Media celebrity, local thespian and City of Lethbridge councillor Mark Campbell will be slightly toasted, but mostly roasted Apr. 11 at The Roast of Mark Campbell.
A few years ago, stand-up comedian Brian Dawydiuk had the idea about doing a comedy roast, Campbell explains. “A couple of years go by and before the end of the year, he says the German-Canadian Club approached him to do some shows because I guess he did a couple of other roasts for other people, and he wondered if I still wanted to do it. And I said OK, let’s do it.”
Campbell says when he was first asked about doing the roast, he thought “why would anybody want to come see me?”
“Because it’s been a good 10 years since I’ve been in media or have been around in that light. But he said, ‘I think people would want to come and see you.’ I was somewhat intimidated by it, but the fact all the money is going to go to a charity, that adds a little extra to why I’m happy to do it.”
Funds raised from the event will go to Canadian Mental Health, Campbell notes. “Which is an excellent charity to raise the money for.”
“I was nervous at first, but I think it’s going to be a fun night with some good humour,” says Campbell.
Historically speaking, Campbell got a radio job right out of college. “At what was then 1090 CHEC. I started working the all-night show.”
“I went away to Australia for eight months, came back and got back to CHEC. Then I moved over to L.A. FM. Then I moved back to CHEC, and I left CHEC and I got into television with Global TV in 1992. I did weather and I did the ‘Scene and Heard’ show,” adds Campbell. “Which was maybe my favourite thing I ‘ve ever got to do.”
The show was a chance to meet people in the city and to see what was happening in Lethbridge.
“And when celebrities would come to town, I had a great opportunity to do a lot of interviews with a lot of big names. The big one is Lady Gaga, when she was here. We sat down, which was at the Sway Nightclub at the time. She was wonderful. We talked for a good 10 minutes and did the interview, and she kissed me at the end,” says Campbell.
“I have not washed the right side of my face in 10 years,” he jokes. “That was fun.”
Currently, Campbell has been a Lethbridge councillor for eight years. “There will be an election in the fall, so I’ll probably be looking forward to trying to get on for another term.”
As for future fundraisers or local theatre productions, “Whatever comes up, if there’s something where they need a 70-year-old guy to do something, I might be available,” he says.
As for Campbell’s official roast, he hopes people will come out for a fun time.
The show will be at the German-Canadian Club at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets visit online at jumpcomedy.com/e/the-roast-of-mark-campbell.
(Photo submitted by Mark Campbell)
(Photo submitted by Mark Campbell)
