Stand and deliver

by Clark, Andrew

What makes Canadians so funny? No one is better qualified to answer that question than Canada's first full-time comedy columnist. Stand and Deliver features the inside stories of such famous Canadian comics as Jim Carrey, Sandra Shamas, the cast of "SCTV," and The Kids in the Hall, and profiles major behind-the-scenes players Lorne Michaels ("Saturday Night Live") and Mark Breslin (Yuk Yuk's).?Beginning with Canada's original international comedy sensation, the World War I troupe The Dumbells, Clark traces the thread of a particularly Canadian style of humour that is still found in the work of today's amateur-night hopefuls, and bona fide comedy superstars. Stand and Deliver also exposes the dark side of the comedy industry--the relentless touring, the hecklers, the drugs, booze and parties that can alienate, demoralize and even kill a would-be star.?Wry and witty, Stand and Deliver is an insightful, no-holds-barred look at the serious business of being funny.