James LeBuke is best summed up by a friend who guessed—without having seen his act—that he must be a “What’s going on?- style” comic. And honestly? She wasn’t wrong. James thrives in the space between confusion and clarity, pulling laughs from life’s strange, uncomfortable, and often beautifully absurd moments.
A comic equally shaped by eccentric family members and offbeat icons like Steve Martin, Bo Burnham, and Mitch Hedberg, James mixes irreverent energy with poignant storytelling. Whether writing about a failed tattooed marriage proposal or dropping a Revelstoke-specific hot tub joke, his comedy feels intimate, unpredictable, and oddly sincere.
How would you describe your comedy style?
I asked a friend who hasn’t seen my comedy to guess my style, and she said, “It’s probably like: What’s going on?-style…is that a thing?”. She’s not far off.
Who are some of your influences?
My biggest influence is probably my family. Both alive and dead. There was an uncle I never met named Jerry Marvin who seemed like a funny guy. My grandparents were also very funny, both intentionally and unintentionally.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
In terms of professional comedy, I’d say Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman, Bo Burnham, Tim Heidecker, Mitch Hedberg, Rip Taylor, Conan, Christopher Guest, Eric Idle, Norm… I could say more, but these are the first that come to mind today.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
It’s hard not to say a comedian in the Vancouver scene so I’ll base my choice off the fact I just saw his reel on Instagram this morning, but I look up to Aaron Read a lot. Oh, also I like Nick Nemeroff a lot, R.I.P
What is your pre-show ritual?
I usually write out a bunch of things I find funny in the room at that moment to maybe break the ice or just to ground me in the now. Then I breathe a bit, then go up. It’s not as conscious as that, but I seem to do that a lot.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
I loved my first performance ever in Michigan while in university, where I got boo-ed for 3 hours by my peers and was event boo-ed on my way home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I wrote a bit about an ex-girlfriend turning down a marriage proposal of mine by tattooing an ‘X’ in the ‘No’ box of like a “do you like me, yes or no” old school note, but on my leg. It was going to be live on the show, but it was shot down by my writing partners Nick Sakiyama and Justin Carter 3 or 4 times. They were right to do so, but I think I’ll get it on the show one day. There’s something so painfully tragic and uncomfortable about it, while also weirdly noble that he still honours the tattoo premise lol.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I just ask friends who they really like listening to. If I don’t like who they recommend, I find new friends.
Tell us a joke about your city.
Many scientists warn that the next global virus won’t come from a lab but will actually come from the hot tub water at the rec centre… post ski bums. *Womp womp*
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Yeah, I have a show that I produce with a lot of talented comedians/performers in town called “The New James LeBuke Show: Starring James LeBuke”, which is a sequel series to another one we did in town.
Also, if anyone’s interested in trying standup, I host an Open mic at Back and Forth called Riff Raff Comedy, which is run by a good friend and amazing Producer @rachdaddi
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Cameo | TikTok | YouTube
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
I have so many you should check out, but I’ll pick one from a hat, someone who hasn’t been written on here yet: Zephyr or… wait, no Carrot Top. Pretty similar to be honest, but I guess Zephyr is local, so pick him.
