A Moment With Eddie.

Catching up with Much Music comedian and dear friend, Eddie Della Siepe.

Courtesy of Eddie Della Siepe

There’s something about Eddie Della Siepe that seems different these days. Following his path as a stand-up comedian, we’ve watched him grow from a Yuk Yuk’s Amateur Night teen to Much Music‘s Video on Trial host, and now, to headlining specials on Comedy Now. He’s maturing; growing into his act and enticing his audience with a humble and playful approach.

So why is it that we can’t seem to get enough Edmundo? How has he managed to captivate us with his charming smile and self-deprecating humour all these years? I decided to ask him myself:

Pony: What do you think is the secret to success in this cut-throat industry?

Eddie: The secret in my opinion is to find out what you’re good at and have a knack for it, whether it be stand-up, improv, writing etc. and really put your all into it. The doors will start to open.

Pony: Has your taste in humour changed over the years? Does it affect your performance?

Eddie: In the beginning I was dirty and trying to be “edgy”, but now I try to be more accessible. As I get older, I find my taste is more about being clever and silly.

Pony: So, Comedy Now! This must be a big moment for you – how did you go about the show?

Eddie: This is my first ever comedy special and I actually approached it like it was just a regular show in a great venue with an amped up audience. I had a lot of fans there so I just relaxed and had a great time. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever done.

Pony: How did it compare to live shows such as Yuk Yuks?

Eddie: I guess the idea of your own special can be quite daunting for some people. Four huge cameras, a lit audience and of course the pressure of it being on television can weigh on you. Luckily for me, being on Video on Trial so much has made me comfortable in front of the cameras.

Pony: How did it go, overall? What are we in store for?

Eddie: Be prepared for observational humor mixed in with quirky and silly twists and concepts. I don’t ever cross the line but on occasion I may come close. All in all I think people will like it.

Pony: Are there certain jokes they forbid you to make on the show? What are the guidelines they give you beforehand?

Eddie: I think if you’re talking about really touchy subjects like abortion or rape, chances are it won’t get on the show. We have the freedom to swear on Canadian television so the people from The Comedy Network feel swearing is okay as long as it’s for comedic affect and not sprinkled casually throughout your set. Other than that anything goes!

Courtesy of Eddie Della Siepe

Pony: Does your mind ever go blank on stage? What do you do when you get nervous?

Eddie: I’m fortunate to be quick on my feet and I don’t usually draw a blank on stage. If I get nervous before a show, I usually just give myself a pep talk, breathe, and just walk on stage.

Pony: What’s next for you? You’ve rocked all the comedy networks and venues in Toronto. Where do you go from here?

Eddie: I’ll keep working on my craft. Stand-up is like a golf swing, you never master it but you keep working on it. I’ll be shooting more episodes of Video On Trial for Much Music and I’ll be making more moves towards establishing myself in the  U.S market.

Pony: What is the best or worst advice someone has ever given you in the industry?

Eddie: I haven’t gotten a lot of bad advice in the business.  If I have a gut feeling it’s not good advice, I don’t take it in. The best advice I’ve gotten was by a comedian named Mike Wilmot, “make the women laugh, and then everybody laughs.”

*Watch Eddie’s Comedy Now special at 10:00 pm, August 20th on CTV!*

– Emma Farquharson.