Review: The New Wave of Standup, CBC Gem - Part 2
CBC’s The New Wave of Standup showcases a variety of acts in the Canadian comedy scene.
Comedian Salma Hindy. Courtesy of CBC.
Salma Hindy
To Salma Hindy, stand up comedy is a form of activism. She uses it as a tool to confront uncomfortable truths and preconceived notions, as white audiences are bound to have when they see a woman in a hijab approaching the stage to perform stand up comedy. Don’t let Salma’s bubbly charm and cheerful tone deter you from the stereotype squashing content she is dropping in this set.
Favourite Joke: 9/11 Birthday
Paul Rabliauskas
Paul Rabliauskas is the big funny kid that you might have been lucky enough to have in your class making fun of the homework assignments. Even if you didn't, his set will give you the feeling of catching up with an old friend. His self deprecation doesn't come at the expense of his identity or attitude, one which stays lively and vibrant even as he teaches us how to fend off a wolf.
Favourite Joke: I'm too high to be here/if this were a Safeway I would just leave
Al Val
Al Val has an acute ability of getting everyone on board with their antics the minute they walk onstage. Their manic but playful energy and self aware jabs diffuse any rigidity in the room. This queer androgynous Jennifer Aniston has a boisterous approach to risqué content that wins over even the most conservative audience members, only to takes this opportunity to preach patience and trust in coming out stories, giving audiences opportunity to sympathize with the queer experience.
Favourite Joke: Trans German Spy
Cassie Cao
Cassie Cao's subversion of being a strong independent woman is often at odds with her desire to receive the best compliment about her comedy, which is that she’s “pretty". Cassie knows how to play against her image, coming out in a funky skirt, big glasses and grin best suited for a kindergarten teacher only to introduce herself by saying, "Hello! I don't like porn!". At the end of the day, Cassie gave the audience, as she put it, charm and good hair.
Favourite Joke: trading in for white parents
Kyle Brownrigg
Kyle Brownrigg has perfected the bate and switch. He loves to use audience perceptions against them, but never to their dismay. He does not want to play directly into the bitchy gay man stereotype, and he does well in taking the audience in one direction only to have them realize he has leaded them somewhere else entirely. Kyle has an ability to completely unpack a joke, only to rebuild it in front of our eyes in a way that undermine audience expectations.
Favourite Joke: Sister's Kids are 15
The New Wave of Standup premiered July 17, 2020 on CBC Gem. Read our other reviews from The New Wave of Standup here.