Malcolm McLeod, a towering 6’5″ improvisational comedian in Vancouver, brings a distinctively physical and unpredictable style to the stage. Co-host of “Bloodfeud: Stand Up vs Improv” alongside Matty Vu, McLeod draws inspiration from comedy giants like Jason Mantzoukas and Ryan Stiles while carrying fond memories of performing at the old Little Mountain Gallery on Main Street.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Big, physical, and goofy. I’m 6’5″ so I like to use my size to my advantage. I like to have fun on stage and surprise myself, the audience, and anyone else I’m sharing the stage with. My big belief is that if the audience sees me having fun on stage, it’ll relax them, and they’ll have more fun watching the show.
Who are some of your influences?
When it comes to improv, my biggest influences have been Jason Mantzoukas and Ryan Stiles. I really took a lot away from them because they are both unpredictable on stage and that’s something I strive to do every time I’m performing.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I grew up loving SNL and the movies of Will Ferrell and Judd Apatow. Andy Samberg/Lonely Island, Bill Hader, and Jason Sudeikis were my favourite SNLers growing up. My Dad also made me watch a lot of Sinbad’s stand-up when I was a kid so I feel like that had an effect on me somehow.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
For Improv? I’m a big fan of Jacob Wysocki, Jason Mantzoukas, and Lisa Gilroy. Those three are incredible. For Stand-Up, I really enjoy the work of Geoffrey Asmus, Tommy Brennan, and Josh Johnson. Those three are just so, so good at stand-up and I can’t wait to see their next specials.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I don’t like to eat before shows, so I’ll usually have a light snack and sip on a bottle of water and then eat dinner afterwards. I also like to sit in a corner and close my eyes and meditate for a sec, if I can.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
The old Little Mountain Gallery on Main Street. That space had a very special vibe and it really helped build me into the comedian that I am today. Little Mountain’s return to Gastown has been a much-needed injection into the Vancouver comedy scene and their new space is great but it’s hard for me to not get a little bit nostalgic for the old space on Main & 26th. The old space is one of the big reasons why Matty Vu and I teamed up to start our show Bloodfeud: Stand Up vs Improv in the first place. Without that space, there would be no Bloodfeud.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I mostly do improv but I do write stand-up for when I’m hosting Bloodfeud and jump into stand-up shows a few times a year. My current favourite bit is about my sister, Lucie. I’m 30 and she’s 15, so there’s an age gap and the joke is basically about how I grew up never having a bully but now, as a full-grown man, I do because my sister likes to sass and poke fun at me and so now I have a bully who just so happens to be my teenage sister. It’s a joke that’s been going well on stage and my sister really gets a kick out of being in my “act” and now wants me to write more jokes about her. So that’s been a fun surprise.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are great ways to find up-and-coming comics outside of the city but also there’s also so much talent in Vancouver that just going to local shows is the best way to see amazing local comedians. I highly recommend people take the plunge and go see a random show at places like Little Mountain Gallery, Chill X Studio, or China Cloud. You’re bound to stumble onto some great comedy by just taking that risk because this city has so much talent in it, it’s genuinely outrageous.
Tell us a joke about your city.
What will get to Vancouver first? Affordable housing or Taco Bell? Only one of them is pet-friendly, so you know what the answer is.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
My show Bloodfeud: Stand Up vs Improv, which I co-host with Matty Vu. Usually, Bloodfeud runs on the first Saturday of the month at Little Mountain Gallery.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | BlueSky | Bloodfeud
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
There are so many amazing local comedians, it’s hard to choose but a few of my favourite comedians that I think deserve more recognition for how good they are: Jullian Kolstee, Ryan Bell, Madeleine Humeny, and Ivy Padmos.
