Laugh-Off promising giggles

Last big event at south-end Yuk Yuk's before club moves downtown

Posted By Ian McInroy

Updated 7 months ago

Mark Wanzel The Barrie ExaminerJeff Faulkner, an account executive at The Barrie Examiner, is one of several people testing their comedic skills at Yuk Yuk s Great Canadian Laugh-Off on Thursday. The event is one of the last big events for the south-end club, which is making the move to downtown.

What's so funny?

Five (or maybe six) comic wannabes are going to find out Thursday night during the Barrie Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh-Off.

It's one of 16 local Laugh-Offs taking place across Canada at club locations that stretch from Vancouver to St. John's, Nfld. Other Yuk Yuk's across the country will be holding their competitions over the next couple of weeks in preparation for the semifinals to be held in Toronto March 26 and 27.

The last show at the south-end Bryne Drive club will be Feb. 13.

Then it relocates to The Mansion nightclub in downtown Barrie, with shows beginning March 25.

Contestants in the Laugh-Offs come from a variety of backgrounds, says Yuk Yuk's Barrie owner Susan Janicki.

"I guess after years of people telling them they're funny, they decide to take a shot at it," she said.

"This year they are from 16 years old (the minimum age allowed to take part), to their late 40s or early 50s. They cross the whole gamut," she said.

"For the most part they are all amateurs, although some of them are more experienced than others. But being experienced doesn't ensure they'll win."

Just ask Mark Casey (who may become the sixth entry).

"He beat out a professional," Janicki says.

Casey, a Barrie police officer, has been the local Yuk Yuk's Laugh-Off winner the past three years, after taking to the stage for the first time 10 years ago in the clubs' Search for Canada's Funniest New Comics, the precursor to the Great Canadian Laugh-Off.

"It started as a dare," he said, adding he'd never been on a stage before. "The third time I was on a stage was in Toronto for a television show."

Casey said his topics are never the same and aren't police related.

"Ninety per cent is ad-libbed. I pick a few people who look like a good target and have a little fun," he said, adding he's still trying to figure out whether duty will be calling during Thursday night's show.

"I'll try to be there. I'll see what I can do. Maybe I'll take my lunch there and then go back to work," he said.

Jeff Faulkner won't be going back to work after his gig as one of the five comedians in waiting, although he might be going to the bar to drink heavily afterwards.

This will be the second time The Barrie Examiner account executive has tried to tickle funny bones in public. The first crowd was very small, "only 11-teen people or so", and in a Mexican restaurant in Peterborough.

"I'm doing it to see if I'm funny or not," he said. "I think I'm funny, we'll find out Thursday night."

Faulkner's parents and his fiance will be in the audience, along with her parents, but he doesn't plan to tone anything down.

"They'll be hearing a few words they haven't heard from me before," he said.

The Laugh-Off finals will be held on March 28 in the Toronto club, where the last eight finalists will face off in the Yuk Yuk's Laugh-Off TV Special, to be aired on the Comedy Network later in the year.

Also on stage Thursday night in Barrie (as well as Friday and Saturday) will be comedian Chuck Bryn.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the show getting underway at 8:30 p.m. Call 735-6161 for ticket details.

imcinroy@thebarrieexaminer.com

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