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Campus comedian Al Val makes a name for himself

Western student Algis Valiulis, better know as Al Val, knows how to entertain. While busy working towards a degree in psychology, Valiulis also finds time to make the London community laugh. He’s found a way to divide his time between school, writing for The London Tonight Show and We Eat Films, as well as being the leader of the UWO Comedy Improv Troupe. Val took some time to sit down and talk about his interest in comedy.

What sets you apart from other Western students?

I am one of the few comedians on campus. I have a very random personality — I’m very child-like, I’d like to think. And I have dreadlocks — not a lot of people have dreadlocks.

How did you get involved with the London Tonight Show?

I performed stand up at Yuk Yuk’s and one of the producers was there. He spotted me and another comic and said, “I want you two to write for our show.” [In the end] there was the producer and a host, who was a high school kid with no comedy experience. Basically me and this other comic wrote everything for them. Our jokes killed.

Then the very next show the producer left and the host was kicked out. We had a handful of other comics come in and reshape the whole show. I’m the only person left who has been there from the very beginning.

How did you get involved with We Eat Films?

I took a screen-writing class with two of the writers on the show and [they knew] I was a comedian. I asked if they had any room on the show and they said yes.

Why comedy?

I’ve always been a class clown [and] I’ve always enjoyed making people laugh. I was a cheeky class clown, but I still brown-nosed the teachers, so I never got into any trouble. It was a pretty sweet gig.

Comedy is a rush — making people laugh makes them feel better about themselves. Some people appreciate it more then even I know.

Who are some of your favourite comedians?

I like the really out-there guys like Paul F. Tompkins, Zach Galifianakis and Bob Odenkirk. I used to like Dane Cook — he got me into comedy in the first place, and the first year I was doing it I was a cheap imitation of him. [On-stage] I used to tell this story about how I touched a squirrel, and it was in Dane Cook style. I was emulating Dane Cook and it didn’t feel right. So, no more Dane Cook.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I want — after I get my degree — to move to the United States and see if I can support myself with comedy and eventually make it as a comedian. I would love to have my own show and I love writing sketches. Being in movies would also be cool.

Check out Valiulis’ comedy schedule at www.alvalcomedy.com

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