Tuesday, July 15, 2008

"The Invisible Funnymen"

I am Canadian by birth and American by inclination. What it means to be a Canadian remains an open question a hundred and forty-one years after Canada’s inception. (How did Canada become an independent nation? In 1867, Canadians petitioned to the British Parliament saying, “We’d like to be our own country” and the British Parliament replied, “Okay.”)

Every year when I go back to Toronto – I try to find the warm week, but I’m not always successful – I always check the local papers to find out what’s going on. Invariably – and I mean during every visit over the last thirty plus years – there will be an article, often on the Front Page, headlined, “Canadian Identity – What Is It?” After a hundred and forty years, they’re still looking for the answer. It’s starting to look like there may not be one.

There is one enduring certainty, however. It’s the one thing Canadians know without question. “We’re not Them.” And when Canadians say “Them”, they mean Americans. Canadians may not know who they are, but they’re darn certain of who they aren’t. Who they aren’t is you. Well, okay, now…us.

An illuminating example of the difference between Canadians and Americans can be found in the wonderful world of comedy.

It’s not news that Canadians rank with the funniest people in show business – Dan Ayckroyd, John Candy, Jim Carrey, Mike pre-"The Guru" Myers, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, to name just seven. And I’m sure I’m leaving people out, like Dave Thomas and The Kids on the Hall.

This is a substantial number of funny people, when you consider Canada’s population, and the fact that many of that population are Eskimos. (I’m not saying Eskimos aren’t funny – no “hate mail” on a walrus tooth – They’re just not “crossover” funny.)

The curious thing to me is not that so many Canadians are funny, but that virtually all of them are funny in a particular kind of way. A particular non-“Them-y” kind of a way.

To Canadians, and maybe the world, America is the “Me” country. It’s all about Number One. “My country ‘tis of Me.” Americans believe that when one American flourishes, the ripples of their success spread out to enrich all Americans. I’m not so sure about that. Britney Spears made millions, and I didn’t get anything. Of course, I’m not from here. Maybe Britney’s ripples only enriched natural born Americans. Did you guys get anything?

Americans are by nature self-promoting. They value “blowing your own horn.” You don’t “blow your own horn” and you’re “hiding your light under a bushel.” There’s no such thing as a quiet American. A quiet American is immediately sent to “Assertiveness Training.”

Canadians don’t blow their horns. They don’t brag, and they don’t “show off.” The message is clear. “You want to pull those kinds of shenanigans, you can go down to the States, eh? That foolishness you call ‘funny’, that’s just plain foolishness. Take it across the border, where that kind of nonsense is appreciated.”

“Showoff” in Canada, ice skater in Zimbabwe – same chance of “making it.”

So off they go, taking their shenanigans south. But even though they’re here, in the land of the brave and the home of the “Me”, Canadian comedians ply their trade in a typically Canadian fashion.

They work in disguise.

Are they funny? Hilarious. Are they well received? Enormously. Are they successful? Go back and check the list. These people are Huge! (I’m sorry. That sounds very close to bragging. I’ve been down here a long time. My natural reticence may be wearing off.)

So what’s the problem? No problem. Just a question. A remarkable difference in style between Canadian and American funny people.

American comedians have always faced audiences as themselves. Will Rogers, Bob Hope, Woody Allen, Bob Newhart, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Sam Kinnison, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, the recently late George Carlin. Every U.S. comedian I can think of presents themselves as who they are, or, more accurately, a calculated projection of who they are. (You really think Jerry Seinfeld walks around the house going, “Did you ever notice this? Did you ever notice that?”)

Canadian comedians are never themselves. (Howie Mandel being a notable exception. In a way, Mandel’s “I’ll say anything” standup act is a rebellion against Canadian reserve, delivering a calculatingly anti-Canadian "one-eighty.")

Rather than coming out and saying “How’re ya doin’…”, Canadian funnymen work their comedy magic through larger-than-life characterizations. Austin Powers. Jiminy Glick. The McKenzie Brothers. Every Jim Carrey character. The eccentrics in the Christopher Guest movies.

Nobody’s real. They’re all “types.” Outrageously funny types, but types nonetheless. It’s like Canadians will play anything. Except the guy on their Birth Certificate.

