Ron James

Ron James told The Telegram he is always surprised at his audience in St. John's.

"I don't know why Newfound-landers pay to see comedy when the whole province is funnier than a lot of people in my profession," said James, in the lead-up to two nights of stand-up in the city.

The two shows are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at the Arts and Culture Centre.

Originally scheduled for just one performance, James agreed to a second show following the high demand for tickets to the first.

The addition was not that surprising, whether looking at ticket sales for his "Mental as Anything" comedy tour, his invitation to host this year's Gemini Awards, or the start of his own CBC television series The Ron James Show, success appears to be synonymous with James this season.

The attention has not come overnight, however. James has had to carve out his career in comedy, working festivals and beating a path back and forth across Canada, performing what would eventually become five television comedy specials.

As James puts it, "Ten years on the road I've drank enough Timmy's to float the Navy."

Yet, even though he may joke the road to success has been long and nowadays his "right knee sounds like a bag of nickels," James said he has plenty of energy to work the opportunity that comes with a new tour and a television audience every Friday night.

Big on "not alienating" audiences, providing honed downhome humour, James said, "comedy is a marriage of the head and the heart."

Asked about "The Ron James Show," the comedian said the key is not trying to do it all himself and having "a great writing team" to work with, with "no eye rolling" at new ideas for show sketches.

"And I've got a network that's got faith in me," said James, tipping his hat to the CBC.

The comedian mentioned his past work with Second City and an appreciation of past sketch comedy shows including "Kids in the Hall" and "CODCO.""

Yet, even looking at "The Ron James Show's" Friday night time slot predecessor, "Air Farce," James said - while "sketch comedy is sketch comedy" - his series is not like the others.

Although the bulk of the show is sketch, James' take on Canadian life, as well as additions such as the short "Lil' Ronnie" cartoons that look at James' youth growing up in Nova Scotia (added to each episode from Prush animation house in Toronto) make the show unique.

"I don't want to lose the audience that liked "Air Farce," but at the same time, I don't want to be "Air Farce" in the slightest," James said.

Ultimately, he said his success stems from understanding his audience and their day to day experiences. It is finding the humour in Canadian life.

Like Newfoundlanders moving to Fort McMurray for work - but only because they had to, James said.

"Why else would you go to Fort McMurray? Fort McMurray on a Saturday night makes an episode of "Deadwood" look like church supper at "The Waltons," he cracked.

Tickets for the one-man show "Mental As Anything" are available through the Arts and Culture Centre box office.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com