Yukon Comedy Gold: George Rivard’s Comedy Journey

The story of a comedian living in a Toronto basement apartment is not unheard of. It’s so common in some circles that one might even argue it’s mandatory. On the surface, a modern bohemian lifestyle among standup comedians is somewhat unremarkable, but when it comes to funnyman George Rivard, there is definitely more than meets the eye.

George Rivard is an active player in Toronto’s comedy scene, but before making his move to The Big Smoke, he got his start performing in his home in Yukon. Given it is such a nestled northern region, that currently holds the smallest population of any other province or territory in the country, Yukon seems to be an unlikely stomping grounds for an emerging artist to cut their teeth. From a conversation with Rivard discussing his work and experiences, there is proof and precedent that there is more than one path to finding success in the wild world of comedy.

Like most small comedy scenes, there is no shortage of challenges comedians face while honing their craft, including limited stage time and limited variation in audiences. Returning audiences who have seen many of the regular acts before will not be satisfied seeing the same routine repeatedly. “When you’re in a small town, you have to get better in a weird way faster,” says Rivard. “People are expecting new stuff and you can’t rehearse it.”

This expectation from the audience can often hold the comedian’s feet to the flame to develop new material. As Rivard learned, it can also give a skewed perception of how comedians are compensated for their work. “I thought I had it – three open mics in a three-month period in the Yukon and I was on the top of the world,” laughs Rivard. “I go down to Vancouver like a year and a half later and I remember asking “so… when do we get paid?”” Realizing some of the realities behind the business matters of comedy, Rivard knew there was still a lot left for him to learn, which is what lead him to making the move to Toronto.

While getting swept up in the bustle of the Toronto comedy scene, Rivard soon learned that while Yukon’s scene was challenging due to its limitations, those same limitations also gave way to many benefits that helped hone his craft. For starters, there are not many people in Toronto who are from any of the territories, let alone Yukon, so Rivard soon found himself playing the role of ‘Yukon guy.’ While a geographic gimmick may not seem original, this facet of his identity is a unique detail that allows Rivard to stand out among his peers in a heavily populated industry.

Another benefit was the deep comradery among his Yukon comedy peers which not only built strong working relationships, but also a strong arsenal of material when it came time for roast battles. Given the nestled nature of the scene, performers had a competitive edge of knowing many personal details of each other’s lives. “So I’m adopted, right? The joke that got me was “Everyone knows George is pretty jacked, he’s like Hercules. But also like Hercules he doesn’t know who his dad is.”

Doing “the grind” of the Toronto comedy scene can be grating at times, and can sometimes feel like thankless work. Amidst the grind, Rivard discovered the benefit of leaving home is that returning back means he can be featured as an attraction for comedy events. “I get to do all the hack-y road jokes about small towns, but you get to do it from the perspective having lived there and coming back,” says Rivard. “It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced because in Toronto you can get bogged down thinking you’re not funny or not enough. Then you go home and get people laughing and you realize there’s actually something to what I’m doing. Toronto is like a gym.”

While major commercial success may only exist in a few limited regions, Rivard’s journey between Yukon and Toronto allowed him to discover that being a fundamentally funny person knows no geographical bounds. The benefit of the Toronto scene allows more time to refine and practice material, while his home in Yukon graciously welcomes him back for opportunities to showcase how his act has evolved. Whether he chooses North or South, Rivard’s unlikely journey is a reflection of how hard work seldom goes unappreciated.

Amidst the pandemic, Rivard has pivoted onto digital platforms in an effort to build an audience and keep active as a writer and performer. On his YouTube page, he began sharing video essays of his takes on current events including politics, CERB, and the Keystone XL pipeline. He has also recently launched a podcast called 2 Tall Dudes with his co-host and fellow comedian Liam Andres.

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