Tochi's Hut

A few hours late, but better late than never....

Yuks Yuks is an international stand-up comedy chain with clubs in most major Canadian cities. Of all the comedy venues in Toronto, Yuks Yuks is probably the most well-known one, with Second City a close..second (they picked the wrong name). Attended their 7:30pm show on Saturday night (April 28th), featuring Glen Foster, or better known as That Canadian Guy.

I must be getting too old... I can hardly remember any of the jokes. The first act was performed by this guy named Mike with a Maple Leafs hat. He sucked. Didn't like much of his stuff. The second act was by this Latin American woman. She was pretty awesome - a lot of jokes on "Canadian-ness" and Canadian ways. "When I walk around Toronto and say I'm from Latin America, everyone takes it naturally. When I go back to my motherland and say I'm a Canadian, people ask, WTF is a Canadian? What can I tell them? We like beavers tails?" She went off and discussed many other minorities related jokes. Third act was the return of our host, and Professor Mike (1st act guy). Professor Mike would teach our host how to respond to heckles. The audience would yell out a heckle to the host, the host consults Professor Mike on how to respond. The audience is asked to repeat the heckle then the host will reply in kind. Got the typical heckles like "You suck", "Get out", etc. The best one was some guy yelling, "I hate your sweater!!!". The host turned to the professor, discussed a little to come up with a response. The host then asked the guy to repeat his heckle. "I LOVE your sweater!!!". The host just stood dumbfounded for a second, then took off his sweater and tossed it to the guy. Later on in the show, the host came back onto the stage wearing a rain jacket over his sweater. "It's getting too cold!". lol.

The main feature of the show was, of course, That Canadian Guy. He apparently did some Comedy Network Special. I think I've heard of him, but cannot recall. He wore this shirt with dozens and dozens of red maple leaves. I want one. His finale act covered many topics that are dear to every Canadian, such as political correctness, environment, frenchies in Quebec, etc. "I never understand why people still say 'Cowboys and Indians' today.. that's so politically incorrect. We should be saying 'Cowpeople and Indians', there are Cowgirls too, you know." "I don't understand why people complain about Canada's inaction with global warming... What exactly is wrong with Canada getting warmer by a few degrees?!?" "Nature is always in balance... Warmer climate means fewer animals survive... but the endangered species list will also get smaller as they go extinct.... fewer animals, fewer endangered species, always in perfect balance." Amsterdam was also the subject of many jokes. Comedians must love their weed and prostitutes. Must visit there one day.

Overall, the show was so-so. Good laughter, good fun, but could have been better. I'd say 70% of the material was gold. 30% was coal. But laughter is the best medicine and the evening very enjoyable.