andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

A superstar in his own right, Russell Peters is to comedy lovers what Robert Pattinson is to pre-pubescent girls. The Canadian humorist born to Anglo-Indian parents became the first comedian to sell out the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and is one in a handful of comedians to perform at the Madison Square Garden to a sold out audience. Peters’ new tour celebrating his 20th anniversary kicks off this January.

Anyone who’s seen him perform knows that one of the many things that distinguishes Peters from other acts is his dead-on accuracy when it comes to accents. What’s his secret?

“I listen,” he tells andPOP. “You’ve got to listen to get the inflections and the intent of what people are saying.  That means listening to people when they’re happy, sad, angry.  That’s how you learn how they speak. I still can’t do a Scottish accent though – doesn’t matter how much I listen and try it… those tricky Scots!”

Fans can hear him and his array of accents when Peters hits the road with “The Green Card Tour” in celebration of his 20th anniversary. But rest assured the jokes will focus on a variety of cultures as usual, not only on Americans. “The reason it’s called The Green Card Tour, is because I’ll be getting my Green Card in 2010,” he explains.

And if you’ve ever dreamed of opening for Peters during one of his shows, here’s your chance. He’s looking for a Canadian BFF (not a la Paris Hilton) through SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Russell Peters’ Search for Canada’s BFF. “In this contest we’re looking for anybody’s and I mean anybody’s ‘Best Funny Five Minutes,’ ” says Peters. “This is a chance for all those people who watch stand-up and say, ‘Hey!  I could do that’, to actually get up on stage and do it, with a chance to open for me somewhere in North America.”

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It looks like Paris Hilton isn’t the only one on a nation-wide search for a new BFF. But this time, don’t count on any input from Tinkerbell.

SIRIUS Canada announced in a press release yesterday that Canadian comic Russell Peters was in partnership with the satellite radio company to find Canada’s next big stand-up comedian. SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Russell Peters’ Search for Canada’s BFF (”BFF,” in this case standing for, ”Best Funny Five”), is a national talent search to find the Canadian amateur stand-up comedian with the best five-minute set.

The winner will receive the opportunity to open with their five-minute act for Peters on his upcoming North American tour. The winning comedian will also receive a $2,500 “appearance fee,” travel and accommodation for two, VIP backstage treatment, and the chance to hang out with Peters before the show.

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Comedian Russell Peters, the Henry VIII series “The Tudors” and the miniseries “The Englishman’s Boy” were some of the big winners at the Gemini Awards last night (Wednesday).

The awards were doled out at a private bash recognizing the best in Canadian drama, variety and comedy TV. It was the last of three galas held in advance of the main event in November, where the top awards including best drama and comedy will be presented.

Peters took the prize for best performance or host in a variety program or series for his work on the Junos. The awards show also won for best music, variety program or series.

Meanwhile, “The Tudors” won four trophies, including best visual effects and best performance by an actress in a featured supporting role in a dramatic series for Maria Doyle Kennedy’s portrayal of Catherine of Aragon.

“The Englishman’s Boy” also won four awards, including best direction in a dramatic program or mini-series and best achievement in casting.

Other winners included the “MuchMusic Video Awards 2007″ for best direction and “Mayerthorpe” for best TV movie.

The main Gemini Awards show, to be televised, will take place in Toronto Nov. 28.

Leslie Feist came, saw and conquered at this year’s Junos.

The Toronto-based, Calgary-born singing sensation known simply as Feist, walked away with awards in all five categories she was nominated- including the coveted album of the year.

“I am a soft and sucky person, and I would be soft if it wasn’t for my human shields,” the singer said just before thanking her label, her producers and her band.

Feist took home single of the year, the first award of the night, for 1 2 3 4, the ditty that took the world by storm. Feist would be back on stage to accept a few more honours proving that the night was most definitely hers.

Feist may have beat out the best in Canadian music in her categories but others were honoured during the ceremony at Calgary’s Saddledome on Sunday night.

Homegrown host and international funnyman Russell Peters kicked off the night with a low blow joke aimed at Nickelback lead singer, Chad Kroeger. Peters ran on stage quipped that Kroeger was his limo driver as fans roared with laughter knowing the singer was recently found guilty of drunk driving.

The night went on to include some spectacular performances. Finger Eleven graced the staged with a powerful rendition of their song Paralyzer, opera singer Measha Brueggergosman honoured the late Oscar Peterson with two songs, and Anne Murray did a memorable duet with Jann Arden. The show wrapped up with R&B/Soul recording of the year winner Jully Black, singing her hit Seven Day Fool.

Other winners included Halifax indie band Wintersleep getting the new group of the year trophy as Blue Rodeo was named group of the year. The Juno fan choice award went to Michael Buble, who beat out Canadian legend Celine Dion for the nod. Dion was left empty-handed in all four of her nominations.

Russell Peters has hit the big time.

He’s in talks to produce a sitcom with a major U.S. network, he’ll appear in a movie next year with Rosie Perez and John Leguizamo, and he’s embarking on a world tour that is scheduled to make stops in India, Singapore, England, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.

And the Canadian comedian has just released a DVD, “Outsourced.”

After signing autographs for more than 3 hours in Toronto on Sunday, Peters spoke to andPOP about the DVD, the tour and more.

Interview by: Amy Sharaf