CRAFTING A COMEDY LEGACY WITH ANGELO TSAROUCHAS | E069 PODCAST

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ABOUT THE GUEST

Angelo Tsarouchas is one of the most recognizable Greek diaspora comedians in the world, a global touring stand-up, actor, writer, and master storyteller whose larger-than-life humor has earned him a devoted international following. Known widely as “The Funny Greek,” Angelo has headlined stages everywhere from Just For Laughs in Montreal to the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, major theaters across Canada, sold-out tours in Australia and the United Kingdom, and continuous fan-favorite shows throughout Greece and Europe.

His comedy specials have reached millions, and his film and television roles highlight his signature blend of warmth, sharp cultural insight, and unmistakable Greek comedic energy. Born and raised in a Greek immigrant household, Angelo turned family chaos, food, culture, and identity into universal comedy that resonates across continents. He is celebrated not just for his punchlines, but for his ability to tell stories that feel deeply familiar to anyone with roots, heritage, or a loud Mediterranean family.

Angelo’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelotsarouchas/

Angelo’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@angelotsarouchascomedy

Angelo’s Website: https://www.tsarouchas.com/

George Stroumboulis sits down with Angelo Tsarouchas, one of the world’s most recognizable Greek diaspora comedians. Filmed in Newport Beach, they explore his rise in stand-up, his Hollywood journey, and how he turned Greek family chaos into global comedy.

“I’m not making fun of Greeks — I’m showing the world how special we are. I’m an ambassador with a microphone.”
— ANGELO TSAROUCHAS

MEDIA RELATED TO THE EPISODE

George Stroumboulis sits down with Angelo Tsarouchas, one of the world’s most recognizable Greek diaspora comedians. Filmed in Newport Beach, they explore his rise in stand-up, his Hollywood journey, and how he turned Greek family chaos into global comedy.

In Newport Beach, George Stroumboulis interviews Angelo Tsarouchas, the world-touring “Funny Greek.” They dive into his stand-up journey, Hollywood experiences, and how he transformed Greek family life into international comedy.

George Stroumboulis meets Angelo Tsarouchas in Newport Beach to discuss his rise as a global touring comedian, his Hollywood experiences, and the Greek family stories that shaped his signature humor.

Filmed in Newport Beach, George Stroumboulis sits with Angelo Tsarouchas to talk global comedy, life on the road, Hollywood, and how Greek family culture built one of the diaspora’s most iconic comedians.

George Stroumboulis and Angelo Tsarouchas connect in Newport Beach for a conversation on stand-up, Hollywood, and how Angelo turned Greek family madness into worldwide comedy success.

In Newport Beach, George Stroumboulis sits with Angelo Tsarouchas to explore his journey from Greek family chaos to global stages, Hollywood roles, and life as one of the diaspora’s most beloved comedians.

ABOUT THE “INVIGORATE YOUR BUSINESS” PODCAST

The Invigorate Your Business with George Stroumboulis podcast features casual conversations and personal interviews with business leaders in their respective fields of expertise. Crossing several industry types and personal backgrounds, George sits down with inspiring people to discuss their business, how they got into that business, their path to the top of their game and the trials and tribulations experienced along the way. We want you to get inspired, motivated, and then apply any advice to your personal and professional lives. If there is at least one piece of advice that resonates with you after listening, then this podcast is a success. New episodes weekly. Stream our show on Spotify, YouTube, Apple, Amazon and all other platforms.

ABOUT GEORGE STROUMBOULIS

George Stroumboulis is an entrepreneur to the core, having launched several ventures across multiple industries and international markets. He has held senior-level positions at progressive companies and government institutions, both domestically and internationally, building an extensive portfolio of business know-how over the years and driving profit-generating results. George’s ability to drive real change has landed him in several media outlets, including the front page of the Wall Street Journal. George was born in Toronto, Canada to his Greek immigrant parents. Family first. Flying over 300,000 miles a year around the world puts into perspective how important family is to George’s mental and emotional development. With all this travel to global destinations, the longest he stays even in the most far-out destination is 3 days or less - a personal rule he lives by to make sure he is present and involved in family life with his wife and three daughters. To read about George’s global travels, stay connected with his blog section.

FULL SHOW CONTENTS

00:00:00 Greek Bond with Angelo Tsarouchas

00:02:27 Filotimo Abroad And Riyadh Story

00:06:00 Global Touring And Family Balance

00:10:45 Managing Marriage, Travel, And Work

00:15:40 Mentoring Creators And Building Collaborations

00:18:45 Australia Plans And Family Travel Tradeoffs

00:23:10 Social Media, Legacy, And Viral Clips

00:28:20 Greece, Armenia, And Identity For Kids

00:31:05 Canadian Roots, Pride, And Opportunity

00:37:00 Immigration Stories And Pier 21 Full-Circle Moment

00:41:20 The Blackout On Stage And Spiritual Meaning

00:47:00 Comedy Origins And Finding His Voice

00:52:20 The Calgary Epiphany: Greek Material Lands

00:56:20 Lifting The Next Generation And Diaspora Show

01:00:20 Work Ethic, Business Mindset, And Systems

01:04:20 Discipline, Professionalism, And Daily Grind

01:08:40 Quick-Fire Greek Sayings And Close

FULL SHOW TRANSCRIPT

George Stroumboulis: 0:00

Welcome to another episode of Invigorate Your Business with George Stroumboulis. On today's episode, I sit down with the funny Greek Angelo Tsarouchas. Angelo has been making me laugh for years, making the world laugh for years. Angelo is a successful comedian who has uh performed at some of the largest comedy festivals around the world, has been on TV shows, has been in movies, we're gonna talk about our culture, what's crazy about it, what makes us laugh about it. He's gonna tell us about the comedy business. We're gonna get into a bunch of different things. We're gonna laugh, we're gonna cry. So make sure you tune into this one starting now. My name is George Stroumboulis, and I'm extremely passionate about traveling the world, meeting new people, and learning about new businesses. Join me as I sit down with other entrepreneurs to learn about their journeys. This episode of Invigorate Your Business Starts Now.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:02

We're rolling it. I love your place, George. First of all, I want to say, George, thanks for having me on your podcast. And you're a class gentleman, and everything here is like top-notch. You can see if anybody deals with you, they know they're dealing with a professional. Because I I mean, I walked in and you Greek hospitality is right there. We got we got some uh he had some very nice French pastries because there's no good Greek bakeries here, unfortunately, but coffee, and we know people. It means we're Greek. We did the Greek thing so far, you know. Oh, yeah, yeah. We jumped to it. We already know the same people, our Kubadi, some friends. We're both friends with Thanasi. We're both friends with, you know, it's yes, it's it's and then we got that out of the way, and then my FDF, now you have the other connection. My kid goes to dancing at the thing, and blah blah blah. So it's like that instant connection. Yeah, it's connection. And that and that I think that's what people ask me all the time, George, what is it about Greeks that when you go in the world, and and I always and I said and I said to them, it's um well, there's words we have filoxenia, friends of strangers, yeah, filotimo, love of honor, you know. We we have that um and for Greeks, I I still want to believe because some people say we don't, but I think for most of us, I think we still have that. Like if I go somewhere, I was I did a show, I was at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Recently. Recently, the one, the controversial one. Yeah, I was one of 50 comedians asked to go there, and it was like Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr and Russell and Gabriel Iglesias, Joe Coy, Louis C.K. You know, all those guys.

