In this interview, we catch up with comedian John Cullen, known for his observational storytelling and light-hearted humour. From drawing inspiration from his uncle, a seasoned professional comedian, to idolizing the late Mitch Hedberg, Cullen’s comedy journey is deeply rooted in his love for making people laugh.
How would you describe your comedy style?
It’s mostly observational, and mostly told through storytelling. I don’t get political and I don’t challenge anyone’s beliefs, I just want us all to have a good time.
Who are some of your influences?
My biggest influence coming up was my uncle, Chris Quigley. He’s a professional comedian based in Toronto who has been doing it since the 90s and was a big reason why I became such a comedy fan in the first place.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Mitch Hedberg, without question. I can’t write a one-liner to save my life, but for my money, he’s the best to ever do it. I also was just obsessed with any comic I would see on TV. Watching Just for Laughs clips was instrumental to my childhood.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Nate Bargatze is the best working comedian right now, and I’m actually not sure it’s close. I also love Mike Birbiglia and his consistent challenging of the format of “comedy”. Every special he’s done has been better than the last.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I don’t have anything super-specific, but most comics will tell you that one of their favourite things in comedy is being in the green room before the show, just shooting the breeze. I love talking about comedy and catching up with my friends. I also stretch before I go onstage. I don’t do anything crazy physical once I’m out there, but I think it’s the athlete in me that feels like that’s how you “warm up” for something.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
Any time I get to perform on television is pretty special, and I’ve been lucky enough to do that a few times. Doing shows for CBC’s “The Debaters” is also incredible, the audiences that come out to see that show are some of the best in the business. But specifically, it’s probably the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver. I did my first short “special” there opening for Wes Barker and I opened for Nikki Glaser there, and those were two of the most fun nights I’ve ever had in comedy.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I was a high school teacher for 13 years, so I have a few bits about teaching I really love doing, but probably my favourite is one I wrote about supervising high school dances. I’m a 38-year-old man…I shouldn’t be there. Teaching is a deeply weird profession sometimes, and I think a lot of my strongest jokes come from exploring that.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I just love a great TV set. As I said earlier, I grew up on Just for Laughs sets and there’s something that’s still magical about a transcendent 7-minute TV set, whether it’s at a festival, or on a late-night show, or something similar. It’s a long tradition in comedy and I hope it never goes away.
Tell us a joke about your city.
I moved to Calgary just under a year ago, and it really surprised me how slow people drove here. I think when you live elsewhere in Canada, you always think of Albertans driving their big trucks, speeding down the highway and not caring about people. But everyone here drives the speed limit, it’s jarring. I know that it’s because of strict policing of the highways and the photo radar, but it still doesn’t make it any easier when you’re stuck behind someone on the highway going 20 km/h under the speed limit with an “F Trudeau” bumper sticker. That’s a bit of a weird dichotomy for me. You’re saying “Hey, screw the government!” but also, “I don’t wanna get a speeding ticket!” Pick a lane.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I used to be a competitive curler, and I just released a six-episode podcast series for CBC about the sport’s biggest scandal, Broomgate. It’s exactly what it sounds like: we fought about brooms. Lots of people have been liking that, even non-curlers, so check that out. I also have a podcast about being blocked online with my pal Stefan Heck called Blocked Party. It’s a fun time, and Tony Hawk was on it once, so that was cool. And I just released a new podcast about Jeopardy! with Emily Heller called “What Is?…A Jeopardy! Podcast”. For some reason, there wasn’t a comedy podcast about one of the most popular shows on TV, so we made one.
Where can we follow you?
I’m @cullenthecomic on everything and on my website.
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Calgary has lots of great comedians. I love watching Brittany Lyseng the most, she has such a unique voice and I think she’s a powerhouse. I also really love Faris Hytiaa, Todd Ness, Erin Wood, Chris Gordon, Charles Haycock, Austin Lonneberg, and Zac Wiggins. And they’ve both moved but I’d be remiss not to mention Malik Elassal and Bobby Warrener, who both started here and they’re so unique, have very bright futures and are two of my absolute faves to watch.
