-up comedy and acting, showcasing his versatility and comedic talent.

Visit Dave Merheje on Instagram to keep up to date on where he’s performing next!

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My First Joke with Michi

Welcome to My First Joke.

Today’s guest is Michi.

Michi, also known as Seriously Michi, is a Toronto-based Latina comedian and producer. With infectious charisma and hilarious jokes, Michi has become a rising star in Toronto comedy. Michi has performed in English and Spanish in Ontario’s top comedy clubs.

You can find her in Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/seriouslymichi/

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My First Joke with Kris Siddiqi

Kris Siddiqi
Kris Siddiqi

Welcome to the first episode of my new podcast, My First Joke.

Today’s guest is my friend and one of the funniest people in Toronto, Kris Siddiqi.

Kris is a multi-talented Canadian entertainer based in Toronto. He is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer.

His recent credits include roles in “I Woke Up a Vampire,” “Titan,” “Molly’s Game,” “The Boys,” “Improbable Valentine,” and “Baroness Von Sketch Show”.

He created the multi-award-winning miniseries, BIT PLAYAS⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg826l_mkDHoYsn-3ezKiNQ⁠ , which won two Canadian Screen Awards for Best Writing and Best Series.

Kris is involved in the podcast “Dwarven Moss” as the sound editor, sound designer, and main character. This podcast won Best Leisure Podcast at the Canadian Podcast Awards.

Podcast – ⁠https://thesonarnetwork.com/dwarven-moss/episodes/

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