George Stroumboulis: 2:46

Santino.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 2:47

Santino and then Bobby Lee was hanging out with them in the morning. Bobby kept saying he's gonna eat my dog. I said the Armenians are gonna kill you. But it's funny because it was like um uh I these guys came up to me after I did this show. I was with Maz Gibrani, and we were doing the uh uh the show at the big theater there at the arena, and then these two Greek guys come up to me, and they're like, Aguileh, we're we're fans of yours, we're from Greece. They're uh uh uh building contractors, uh developers working in Riyadh. Oh wow, and they came and they said we have uh we'll take you for a cigar, we'll take you we have that filotimo. And it's so funny to me, and uh and my one of the guys goes to me, Ange, we're in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. And these Greek guys showed up that knew you, right? No, there's not there. I think all the Greeks in the world, George, don't make one city in India.

George Stroumboulis: 3:51

100%. They say as many Greeks in Greece, there's that many outside that are first, second generation. Right. So like maybe 20 million methods. 20, 22 million, ish, ish, let's say what? That's a city in China.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 4:02

It's a city in China. So these guys, and then the guy goes to me, they go to we're gonna take you to Santorini. This is the strangest thing. Oh, I go, you're from Santorini. No. What they did that these people have so much money in Saudi, they actually took went to Santorini and they recreated Santorini in Riyadh.

George Stroumboulis: 4:25

Come on.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 4:25

There's an area, people check, check. There's an area, they replicated it like perfectly. The one thing they're of is the Stavrous. I saw it didn't have the.

George Stroumboulis: 4:34

Oh, they didn't do that. Because they did that in China too. There's a Santorini in China as well.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 4:39

So China, because I know there it's uh it's a uh a Muslim country, which makes sense. Yep. But they they love Greeks, they and it's so funny to me, they I can't remember if they had the Stavrous or not. I don't think they did because they wouldn't have them. But you have it's and I'm sitting there the guy who's working and there's a restaurant there, and I can't remember the name of it, and they took me there. And I was like, uh, how strange were this little nation in the Mediterranean, yet when when they're when they're doing uh replicas of Santorini, like you said in China, yeah, or Riyadh, and I know there's my friend Lee, who's uh Disney and Greece in Boston, he's making the petition to open a pavilion for Epcot. Yeah, yeah. And he's not wrong, and I've always and I've I've supported him in this, and they have all these countries, and I'm thinking Greece should have a pavilion at Epcot. Absolutely. I mean, other countries Canada has one, our Canada has one, of course it should. Now I don't know if it's gonna be there for long because it's dwindling every year, man. Yes with the tariffs are they're gonna take it out. We're gonna take it out there, eh? We don't want to put it there, but no, but it it's it's interesting to me how and really um doing comedy has allowed me to go to like South Africa and and Australia and New Zealand and India and Singapore and Japan. I mean, uh you're and then it's weird, it's weird as shit when you go there and then these Greeks show up. It's weird, right? Well weird because you're like you're not expecting it.

George Stroumboulis: 6:12

So what do you feel like when you're doing a show and you know Greeks are coming there? Do you do are they supporting you just by default your last name? Like that's that's well some of the most of them now because of the b because of social media, a lot of them have seen the videos now.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 6:27

So I was even now when I go to Greece, I'm getting stopped all the time because pe and I don't realize it because you know we're making the videos, you don't know who's watching them. There's millions of views. And then what happens is that it's like um an example a few years ago I was with uh with my girls, we're in Athens, we're at Monsteraki. Yeah, and we came down on the platform for the subway, the metro, and the train was just pulling out. Oh, we expensive and then it stops. And then the conductor, the guy opens the train and goes, Tarukas, get out here. And and he stopped the train so we could get on. He goes, I want to I thought I've got on a selfie. I want to take a selfie with you, I want to show it to my wife.

George Stroumboulis: 7:10

That's cool.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 7:11

And my I was cool. What was cool for me was that my daughter was with me and my wife, and it wasn't like I expected it, but it was just like it was just so strange that he stopped the metro so I can get on so we can take a picture to give it to his wife.

George Stroumboulis: 7:24

But having your daughter see that must have been amazing. Because it's like this is why dad's uh traveling so much, right? Like working, building this.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 7:31

Right, because we're all you know, you're I'm on the road over 270, 280 days a year. Jeez. So that's why when you're talking about being home, I try to when I come home, I'm trying to it's well, it's juggling, right? Because um my wife knew. I'm lucky. My wife's a Los Angelino, she lives here, her network's here, she's Armenian, and the Armenians in Los Angeles are like the Greeks in Melbourne, Australia. Big population, very well connected. And she and she's busy. Now she's busy with our my daughter, it's Dan, she's busy with our church, she's busy, which is good because uh what happens sometimes to people, as you know, come to LA, a lot of people aren't from here. She's she's born here, actually born in Hollywood. Right. And and then what happens, it strains a relationship. So with her, she's busy. So it bothers me sometimes because I love the gigs. I love love, I still love the gigs, not good. We're still doing the gigs.

George Stroumboulis: 8:32

It's a dopamine hit.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 8:33

It's a dopamine hit, but I I I it's the travel.