Why do Canadian funnymen bury themselves in their characters? The boring answer is Canadian comedy has its roots in British Music Hall and the college revue. The all-boys institutions, where performers dress as women. (Canadian women steer clear of comedy. It’s just not polite.)

Canadians were raised in the costume and sketch tradition of comedy. Canada’s most venerated funnymen, Wayne and Shuster, famous down here for their scores of appearances of The Ed Sullivan Show, succeeded with extended sketches, playing a gallery of characters from ancient Romans to hockey players.

(To demonstrate their reliance on accessories, once, during a technician’s strike, production on a Wayne and Shuster special was brought to a halt when someone broke into the studio and stole the mustaches.)

Everyone played a character. A longtime Canadian favorite, Dave Broadfoot enjoyed success as a funny Mountie. My brother, Hart, scored on the CBC playing The (Canadian) Beaver. (The Beaver, Canada’s national symbol, whose likeness graced the back of the Canadian nickel, hated the elk, who had inexplicably gotten the quarter.)

Lacking a protective character to work behind, when interviewed as themselves, Canadian comedians come off disappointingly flat. Also, Canadians – even funny Canadians – are uncomfortable hurting other people’s feelings. (Canadians lack the American “Laugh of we’ll bomb you!” mentality.)

In character, however, it’s “Katie, bar the door!” Check out Short’s “Jiminy Glick” mercilessly ripping into Hollywood nice guy, Tom Hanks.

This is something I don’t understand. I get that in Canada, comedians are restricted to playing characters. But they then come to the States, and…

…continue to do so.

Why?

They’re free. You’d think that Canadians would bust loose, cast off the façade, and break into their “How’re ya doin’…” material. Release their inner Don Rickles.

“Where you from? Peoria? Who cares!”

They never do that. And I can’t figure it out. Is it because playing characters is the only thing they feel comfortable doing? Or is it because, deep down, they’re still Canadians, conditioned since birth not to make fools of themselves? You know, if you show off while you’re playing a character, you have an excuse: “It’s not me. It’s the funny policeman.”

I understand the impulse behind it. On those rare occasions when I’ve performed, I come out as myself, but never without the gnawing feeling that I’m doing something unforgivably inappropriate.

I guess I have one foot in both cultures – my performer’s instincts, American, my fear of public display, Canadian to the core.

15 comments:

growingupartists said...

That was a great read, and an explanation of your genius. I think you guys are especially ambitious as well, explain that. My friend Trina is over the top in how she pursues education for her child...of course she still can't quite accept why her daughter need study American History, and what's the big deal about fifty states?

I should write my own post, but at our last homeschool law meeting, the Canuck's eyes were red, brimming with tears. She wanted so desperately to help with our mission, but alas, non-citizens can't vote.

I realized then what a slap in the face it is to be told you don't belong here, in the most "you're not one of us" kinds of ways. she only wants the chance to make a difference, but for $5,000 and a surrender of her roots...is it even worth it?

Anonymous said...

I have to disagree Earl. I think you need to look a little harder at that list of American comedians... You have mentioned those that support your point of view only.

Perhaps Canadian entertainers come down here because we're a huge entertainment mecca... and you can make a great living here at it. We also don't care about your enthnicity, etc.

America is a vast land nearby (to Canada), that just happens to be filled with a few more people to enjoy your talents... Just how receptive is Canada, a huge land mostly made up of wilderness? Get allot of applause from Grizzlies, Carribou and such? I think the odds are just better down here.

There are masses of quiet refined Americans BTW... they are just not in the entertainment business... and certainly not the typical Hollywood types.

I was raised being taught that America is a "melting pot"... we were created by foriegners merging for freedom. Many of us still believe all are welcome equally.

We are a mostly wealthy nation who can enjoy all aspects of entertainment through film and TV. We are so lucky to have access to such pleasures!

and some of those pleasures come from our northern neighbors...

The Minstrel Boy said...

how do you get 100 canadians out of a swimming pool?


you say: "will all the canadians please leave the pool now."

Chuck Sigars said...

Oh, sure, all well and good, but this still doesn't explain Rich Little. Or apologize for him, either, although I'm not holding you personally responsible.

Winter Park Photographer said...

Brilliant!

Earl Pomerantz said...

