Comedian Jeremy Hotz set for Kelowna on 10th national tour

Top comic Jeremy Hotz should not be able to do what he does.

His unique brand of observational standup - highlighting the miserable and the mishaps that confront life’s ordinary situations – has made him a big name on the live touring comedy circuit and on TV for years. His popularity has more recently exploded globally thanks to the online world.

But don’t be fooled by his on-stage demeanour: his curled hand, held nervously with fingers brushing his lower lip, as if he’s set to burst into tears at any time.

“That’s my General Anxiety Disorder,” Hotz tells Kelowna 10 ahead of his live Très Misérables Tour gig in Kelowna.

“My friends told me I was doing that and in the early days of touring they used to laugh at me and say ‘look how nervous he gets’. They didn’t realize it was a severe mental disorder.”

Hotz fully incorporated that hand gesture in his act so perhaps it became more theatrical than those real early performances, but the anxiety remains. He explains how adrenaline is a quick remedy and he’s actually far more comfortable in front of thousands than when he’s off stage.

Over the years he's made several appearances on top American TV talk shows and has written comedy for others, like the Jon Stewart Show. There have been occasional acting roles as well, but he's now happy to be in full control of his own tour, admitting that "if I screw up it's on me."

Hotz recounts how he grew up sharing funny tales and experiences around the family table believing every family did the same.

And there's a new and rapidly growing element to Hotz's work as well: the internet. His gags and stories can be readily found on his webpage and Instagram account.

“Now I’m on the internet and I’ve gathered a new audience internationally that had no idea I existed, [they] appreciate my observational humour. And guess what, people all over the world see the same thing.”

Hotz stresses he’s not a ‘brand-specific’ comedian and he’s a magnet for observational material.

“I’ll go out walking with my dog, and for whatever reason, stuff happens to me. If there’s a crazy guy screaming stuff in the middle of the street, he’ll come straight up to me because he thinks I’m his leader.”

What happens to Hotz in his daily life is translated into a slick and polished comedic performance that of course, requires perfect timing and expert recollection. But he remains modest about pulling off his craft.

“Yeh, somehow I do. I mean, I just do ... because I don’t do anything else. There’s nothing else up there...,” he laughs, pointing to his brain, “...except jokes.”

So, what can the audience in Kelowna expect for Hotz’s second career visit to the city as he celebrates what is his tenth national tour? He makes it clear he’s not letting anyone off the hook.

“I’ll be talking about [Kelowna]. Like, just because I’ve only been there once before doesn’t mean I don’t know anything,” he says with a very mischievous smile...and with no hand gesture towards the mouth. Maybe he’s just been kidding us the whole time.

Jeremy Hotz's Très Misérables Tour gig happens at Kelowna's Community Theatre on Thursday, January 23.