George Stroumboulis: 8:38

It gets harder.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 8:39

Well, yeah, I mean, I just do I I'm an autopilot now. I do it like look, we're next week I'm gonna fly to Greece and I'm gonna fly uh, you know, uh what was it 15 from LA, 15, 16 hours, you know. As you know, you go all the time. And then you go there, knock out the shows. Um I just came from Florida, then I was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, then I'm going to Salt Lake City. I I then I come back from there, then I'm going to Middle. It's just it's just you're just there's no, it's like people, do you plan it? I go, I think people see it as uh maybe planning a vacation. I go, no. I travel according to the work schedule. Right. So if the show's in Toronto, I'm going to Toronto. If the show's in London, England, I'm going to London, England. If it's in you know Sacramento, it's uh there's no rhyme or reason to it. So to me, getting on an airplane is like people get on the metro or a bus to go to work.

George Stroumboulis: 9:34

Exactly. Yeah, but like to be traveling that much, like it's got to be so hard because like we were talking about this earlier, which by the way, your wife is a sweetheart. I feel like I've had a lot of people. I married up. Clearly, clearly, right now. Clearly married up. No, I'm lucky, you know. She's amazing, but we were just talking about how you know, balancing the schedule and and doing that for the team. Like, it's it's great. It's kind of like you know, growing up in the immigrant families and the restaurants, it was like the family was together. You're kind of replicating that in a different, totally different business. Right. But it's a family affair, which is awesome to see.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 10:05

It makes it good. Well, see, this I I uh my wife used to work at CBS and she, you know, after the writer's strike and everything, and I say she wants to meet me. She's a awesome wife and mother, uh, because and she puts up with my shit. I mean, it's like we're and we're not, it's not easy. You know, I you're on the road sometimes and you get lonely, and then sometimes you come home, and I I feel sometimes even coming home, because I'm in a pattern and it's overwhelming. They're happy I'm home, but then I got my my daughter daddy did this at school, did that. So you you you're you're wearing the hat of you're uh having a career, but my other sensitivity is I'm also a uh husband and a father.

George Stroumboulis: 10:44

Oh yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 10:45

As you know, so you gotta wear, and and I think the success, because people ask, how does it work? Well, she's my manager. So when people say to me, how does your wife feel about this? Why don't you ask her? She's the one who booked it.

George Stroumboulis: 10:57

Yeah, exactly.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 10:57

You know, and Alina knows, and then look, um uh I'm going to another shout out is to this um a younger woman who's been I've known her for the last uh 10, 11, 12 years, Ariana Papolexopoulos, who's awesome, and she many years ago came and put this, gave me this video that I posted for her. I I liked what she did. I thought she was very talented, very ballsy, you know, meaning she had the guts. And then now uh she's got millions of views, and we've done our videos together, which you know we we're so opposite yet it's so sync what we do. And uh she's gonna be opening the shows for me in Greece, and she's already got a big uh following, and then she's never been to Australia, so I'm bringing her to Australia to open. She's never been in the I'm bringing my girls with me too. Now when's this? So it's uh end of April. Okay. So we're it's uh May 1st, I'm in Sydney, Australia, then May 2nd, Melbourne, and then possibly May 3rd now, Adelaide. But they've never been.

George Stroumboulis: 12:00

That's jumping around quick, like Australia, Australia.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 12:03

Again, and again, see, and by the way, every Greek in the world has a relative in Australia.

George Stroumboulis: 12:08

Absolutely.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 12:08

Right. So it doesn't matter where you are in the world, if you're Greek, you you're related, whether you know it or don't know it. Yeah, you're related to something. I told uh Tom and Nick this at Uzo talk and they laughed. Yeah. But the funny part about it is that I'm bringing the girls with me, and I said, look, it's I'm only going for eight or nine days. And it's a long trip, but I said, it doesn't matter. I said, I want my daughter to have those experiences too.

George Stroumboulis: 12:30

Absolutely.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 12:31

And Ariana's gonna come and they and the girls love her, and and we're gonna do shows. So the way I look at it, the only problem sometimes with that, George, is that I'll be in Greece, and you know, my dad's from Sparta, and my cousins are there, and they're like, hey, you're you didn't come down to see us. I mean, I was there in the summer. I said, guys, I'm working. Like, I can't, I'm on a schedule here. I can't. Uh why don't you come to La Core for a couple of days? I I don't have the there's no bandwidth in it because I gotta do uh interviews in Greece, then do two shows, then I gotta go to Thessaloniki, then I gotta come back here because I got more shows.

George Stroumboulis: 13:06

And you gotta be on too. It's not like you're there and relaxing. And relax.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 13:10

Now we're working, you know, and it's uh you know, because I think what happens, pe uh the lines get blurred, even going to Australia. I get I've been there now 12, 13 times. Yep. So people say, Oh, you're going you're going all the way there, but you're uh you know, you're gonna spend another month. My kids in school um uh I I'm doing shows. I brought her before. Uh we can go for the week, there's a break, but I can't stay longer.

George Stroumboulis: 13:36

Exactly.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 13:37

You know, we uh we have to get back to our lives and we have to and you include and I include I try to include them as much as I can. So if there's uh if there's a something, if there's a gig in New York, or if I'm gonna be in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, I and yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, lives in Montreal, so we I try to make it like last year my we couldn't get her Taylor Swift tickets in LA.

George Stroumboulis: 14:00

Okay.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 14:01

But we could get her Taylor Swift tickets in Toronto.

George Stroumboulis: 14:03

In Toronto, yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 14:04

Right. So they went, so they went, my uh my cubata's in uh Toronto, she has a condo, they couldn't get played. So they ended up flying to Toronto with Taylor Swift, then via rail to Montreal to see a yacht for a few days, make her happy, absolutely, and then come back to LA.

George Stroumboulis: 14:21

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 14:21

So you you you try to, you know, you it's and and it and as I get older, family is very important. My daughter is a a young teenager now, and they're formidable years. So you won't want to be like we're how do I say this, George? We're in a narcissistic business to a point. Like, I know you need an ego to do this business, you need an ego to do what we're even what we're doing now. But at the same time, you also have to be able to turn that down and say, look, I'm also I have a daughter and a wife. Oh, yeah. And marriage is like a flower, you know. You water it and you watch it grow every day. But if you're not there to water it, the neighbor comes and he waters it for you. Exactly. Changes the pot, changes it all. Allah, you know, it all changes, and all of a sudden something like that.

George Stroumboulis: 15:14

Yeah, that's why you gotta watch who your neighbors are, right?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 15:16

You don't want your, that's why I would live beside all the senior citizens.

George Stroumboulis: 15:19

Exactly.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 15:20

You know, and I mean Viagra is gonna help this guy.

