Tag Archives: comedy

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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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My First Joke: Trailer

My First Joke Image
My First Joke Image

Every great laugh starts with one brave joke. Join me on My First Joke, where comedians share the hilarious, awkward, and inspiring stories behind their first time on stage. From bombing to bringing the house down, we dig into the journeys of today’s funniest people.

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Whether you’re a comedy superfan or just need a good laugh, this podcast delivers punchlines, backstage stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Tune in and find out where the funny begins!

Episodes coming soon! Subscribe today!

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Patrick Hakeem

Patrick Hakeem
Patrick Hakeem

In the latest episode of “Welcome with Karim Kanji,” we shine the spotlight on Patrick Hakeem, a comedian whose roots span the globe, enriching his comedic lens with layers of multicultural experience. Born in Montreal, Patrick’s half-Syrian, half-Ecuadorian heritage, combined with growing up in an all-Italian neighborhood, imbues his comedy with a rich tapestry of cultural influences.

The conversation ventured into Patrick’s recent stand-up special and album recording, shedding light on the intricacies and challenges encountered amidst a pandemic-laden world. Amidst the laughs, Patrick revealed insights into the Sirius XM realm, offering a glimpse into the lesser-known territory of radio royalties for comedians.

With a shared disinterest in political satire, Patrick and I navigate the terrain of comedy with a focus on personal connection. Their exchange underscored the vital role of relatability in crafting humor, delving into Patrick’s journey from reluctance to embrace stand-up amidst distractions.

Anecdotes flowed as Patrick and I recounted encounters with audience dynamics, from the absurdity of a self-proclaimed minority to the disruptive presence of hecklers. Patrick also lamented the dwindling platform for Canadian comedians, reflecting on Much Music’s transition and the saturation of comedy specials in the streaming era.

Throughout the episode, a deeper narrative emerged, painting a portrait of resilience amidst a changing comedic landscape. Patrick Hakeem’s journey serves as a testament to the power of cultural fusion in comedy, bridging divides with laughter and shared experiences.

Tune in to “Welcome with Karim Kanji” for a captivating exploration of comedy, culture, and the ever-evolving world of entertainment.

Check Patrick Hakeem out on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/patrickhakeembro/

This is Episode #292 of the Welcome! podcast.

podcast

Kris Siddiqi

Welcome to the podcast, Kris Siddiqi!

We talked about the Canadian comedy scene, Siddiqi’s experiences in television, and his personal life. We also discussed the death of the Just for Laughs Festival and the need for more exposure for local comedians across Canada.

We also talked about Siddiqi’s roles in Law & Order and the presence of Canadian actors in the show. Kris and I also discussed his experiences hosting galas at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the challenges of raising children in the entertainment industry.

The conversation also touched on the shifting terrain of comedy, with Kris and I raising questions about the impact of the democratization of comedy content and the absence of traditional gatekeepers. We explored the challenges of navigating the vast quantity of comedy specials on platforms like Netflix and the need for comedians to carve out their unique voices in this new comedic landscape.

The meeting ended with Kris sharing details about his recent projects in television, such as the Netflix show, I Woke Up A Vampire, and Apple TV’s The Changeling.

Visit Kris on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesiddiqs/?hl=en

This is Episode #290 of the Welcome! podcast.

podcast

Ali Hassan: Is There Bacon in Heaven? A Memoir

karim kanji with ali hassan
karim kanji with ali hassan

Ali Hassan is a stand-up comedian, actor, and professional chef. He is the host of CBC’s Canada Reads as well as Laugh Out Loud. He is also a frequent guest host of q, CBC’s premier national arts and entertainment show. His comedy has been performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and Toronto’s JFL42. He is a Canadian Comedy Awards nominee, and his solo show, Muslim, Interrupted, was performed at the world’s largest comedy festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has appeared in three award-winning films, Breakaway, French Immersion, and as the memorable Lebanese Uncle Stevie in the hockey hit Goon, in addition to other film and TV roles, most recently CBC’s Run the Burbs. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his family. Follow him on Twitter @StandUpAli and find him at StandUpAli.com.

This is Episode #273 of the Welcome! podcast.

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