Available exclusively to Members.
Subscribe to instantly watch this video.
Already a Subscriber?Sign in
Comedy Got Softer? ft. Dave Merheje & Jean Paul
Comedy changed — and comedians felt it.
From Toronto grind days to cancel culture, this gets brutally honest.
In this episode, we break down:
- Jay Martin sits down with Jean Paul and Dave Merheje for a deep conversation on Canadian comedy, stand-up writing, Just for Laughs, comedy festivals, hip-hop influences, cancel culture, and what it takes to survive in the entertainment industry
- The guests reflect on coming up through Toronto’s stand-up scene, building their voice, handling difficult peers, evolving as performers, and the balance between authenticity, risk, and audience sensitivity
- They also share their comedy Mount Rushmore, discuss Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Chris Rock, and highlight comedians they believe are next to break out
- Hosts: Jay Martin
- Guests: Jean Paul, Dave Merheje
Fresh off Juno-related appearances and years of experience across stand-up, television, writing, and live performance, Jean Paul and Dave Merheje bring sharp insight into the evolution of comedy in Canada and beyond.
This episode is a strong watch for anyone interested in stand-up comedy, comedian mindset, writing process, entertainment culture, and the changing rules of modern performance.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 Intro and guest welcome
- 00:58 Jean Paul and Dave Merheje introduce themselves
- 02:01 Early Toronto comedy scene memories
- 07:03 Dave Merheje on writing, nerves, and improvisation
- 09:44 How cultural background shaped their comedy
- 13:02 Has comedy changed after COVID and cancel culture?
- 18:18 Hip-hop, music, and performance influence
- 20:39 The road to Just for Laughs and comedy festivals
- 25:00 Difficult people and egos in the comedy business
- 32:03 Comedy GOATs and Mount Rushmore picks
- 40:04 Comedians on the come up
- 44:32 Outro
👉 If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.
👉 Visit www.tplmedia.ca
🔗 Links:
www.tplmedia.ca
Pillars: Happiness
#JayMartin #tplmedia #comedy
RELATED VIDEOS
Canada’s Biggest Track Investment in 50 Years ft. Doug Wood
Canada just made its biggest athletics investment since the 1976 Olympics, backing a new high-performance track centre in Bolton.
Ron Caughlin
Are We Parenting Kids the Wrong Way Today? ft. Sim Chhabra
Are parents getting worse, or is social media simply exposing their hardest moments and teaching the rest of us to judge? From st
Mike Wixson
Are Movie Theaters Finally Beating Streaming Again? ft. Joel Stewart
Young audiences are packing theaters again, turning movies into must-see events and driving a surprising 2026 box office resurgenc
Mike Wixson
All the content you need for every media platform
Sponsored Ad
Why Would a Good Golfer Fake a Hole-in-One? ft. Sim
A skilled golfer faked one of golf’s rarest achievements. What makes someone risk their reputation for a moment of glory? Jim Lan
Jim Lang
Inside Nova Scotia’s 7,000-Artifact Time Capsule ft. Allan & Mary Fraser
Step inside a 10,000-square-foot Nova Scotia museum packed with 7,000 artifacts. See the forgotten tools and stories that built e
Paul Micucci
How Rocket Bakery Became a Newfoundland Icon ft. Kelly Mansell
Kelly Mansell left central Canada for Newfoundland, opened a bakery with no food-service background, and built a St. John’s commun
Paul Micucci
Exciting promotions on rkitchen.ca
Sponsored Ad