Colin Cowan delivers high-energy cynical optimism shaped by two decades in show business and influences ranging from Robin Williams and Jim Carrey to Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Carol Burnett. His material spans obscure observations, adolescent memories, Canadian lore, parenthood, and dead-on deep-cut impressions, with a favourite bit exploring how Trump ruined everyday words like “people,” “alot,” and “probably”—a silly joke that connects deeply with audiences who also want to stop thinking about that voice.
How would you describe your comedy style?
High energy cynical optimism that can include anything from obscure observations, adolescent memories, crowd work, Canadian lore, family, parenthood, age, dumb jokes, American politics, and dead-on deep cut impressions.
Who are some of your influences?
Robin Williams, Richard Prior, George Carlin, Carol Burnett, Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey, Larry David, Conan O’Brien, Steve Martin, Chris Farley, Wanda Sykes, Paul Reubens, & Jerry Seinfeld.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Either Robin Williams or Jim Carrey.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
I like Mark Normand and Sam Jay because their styles are so much different than mine. But I’m still such a stale old vintage doofus so I still find myself watching lots of old Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and George Carlin specials.
What is your pre-show ritual?
These days, I review some notes and write down new ideas in my books during a lunch break in the daytime so I don’t have to think about it at night during the show. I make sure I always try at least one new “thing” every set, so this is my time to prepare for this and rethink my material. I usually try and eat something really spicy at least a few hours before showtime if I can… I am a sucker for VERY spicy food. Spice is my vice! Then I tend to show up at the venue just before showtime to avoid anxious lingering about, catch up with my favourite comedian pals with some casual lip smackin’, and take in the show from the back of the room until I’m on. Basically, I do everything I can to ensure that I am present during the actual event and get an idea of what the room is feeling like, so I can let my jokes more or less just fall out of my face naturally when I’m on.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
I’m over two decades in with all this show-business stuff and have been fortunate enough to perform in clubs, theatres, tiny art spaces, holes in the wall, and even at Parliament Hill once for 300,000 people in front of Prince William and Kate… I met them. Kate said she liked my style. Not really into the royals… but Bragging rights or lame? You tell me. Either way, they’re both way to tall. But my favourite stages these days are probably the smaller room at Comedy Bar on Bloor Street in Toronto, the Old Second City Main Stage and Tim Sims Playhouse, where I started in Toronto (RIP), my own club, China Cloud Studios, or Underground Comedy. Those all just have the classic “it’s showtime feel” that I felt when I first got invited to perform onstage in my hometown of Moncton, NB, around the age of fifteen. They feel like the comedy specials and shows I watched on TV when I was kid. I also loved performing at Café Royale in Edinburgh, Scotland, for a month-long run of a show I was a part of called ‘Hen Men’ way back in the day, for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I have this bit about how I realized I’m going to be thinking about Trump (aka Sleepy DJT) till I’m dead because he ruined regular, everyday words like “people”, “alot” and “probably”. I really try not to think about him much anymore, but every time I speak those words, his voice comes out of me. I’ve had a bunch of people come up to me after shows and tell me how much this silly bit cracks them up and connects with them deeply. It seems we all want to be done thinking about that clown. Psychos will come and go, but no one is ever going to have that voice again.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I’m a big Tuber. YouTube. Named after the old term for Television… “Boob Tube,” I think? Which is ridiculous if it’s true. No one told me that, but just putting two and tube together. But seriously folks, I just freakin love YouTube!
Tell us a joke about your city.
People in Vancouver tend to avoid saying it like it is, which makes sense. It’s so green and lush out here, it’s in their nature to beat around the bush.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Always! I host and produce this hit standup show called COMEDY WORLD locally in Vancouver every second and fourth Friday of the month at my comedy club China Cloud Studios. I also have my Just For Laughs Vancouver version of that show coming up on Feb.13th for the fifth year in a row, which is almost sold out. And I am going to be on tour from the East Coast to the West Coast this spring and fall, prepping for my next comedy special, which I will be shooting in either late May or September. Stay tuned for dates! Also, watch my silly, weird debut comedy special I put out back in 2024 on YouTube for free. It’s called Colin Cowan ‘Live to Tape.’
Where can we follow you?
Follow me on YouTube and on Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
James LeBuke. A lovely young chap, new to the game the last couple years and crushing it. We started working together this year and are producing a bunch of shows together. He’ll be joining me on tour for a bit too. Also, I gotta mention Zawer Sulaiman. Love that guy.
