Brent Butt, the Canadian comedian behind the hit sitcom Corner Gas, is bringing his stand-up to Prince George for the first time since 2018. The show will take place on Thursday, September 25, as part of the 30th-anniversary celebrations of the CN Centre. Butt will be joined by Katie-Ellen Humphries, Chris Griffin, and local emcee Alex Mackenzie.
Growing up in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Butt discovered his love for comedy at age 12 after seeing a stand-up segment on the Alan Hamel Show. “Just seeing someone come out and be funny—I’d never seen that before,” he said. That moment inspired a career that would span decades in television, books, and live comedy.
Butt first performed stand-up at his high school gym during variety night, quickly realizing the thrill of performing. “I never had stage fright. I used to emcee grandstand shows from age 14—any excuse to get a microphone and get in front of a crowd,” he shared. His early experiences also included playing in a band, acting in plays, and writing scripts—all part of his path toward comedy.
Butt is best known for creating and starring in Corner Gas, a sitcom set in a small gas station in Rouleau, Saskatchewan. The show ran for six seasons on CTV, winning Gemini, Leo, Directors Guild, and Canadian Comedy awards. TV Guide readers voted it the funniest show on TV. The series aired in 26 countries and remains popular in reruns and on streaming platforms.
“It was a fantastic time. Having a No. 1 sitcom in the country—I would recommend it highly,” Butt said.
Now based in Vancouver with his wife Nancy Robertson, who starred as Wanda Dollard on Corner Gas, Butt continues to tour Canada regularly. He often performs in small venues to test new material and keep his craft sharp. Vancouver’s comedy scene has changed since Butt moved there 32 years ago, with fewer full-time clubs, but local theaters like the Gastown Comedy Theatre offer platforms for emerging talent.
In addition to live shows, Butt writes and produces. His first novel, Huge, explored the dark lives of three murdered comedians, and he is currently working on a second psychological thriller. He is also developing a new TV pilot, with plans to pitch it once he is satisfied with the script.
Butt’s comedy blends personal experience with observational humor. He touches lightly on politics, often making audiences laugh with critiques of public figures. “I have no problem pointing out that Trump is a lunatic… and that usually goes over big,” he said.
During the pandemic, Butt continued working through Corner Gas Animated, which ran for four seasons from 2018 to 2021. The animated series allowed him to stay creative while live shows were halted. “I’ve always thought of myself as a cartoon—it felt natural,” he said.
A diehard Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, Butt also has a history with sports. He played high school football, earning a reputation for speed and determination despite his 5-foot-9 frame. His on-field mindset translated to his work ethic in comedy, where he handles writing, performing, and producing responsibilities with dedication.
Tickets for the 30 Years of Laughs show are priced at $41.50 and are available on the Tickets North website. Fans of Corner Gas and Canadian comedy can expect a night filled with laughs, spanning more than three decades of Brent Butt’s comedic material.
