Jason Houle is a Montreal-based comedian with a sharp observational style, a touch of narcissistic self-deprecation, and a deep love for the weirdness of everyday life. His comedy blends personal stories, random cultural references, and the kind of jokes you come up with while talking nonsense with your best friend (hi Svenke — his longtime muse and co-host of their new gaming channel, Houle & Sven).
A Toronto transplant, Jason got his start at 3rd Floor Comedy Club and now performs all over Montreal, including summer park shows and this year’s Just For Laughs Dr. Squatch stage. His current favourite bit? A chair-based queer theory lesson gone wrong (or right?), lovingly titled “Lesbian Chairs.”
How would you describe your comedy style?
Observational. Not edgy, not clean. A lot of self-deprecation, but in that narcissistic way, where I just like talking about myself
Who are some of your influences?
I think I was influenced by television more than any specific comedian. 30 Rock, Arrested Development, The Simpsons, Futurama, Greg the Bunny, American Dad, Community, Clone High.
I’d also say my best Friend, Svenke, would be my biggest influence. We’ve been friends for 20 years, and we essentially built a shared sense of humour. I find a lot of material through talking with him, so I guess you could say he’s my muse. Muses don’t have to be 16-year-old European mistresses. Muses can also be your boy.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I went through so many different phases in comedic tastes. I went through a big Opie & Anthony phase as a teenager, so Jim Norton, Bill Burr, and Colin Quinn were heroes of mine. John Mulaney’s special New in Town was a life-changer. Pete Holmes’ Podcast You Made it Weird was really important to me.
I feel like I should mention that the first concert I ever went to was the Canadian musical comedy troupe “The Arrogant Worms”. They crushed.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Rory Scovel has been my number 1 for a while now. His special “Rory Scovel Tries Stand Up For the First Time” is peak. Mark Little and Debra DiGiovanni are way up there for me, too.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I pace relentlessly. I write my set list on my notes while I periodically listen in on the show to get a vibe of the crowd and what they like (and what they hate). I squat and stretch to a point where it looks like I’m going this run a marathon. I think it’s all part building up nervous energy. The best sets I have are the ones where I have the most jitters before. The more calm I am before a set, the less likely I am to have fun and try something new
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
3rd Floor Comedy Club was my first home in comedy, so I gotta give to them. Comedy thrives in intimate spaces. Also, shout out to Zak Kik’s for the park show. In the Summer at Park Girouard, Saturdays at 8 pm, there is a show by the baseball diamond, and it’s a blast. Impeccable vibe
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I have a bit called “Lesbian Chairs” that I really like right now. It’s essentially about how cartoonishly straight women who play lesbians manspread when they sit in chairs. I wrote it thinking I was being an ally, but then a lesbian friend of mine said, “That’s just how we sit”, and then I found out the actor who inspired the joke was also a lesbian. OH, the things you learn.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
Shop local. Be a patron of the arts in your community. Comedy should be live entertainment, not just a 45-minute yap session by some Blue Chew industry plant you listen to while you do dishes. Take a risk and see comedy live. It’s often bad, but occasionally it’s not too bad.
Tell us a joke about your city.
I moved here from Toronto, so my favourite part about living in Montreal is when a crazy person on the street screams at me in a language that I don’t understand, at least now I know that it IS a language
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I just started a little gaming channel with my aforementioned muse. It’s called Houle & Sven
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
A great pal of mine named Miguel McKenna is a real treat. When he came to Montreal, he was bullied immensely for dressing too fancy because one time he wore a turtleneck. This is my way of making amends.