Rich Little is a perfect example. He played everybody but himself.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm. Interesting post. Am I the only one in Canada that read it?

First of all, The Minstel Boy, that was a definite Laugh Out Loud! [hee]

I think the main reason why Canadians spend time pointing out they are not Americans was somewhat alluded to in this post.

I have spent my life living on the US/Canada border. I traveled back and forth on a monthly basis growing up. I worked for years in the tourist industry. I have American relatives. And I have several American friends, who became Canadian citizens, who have agreed with my hypothesis.

Americans are raised to believe, through culture, media/news and the education system, that they are the best country in the world. Any country that may come in second is far below that ‘top of the heap’. The biggest complaint I have from all the retirees that I know who travel to the US during the winter months is that the US evening news show little world news in comparison to Canadian news media.

Then there is the fact that while many Americans can dutifully recite the Pledge of Allegiance and each president and his term, they cannot find Canada or Mexico on a map of North America.

Look up Rick Mercer.

I personally have had, in Victoria BC, Americans ask when the Queen comes down for tea (at the Empress Hotel); does our flag come in any other colour (seriously); and our currency thrown back in my face (too many times to count) because I dared to give it as change for a purchase- made in Canada- because they were on a stop during a cruise on the way to Alaska and what would they do with such garbage. And then there are those who are shocked and bemused at the ‘Monopoly Money’. Errr…. How many other countries have single coloured bills?

I believe in national pride but when that pride gets in the way of understanding and respecting the attributes, characteristics, and citizens of other countries…. Do I want to be associated with that?

Sadly, I also wish that Canadians would be more like our ‘image’. Politeness, common courtesy, respectful behaviour is not like it was 20 years ago. It is a good thing to be and I wish we’d rally more around that part of Canadian pride.
----------------------------------------------

Earl, I was wondering if you ever watched Paul Gross and ‘Due South’? There is a detail in the show that I think you’d appreciate. I believe it was the ‘Blue Line’ episode. Fraser, in paying a childhood debt to a friend he meets years later, pulls a 5 dollar bill from his hat to give to his friend. The detail I love is the fact that the bill was of the correct issue/ type for when they would have been boys…. Suggesting he had saved it all these years to pay off his bet to his friend.

Max Clarke said...

My favorite Canadian guy and gal are Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Joni's album, Court 'n' Spark, is a masterpiece, along with "Blue" and "For The Roses."

I lived in Canada once, spent a couple of years in Newfoundland. Rugged but beautiful, and back in those days, you could run a pot through the surf and come up with a potful of smelt to fry. Even got to see Queen Elizabeth on her first world tour, a long time ago.

Anonymous said...

As American as apple pie... and as Canadian as possible under the circumstances.

Anonymous said...

Hey, don't forget Ian & Slyvia and April Wine. Didn't your bro Hart work worth Lorne in his pre SNL days?
SCTV was genius--Eugene Levy, John Candy, so many talented guys. How would you rate the Canadian unfunny career eventuality: Who at this point is unfunnier: Dan Ackroyd or Mike Meyers? How about vs. Eddie Murphy?

Anonymous said...

Or how about the true art of storytelling?

If you would like a real treat, check out

The Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean.

http://www.cbc.ca/vinylcafe/home.php

A real Canadian, comedic treasure.

Anonymous said...

You're certainly not the only one in Canada to have read this, canadian, eh.

You had me until the comment about Canadian ladies, Earl. There are lots of funny women here: Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin, Mary Walsh to name but a few.

Really enjoy your blog! And it's warm week up here in Toronto! Better hurry or you'll miss it.

The Wrong Box said...

I was surprised at the lack of mention of Martin and O'Hara too. But yeah, Canadian involvement in US comedy goes back a long way -- remember the Keystone Kops? Yup, Mack Sennett was Canadian.

Another name that needs mentioning? Ken Finkleman. Airplane 2 is a great movie, and then of course there's The Newsroom.

Earl Pomerantz said...

Since a couple of people said the same thing, I looked it up to be sure.

Andrea Martin was not born in Canada.

Though it's true that there are Canadian funnywomen, it should be noted that they also appear in character.

David Rosen said...

Earl, great essay! As a life-long American I feel qualified to accept, on behalf of my country, you as Canada's official apology for William Shatner's singing. Now let's put the matter behind us and move on...