George Stroumboulis: 15:24

But so hold on. There's so many ways I want to go with this. You you are like uh when it comes to like specifically the Greek diaspora, you're like a national treasure, right? And it's you're pre-mainstream social media now, right? Like you you've been known. I remember watching when I was younger, like watching you, I think it was like Chum TV with you George Tsoutsoulas, some interviews. Yeah, yeah. Right back in the day. What was I remember seeing you on like Greek networks in Canada?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 15:53

Well, George Tsoutsoulas is a great director. When I we we we see here's the thing we did a documentary called Back to Sparta, which George directed, he spearheaded it, and it's about me going back to Greece in 2014 to do a show. Because I'd been everywhere else, and George liked the idea of going there, and then we actually filmed a one-hour special, a night in Athens. Okay, that was there. And uh at the time, um Labros Feast Feast was one of the biggest comics in Greece, had opened the show for me, and comedy was there, but it wasn't quite there. Right. And I met George, he had a show on Omni TV, was uh, yes, yes, yes. It was a Greek show.

George Stroumboulis: 16:36

Yep.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 16:36

And George was also he did the Greek one, but he also did mainstream stuff. Remember Chum, the television report, it was Dora and George and George Taylorney, Stampapulkas, who was our boss at the time. Then I ended up doing Fat Boy Food Review there. Yes, you know, and all the things. It was those great years in Toronto. I really miss because for me, my life had changed leaving Ottawa. And when I went to Toronto and I got in with these guys, and then um now stands in Edmonton working, I think, with City T. I think he's retired now, but he's doing independent stuff. Yeah. Yes, yes, yes. So the Dora Papuzaki show, which I'm out with Dora, she's a sweetheart with Nick and George Vasilas. And um, and then uh the Talks Cheeps podcast I do with Frank Spadone. Talks talks Cheeps, okay, which is a story with Frankie, and then he's hilarious, by the way. He's funny as shit. He's one of the funniest guys I know. Yeah. And then uh the Connecting Greeks, I do with uh Fort Dianati. Okay, which is another thing we've been doing. So it's so funny when um Is this awkward the arm, by the way? No, no, it's not. Because they just set this up. They said, Oh, it's good, like that's good. In the future we're gonna fix it. Okay. I can fix it. I just switch it like this. There we go. But um Agility, baby. So George was uh uh we were doing that and he says, you know, Ange, I did these uh he did the the documentary with Pavlo, who's another famous uh Greek Canadian uh guitarist who's a very good friend of mine, and a guy so brilliant, and um and all these other things. So we went to Greece and we basically shot it. Okay, and and George is very talented. He's the way he edited it, the way he put it together. But I knew George from then, and it's funny how uh our industry is not that big, so s slowly you develop relationships, and then we were working on it. We brought it to the LA Greek Film Festival. I mean, everything's kind of connected while you were in Canada getting there, okay. Well, no, I was now living in Los Angeles. Gotcha. So then uh Georgia came down and we made the thing, and we we we were told we were one vote off of uh winning our film winning um at the fest. People liked it. And I think it bridges the gap. And I and for me, the first CD I did was called It's All Greek to Me. Yes. If you remember, it was a CD. That was a classic. That was a classic. That was the original I did it in Montreal. That it was filmed in Montreal. In Montreal, yeah. And that was audio, and then we did like a video version of it after. How old and what year was that?

George Stroumboulis: 19:11

Like that was two year 2000. Yeah, so that's what I'm saying. Like, what what was mainstream social media back then?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 19:18

It wasn't, yeah, yeah. 26 years ago. So what happened? That I uh not what not M, what do you call it? Not MP, is it MP3? What's it called? It was just the C D. Oh yeah, yeah. But they were able to uh transfer because Greek uh City Video and Toronto would sell it. Gotcha. And then we would in those days you did this. Now you don't who who has a DVD player anymore? Don't we have a CD player? Yeah, it's all on our phone now, everything's on our phone, right? Exactly. So we had to do it that way, and I think it's when people know your stuff grassroots, like you said, it's different because that that that's a natural fan base. Now, really, if you think about it, which is interesting since uh once COVID hit, then all these people went online. Yes, and instantly it created a whole new genre of entertainment and people, and I think some of the older performers resent it. Like you did you have to reinvent yourself to kill it? Well, that's why what I did is what happened to me as a result of COVID, we started putting the video clips up, and those went viral.

George Stroumboulis: 20:22

Yes.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 20:22

So the ones I did in Greece, they let me use the clips, so the Greek translations, the car rental, and all that 13 million, 15 million views, and people were watching it, and then people were coming up to me. Hey, uh taking satipordi. Or they're quoting me. Yes, and I realized the power of this phone was much bigger. And if you can't beat them, join them. Absolutely. So I think what happens to a lot of people, they'll complain these ta colopeda, these shits, they're no, I said that's yes, is it easier for them now than it was for us growing up because we didn't have those platforms. Not at all, yeah. No, I remember when MySpace came out, and then we had this thing called Facebook, and then I I remember not having a this is I'm gonna give not having a cell phone. I remember not having the internet. Yep. We our generation of children now, George, will never know life without the internet.

George Stroumboulis: 21:19

Well, I always tell my nephews who are teenagers, I go, you don't know what it's like to look up porn with a dial-up internet connection, right? Like just you're being interrupted a lot, exactly. And you're seeing the streams go on. Um really quick, because this is when you know it's an amazing comedy. I have an intro that for the listeners, right? Because you are, dude, you're you're known everywhere, right? And like you appeal to like we're the similar generation. You appeal to my parents' generation because they laugh, right? It's not just the Greek, though. Like to the listener, it's not just Greek. Like your regular stand up comedy is hilarious, right? Like shitting yourself in Target, like all these different things, like you're hilarious. So let's Read this and then we're gonna jump back into this, right? Uh so today I'm joined by Angelo Tsarujas, one of the most recognizable Greek diaspora comedians in the world, a global touring stand-up actor, writer, and storyteller whose larger than life humor has made him a fixture in comedy clubs, theaters, and festivals across North America, Europe, and beyond. Known as the Funny Greek, Angelo has performed everywhere, from Montreal's Just for Laughs to the comedy store in LA, arenas across Canada, and sold out shows in Australia, the UK, and around the world. His specials have reached millions, and his film and TV roles have showcased his unique blend of warmth, cultural insight, and unmistakable Greek comedic flair. Raised in a Greek immigrant household, Angelo transformed family chaos, food, culture, identity into timeless comedy that resonates with audiences everywhere. His ability to make people laugh while telling stories that feel deeply familiar to anyone with the heritage or loud family roots has made him beloved across the globe. Today we're going to explore his rise in comedy, the realities of touring life, his experiences in Hollywood, and why Greek humor connects from Toronto to Melbourne and Athens. So we read it in the middle of the show, but that embodies like we were too busy talking about other stuff. It was amazing though.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 23:17

