Desirée Walsh has graced the stage of some of Toronto’s best and most accessible comedy clubs. As a wheelchair user, her comedy blends elements of her personal life with topical events, making audiences laugh while also reflecting on the obstacles disabled people face. You may have caught her on the television series Comedy Invasion, or at Toronto’s Second City’s SqueakyFest this past July. We spoke to Desirée to learn more about her favourite comedy venues, and which comedians she likes to listen to.
How would you describe your comedy style?
I describe my comedy style as, you know, the public speaking competition in like Gr 6? Well, my comedy is a cross between the child whose speech was clearly written by an adult and the child who obviously had no help from any grown-ups.
Who are some of your influences?
I write about my dad a lot, so I guess him. He is not a comic; he just says a lot of funny things.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I really liked SNL, so Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, David Spade, Jimmy Fallon, and Molly Shannon. I was older when she started, but I also really like Leslie Jones. None of these people really influenced my stand-up, well, maybe Leslie Jones
Who is your favourite comedian now?
I am assuming you mean kind of famous comedians? I really like Steph Tolev, John Mulaney, Lliza Shlesinger and Leslie Jones.
I like so many comedians from the Toronto scene. I have met some truly wonderful and hilarious people.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I don’t really have any. If I can find it, a Diet Coke and maybe a Snickers or a vodka cranberry. I usually go over my set list at least once. I guess that is a ritual
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
My favourite venue to perform at was the Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. This is where I filmed my Episode of Comedy Invasion titled: “Wheelchair, and I”. Performing at the Hollywood Improv was also cool. My Favorite places to perform in Toronto are: Comedy Bar Danforth and Society Club House because they have a wheelchair accessible washroom and stage. In Toronto, very few comedy venues are truly wheelchair accessible; it’s a problem. Toronto is not great with wheelchair accessibility; I use a wheelchair. I’m not just oddly passionate about access for people who use mobility devices.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
During the pandemic, I wrote a bit about US snack food and specifically the brand Uncrustables (the premade peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) that sort of got a following online among the comedy community at the time. Which was fun. I put the bit on my album, “Everybody Panic”. It is very good; you should listen to it.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I really like listening to the comedy albums of local Toronto comics on Spotify. Although I feel like a better answer is that there are lots of local live comedy shows you can go to. For example: Kelly Zemnickis (@thelatvianfoodie) produces some great shows that are wheelchair accessible.
Tell us a joke about your city.
There were pictures of Stephen Hawking on Epstein’s island. Yes, that is right, Stephen Hawking. This made me angry on several levels; pedophilia is wrong no matter what your embodiment is. However, the real reason I am mad about this is that a pedophile cares more about wheelchair accessibility than the city of Toronto in which I live. Do you know how hard it is to make beachfront property wheelchair accessible? It is really hard, but a pedophile was like, “No, I want all my friends to come and be terrible, even the disabled ones”. The city of Toronto has trouble believing I would go outside in the winter, and basically an evil villain is making space for all at his island of horrors. (This might be one of those jokes that is funnier when I say it out loud)
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Every Friday night, I host KO comedy on Twitch. You should also check out my comedy album, “Everybody Panic!” produced by Howel and Roar Records.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
