Montreal so far

No pictures since I didn't get an iPhone this past weekend--Austin was all sold out before I left. So far my impression of Montreal is that it's a pretty sweet city. Went to a restaurant last night with the guys where the service was Europeanly paced. I ordered the lamb. Then walked over to the Hyatt where the check in for the festival is and happened to end up getting interviewed for the local XM Radio Comedy Channel. Also, we are obsessed with the nearby convenience store Couche-tard, which is like a Canadian 7-11. The expression means "go to bed late," but because we are juvenile comedians we are calling it the Couch Tard.

Also, saw Chelsea Peretti coming out of the hotel. Then I ran into Chuck Watkins from Austin, which was a surprise. He was looking royally hung over.

Off to tech and rehearse and meet Bob Odenkirk and Bill Hader.

Just for Laughs

So, I was going to post this over on the improv forums, but then I thought it's better to just leave this little musing here where I can let creep out a little anxiety rather than just have it look like I'm tooting my own horn.

So, Backpack Picnic was one of three or four sketch groups selected to attend the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, and we depart tomorrow. Our shows are on Wednesday and Thursday. Two 15(?!) minute sets, and no video projection, thus robbing us of our most distinctive troupe aspect. Actually, as a stage troupe we hardly exist, but as an online troupe, we are one of the most prolific in the country (36 sketches and 1 TV pilot in the last year, baby). By far, this will be the biggest industry event I've ever been to, and I think that and the fact that Backpack has a TV Pilot in the can with Fort Ricky is making all of us a little anxious at the prospects of what might happen. I don't think anyone is letting it go to their heads, but still it's hard not to get a little curious about what this might all mean. Bob Odenkirk and Bill Hader are hosting the show, so even from a meeting cool folks standpoint, it'll be pretty rad. Our recent road pals the Apple Sisters will be playing as well, so it will be good to see them, too.

Actually, it's kind of weird how not nervous I am. Excited if something good does happen, able to roll with new projects if something doesn't. Maybe this is because I'm so peripheral to the whole Backpack endeavor that I don't have too much of my reputation wrapped into this thing. Or maybe it's because I've been having weird and good breaks lately, a run of good luck, that makes me not worry about it that much. Or rather, I think that the luck is the result of just being in a good headspace--like how they say you always find a relationship when you're not particularly hungrily looking for one. Let's hope it's something like that, eh?

Wish me luck.

Carpet Bros.

A lot of this kind of stuff isn't funny. This show isn't those shows. I like where this is going. It made me laugh out loud more than once.

freeloveforum

One of the fun things about going on tour is meeting new sketch groups from around the country. We shared the bill with these guys from New York, and all of us in Backpack really really really liked this video sketch.

Coal

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Clarification

Realized that my previous post could read as snotty. If you are currently in a sketch troupe in Austin, I want to state that I am including you alongside me and Backpack Picnic when I wonder why there aren't more sketch troupes in Austin. There are a handful of us doing sketch. Why not more? There are so many people doing improv, you would think there would be more sketch artists. It is puzzling. That is all.

Jonathan Winters

Eighty-two years old and still in the game. Beautiful acting and comic timing from this legend. Check it, yo.

Jasper Redd!!

Just felt like posting this.

Clip from *A Comic Calling*

Add to My Profile | More Videos

What I Like

Getting two random emails from people today about how much they love Backpack Picnic, especially since one was from someone I don't even really know. But what I really love is what said random person wrote:

Your comedy is interesting and refreshing, without all the snarky, cynical elements that can sometimes make comedy troupes annoying. So keep that positivity up and good luck!

And that in a nutshell is what I like in comedy and performance, not the "snarky, cynical elements" that are becoming alas all the more prevalent on the ground here.

I make a good cop

Here it is, Backpack Picnic, the sketch troupe I'm in. We just had a couple episodes of released on OnNetworks. There are lot more coming.