Best of Homegrown 2008

Deb DiGiovanni

Debra DiGiovanni's last name may be hard to say, but once you've seen her you will never forget her. Her charm and unflinching honesty caused Toronto's NOW magazine to rave that she was "the best act to see after a messy break-up". She began her career by winning 2002 Tim Sims Encouragement Fund. Deb was so encouraged, she went on to win the 2003 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Newcomer. " By 2007, she had captured yet another Canadian Comedy Award for Best Female Stand up. When not winning awards, Deb has toured with Russell Peters, co-hosted the 2008 Genie awards with Sandra Oh and was a finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing. Say it with us, DiGiovanni...

Pat Thornton

Pat Thornton doesn't like to think of himself as fat, but as "the fat guy that's scared of girls". Too bad, we think the girls are going to fall in love with him because he is one of the hottest up and coming comedic talents in Canada. Pat is a founding member of the newest critically acclaimed weekly showcase for cutting edge comedy Sunday Night Live, starring The Sketchersons. Not only is he the founder but also a producer, head writer and performer. He is also an extremely talented stand-up, receiving a 2005 nomination for the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund and has written, performed, directed and produced four plays, two independent features and multiple short films including the independent feature, Hair of the Dog and the multi-award winning short film, When Urine Love, which aired on The Comedy Network. Look out ladies, Pat Thorton is in town!

Tyler Hawkins

Tyler Hawkins has been performing stand up comedy for 12 years, and since his beginnings in the early 90’s he has toured all over Canada, and parts of the U.S. In 2001 Tyler was the winner of the first Funny Fest Contest in Calgary. In 2004 Tyler traveled to Seattle and then to Los Angeles, where he was seen at the Improv in the All Canadian Showcase featuring Norm Macdonald from S.N.L. fame. He as well performed on the Sunset Strip at the Comedy Store. In his 12 years of experience Tyler has opened for some well-known comedians such as Russell Peters, Jamie Kennedy, Dustin Diamond, and Mike Macdonald. In addition Tyler has showcased for the Just for Laughs Festival 10 times. From 1999 to 2000 had own improv show The Orderlies at Yuk Yuks, with host Graham Neil from CFRN TV. He can as well be heard on XM Radio.

Phil Hanley

Phil Hanley lives with his parents. It's embarrassing for him so we felt we should mention it right away. Not to worry, it hasn't stopped him from being a terrific comic. Phil was the winner of the Vancouver segment of Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off. His parents were so proud. (Not because of winning but because he had the car home before midnight) Phil has appeared in numerous national advertising campaigns including Nissan, Pontiac, Fred Perry and Levi’s. He’s a credited screenwriter and script doctor. (Don’t tell his parents, they think he’s a real doctor) Phil had the honor of working one on one with the great Don Knotts on Mr. Knotts’ last film project. The summer of 2008 will see the airing of Phil’s comedy special on CTV and the Comedy Network. When the check clears he’ll be getting his own place.

Chris Gordon

Chris Gordon is new to comedy but he’s been funny his entire life. Not funny strange but funny funny….okay maybe both. His sense of humor has been described as ‘slightly off to the left of center’. It seems to work for Chris. In his first year of comedy he was selected as the #1 pick in the country on CBC’s “So You Think Your Funny”. Chris actually knew he was funny but decided to enter the competition anyway. Chris is steadily building his career. He was recently featured in the Toronto auditions of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and is the ’Rocket Man’ in the Coors Light Commercials. He is hoping ‘Rocket Man’ works as a metaphor for his career path. Chris asked us tell you that he likes to wear pajamas. We’re not sure why.

Dan Bingham

Montrealer Dan Bingham was putting his communications degree to good use working as a bus boy at a Just for Laughs Festival VIP party when he spilled a tray of leftover beers all over himself. Finally realizing his calling, he swore that he would be back the following year as a comic. He took the stage for the first time two weeks later. That was August 2005. Last year he made his debut at the Bubbling With Laughter show during the Just for Laughs Festival, rightfully earning his pass to the VIP party. His performance must have left an impression because he has been selected to return this summer, representing Montreal in the Homegrown Competition, going joke-to-joke with Canada’s most hilarious up and coming talent. His comedy style is best described as sophisticated absurdity, and his ability to spin the ordinary into the ridiculous has crowds splitting their sides in every room he performs in.

Perry Perlmutar

Perry Perlmutar. Come on, say it ten times really quickly. We dare ya. Truth is, you really only have to see Perry once to remember him. His unique perspective and hilarious stories make Perry’s stand-up material memorable and original. His stand-up material covers a whole range of topics – from his experience as a Jewish man married to a Muslim woman to his former day job working as an English Second Language teacher. He made his debut appearance at the Halifax Comedy Festival last year and most recently was asked to open for Jeremy Hotz on his Just For Laughs Canadian Tour. You may also recognize him from his numerous appearances on Muchmusic's hit series Video on Trial.

Carrie Gaetz

Darcy Michael

He's here, he's queer and boy is he funny. Darcy Micheal is not just any gay comic. He's a gay comic trapped in a trucker's body and audiences absolutely love him for it. He uses his edgy but personable charm to talk about everything from same sex marriage to his life as an accidental parent. We'll let Darcy explain that one. Darcy's unique style has made him a club favorite all over North America and he has worked with the likes of Scott Thompson, Janeanne Garafolo, Gavin Crawford and Matthew Perry. Darcy’s credits include appearances at the CanWest Comedy Festival, We’re Funny That Way Festival and XM Satellite Radio.

Jonathan Harris