CN : When you evaluate talent, what do you look for?
EB : Large unmarked bills in a plain brown envelope . That and a spark that only another
comedian can spot..someone who gets it. If you ask... gets what?? you don't got it!!
CN : People in the Montreal comedy scene who have worked closely with you claim you
helped shape their careers. They say you take a great interest in the talent you use
both on stage and off. If you had to name just one comedian that you have helped
shape, who would you say made you the proudest?
EB : Jeff Rothpan ..he doesn't make me the proudest..anyone who has come out of the
Montreal Comedy scene and has done well and there are many, has my total respect
because they make such a difficult thing look so easy.
I started a list and after about ten names and I key erased it because I knew I would
leave someone out and that would not be what Montreal Comedy is about. Back to
Jeff..he doesn't make me the proudest but I am very proud of him because he was
the first. He got Carson baby!! The Tonight Show! The Big Enchilada!! We were all
there watching it on the big screen and there were tears in eyes of his friends,
fellow Montreal comics, as he got his first applause break..what a feeling!!
CN : When speaking only of Montreal comedians, who stands out in your mind when
looking back over the past 10 years and why?
EB : Heidi Foss .....intelligent..funny..a class act, David John McCarthey ...a one time
partner and friend to the new comic..multi talented. Neil Janna ..crazy nice!! David
Acer ..a pro on so many levels, Martha Chavez ..work ethics to be proud of and an
act to boot!! Joey Elias ..a sitcom in the flesh..a gentle giant of talent, Scott
Faulconbridge ..a man of many talents..serious about quality work..I like that in a
comedian.
John Rogers..to a man and woman in this town we miss him.. he had it from the
start. Barry Julien ...so many artistic talents he boggles my mind. David Pryde ..his
best is yet to come.. Sylvain Larocque..took chances on the English side of comedy
and it worked. Jim Sarino ..a special place in my heart..he was the only one who had
experience when we started. Phil Shuchat ..in two years after walking into my office
he will walk on stage at the festival..nice ..good writing!! Ryan Wilner ..good
act..good actor! Terry Simpson and the Free Fall Iguanas..where do I start.... I
know I may have missed more than one person but hell I am not writing a book..not
yet anyway!!
CN : When speaking only of Montreal comedians, who stands out in your mind when
looking back over the past 5 years and why?
EB : Most of the above..I didn't know this was a two part question.
CN : The Comedy Nest has re-started an open mike night within the past year. Out of those
newcomers, is there any that stand out in your mind, and why?
EB : Paul Ash and Gordy Mills really have taken care of open mike since we started that
night. I have a report from Paul that I will not use here because this is not the place
..I will say, however that we are enthusiastic about the talent that we will have coming
into the mainstream of the Montreal scene.
CN : In the comedy industry in general there is always a lot of talk about "Hack"
and"Stolen material". What are your thoughts on the two?
EB : I do both!!
CN : How much censorship to you place on shows held at your club?
EB : I know the line...we all know the line and it is my responsibility to let one know when
it has been crossed. It is a subjective line that most comics do not ever cross because
it is just too easy and not very creative.
CN : The Comedy Nest has an "In House" improv troupe (Without Annette) who play
every Friday late night. Is there still a large market for that?
EB : There is a loyal market for it.. there is prime time on American National Television..It
adds a certain depth to the comedy menu.