How To Embarrass Yourself In Front Of Jon Bon Jovi

When The Music calls up Canadian comedian Russell Peters, he’s enjoying a picturesque afternoon by the beach in Malibu, California. Having just returned to North America from Africa and Asia before heading our way for a two-and-a-half-week stay to perform his new show Almost Famous, Peters is enjoying a rare few days off. “I leave for Australia very soon, and I’m looking forward to being back,” he says excitedly.

Back in 2010, Peters set an Australian record for the largest audience at a stand-up comedy show, before breaking it on his next visit in 2013. Australians obviously love him, and according to the funnyman himself, the feeling is mutual. “Australia has always been phenomenal for me,” he says. “It’s funny, in 2010 I set the record, and then in 2013 I broke the record that I set. I love being there.”

‘Holy shit, that’s Jon Bon Jovi beside me.’

Despite smashing records and winning the attention, laughs and hearts of countless fans around the world, Peters admits he still gets a little starstruck, recalling a story from the set of 2011 rom-com film disappointment New Year’s Eve. “Have you seen that cinematic classic?” he asks me abruptly, self-deprecating sarcasm in full effect. “On the first day on set, I had just met Jon Bon Jovi and [we] were just standing beside each other waiting for the director to yell ‘action’. I’m freaking out thinking: ‘Holy shit, that’s Jon Bon Jovi beside me.’ All of his songs are going through my head when we’re standing there dead quiet. So to break the tension I go, ‘Hey, you know that part [in Livin’ On A Prayer]: ‘Johnny used to work on the docks...’ And without missing a beat he goes, ‘It was Tommy.’ And then you hear ‘ACTION!’” he winces. “But he took it well [and he] is actually one of the coolest dudes I’ve ever met. He’s just so cool, a real classy guy. Not what you’d expect from a rock star.”

It’s not unusual for stand-up comedians to drift into film and television these days, and having been performing for more than two decades now, Peters’ acting resume has grown considerably. Chef, Bob’s Burgers, Last Comic Standing and Mr D have all since joined New Year’s Eve on his film and TV CV, exhibiting his impressive versatility as a performer. But while he is very excited about an acting gig he’ll do shortly after his Australian tour, Peters admits stand-up is his true passion. “I’m actually doing an episode of Family Guy next month. That for me is huge, because I have been huge fan since it started in 1999. I’ve been with the show as a fan for the past 15 to 16 years,” he says. “However, I feel the most at home when I’m doing stand-up, and always feel a little bit out of my element when I’m doing the other stuff. It’s what I’ve been doing for 26 years, that’s what I’ll be doing in the new show and hopefully, for the rest of my life. So yeah, Australia, get your ass down there!”