Ross Never Sleeps

It's been just under a year since DeAnne Smith was on our show promoting her podcast Questionable At Best. But now, partnered with Montreal's Jess Salomon they are both here to promote their 3rd Season of their live show Salomon & Smith and their accompanying Podcast of the same name! Salomon & Smith Podcast Jess Salomon's Website DeAnne Smith's Website See Salomon & Smith LIVE @ Toronto's Comedy Bar Jess' Twitter DeAnne's Twitter

Graeme O'Neil is one of Canada's most recognizable behind the scenes talents that has progressively made his way to interviewing celebrities on the big screen. Catch him every day on Entertainment Tonight Canada on their Facebook live program alongside Canadian broadcasting legends Roz Weston, Cheryl Hickey, and Sangita Patel. Facebook Twitter Instagram ET Canada Facebook

Toronto fashion designer Joseph Tassoni has quickly become the most talked about Canadian designer. A true entrepreneur and inventor, Tassoni has embarked on his own fashion label after working on successful clothing lines including Swam and Laparka. Keep your eyes out for Tassoni's clothing in the stores and on the people of Canada. Joseph Tassoni Joseph Tassoni x Toronto Women's Fashion Week Joseph Tassoni on Twitter Joseph Tassoni on Instragram

Prince Edward Island's Shawn Hogan has had every odd-job known to man. After living and working all across Canada, Shawn now calls Toronto home. Shawn is a storyteller and comedian currently producing Toronto's most popular summer stand-up showcase The Hangover Cure Comedy Show--Sundays, outdoors, on the Cloak & Dagger patio. www.HangoverCureComedy.com Twitter Instagram Facebook ... Can't make it on Sundays? Click here for the best hangover cures by Helen Sanders at Health Ambition.

Toronto has had recent success with CBC Comedy and their hit collection of web series. Terrific Women is the latest popular comedy show starring creators Sara Hennessey and Stephanie Kaliner. We find out what it's like to work on a hit original series, working alongside some of the best Toronto talent, and which cocktails from the 1970s sound the most appealing. Steph Kaliner Twitter Sara Hennessey Twitter Terrific Women Trouble In Saradise www.SaraHennessey.com

The happiest comedian from Scarborough, Big Norm Alconcel is BACK from his recent adventure in Taiwan. We find out why Big Norm was forced to live in Taipei for over 6 months and what's been going on since returning to Toronto. Go see Big Norm LIVE July 16 at the Rivoli (332 Queen St. W.) for the second "I Don't Careibana Comedy Show!" For advanced tickets!

Ethan Cole has recently garnered success for writing and starring in the CBC Comedy webseries, My 90-Year-Old Roommate. Cole has been working hard developing content with Slow Clap and co-creator Josh Shultz after their hit YouTube series Explaining Things to my Grandfather. With the success of shows like Letterkenny, the current trend is for Canadian broadcasters to pick up and further develop good independent content, already on the web, with a built-in audience. Ethan Cole's Twitter Ethan Cole's Instagram My 90-Year-Old Roommate Explaining Things to my Grandfather Slow Clap

Jason Agnew has been a staple in Toronto broadcasting for 20 years. His hard work started at Ryerson University's Radio and Television Arts program. Since then, Jason has worked for the Emmy-winning Bite.TV, Live Audio Wrestling and Sunday Morning Trivia on NewsTalk 1010. Jason is here to promote CRASHED a quasi-followup to The Conventioneers with co-host Matt Phillips. Jason is known for his hard work and positive attitude, which has led him on a successful run as various hosts of comedy and game shows in Toronto. Jason's Website Matt and Jay TV The LAW: Live Audio Wrestling Two Strikes Comedy Show Jason's Twitter

Joey “Puff Mama” Baker and Joe Tuccitto operate two of Toronto’s comedian-favourite comedy clubs. Joey’s The Underground Cafe (670 Queen St East) caters to the relaxed 420 consuming patron, and Joe’s The Corner Comedy Club (163 John St) offers a multi-show fast-paced showcase. Both clubs feature some of the best talent in Canada and internationally. The Underground Cafe The Corner Comedy Club

