Tragedy Plus Time: Calgary-based Comedian Bobby Warrener

Bobby Warrener is a comedian from Sylvan Lake, Alberta. He has toured across Canada as a headlining act, appeared on multiple televised comedy programs, and released his debut comedy album “Ready to Die Too” with Comedy Records.

Bobby Warrener

How would you describe your comedy style?

Very very very VERY funny. No, but seriously I’ve always just tried to focus on joke writing, and used to do a lot of really short jokes, but have been leaning towards trying to be more personal onstage and be more myself and in the moment/improvisational. So I guess it’s a mix of joke writing and off-the-cuff.

Who are some of your influences?

Todd Barry, Dave Attell, Hannibal Buress, Danny Mcbride, Sophie Buddle, Marito Lopez, Jarrett Campbell

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Mitch Hedberg, Dave Chappelle, and Zach Galifianakis all made me laugh really hard and blew my mind.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Jamar Neighbors, Robby Hoffman, Malik Elassal, Will Hannigan, Brittany Lyseng, Sean Lecomber, Charlie Demers, Sam Tallent.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I convince myself I’m going to bomb, and then never get booked again and have to move back to my parent’s house. Then I gradually calm myself down by taking into account what I can see, smell, and feel, and tell myself that I trust myself to do a good job. It works for me and only takes 3.5 hours out of my day.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

I really just love doing comedy clubs. I’ve done some theatre shows and stuff, but to me a great comedy club with low ceilings and a packed crowd is unbeatable. Some of my favourites are Hecklers, Calgary & Toronto Yuk Yuk’s, and the MOTN in Vancouver. I love doing comedy in an intimate place where you can really feel comfortable and let loose a bit.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

That one doesn’t really translate to the page (I’ll give you a hint: It includes the JAWS theme music & me fucking a stool), but I have a joke about having OCD that I really like, because it was something that I had wanted to write about forever, but never thought I would be able to get the point across and make it digestible, so it felt really good to be able to do that.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

Live! Comedy albums are cool and underrated too.

Tell us a joke about your city.

I’m currently living a transient life, and am writing this with a piece of straw on the side of a boxcar, but maybe I could give you a joke about boxcars?

Do you have anything to promote right now?

I have a new album out called “Ready to Die Too”, check it out!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Jack Hirschfield, Kyle Patan, Sam Burns, Darcy Boon Collins, Sean McDonnell, Mo Sitta, Randee Neumeyer

 

About Demian Vernieri 639 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.