Russell PetersRussell Peters has found a new BFF – Edmonton comedian Kathleen McGee.

You know you’re funny when Russell Peters handpicks you from a roster of Canada’s top aspiring comics to open his next Canadian tour. Kathleen McGee, a comedian from Edmonton, Alta., was Peters’ choice from The SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Russel Peters’ Search for Canada’s BFF (Best Funny Five).

“I watched all the entries – not just the top 10,” Peters said.  “I wanted to make sure that I found someone who made me laugh, and Kathleen made me laugh.”

Videos from thousands of comedians nationwide were submitted to the contest in the hopes of making Peters’ top 10, which aired on CTV’s The Comedy Network this October. McGee’s five-minute sketch came out on top, earning her the opening slot at one of Peters’ tour stops in 2010.

“I’m very grateful to both Russell Peters and SIRIUS Canada for giving me this opportunity to show Canadians what I’m all about,” said McGee. “This is such a huge step for me! Hopefully one day I will headline my own first big national tour, I can only hope I’ll be as gracious as Russell and always remember my comedy roots. For Russell to say that I’m funny means a lot to me!”

McGee, who currently resides in Toronto, uses her sketches to make an audience both laugh and blush at the same time. This is not her first brush with a comedy tour – she has toured Canada and has appeared on BiteTV.

Scarborough’s Jack Dani was the runner-up, and will also get the chance to share the spotlight with Peters.

“I was shocked to find out that I was selected as a wild card entry, and very honoured when I was told that Russell himself selected me out of the crowd,” said Dani.  “Contests like these offer such great exposure for a comic like me and I’m thankful to both Russell Peters and SIRIUS for supporting the Canadian comedy scene and allowing me to unleash my humour on the unsuspecting masses.”

Dani’s specialty is animation and impressions, a trait that won over Peters so much he had to make the last minute wildcard selection.

“Choosing Jack as a wild card wasn’t planned, but here again, he just made me laugh,” said Peters.  “I like to think that I’m sharing something new and funny with my fans when I have someone open for me – it’s like me saying, ‘hey I like this person and I think you will too’.”






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