Dan Speerin lives and breathes Canadian digital content. From his beginnings with YouTube and The Young Turks network to his latest project Creatortown, Dan Speerin is motivated in exposing talented Canadian artists. Dan provides a much-needed voice for producers and entrepreneurs as the VP of Independent Web Creators of Canada. The IWCC organizes ‘TOwebfest’ May 25-27, 2017 at the CN Tower. Tickets available at TOwebfest.com   IWCC website TOwebfest Dan Speerin on Twitter Creatortown podcast on YouTube

Multi-award winning Canadian sketch troupe Vest of Friends speaks to the hard work taking place during the sketch comedy resurgence in Toronto. Toronto’s comedy boom includes some of the most talented sketch comedy in the world. Vest of Friends combines friendship and absurdity into a refreshing live show and future podcast on NeverSleepsNetwork.com Vest of Friends are the winners of the Best of the Fest Award at the 2016 Toronto SketchFest and the 2015 Montreal SketchFest.   Check them out May 11th, 2017 at the Montreal Skecthfest   And on Social media!   Vest of Friends Facebook Vest of Friends Twitter

Alex Bird is Toronto’s answer to the lost art of crooning, but he’s more than that. A talented singer, actor and writer, Alex Bird is the renaissance man that Toronto needs. Alex chats about working in the Canadian landscape, from audition to audition, gig to gig, and what it’s like to chase the spotlight. www.AlexBird.Net Alex Bird Instagram

Todd Van Allen is a comedian, podcaster, and host of the first popular interview podcast in Canada, Comedy Above the Pub. TVA is a wealth of knowledge, experience, and some of the best stories in Canadian comedy. Listen to a living legend in podcasting as we chat about the booming comedy industry in Toronto. www.ComedyAboveThePub.com

Filmmaker Alexander Carson reflects on the reasons why artists fall in love with the “struggle” to create their art. His feature film, ‘O, Brazen Age’, focuses on the life of young artists and their need to create art to evolve as people. Carson’s film pays homage to young artists and their social effects on the communities they are building. http://www.obrazenage.com/ (Trailer) https://www.facebook.com/obrazenage/ (National Canadian Screening Dates)   Toronto’s Carlton Cinemas Screening Tickets (March 24 & 25, 2017) https://imaginecinemas.com/cinema/carlton-cinema/?date=2017-03-25 (Saturday)

Jen Sakato & Patrick Hakeem are self-proclaimed love gurus with their very own advice podcast, Listen to Us! on TEN Minute Podcast Network. Jen hosts Ladies Night Comedy every 3rd Thursday at the Underground (670 Queen East, Toronto) & Patrick can be seen every week performing all over Toronto. These two are hustlers!! Don’t miss out on a great conversation about love & relationships. Instagram @jensakato @hakeemness Podcast

Vancouver’s Crazy 8s Film Festival proves that great teams and great scripts can produce compelling shorts films….IN JUST 8 DAYS. Hear about the process from winners Mike Jackson and Peter New of Woodman, and Lawrence Le Lam, Jerome Yoo, and Alex Barima of Cypher.    http://crazy8s.film/

Marito Lopez brings the fire on this exciting episode of #RNS. Marito shares his love for Jay-Z and Kanye West while teaching us a hip hop crash course. Marito chats about moving to Canada from El Salvador and his fight to keep comedy in his life. Marito is in the studio producing his second Runnin’ At The Mouth hip hop comedy album–The Cream Soda Fur Coat. Check out Marito’s bi-weekly comedy show CommaTea every other Thursday at Bampot House of Tea (201 Harbord St, Toronto).   Instagram CommaTea  

Nitish Sakhuja is one of the funniest up-and-comers in Toronto. He talks about his start in comedy in Toronto including the time he helped Canadian legend Kenny Robinson move homes. Nitish can be seen every Monday hosting “The Laugh Dispensary” at The Underground Comedy Club (670 Queen East) and out west this March on tour with Dean Young & Scott Belford for their “Cowboys & Indian Comedy Tour” Instagram: @nittysak

With the recent closure of the Hoxton, Silver Dollar Room and Hugh’s Room there seems to be a very strong trend opposing the once sought after MUSIC city dubbed by Toronto mayor John Tory. This episode is the return of comedian Garrett Jamieson with his band leader, musician Ryan Spratt of Sprattacus and formerly of Vince Lömbarrdi — they come and chat about their ideas to help Toronto be a better music and comedy city. IG: Ryan Spratt Garrett Jamieson www.GodOfComedy.com

