Sports buff turned teacher turned comedian Gerry Dee has become a Canadian household name between his many faces of fame. You might recognize him from Season 5 of Last Comic Standing, interviewing/beaking world-renowned athletes on the Score, or his new prime-time CBC sitcom, Mr. D. 

If you haven’t heard of Gerry Dee, well... get out from whatever rock you’re living under and watch this:

Gerry Dee-Italian Neighbors

In my last post I wrote about the Lows in Motion Shaker, and actually this event last year was where I had the pleasure of being introduced to Gerry Dee and his “just your average guy” stand-up routine. From hangover teaching tips to legitimate concerns about his daughters growing up to become trailer trashy, he's got a lot to say and knows how to make you laugh while he says it. For me, dating an athlete who just recently started his Bachelor of Education to become a teacher, it's like looking into the future... only funnier.

While we were back-packing overseas earlier this year, tickets for the show were released and we were surprised with front row centre seats for our birthdays in November. I’ve never sat so close to a comedian, but I would recommend it for those of you who don’t mind being the inevitable butt of a joke and having someone screaming "f**k you!" six inches from your face. We took our fair share of heat but were rewarded with a meet and greet and an autographed copy of Gerry Dee's new book - which is essentially an extended version of his stand-up bits as narrated by the voice inside your head.  

Gerry’s opening act - whose name I can't for the life of me remember - was lackluster, but he did pull off a redneck accent that was almost too believable. A born and raised Saskatchewanian (that’s what we are, right?), he basically reduced us to a bunch of beer-drinking, Rider-loving townies. I mean, in some cases it’s not far off, but I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed for all our shitty stereotypes. Browse through the Rooster and you'll learn pretty quickly our city (and province) is packed with intelligent, talented, and creative boys and girls. 

Follow Gerry Dee on Twitter and make sure you tune in for Season 2 of Mr. Dee on CBC, starting up this January. It doesn't look like he'll be headed back through the prairies and West coast until next year, but believe me: he's worth the wait.

As for me, I'm still coming down from a Hawksley Workman high after his stellar-as-per-always performance at Broadway Theatre. Because there is already a review up on the site, I'll refrain, but check back next week for another great concert review...

Until then!

/jr