The Gasman cometh

Hamilton Spectator

21-05-2025

A household name in Canadian comedy will be right here in Lethbridge next week for two very special events.
Brent Butt, stand-up comedy icon and the visionary behind Corner Gas, the most successful sitcom in Canadian history, is making his first stop at the Yates Memorial Theatre this Sunday (May 25). He'll be performing alongside his good friend and fellow comedian, Charlie Demers, to raise awareness and funds for students facing food insecurity through the University of Lethbridge Food for Thought initiative.
'I was naively unaware that [food insecurity] was even an issue,' Butt told the Herald. 'Some people are just barely getting by in their education, and as someone who likes to eat, food security should be the last thing anybody has to worry about. It really does seem to me to be the sign of a population in decline when some people don't have food to eat. So, I was keen to participate in the show.'
A small number of tickets are still available through the
VisitLethbridge.com
Arena website. The show starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Butt will also be walking the stage at the U of L spring convocation on May 30. The university chose him for an honorary Doctor of Laws in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Canadian culture over the last 35 years.
'Laughter is incredibly important in our lives, and I think we are realizing that more every day. Brent's devotion to his comedic craft, willingness to share with others in the comedy community and unwavering commitment to his rural roots and Canadian culture says a lot about the kind of person he is,' says Terry Whitehead, U of L chancellor.
This will be Butt's first honourary degree. He joked that it's tremendously flattering, but he wouldn't be surprised if it were also his last.
Butt says stand-up comedy has been his dream since he was 12-years old. Now looking back on his career, there are plenty of significant turning points that lead to where he is today.
'I really look at the first time I stepped on stage in a professional environment, at a club for strangers who had paid money to hear comedy. That was in February of 1988,' Butt recalled. 'Then the first time I performed at Just for Laughs about four years in. That's a milestone for any comedian, especially Canadian comedians at the time because it was our sole outlet to be seen by anybody outside the country. Then the opportunity to do Corner Gas. That was the big one; that was very life changing.'
Butt created, wrote and starred in Corner Gas across the span of six seasons from 2004 to 2009. The show averaged 1.2 million viewers per episode and collected a number of awards. He now utilizes his well-earned platform to promote and mentor growing comedians and the comedy community as a whole.
Butt will be giving a short speech during the graduation ceremony. He says he plans to use the time to offer a message of inspiration, not only to the new graduates, but their supporters, as well.
'You really should pursue what makes you happy,' he says. 'The notion of pursuing something for security reasons is kind of silly because you can never anticipate security. At least try and chase down something that you're passionate about, that you love doing, because – in a perfect world – you're going to be doing it for the rest of your life.
'Too many teachers, professors, parents, and people like that squash the dreams of other people. Don't be that person. Be there for guidance, be there for encouragement, but don't be a roadblock. You're not doing anybody any favours, despite how it might feel.'
Moving forward, Butt says performing stand-up comedy will always be part of his life. He's also releasing his first comedy album this spring, writing a second novel and working on a new television script that he hopes to shop around to networks soon.
However, it doesn't appear that his new title of Dr. Butt will be appearing in the credits.
'With the last name that I have, you always have to be careful. It definitely gives proctology vibes. I don't think that will ever be in my introduction.'
Butt is joined by writer David Robertson, former U of L Chancellor Charlie Weaselhead, conductor Kirk Muspratt and local advocates Bernadine and Toby Boulet who will also be receiving honorary degrees from the U of L this year.