Comedy Festival

BIG DADDY TAZZ PERFORMS 8.5 HOURS CONTINUOUS STAND-UP!

April 2, 2008 (Winnipeg) – Foolish? Perhaps, but he did it! Big Daddy Tazz successfully delivered 8.5 hours of uninterrupted stand-up comedy on April 1st, 2008 at the Gas Station Theatre.

Big Daddy Tazz stepped on stage at 8:50am(CST), and didn’t leave until 8.5 hours later – not even to use the facilities. Sustained on two Red Bulls, a few sips of Ensure and Boost, half a banana and a slice of pizza, Tazz delivered a full day worth of laughs. In preparation, Tazz reviewed 20 hours of his shows from the past 15 years of stand-up, from which he created a 136-page set list consisting of single word triggers to help his ADD brain get through the routine. After the first three hours, he realized that he hadn’t even begun to read off the monitor displaying his notes.

Tazz prides himself in having delivering 8.5 hours of original comedy material to a captivated of audience that ranged from 80 to 200 people throughout the day. At least a dozen of those stayed for the entire 8.5 hours, and can attest to the fact that no joke was repeated, and that he never hesitated or struggled for material. In fact, had the theatre not been booked for an evening event, Tazz would have stayed on stage, as he still had a good hour and a half of material left in the vaults of his mind. He received four standing ovations throughout the day.

What started out as a dual purpose event - an attempt to break a previous record set by US comic Dane Cook, and a promotional event for the upcoming 7th CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival - became was a testament to spirit, endurance and a shattering of social taboos surrounding mental illness. Also known as the bi-polar Buddha, Tazz joked candidly about his affliction near the end of his 8.5 hour set.

“It’s easier to deal with through laughter. People don’t realize they’re being educated when they laugh. I like to make them laugh until they cry and then laugh some more…it’s the bi-polar way,” he declared a few minutes after ending his set.

The entire event was recorded, end-to-end, for submission to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Big Daddy Tazz
Known as the "Bi-Polar Buddha", Tazz is equal parts comedian and motivational speaker who likes to enlighten, educate and inspire. He is one of the most sought-after comedians today. For more than a decade and a half, Tazz has been delighting crowds at fundraisers, corporate events, festivals and television. His many national festival appearances include Just for Laughs, the Moncton Comedy Festival and the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

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For further information, please contact:
E. Anne Dawson
(204) 229-2762 or eannedawson@gmail.com