Like I just want people to understand, like Well, yeah, I mean it's it that very kind of you, by the way. Thanks. Uh I mean it's like I don't sometimes I don't sit back and and and smell the the lucumia, you know, the the the coffee. It it's funny how you I think when you're doing it, you're not really thinking about it, right? You go gonna go there. Uh to me, it's like A to B, B to C, C to D. Yes. And you and you're doing that. And uh, but the social media aspect now, that's why I embrace it. So now um we got this idea with Ariana. I saw I saw the first video we did, we were at the Greek Greek Film Festival. Yep. And I was uh either hosting or presenting an award, and I saw Ariana there. She always has a little clip, she goes, let's do it, let's do a quick thing. Uh impromptu. Yep. And we did the whole thing about Greek signals. Yeah, I saw this. Just a it was like within what four days, three million views. Uh and that was not even set up. We just did it off the cuff. So we realized uh, you know, we have uh there was something there, and then we I we got these ideas, and I took I took jokes that I had, and she has, you know, she's a very good writer, and and her brother Alexi is a very good filmmaker. He's um he went to I think USC school, yeah. USC and uh brilliant, you know, they're both they're fucking great kids, you know. They really are. And I say kids, they're adults, but to me they're kids. You know, and it's funny, it's good synergy, and it's like and and she and she gets it. Like she even people if to me, George, if it doesn't, if it if I don't think it's gonna be funny, it doesn't make sense, I won't do it. I don't want to just do content for the sake of doing content. Totally, because it's stupid. And sometimes I'll I'll say something if I'm if I feel very strongly about something, like whether it be um uh 1821, uh celebration of our Greek independence, whether it's something about Canada or America, you know, even uh last year was the 50 years of Cyprus. Yeah, I came out. Some people like, you know, did you want to risk it? I go, no. Nicosia is still the only occupied capital in Europe. And people we talk about a lot of things, and I think people have forgotten that I've been to Nicosia and I've been to Cyprus to do shows, and the people are wonderful. I got friends there. And I said, you know, you realize that because Canada was the peacekeepers on the Green Line. We know people that have been there. And I've said to people, I go, you know, it's the still, it's a NATO country that's the only occupied capital in Europe. So if you forget that, eh?

George Stroumboulis: 25:51

Like I forget that, yeah, absolutely.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 25:53

You know, and I've had other people tell me, they go, Well, do you are you aware of things? Even when I'm in Greece during the crisis and everything, they go, Are you are you, Mr. Tsarukas, are you aware of our situation? I go, hundred percent. Yeah, and this is why you need comedy now more than ever. I get things are tough, I get the pensions, I get the European market. The world's evolving, the world's changing, and and that's everywhere. Canada's changed, America's changed, Greece everywhere. But let's not uh forget that yes, there's only so much we can do that we can do, but we also need to maybe break that. And I think I hope that's what I can make do for people. Some people don't like it. Right. I'll be honest, some people, George, the Greeks will be like, you know, you're making fun of us. I go, no, but you see, it's I'm not making fun of you, but I didn't grow up there. Exactly. Two different worlds, it's two different worlds. Like you guys, you guys live there, and I receive, I love it. I've never had one person ever tell me they went to Greece and didn't like it. I go, if anything, I'm an ambassador for Greece. Exactly. You know, I'm I talk, I I'll make fun of our culture. I never say we're stupid, I never say we're dumb, we're not. And if people go, you want to go to Greece? I go, you gotta go to Greece. You know, I mean, everybody should my law, my motto is everybody should go to Greece once in their life. Because and then when people go, they're like, how come we didn't come here earlier? Exactly. You know, it's like, and and we have a little bit of that arrogance as Greeks, of course. Yeah, of course it's like we created it, like we, yeah. Where are you gonna go eat there? And and even and you know it's funny because my wife and daughter, if I asked them, I don't I go, if I said, Where do you want to go for a vacation? I just they say Greece.

George Stroumboulis: 27:39

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 27:40

It's not even me. They go, we want to go to Greece first. My daughter right away, I want to go to Greece, Dad. What what do you think it is? I I think you know what it is from your daughter from a 13-year-old's perspective. From a 13-year-old's perspective, I think she she understands her culture because she comes from two rich cultures, Armenian and Greek. And then last year we went to both. I wanted to go to Armenia. I wanted my daughter to see that. Of course. You know, I don't want and and I loved it. A beautiful, if people can go to Armenia, they should go. It's a beautiful country. The food's good. It's it's a uh a variation of what Greece is. It's just landlocked. They got Lake Savon, but the Armenians could not be nicer, and and we have such a strong connection with them, and we kind of hate the same people. Exactly.

George Stroumboulis: 28:21

You know, doesn't that unite anyone if you hate our yeah, exactly?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 28:24

Your enemy's my enemy, we're friends. We're good. But my my daughter, I see now, and my wife says it too. She goes, she has she loves Greece, she just loves the times we've gone there. There, she I think she feels the familiar sense of freedom she gets when she's still there. Right. She still gets that, you know. And having a name like Tsarukas growing up in Los Angeles, it's a little different. Which was that I was I was in the village in Greece, and Daphne, we would say everybody's got the same name I got here. She didn't feel alienated.

George Stroumboulis: 28:59

Exactly.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 28:59

She kind of felt like this is like I go, well, honey, this this is where your ancestral home is, this is where your papo and your great-great-great-grandfather comes from, you know. So for me, I always hear about these people, not just Greeks, Italians, Portuguese, that never take their families back to visit. And I think that's one thing I give 100% credit to the Greeks, George. Most Greeks in the world like the uh Jews, and I'll say that meaning they will show their families where they're from. They will show them. I'm not saying Italians and others don't, but I know a lot of cultures of Americans who are Italian, six, seven, eight generation.

George Stroumboulis: 29:40

That's the difference. They don't know where they're from. Yeah. So, really quick on the Jewish people, they they have it in their government program, the birth rate program. They pay for it to make sure everyone comes out. That's a beautiful thing. Come and see the country. The reason why I think Greeks are like this, and we get made fun of a lot for this. It's like, oh yeah, Greece, Greece, Greece. It's because most Greeks are still like first, second generation. Right. Now, your daughter's kids and my daughter's kids, will it still be the same connection? Well, if listen, if we show them, yeah, absolutely.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 30:09

Which we're doing now, then there's a good chance my daughter may do the same thing.

