WHO TO WATCH: Don Kelly AND Wendi Reed

Don Kelly

Don Kelly

In 1994 Rodney King was awarded close to $4M in compensation for being beaten by the police, Days of Our Lives wins the Best Show for Soap Opera Digest Awards, and Don Kelly attempts comedy for the first time.  It truly was a year for underdogs.

Those who are fans of Don Kelly  know that he is an undisputed talent.  When his name is mentioned at Aboriginal gatherings men admire, women swoon, and kids go crazy!  He is a household name, a star, and most will assume this was always the case.  Not in 1994 it wasn’t! 

When Kelly first hit the stage, he did it in a city (Ottawa) where he didn’t know anyone; if it went good then great and if he crashed and burned then no one would know.  As it turns out he crashed and burned for a good few months.  Unlike many newer comedians, Kelly had no stage acting experience, so he was leanring both the finess of writing jokes, but also learning to have a strong stage presence.  Confidence is half the battle, quotes Kelly.  He says that when on stage, you are the bus driver, and people are looking to you like you should know what you are doing!

Don Kelly and unknown Bitch

Kelly was a fan from age 7 or 8 when he first heard a Bill Cosby record.  He recalls everyone from all generations laughing together.  He wanted to have this kind of talent, to entertain people, and be appeasable to all generations.  A deep thought for a young child, but this is what he achieved.  Alas, it wasn’t until he was in his 30’s did he first attempt comedy!  He clearly has fulfilled his goal, as he starts on his own television series, "Fish Out of Water" and is in continual demand as a stand up comic!  All of this, yet he will never leave his other love, working for his people through his work at the Assembly of First Nations.  Kelly has it all, and to quote a ridiculously horrible song from the eighties, his future's so bright, he has to wear shades.  (yes, boo, I know)

Wendi Reed

Wendi Reed

Wendi Reed also began her comedy career in 1994ish when she was a very young woman.  Reed began her comedy career while dating a comedian. (not Kelly)  

She worked at her comedy, but had also been pursuing her career as the A Channel Morning Show Producer at the time, so comedy became second fiddle.  She recalls having to make choices, and said that comedy has always come naturally to her, but she never really put in the time to make it work.  Balancing lives is something women do every day, and Reed is no exception.

When Reed does hit the stage, it is a natural feeling to have here there.  She riffs on depression, excessive drinking, dating an Aboriginal man, and does all of it in the sweetest voice and demeanor possible.  Although Reed has been in and out of comedy these past 17 years, when she has been in, she has been IN!  Reed has starred in Centrepointe Theatre Gala's, gigs in Ireland, and has shared the stage with greats such as Mike Wilmot and Emo Phillips.

The Couple

Spoiler Alert:  They get married

Reed and Kelly knew each other for five years before they truly noticed each other.  Actually back up, they knew each other for five years before Reed truly noticed Kelly.  Kelly had a crush on her from almost the beginning!  He saw her on stage once and jokingly told a friend “I am going to marry her, or someone just like her!”  As it turns out, he got the real deal, and he thanks his stars each day that a girl as wonderful as Wendi looked his way.

Yes, they are this sweet all the time!

Their wedding was the social ball of the comedy world.  Mixing traditional Aboriginal culture in their ceremony to having a comedy show at their wedding, this was a day not to be missed!  They had good friends Wafik Nasralla, Rick Currie, and Jeff Tanguay perform for them.  They have lived happily ever after since that day five years ago!

The Couple and Comedy

Both Kelly and Reed had their first paid gigs at Yuk Yuk’s Ottawa, the leader in quality comedy entertainment for over 25 years!  Back in the day, the first paid gig was to headline a Wednesday evening.  They both eventually moved to weekends and then Kelly moved onward and upward while Reed moved in all directions, being successful in all her creative and professional endeavours. 

When asked what their favourite venue to perform at, Kelly says the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg, while Reed is torn between Centrepointe Theatre and Murphy's Laughter Lounge in Ireland.  Kelly also mentions his fondness for an outdoor show done each year with many comics.  He says  his good friend Rick Currie was once on stage howling as part of his act.  Kelly recalls all the dogs outside howling alongside Currie, making fun for all!

Kelly’s comedy “heroes” are Mort Sahl, Bill Cosby, Woody Allen, Brian Regan, and Mitch Hedberg.  Reed also enjoys Hedburg, Derek Edwards, Greg Giraldo, Rick Currie and Irwin Barker.  When asked who they most enjoy spending time on stage with, one of them immediately named the other one and the other one named Emo Phillips, which made for an awkward moment!  They both though agreed on Phillips, Wilmot, Edwards, Jen Grant, Allyson Smith and more.  Too many to count!

When asked if Kelly and Reed write jokes together, the both say  no very quickly.  Don Kelly feels his partner and wife Wendi Reed has such a unique voice that it is almost impossible for someone else to write for her.  Reed is very busy and although ideas may bounce around, they do keep it separate.  

As time has gone on, they have often shared the stage together.  It makes sense for bookers, two talented people, one hotel room!  A dream for cheap comedy bookers!  Joking aside, their comedy plays well together.  That is why JH5 is excited to present them at Don Kelly & Friends on June 11, 2011.  When asked who Kelly would like on stage with him, the first person he said was "Wendi Reed".  He clarified it is not just because she is his best friend, and partner for life, it is because she is funny.  Comedians would share a stage with their arch enemy if it made for a better show, so it is a double bonus that Wendi Reed is funny AND a "friend" of Kelly's.  He also chose a few other's, who will be profiled very soon!

If JH5 ran the world, there would be a television show with Wendi Reed and Don Kelly hosting each week.  It would be a variety show, very Sonny and Cher like, without all the drugs of course.  They apart have amazing talents and personalities, but together, they are unstoppable!  They have always been WHO TO WATCH, and JH5 is proud to profile them, and to present them this weekend at the Bronson Centre.  For tickets please call 600-7462.

Tomorrow Dave Atkinson and hopefully Wafik Nasralla will be profiled on JH5.  We would love it if you dropped a note to let us know what you thought of our article, and any other topics you would like JH5 to cover.

All our relations,

josh and jenn hayward

JH5