Janice Bannister has lived enough life to fill several comedy specials — psychiatric nursing, marriages, single parenthood, a cougar era she is apparently not shy about, and now a grandmother with a story about how she got her grandma name that stops people in their tracks at every single show. The New Westminster comic brings a rare combination of warmth and nerve to the stage, switching between raunchy and sweet with the ease of someone who genuinely stopped caring what people think a long time ago.
How would you describe your comedy style?
My comedy style switches between raunchy and sweet with a lot of honesty. I am a Boomer, and I like to use my jokes and stories to connect the different ages in the audience so that they realize they have a lot of things in common. I like to think I am having a conversation with my friends when I am talking to the audience, and I use all of my life stages to tell stories from my childhood, life as a Psychiatric Nurse, marriages, kids, single parent, cougar, & now a fun Grandma. My sets are a combination of my nerd side and my flipping the bird side.
Who are some of your influences?
Number one, my Dad. We always shared jokes, and it was our secret way of communicating with each other. We had a stash of jokes about my Mom and brothers, and we thought we were hysterical. My Mom was always funny too; without knowing it, she would just say weird things because she would get her words mixed up. We laughed a lot in my family.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
My favourite comics growing up were Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller. Diller is a fantastic stand-up writer, and Lucy and Carol took so many risks on stage by just being over-the-top funny.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
I like Fortune Feimster’s great storytelling style. Robbie Hoffman for her “listen to me” attitude. Tig Notaro is a great storytelling comic and is so fun to watch. Steph Tolev for “I don’t care what you think” style. I have seen all these comics live and everyone should check them out.
Wanda Sykes’ new special is fantastic. All of these comics are honest and authentic, and so so funny.
What is your pre-show ritual?
When I drive to a gig, at the beginning of the trip, I go over my opener a few times, and run some of my set. Then when I am almost to the gig, I turn on really loud music, usually Willie Nelson or Bob Seger, and just get out of my head. It is a great way to relax.
At the show, I always check out the audience so I know where to direct certain jokes because I probably can’t see the audience when I am on stage because of the lights.
I usually have a gin after I finish my set. And I always stay after a show and thank people for coming.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
I really like theatre-themed shows like “The Mother of All Comedy Shows” or IWD tours, as the audiences are mostly women and they love to laugh. Usually groups of women come out to laugh together.
But I also like a good raunchy open mic at club gigs where you never know who is going to go up and I can let new material fly without having to have a prepared set.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
My favourite bit is about how I got my Grandma’s name. It is a true bit based on a call I got from my daughter when she was expecting her first baby. At every single show that I do that bit, someone comes up to me and has to tell me about a Grandma name I should use in the bit. It always cracks me up, because none of their names are as good as mine.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
LIVE at local Vancouver comedy shows. I drop in at pub shows, open mic club shows, and check out the talent for shows I am producing. Scouting rooms is awesome as I always find new comics.
I also check out Instagram and TikTok.
Tell us a joke about your city.
New Westminster is all hills, so it has a lot of scooters. I don’t mind the young dudes weaving up and down the sidewalks; they are pretty agile. What drives me crazy is the old dudes that think they are leading a funeral procession and I have to follow them. Or worse, when they stop beside me and tell me about their hip surgery and their dead wife.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I produce BC’s Funniest New Female Comic Contest (12th year), and it is scheduled for Sept 2026. It is a wonderful chance for women to get on stage, show their talents and win prizes. It is also a great chance for women comics to hang out with each other. It is open to any female-identifying comic with less than 5 years of comedy experience.
Check out here to get on the waiting list to be notified when we open registration.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
There are so many great comics in the Vancouver area. I like to promote female and non-binary comics in Vancouver. Book them on your shows. Every show should include diverse comics on the stage. Too many to list.