George Stroumboulis: 30:13

Absolutely.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 30:14

And so and that, and that that's what to me, that's what matters. And I think I I I see my daughter has that connection where she should, if I tell her, let's go to Greece every year, but although now because of TikTok, she wants to go to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Turks and Caicos. I got a solution for that. What uh delete the TikTok. I want to go to Cambodia, which I've never been to or Vietnam. Yeah, and it's funny because these these kids, George, are more advised now and informed than we ever were. Absolutely.

George Stroumboulis: 30:44

Would you ever think of going to Cambodia at 13 years old? Are you kidding me? I couldn't even spell it or tell you where it is on the map. But you know what? Having been to those countries and I travel a lot for work, absolutely, right? Like mix it in, absolutely. Like go check it out and everything. But hold on. The same way, like the Greek pride, let's talk about Canada really quick. Do you share that same pride as a Canadian? 100%. Okay, and and then how important because like let's talk, I'm Canadian, you're Canadian. Canada is amazing for so many reasons, but for you, especially in entertainment, to go to the next level, you have to come to the States, right?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 31:17

Well, here see I I've had this discussion many times, and the thing is, is that you you you can go so far in Canada, and when I and uh when I when I lived in Toronto, I was doing uh commercials, I was doing television shows, uh movie, uh stand-up. I mean, it was great, but you get to a point where I think it's like helium balloons hitting the ceiling. Once you've gotten to a certain point, it's inevitable. Uh look at Howie Mandel, look at Mike Myers, Russell Peters, all these actors. We all end up at one point coming to LA or New York, right? Absolutely.

George Stroumboulis: 31:55

Even the singers, the beavers of the world. Singers, yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 31:58

Michael, uh, once you get like Michael Buble, he can still live in Vancouver. Michael's now a national brand. Rachel McAdams now, I think, moved back to Toronto, but she was living here for a while. Drake. I mean, the ultimate guy, yeah. Celindion, who's a billionaire, who's in Montreal, but you know, but they it it's you have the brands, and it's funny to me because I'm still 100% Canadian. I miss the keg, I miss Swish Let's, I miss Harvey's, I miss Tim Hortons, and even my daughter. The funniest thing was um uh when I'm in the Toronto Airport or Vancouver, there's a Timmy's right there. And for Americans watching uh Canadians, we don't say Tim Hortons, we say Timmy's, and we know exactly what we're talking about. Exactly. So uh I go get her the 50-pack uh Timbits. How do you not? And then I may come put them in a bag, so I bring them back. So I'll bring them to her as she her friends come to the house. And I see them all, these girls, the little girls sitting around. She goes, okay, she goes, you know, my dad's Canadian. She goes, I'm half Canadian, and these are from Canada, these are Timbits. So I'm gonna share them with you, but just I want you to know that this is something you can't get every day. So I can see my daughter knows all the territories, all the provinces. I've taught her that because you know I'm also uh Canadian, you know, born in Montreal, raised in Ottawa, lived in Toronto, out of stint in Vancouver, and I studied Canadian history, the Parliamentary Act, did you know all kinds of stuff. And it's funny because even um my very good friend George Strombolopoulos, who's uh Canada's boyfriend.

George Stroumboulis: 33:37

Which, by the way, really quick, I use that connection of name to get into bars growing up. Sure. In Niagara, they're like George Strombolop. I go, yeah, yeah, my second cousin. I was gonna say the chump my name. Meanwhile, he's got like 84 characters. I got 12, but I mean another national icon, right? Stromboulus, strombolopoulus, same thing.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 33:55

Cousins, go. We're cousins. And you know, George last year got the Order of Canada. Huge, the highest uh, you know, civilian honor you can get. And he um, very proud Canadian. He does an Apple radio and stuff, but even George is like, you know, he was a hockey night in Canada. Uh it's like you could see that we're proud of it. And I tell people, I go, look, I go, I do live in America, but I'm Canadian.

George Stroumboulis: 34:20

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 34:20

And I said, I still think Canada's the best country in the world. In the last couple of years, I think though there's been a shift in the planet. It's not fair to just say Canada or America. I think there's a shift in the planet now. Sure. Uh, with more social media, people are more informed now than they've ever been. And what happens, uh, it's like the book Future Shock. When people know too much, it's a good and bad thing. And I think what's happening now with us, it's like it's socioeconomics. And at the same time, I think people are like, well, you know, uh Canada changed. Well, yeah, I mean, I go back to Canada now and I see more Indian people, more Middle Eastern people. I mean, they're all we grew up with them. It's not that's not new for us. Exactly. But there's more now because there's more pressure now to bring people in, and the same thing. And I say I say this: I say, uh, our parents came the same way to Canada. So it's my dad came through Pier 21 at Halifax, uh, 1949. And roll and roll the credits.

George Stroumboulis: 35:25

Canada's version of Ellis Island. Of Ellis Island.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 35:27

Yeah, exactly. So I think what happens is that you see it, but I think as we get, I think it's funny, and I I'll put age into this, George, because I see now, I realize, I look at my daughter, I look at TikTok, I look at Instagram, I look at new new people coming into America, new people coming into Canada. And I think the problem is it's so easy to be like, what the hell are they doing here? Why are they coming in here? But no, these people want, for the most part, these people want the same opportunities that our parents had. Absolutely. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that. And I'll give you an example. Uh the Halifax Comedy Festival for CBC. I I work with those people, they're they're awesome. I know I sound like Trump, they're awesome. They're great people, they're good people.

