About CATP

Comedy Above the Pub Podcast – Biography

Fantastic. Another comedian with a podcast?

Not exactly!

The History of the Comedy Above The Pub (CATP) Podcast

Not just one of Canada’s longest running comedy podcasts where guests the likes of Andy Kindler, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” stars Greg Proops and Colin Mochrie, “Kids in the Hall”’s Bruce McCulloch, “Iron Chef America” co-host Kevin Brauch and CBC’s “The Debaters” host Steve Patterson have swung by for a visit. As a result of the success of the show, CATP host Todd Van Allen has been interviewed on the CBC show “Spark” and written up in “Macleans” magazine. You can read the article HERE.

CATP first started out as The TVA Podcast back in 2007. Host Van Allen started the podcast at the behest of producer Darcy Fiander, and started releasing episodes featuring Todd’s weekly radio segments for BOB’s Breakfast on BOB-FM, and Mike Reid on 98.9-THE DRIVE.

Over a series of episodes, the TVA Podcast also began to release interview episodes with various comedians.

Nostalgia Note: You can still find all the classic TVA podcast episodes at his website and on iTunes.

Highlights of the TVA podcast include not only Todd’s conversations with local and touring comedians, but also the first visit of “Iron Chef America” co-host Kevin Brauch and Paul F. Tompkins who talked to Todd when he came to Toronto in 2009.

The TVA podcast completed its run with episode #201 and transitioned to Comedy Above The Pub. In so doing, it has never ceased its mandate of bringing on guests who, though may not be comedians, have a funny story to tell. Yes, a strong focus on Canadian talent does exist, but that does not stop touring comics or other interesting people stopping in and spending some time on CATP.

Already into its seventh season, Van Allen has talked on the podcast with

Comedians like:

  • Rich Little
  • Wendy Liebman
  • Jeff Cesario
  • Blaine Capatch
  • Josh Johnson
  • Randy Feltface
  • Greg Proops
  • Andy Kindler
  • Kyle Kinane
  • Colin Mochrie
  • Jimmy Pardo
  • Rory Scovel
  • Kumail Nanjiani
  • Greg Behrendt
  • Jen Kirkman
  • Josh Blue
  • Bruce McCulloch
  • Sean Cullen
  • Steve Patterson
  • Anthony Jeselnik
  • Myq Kaplan
  • Dylan Brody
  • Jesse Joyce

Musicians and Music Critics like:

  • Paul Shaffer
  • Henry Rollins
  • Thomas Dolby
  • Rise Ashen
  • Alan Cross

Politicians like:

  • Canadian Member of Parliament Andrew Cash
  • Former Toronto mayor David Miller

Chefs like:

  • Chef Brad Long
  • Chef Massimo Capra
  • Chef Corbin Tomaszeski
  • Roger Mooking
  • “Restaurant Takeover” chef Andrea Nicholson
  • “Top Chef Canada” contestant Todd Perrin

Television personalities like:

  • Alan Thicke
  • “Iron Chef America” floor reporter Kevin Brauch
  • “Restaurant Makeover” designer Glen Peloso
  • TSN sportscaster Jay Onrait
  • “Cash Cab Canada” host Adam Growe
  • “World’s Weirdest Restaurants” host Bob Blumer
  • Toronto television personality Pay Chen
  • “DeGrassi Junior High” cast member Stefan Brogren

As well, Comedy Above the Pub was invited to the NXNE festival where they podcasted live-to-tape at the convention centre. There they gathering interviews that were released the same day, talking with musicians, bands and comics alike.

Come on in, subscribe, and listen.

When you listen to CATP, you’re in for a good time.