Entrepreneurs Connor Thompson and Chris Elphick are podcasters turned authors. Instead of writing the next great Canadian novel, they turned to the budding industry of adult colouring books. Taking the word “adult” to its darker origins, they created Cockadoodles: a VERY Adult Activity Book. Ever wanted to launch your great idea? Take it from these two and follow your dreams….your wet dreams. http://www.thisisntnecessary.com/

“Podfather” Dean Young from Talkhole.com and Inside Jokes with Sandra Carusi chats about how he’s helping the Toronto comedy boom become Canada’s comedy boom. Catch him on tour this March on the “Cowboys and Indian” tour with Scott Belford & Nitish Sakhuja. First stop, Comedy Bar Toronto (945 Bloor St W, Toronto). IG: deanyoungpodcast

JJ Liberman & Amish Patel are two comedian friends who are both working hard, etching their individual marks in the Toronto comedy scene. JJ has been hitting the stand up hard this past year, making it to the Carolines stage on Broadway in New York City. Amish Patel from FadeToBrown.com makes his second RNS appearance promoting his his upcoming projects including working closely with Kevin Hart. 2017 is a big year for these two. Catch JJ every first Friday of the month at Toronto’s Comedy Bar (enter address) for the extremely raunchy and popular THE DIRTY NORTH. (Please note this episode is exceptionally explicit and fun). JJ Liberman @Crayjliberman Amish Patel @fadetobrown

Jeremy Woodcock is one of Toronto’s secret comedic weapons. A writer for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and CBC Comedy, Jeremy has worked hard in sketch and improv leading to these well deserved opportunities. Jeremy’s docu-series, The Urbane Explorer, highlights his charm and wit while he exposes Toronto’s plethora of adventures. A must watch for any lover of dry humour done right!

Sara Starkman is a fresh face in Toronto’s booming comedy scene. Her blog Schticky Situations has evolved into a budding stand-up comedy career. Sara is raw and unfiltered, easy to digest and one fart joke away from stealing your heart. Sara chats about being raised Jewish and non-religious, her love for all things Asia and how she stole her fiancée from the UK. Sara can be seen every month at her curated comedy show The McQueens of Comedy at McQueens Pub (993 Queen Street East).

After the recent release of his second successful comedy album, Demons Are Eating My Head, Chris Locke continues to prove why he’s one of Toronto’s leading stand-up comedians. Chris is humble, silly, genuine and hungry. This recording occurs right after President Trump was elected, so you get to hear a side of Chris that is unusually disappointed, yet calmingly funny. We discuss his love of Indian cuisine, living in Toronto, his new born, and his incredibly original podcast, Utopia To Me.

Toronto is home to a growing number of Burlesque performers and teachers. This confident community can be seen shedding their beautifully elaborate costumes at a variety of shows downtown. We chat with performer Zyra Lee Vanity about the history of Burlesque and how Toronto is playing an important role for Canadians involved in live performance, art, and expression. With the recent news in Hamilton where a bylaw officer ticketed Burlesque dancers for their performance at a bar, Zyra Lee Vanity gives her own take on working in a progressive art form.

DeAnne Smith is a world class comedian and fellow podcaster who now calls Toronto her home. DeAnne has this amazing ability to make those around her feel at ease with a genuine interest in her audience and collaborators. Toronto is very fortunate to have DeAnne! Just like her new puppy, we have to ask, “Can we keep her?” DeAnne’s podcast, Questionable at Best can be heard at NoMoreRadio.com

Winnipeg’s Garrett Jamieson is one of the kindest and equally funny comedians residing in Toronto. Always happy to work and collaborate with other artists, Garrett is coordinating his very own showcase featuring painters, magic and live music. The event will feature art by Garrett and Charlotte Mars, Magic from “The Amazing” Nick Reynoldson and performances including comedian Todd Graham.

Mark Little is just as funny as he is humble. Mark is surely becoming a great Canadian name having worked on some of the most popular comedy projects in Canada including CBC’s Mr. D. Mark helped open the sketch comedy doors in Halifax with the troupe Picnicface, he’s been featured on Just For Laughs & Yuk Yuk’s. You can see him regularly at Toronto’s Bad Dog Theatre with the sketch super group GET SOME featuring Jeremy Woodcock, Miguel Rivas, Alex Tindal & Laura Cilevetz.