George Stroumboulis: 36:16

The greatest people.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 36:20

Lobster rolls are great. So two years ago, uh they I was doing the festival in Halifax and they said, Edge, we're doing uh they're opening um uh new theater and it didn't click to me at uh Pier 21. And we're doing a show with all uh uh c Canadians whose parents had come to Canada from another country. Through that pier. Well, here here's what I didn't know. I just come to Canada and I get there, George, and then the theaters are and she goes, I go, can I ask you something? When I got there, it was about a few hours earlier. She goes, What? I go, where was she goes? This is the pier that all new Canadians came to. Soapot, eh, dude. So yeah. So I said, I said, she goes, when did your father come to Canada? I go, I know he came on the Queen Frederica, the ship, December 6, 1949, with Maithia Lenny. So my dad was 15, and Maythia was two years older, 17 years old, they were kids. In 46. 49. 49, okay. Civil war devastated Greece more than I think World War II did because it was they were fighting with the communists and uh and the rebels. So she goes where the theater was, and the comedians were from uh Africa, from uh from the Caribbean, from India. So the whole theme of the show was that. And I said, she said, and she said to me, 78 years ago, that was 78 years ago, your father came up this pier. They go on the computer and they find it. They find them on the manifest. The name. The name What was your father's name? Tsarukas. Petros, Petros, Petros and uh and Helen. So what they did, unbeknownst to me, okay, um, they went and they got uh at the end of the show, I did the show, I was hosting it. It was it was for Immigration Canada, and I don't we didn't even get paid for it. It was just one of those things we did CBC type thing, CBC and Immigration Canada. Now the lady says to me at CBC, this is she goes, Hold on, you're trying to tell me 78 years ago your father came through here. Now you're here doing a show at the same place your father came through. Talking about a success story for Canada and for CBC. This is these are the stories they want. And she said to me, she goes, This this is for I said, and then I said profoundly, I said, if my father didn't come up that pier, I wouldn't be here doing this. And this is the message they wanted to put through. So you know when you know on TV, they're like, This is this is gold. I mean, and I said this is though, eh? But it is. I said, if my father didn't come here, I wouldn't be here. So what did they do to me at the end? Don't go yet, we have something for you. They came up with a pi a black and white picture of the uh ship, and it said December 6, 1949, Canada became a better place when Petros Tarucas came to Canada. Oh my god, dude. Waterfall, I was like choked up because I realized at that moment that it didn't you know we were talking about up till now, and I said didn't realize until that moment, had he not come in, I wouldn't be and funny enough, uh George, there.

George Stroumboulis: 39:56

That's it now.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 39:57

I'm gonna give you a better better story, and that's why I'm going to talk about it. How do you top that, man? I'm gonna tell you how I top it. This never. Now you're gonna think I'm fucking crazy, but uh I haven't really talked about in the podcast. It just the light went off for me, and I'm gonna say it right on yours.

George Stroumboulis: 40:11

Okay.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 40:11

Two nights later, two nights later, we're filming for CBC. Okay. 3,000 people, Rebecca Cohen Auditorium, Halifax, four or five, you know, the big 18-wheeler trucks with the sound. You you're in this business, you understand. Sound lights, everything. It was uh Trent, what's his name? The good-looking uh guy in Canada, Trent. He's on this hour is 22 minutes. He's the host. Yeah, Trent.

George Stroumboulis: 40:36

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 40:36

Sorry, Trent, I your name escapes me now. He's a good friend. And so he's hosting. So you have all these big comics, Deborah, the Giovanni, myself, everybody, and we're all we're doing the gala. Okay, George, we're doing the gala. Okay. My turn, they call me up. Full out, big thing, lights on it, CBC cameras, everything. I'm doing it. It's going great. It's going great. In the middle of my eight-minute set, boom, blackout. Okay. All the lights go out. Everything, I mean, imagine being, it's like a dream. I'm in a theater with 3,000 people, and everything goes pitch black during your set for two seconds. Then it comes back on. Are you a spiritual guy? I am. Now here's where it gets good. I go, so what am I gonna do? It's never happened to me. In the middle of a live CBC taping. And I said, and if you think, and if you think that's a miracle, I can I can for another $150, I can make it meet Jesus himself. I did like those TV evangelists, and then I I picked up where I left off on my act. The audience didn't know what's going on, I get off stage. I said, What happened? And the guy goes, We don't know. Now the other guy goes, it's uh well had to be a power surge. Now, if it was a power surge, there's no way it could go on and off within two seconds. Right. It would take them. I said, hold on, if it's a power surge and we had to reset the power, how long does it take? Oh, between 13 and 20 minutes to reboot. Okay, so everything went pitched black in the middle of my set. Black. I mean pizza black. He goes, yeah. I go, okay. They call the control room, nobody touched a button on the truck. He goes, did anybody hit something by accident? No. Did anybody do this and that? No. It's my father. And they said, What? It was my father telling me he's okay. And the guy goes to me, the guy's looking at me now. He goes, Can you say that again? I go, I did a show two nights ago where my father came into Canada. I talked to the producer, the associate producer, the executive producer. Nobody touched a thing, George, in the middle of a live TV. I'll say, okay, guys, if you think I'm fucking nuts, okay. Explain to me what happened.

George Stroumboulis: 43:12

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 43:12

How did the lights go off for two to three seconds in the middle of a show, in the middle of a theater, in the middle of a Saturday night taping? Tell me, and I'll take back what I said. You're the guy, the old guy there gored, you know, the old comedian guy goes, son, I've been doing this for 38 years. He goes, This has never happened, and I have no explanation for you. Maybe it was your old man telling you he's okay. Well, was it? So I know Greeks, we are spiritual. But hold on. I said, explain to me. Is it a coincidence, George? Two nights earlier, I I the spirit of my father coming to Canada at Pier 21. Two nights later, in the middle of a taping, you know I told him if you have any balls, you will leave the taping the way it is. I don't know if I didn't see it. I said, you should leave it the way it is.

George Stroumboulis: 44:00

Dude, that is powerful.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 44:02

Powerful. And then the other guy, and then Jeff Dion laughed at me. Nice man. He's been a friend of mine, even the girls at uh uh Peg Entertainment in Halifax. I love them. They're awesome. They didn't have an explanation. Nobody to this day they don't have an explanation. I go, and I love to all man. I and you know, you they always ask the truck. Yeah, was there did somebody hit something in the truck? Did somebody hit? No, no. Anything, if it was a power search, it would have taken them 15 to 20 minutes to report the it couldn't be a power search.

George Stroumboulis: 44:30

And it's top production CBC is like a C These guys are top notch.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 44:35

Hockey Night in Canada, uh CBC News, you know, uh Peter Mansbridge, this and that. Uh you know, I said Ian Hannah Mansing and uh uh even what's her name, uh Heather Hescox. But the thing is, is that explain to me then.

George Stroumboulis: 44:52

And you know me being Greek and go, okay.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 44:54

Yeah, okay.

George Stroumboulis: 44:55

Is that why you wanted to find out when you came off stage you felt that connection? Is that why you just wanted to find out, or were you pissed and screwed up your phone?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 45:02

I felt something. Okay. I knew this wasn't normal. Gotcha. I felt it. It didn't, it didn't throw me off that much. I'm like, because your mind's rolling. I'm doing this live comedy. Like, I don't if it's in a theater and a show, okay. It can happen.

