Angelo Tsarouchas is undeniably funny. The opening moments of what would be an hour-long phone interview from his Los Angeles home on Monday were eye-opening. “I'm naked right now. Is that too much information?” the Greek-Canadian comedian asked with a laugh. If it were anyone else, that question would be followed by an uncomfortable silence, but with Angelo, it's a burst of laughter. Obviously this is a man who is ready to be interviewed, but what kind of comedian would he be if he didn't try to catch the person who's asking the questions slightly off-guard? That's what makes Angelo a comedic genius. Your first impression of him is that he is smart, witty and ultimately hilarious.

Born in Montreal, Tsarouchas lived in the city before moving more or less two hours away to Ottawa at the age of eight. His biggest inspirations being Rodney Dangefield and Harry Klynn, it is during his high school years that he realized he wanted to become a comedian, and he never looked back. “I'm actually one of the few who actually did what they wanted to do in high school.” Although he admits that he was a class clown at school, he says he never exhibited the kind of humor you would most likely see in the football jock trying to impress the hottie in the class. “I was never disrespectful. I was funny, but not obnoxious-funny.” Angelo looked for the attention many comedians before him got by being genuinely funny, and that eventually led him to success.

Although Tsarouchas uses his life experiences to fuel his comedy, there is no bigger influence on him than he Greek heritage. Born to two Greek parents, Angelo has based so much of his material on growing up Greek in an Anglo world. When asked what that was like, he joked: “One word: pain!” Obviously, there is no real pain involved in Angelo's life experiences as a Greek kid living in an Anglophone country. Angelo uses comedy as a way to characterize the Greek diaspora to those who are not from the Mediterranean country, and to bring laughs to all those who have experienced it first hand. Bottom line? The comedian is primordially proud to be Greek. “I think a lot of people misconstrue me talking about the Greek family as me making fun of it, but it's really just me talking about my experiences.” Although Greeks living outside of Greece may understand Tsarouchas' humor, he's not sure Greeks living in their native country will be quick to laugh. “We had to grow up in a Greek home in an Anglo society. We have to work in a English world. I've heard that My Big Fat Greek Wedding didn't go over well in Greece. So if I tell them a joke about my mom yelling at us, they'll probably ask what the big deal is.” Tsarouchas has been approached to do a show in Athens, and proudly read some Facebook requests from people who both asked that he make the stop and regurgitated his famous jokes. “I'd love to do a show there, but I don't know what the reception would be like. My comedy comes from growing up Greek outside of Greece, but I would be willing to take the risk.” Angelo admits it wouldn't be the worst thing if he didn't do well in his native country. There's no question comedians take no joy out of not doing well during a show, but Angelo thinks bombing in Greece could bring laughs everywhere else in the world. “I think I would want to succeed...but I would like to struggle with it a bit.”

Despite being unsure of the response he'd get in Athens, Angelo has become a household name in cities Toronto, Johannesburg, Melbourne and Montreal, to name a few. Aside from his rising career as a comedian, he has also appeared in numerous films such as Cinderella Man and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, and soon he'll appear as the lead in the upcoming Fred and Vinnie. Despite his success, Angelo will never forget his roots. When asked whether or not he had ever been asked to change his name, he had strong words to say. “Why would I change my name? If I change my name, I change who I am. People died in wars, my parents came to Canada with nothing in order to have freedom, and if you anglicize your Greek name, it's like telling people you're ashamed of who you are. My father passed away ten years ago and I think he'd be very disappointed if I changed my name.”

is proud to be Greek, and he is also no doubt proud to be Canadian. Although he now lives in Los Angeles, Canada is never far from his mind. “I miss Canada, but I get back a lot. I think what I miss most are my friends. But it's funny, most of my friends here are Canadian. I think there are over a million Canadians living in Los Angeles right now.”

In July, Angelo will be returning to the city where he was born, and to the festival that jump-started his career. Now in its 27^th season, the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival has deservedly built a reputation as the place to perform for comedians and the shows to see for audiences, and Angelo acknowledges the importance the festival has had on his career. “When you're a Canadian comic, your big goal is to be at the Just For Laughs Festival. It's the biggest and most important comedy festival in the world, it helps you get noticed and connects you to the people who will make the big decisions later in your career.”

Angelo will be performing at The Ethnic Heroes of Comedy show, which returns after last year's succesful run at the festival. This year, Angelo has been given the honor of hosting the show, something he will do with absolute pride and flattery. “It's paramount in terms of being a comedian, the fact that they hold me in such high regard to host the show. They give you that respect. They're saying 'we consider you a part of our family'.”

Angelo will of course explore some fan favorites at this year's show, but he'll also bring in some new material, some of which will come from the fact that the man is now in love. “We're going to have fun and that's the most important thing. It's a great line-up and it's going to be a great show.”

As we wrapped up the interview, Angelo pointed out three of his most important qualities: he's a Shania Twain fan, he's an amazing dancer, and he reads coffee cups.

Greeks will probably be the only ones who understand that last one.

The Ethnic Heroes of Comedy, featuring KT Tatara, Mike Marino, Gary Gulman, Akmal Saleh, Godfrey and host Angelo Tsarouchas will play the Metropolis in Montreal from July 21 to July 24. For tickets to this as well as other shows, head to www.hahaha.com

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sladovrechis

 

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