Nathan Fielder’s successful Comedy Central show (Much in Canada) “Nathan for You” is amazing. His show is different and fresh, with an uplifting sentimentality that gives his fans plenty to laugh and ponder. Now he is in downtown Toronto to perform a live show at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema before two sold out shows.
Last summer I saw Nathan perform at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, where he was awarded the prestigious Comedy Newcomer of the Year Award. His live act is a little different from what other comedians do, but that’s what makes him special.
I got to sit down with the creator, star and mister everything of Nathan for You right before he hit the stage at Bloor Hot Docs. Here are some excerpts from that interview.
Mr ShoBiz: Here we are, he is about to do a show, we are at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. We have sparkling water everywhere! Nathan Fielder is with us. Nathan, thank you for being on with Mr ShoBiz!
Nathan: Always a pleasure, Daryl. Always a pleasure to be on Mr ShoBiz.
Mr ShoBiz: Nathan, I saw you do a show at Just For Laughs in Montreal last summer at a tiny venue. Here you are now at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema where you have sold out two shows. You’re going to New York after this. This is insane, no?
Nathan: Last year I didn’t know if anyone would show up because I had never done shows where people were seeing just me. I booked all of these theatres that were 150 or 100 seats, and I wasn’t even sure if those would sell out. And then they sold out really quickly. This year I’m doing a few shows that are in bigger venues, and I’m so happy that people in Toronto want to see it, and that they have filled this theatre. I love Canada, I am from this country, and I am happy to have so many Canadian fans.
Mr ShoBiz: You’re going to New York after this. Is that one sold out?
Nathan: New York is sold out.
Mr ShoBiz: Tell us what you do in these shows?
Nathan: It’s a screening and a Q & A, so it’s not much of a live show. I’ll show some episodes that haven’t aired yet, and talk about stuff that happened behind the scenes. I’ll talk to the audience and answer some questions and I might sing a song, too.
Mr ShoBiz: On March 8th you were on The Simpsons. What was that like?
Nathan: That was a thrilling experience for me. I grew up watching that show, so it was amazing. They just emailed my agent and were like, “Will Nathan do this part?” I was in New York at the time so I just went to a studio there, and we did it really quickly. It was surreal to see myself in that show. I was in the studio alone and they were talking to me through headphones from another city. Los Angeles is the name of that city. Has anyone heard of that?
Mr ShoBiz: It rings a bell.
Nathan: New York is the city everyone knows, but Los Angeles is the other big city in the United States.
Mr ShoBiz: The Night Before, you’re going to be in that movie! Congratulations because you were cut from the movie Neighbors. This one you actually made it in.
Nathan: Barely, but yes. I’m in it about the length we’ve been talking about it so far. Those guys worked really hard to make it super funny, so I hope people like it.
Mr ShoBiz: What was it like shooting? I assume this is your first major motion picture.
Nathan: It was interesting. A lot of waiting around. Because when you’re acting, there isn’t a lot to do, because you’re just waiting around. When I do my show, I’m doing stuff constantly and I have no free time. In a way it [the movie] is kind of relaxing, but you go through every emotion. You’re having fun, sometimes you’re bored. But it was cool to see how those guys did it, how they punch up jokes and how they operate. That was the most fun for me, seeing how they put their movies together.
Mr ShoBiz: So it was a learning experience?
Nathan: Yes, in fact that’s why I do a lot of jobs. Not because I necessarily care about the project, but because I am interested in seeing how other people do it.
Mr ShoBiz: Are you learning anything talking to me, Nathan?
Nathan: You have good posture, I guess I’m noticing that.
Mr ShoBiz: I’ll take it! Nathan, last question. What are your emotions right now as you are about to go on stage?
Nathan: Um. The emotion is I’m a little tired. But I’m excited to show stuff to crowds. The one thing, I used to do shows here in Toronto. The lights went out!
(Lights go out)
Mr ShoBiz: The lights have gone out, Nathan is waving around and there we go!
(Lights come on)
Nathan: They’re motion activated. It’s nice after finishing the episodes to screen them in front of people. I still enjoy that part of the process.
Mr ShoBiz: And what about these fans that have come out to see you here?
Nathan: I’m super honoured that people like the show, that people would come out in the rain.
Mr ShoBiz: Nathan, thanks for being on with Mr ShoBiz.
Nathan: Thanks, Daryl.
It was time for Nathan’s show. The crowd had patiently stood in line outside the theatre in the rain before they were let in. Of course, it was worth the wait as it was another funny Nathan Fielder performance. It was not your typical comedy show, but that’s Nathan for you.
Watch the full interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pTdordyGq8
