In a culture ruled by an obsession with reality-everything, where bad remakes of old movies and television shows are the hottest blockbusters, finding anything worthy of our genuine interest and approval can seem like a challenge indeed.
For those of you tired of consuming recycled trash, fret not-the diamond in the rough you seek can be found in our very own backyard. The next time you debate taking your chances on the latest semi-appealing Hollywood junk, consider cooling out on the box-office bullshit for a while and check out a promising live act that’s right around the corner from campus instead.
The word on the street is that sketch comedy is making a huge comeback, and no one does it better than Toronto’s 12-member comedy crew The Sketchersons. Hailed as “the hardest working troupe in Toronto” by NOW Magazine, this group is a must-see bouncy ball of collective hilarity.
The Sketchersons have been doing their thing weekly at the Poor Alex Theatre for over a year now, and are ready to make a name for themselves in the Canadian comedy scene. Anyone even remotely involved in the local comedy scene will have heard of them-they’ve performed at the Fringe festival over the past two years, and this year showcased at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Fest.
Conceived by cast members Gary Rideout Jr., Tal Zimmerman, and Pat Thornton (also founders of the sketch troupe Todd’s Lunch) after they met in Humber College’s comedy program, The Sketchersons (also featuring nine other members) have cultivated quite the following of devoted comedy addicts during their Sunday Night Live weekly stint at the Poor Alex.
Modeled after the hit TV show Saturday Night Live, the show offers new material each week and features a live band (The Magic Stuff) and a different guest host every time (past hosts include everyone from Kids in the Hall funnyman Scott Thompson, acerbic fan favourite Elvira Kurt and the ubiquitous Sean Cullen to Toronto Sun journalist Mike Strobel).
The Sketchersons pack the house week after week with their manically animated energy, delivering a lineup of skits ranging from the ridiculous-but-true to off-the-wall absurd. It’s a night where anything can happen-and everything does happen. It’s a performance in constant peril, skirting the possibility of disaster at any moment (even the cast can’t help laughing at themselves when a skit goes off the rails). Did I mention that these guys are nominated for best sketch troupe at this week’s Canadian Comedy Awards?
The highlight of the October 2nd show had Al Pacino being accosted by a horny hot pepper named ‘Jalapeno’ (played by the hilarious Nikki Payne, a nominee for the best female standup at the comedy awards) on The Tonight Show with host Jay Leno (Inessa Frantowksi).
Like porn for your funny bone, sketch comedy is seriously addictive. Once you are touched by its seductive and enlivening appeal, you can’t help but go back for more. Sunday Night Live is roughly an hour and a half long, the cover is only $5 (cheaper than a movie!), so get yourself a drink and be ready to excrete some serious eye juice.
The Sketchersons make ’em laugh Sundays at the Poor Alex Theatre (296 Brunswick Ave.). Tickets ($5) are available at the door starting at 8 pm.