Standing at 6’6″ sincere comedian Kyle Hickey is fueled by hecklers, donairs and hardboiled eggs. Kyle’s album “experimental phase” reached #1 on iTunes only a few years after moving to Toronto from Halifax to advance his career in stand-up. Kyle has stories like an old roadie and advice for all the Internet trolls looking for comedians to “follow” on social media. Catch Kyle at Yuk Yuk’s regularly throughout Toronto and the rest of Canada.

Filmmakers Mariah Owen www.GTEproductionsinc.com & writer/actress Brittany Johnson (Dark Matter, Murdoch Mysteries) are two of the hardest working people in the entertainment industry. Their new short film Expiry Date is coming soon to a screen near you. Until then, have a listen to how these two amazing women have been working hard in one of the most difficult industries in Canada–and they tell you how you can too!

Amish Patel is a young hard working comedian diligently producing content in a variety of forms. His standup is excellent, his YouTube videos are well produced and he recently had a pitch accepted by Kevin Hart for the new Laugh Out Loud Network. Check Amish out at www.AmishPatel.net

Jordan Foisy is the renaissance-(every)man. He’ll tell you like it is and there’s little to disagree with. His confidence in today’s cultural shortcomings is what makes him enjoyable to chat with. Check out his podcast “Should I Be Scared Of This”. We hope he brings it back! http://www.jordanfoisy.com/

Two best friends and a bottle of wine, Dave Merheje & Patrick Hakeem come to the NSN studio and chat. Though they have seemingly similar backgrounds culturally, it was the comedy scene in Toronto that paired these two together.

Phil Luzi is our first triple threat: he’s a versatile actor, a hilarious comedian AND a talented director. Phil is a beautiful human inside and out who loves Toronto and the career and opportunities it’s provided him. We discuss him meeting his comedy partner in crime, Canadian comedy royalty Sandra Battaglini, and what it is like being a gay comedy icon in the ever evolving LGBTQ comedy landscape. Our chat with Phil happens fresh from his Toronto Fringe Festival debut directing Born with a Tale starring Helder Brum, another great comedian featured on an earlier episode of RNS!

Ben Miner was destined to be a comedian. Starting in Ottawa he worked on the Tom Green Show, and has since surrounded himself around trend setting comedians until finally becoming one himself. Ben’s comedy sounds like your funny best friend telling you why food is funny and he’s usually right or at least starting a conversation the whole room can agree on and laugh about.

Originally from Montreal, Faisal Butt, has made Toronto his comedy home for the last 6 years. Faisal talks about where his hustle stems from-his newly born baby, his Muslim roots and Pakistani parents and how different his life has been since realizing comedy was his path. Listen to Faisal discuss his peaks and valleys in the industry and his recent accolade–winning the Sirius XM’s Top Comic.

Matt O’Brien is leading the pack of brilliantly weird and fun comedians to come out of Toronto. Matt’s stand up is energetic and excitable, but far from over the top. Matt is simply not afraid to take chances and his audiences quickly latches on for the ride. Matt’s social media pages and YouTube are constantly pumping out new jokes and videos every week. Matt is young and electric and can be seen touring under the Yuk Yuk’s banner all over Canada.

Toronto’s Adam Pal is an entertainer and TV producer on the award winning national show Out There with Melissa DiMarco. Adam’s sense of humour is unmatched, his opinions are sometimes against the grain, but his heart is large. He’s a hard working family man working on his own network www.palmcastnetwork.com

Justin Bruckmann is owner and coach of Bruckmann Martial Arts in Ontario’s Durham region. Justin’s respect for his students and their progress is representative of the martial arts his gym teaches. Justin’s years of experience provides exciting opinions and an unmatched perspective. Justin opens up to us about the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene in Ontario, and what it’s like to coach at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Dan and Helder are staples of the Toronto comedy scene. Regulars at the Comedy Bar and famous for their off the grid ‘Garage Show’, where they curate Canada’s funniest comedians into a garage in the back of someone’s property in downtown Toronto. Their dream is to someday open a UFC-themed restaurant.

Toronto’s Zombie Survival Camp has given everyone the opportunity to discover if they too would survive the zombie apocalypse.

The hardworking Ali Hassan jumps from show to show in the night like a comedy superhero.

Alex talks to Gary Rideout Jr. of Comedy Bar, and lives out his dream of making local legend Pat Thornton laugh.

Alex kicks off Ross Never Sleeps with Paul Beer, resident comedian and Comedy Bar regular.