Enter Mike Carrozza

Is This Thing On? with Mike Carrozza

Mike Carrozza drinks milk Mike Carrozza. Photo Sarah Cotton.

We’re not so different you and I. You are reading this. I am reading this. I am also writing this. So I am reading this word by word as more words appear. So are you! You can totally concentrate to eliminate the words that follow these ones and read as if this whole thing is being written as you read it. Isn’t that insane? Our minds are so talented.

We’re not so different, though. I am sure. Well, I guess you’re probably reading this in one session. I am reading/writing it in multiple sessions.

I also just inserted that line in (into an otherwise complete article) to give the impression that this is well thought out and well written. (YOU FOOLS!) This article is now an illusion of such good writing that you most likely feel the urge to print out copies and hand them to scholarly friends of yours (and by “hand them to”, I obviously meant “aggressively slap in the faces of”). Have your friends analyze this to no end. They’ll have a gas. Then they’ll fart. (We’re having fun, guys!)

*Long, comforted siiiiiigh.*

Will I change the world of comedy? Who knows! I’m a stand-up comedian with high hopes. I love comedy. I love it so much. I love comedians. Some comedians more than others.

But just because some are not my cup of tea, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t someone else’s favourite tea! Some people like battery-acid-coated-dog-shit tea. That’s for them! I’m not into fantasy programming and don’t enjoy Game of Thrones. Others do. Am I calling Game of Thrones battery-acid-coated-dog-shit tea? No! It’s good tea, like Earl Grey.  People like it, but I don’t. I’m calling bad comedy dog-shit tea.

Holy fuck, I have severely digressed.

I was just supposed to introduce myself. I guess I got a little overambitious. This always happens when I watch Up. (TELL ME YOU DON’T CRY WITHIN THE FIRST 4 MINUTES AND I WILL SHOW YOU A LIAR! YOU! YOUR FACE! YOU’RE THE LIAR! IF YOU SAY YOU DON’T CRY, THAT IS! I’M CRYING THINKING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW! HOW’D IT NOT WIN THE BEST PICTURE OSCAR?! UGH! POLITICS!) 

I’m Mike Carrozza. I’m stand-up comedian. I also indulge in sketch comedy. I am a student of theatre. I am Montreal-born and raised.

So I am a LOCAL comic. I am an alternative comedian. (Oh, man. We’ll get into what that means one day. But until then…) Support the local comedy scene. Go see shows! I can list a bunch of great shows to see in this city. And I’ll plug a really important show of mine at the end of this.

In this column, I will present my musings on comedy and what my life is like. I will talk about who I like in comedy. I will present an internationally known comedian that I like as well as a local comedian I support and enjoy. Hopefully, we can foster a love for comedy in this city even when the Just For Laughs festival isn’t around.

Be well,

Mike “Hugs and Disses” Carrozza

Follow me at @mikecarrozza

This week’s comedians:

FAMOUS

John Mulaney. Former writer for SNL and overall comedic genius. Listen to his album New In Town. Follow him on Twitter @mulaney.

 LOCAL

Vlad Levitt. Vlad and I started comedy at around the same time. We’ve both got very different styles, but I admire his work (and holy crap, his work ethic, too) so so much. Vlad is someone who understands comedy and really pours himself into it. He’s got some interesting stuff on the horizon. Follow him on Twitter @VladLevitt

PLEASE COME TO THE:

YOUNG GUNS of COMEDY 2014

I’m trying to put together a good video of comedy to send in for showcases! So please come and support the scene. All weekend. Featuring the best, young comics on the scene including myself, Emery Fine, Molly Brisebois, Scott Carter, Chris Sandiford, and Geoffrey Applebaum. RESERVE TICKETS NOW! January 2nd – 4th at the Comedy Nest (2313 St. Catherine West, 3rd floor). Thursday – Saturday 8 p.m., second show Saturday 10:30 p.m. Tickets $15/10/6.