Sam Sferrazza is a Toronto-based comedian whose style is best described as acerbic, ranty, and angry — though joyful makes the list too. Fuelled by a sharp eye for the absurdities of the world, from U.S. foreign policy to the humiliation ritual of eating your yoghurt before airport security, Sam channels outrage into comedy that cuts with precision and lands with glee.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Acerbic, ranty, angry, joyful, observational and cutting. I’m usually upset about something going on in the world or the way things are and that generates an entire rant. It could be whatever the United States are up to abroad or the way airport security makes you eat your yoghurt before you go through security like some kind of humiliation ritual.
Who are some of your influences?
Maria Bamford, Chelsea Peretti, Lady Gaga and Yzma from Emperor’s New Groove
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I think the only comedian I watched growing up was Ellen DeGeneres. It was the special she put out after she came out, and I thought it was genius. She had a joke about tripping on a rock that I would act out for people and at times still do. This is part of the slightly heartwarming, slightly embarrassing thing about growing up gay and discovering your sexuality – you realize everything you ever loved growing up was gay gay gay before you knew it. Anyway, too bad she was really mean to people. It’s because of her I promise to be a bitch up front.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Meg Stalter. Sorry to be “pick me,” but I loved her before the viral-ity (“who cares!” screams everyone). She has this one set from The Hideaway in Chicago that I scroll through Twitter for an hour to find a couple times a year. It’s one of the funniest videos on the internet.
What is your pre-show ritual?
In truth, the pre-show ritual starts when I decide what to wear, which is always fun because most comedians dress like slobs, so I look really amazing next to them in the green room. I write down my set and then debate if I should bring the notebook on stage. Eventually I do and convince myself it doesn’t make me any less of a professional cause one time I saw Sarah Silverman perform at Casino Rama 10 years ago and she checked her notes the whole time. I don’t drink, unless I decide to have one wheat beer.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
Performing at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival was so yummy. They treated me so nice. I just love a multi-cam experience. And I loved my outfit!! I hired a stylist, which is outrageous, but I wanted to be a star.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I have a bit about trans kids in sports, and I’m proud of it because it shows how utterly stupid the debate is and how it’s not based on safety for children but exclusion. Basically, I make the argument that if we’re going to exclude trans kids for so-called “valid” reasons, I think we should exclude straight kids from the arts because they are bad at it – all of the arts. Most art is queer. Straight people only know how to mimic queer people to be creative- y’all are hack. It’s the last joke of my new special and my closer.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
TikTok! People are so funny on there, and I think it’s amazing <3
Tell us a joke about your city.
I love Toronto cafes because there are no rules. You can sell anything in a Toronto cafe. Name a random object, and it’s being sold in a Toronto cafe right now. Name a random business, and it exists in Toronto with an operating cafe in the back. Name a random object again, and it’s being used as seating in a Toronto cafe. I went into a cafe in Toronto at 9:15 am, and the barista asked if I could come back later cause she wasn’t ready to open. At 9:15 am!!! It’s so unserious. I told her no worries queen and I took a lap.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
My new special, Artistic Intent, is out on YouTube and streaming. You can also catch it on SiriusXM Comedy Club.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Tamara Appletone hosted the comedy show for my special premiere at Tallboys. She’s so funny, and I love the energy she brings to every room she’s in.