George Stroumboulis: 45:18

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 45:18

Or on a ship, it happens in an emergency. This was a live television taping for CBC Canada on a Saturday night. There were 10 comics in the show. You're I'm the only one that happened to George. Why? I hold on. Out of all the comics, just me? Right. It was my dad.

George Stroumboulis: 45:36

100%.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 45:37

100%. And the guy, you know what the guy goes to me, he goes, I don't know, son, about this voodoo, but but you know, this spiritual goblin shit. But he goes, You're starting to make sense to me. He goes, You're making sense. I go, what is it? Abysmal. Greeks are like mental to kill them. I go, hold on. If I if you're wrong, George, if I tell you you're wrong, then I gotta tell you why you're wrong, right? Exactly. See, George, you're wrong about this and that. Yeti. Explain it to me. I think we're reasonable people. If I explained to you why something didn't happen, you could say, okay. Uh and you explain this to me. They couldn't explain it to me.

George Stroumboulis: 46:13

What is it? And you know what's crazy about that? Like the the irony of like your dad when he came, right, with your theatre. Yeah, probably no money in their pocket, nothing. We got to figure it out. You're like any Greek or any immigrant, right? They most of them, you leave your country because you're at a point, right? That's insane. And you're performing now at the top of your stage, right there. Where they came. So that theater, and it was close by.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 46:35

And I said, hold on. How is it they gave me this plaque telling me when my dad came to Canada on their archives there? And then two days later, how is it? I've done this festival many times, just for laughs. I've done Montreal, I've done the one in uh Halifax, Showtime specials, Netflix specials, this and that. England, BBC World stands up. This particular one, George, right there.

George Stroumboulis: 47:02

That's crazy.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 47:03

And I felt it, and you know what's weird? When it went off, the first thing I thought was, you know, people would panic? I did not panic. And they go, why didn't you panic? I go, my father got in a ship for three and a half weeks that went BDA, Naples, Southampton, and Halifax. 15 years old. I'm telling jokes on stage. Right. Panic about what? Exactly. You know, you don't say like I get it. It goes, yes, in the moment you you'll be like, I was confused. Like, why are the lights out? And some people thought it was uh part of the show. Oh, okay. Oh, I like the way you did that. No, they thought it was part of the because I made it a joke right away. Was it at a good point of a joke? Right in the middle of a joke. Okay. Right in the middle of a joke, and then it was like boom. And it was like I mean, how do I you know what some people say? Do you see the light of the tunnel when you die? And for a comic, I didn't die, but I saw what happens when it goes black.

George Stroumboulis: 48:09

That's great. Like the crowd, everything. You can see a crowd.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 48:11

Could not see I couldn't see you right here.

George Stroumboulis: 48:13

That's great.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 48:14

And it was just it went boom. And I and you could hear silence. Nothing. Everybody's like, what's going on? And then boom, three seconds later it comes back on. Petros man showing. And I'm like, and then when I'm doing the show, I'm realizing he's giving me the thumbs up. How old was your father when he passed? My dad was young. My dad was my dad turned 65 and five days later passed away. Jesus. You know, he was very young. When my father passed away, I mean still young, continuing he was working, but but it's funny. And the guy goes, You're not freaked out about it. No, it was him. That's crazy. Did he see your success? Like, did he see Towards not so much towards the end, he started to see what I was doing. But unfortunately, my dad got early dementia. And he he ended up dying from uh complications of uh Alzheimer's.

George Stroumboulis: 49:05

Oh, okay.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 49:05

You know, and he was young, and it was like um he knew I was doing it. He always said to me, He goes, uh, if you do this job, do it, but do it it doesn't matter if you've got a Gausee comedian. I knew what he meant. He goes, do it good. Do it where they're laughing with you, that that they're laughing with you, not at you. Meaning like don't be and I I understood what he meant by that, you know. He goes, whatever job you do, just do it good. Absolutely. You know, like be have pride, have pride with what you're doing. I think he would have he would have liked it now. He would have seen more of this what was going on. But it's funny how I think he did see it. And and you gotta understand, being green, this is what makes us so different to all these people, Halifax, comedy festival, they don't know what to make of me now. They don't know, they don't know that I can read coffee cups, they don't know that we know all this stuff. And and I and I said to the guy, I go, so I said, okay. So the executive producer of the production, I said, okay. He goes, I don't buy your story that was your dad. Okay. Don't buy my story that was my father. I need you to explain to me then what was it? I'm gonna get an answer for you. He says, Okay. Give me the answer. Spiritually, I felt like it was my father.

George Stroumboulis: 50:12

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 50:12

Prove me otherwise. Goma Malankas hasn't given me the answer. I go, I saw him again. I go. He goes, I don't know what to tell you. I don't know what to tell you. He goes, I uh I've been doing doing this for 38 years. I I uh don't know what to tell you. He goes, I don't know. You chalk it up to that, and that's it. Yeah, because they have the diagnostics, they can see. If something happened, they have the board, right? They know this is the multimillion dollar uh recording equipment. They can see where what went wrong. It's not a Mickey Mouse production. No, yeah. You know, when you set up a lighting job or something, if something's wrong, you know where to look, where to find it right away.

George Stroumboulis: 50:48

Exactly.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 50:48

They have the same capability. He couldn't tell me. He couldn't tell you. Tell me. Then tell me if I'm crazy. I said, I accept that I am crazy. Explain to me where I'm crazy.

George Stroumboulis: 50:58

He's okay. What does your mom say when you tell her the story? I don't know if I've told her the story. Okay. We gotta send her the link to this.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 51:07

I don't think I've told my mom the story. You see, it happened because we were talking about Canada being proud of it. Yeah. And you know what's funny? My father, my father loved Canada, but he always said two things to me. He goes, Look, Canada is your country, love it, respect it. It's gonna give you the life that we never had in Greece. But he goes, for me, he goes, uh I don't like it anymore. I say, why, Dad? He goes, it's too cold. That's right, and you pay too much tax.

George Stroumboulis: 51:33

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 51:34

I agree, yeah. But my father's heart was always in Greece. But most of them are in, yeah. He left Greece 15 years old. Why wouldn't it be like that? And I know more people you always hear these stories of people come to America or Greece for 56 years and never went back. Yeah, exactly. Maybe there's other reasons for it, you know? Throw a black rock behind yourself and never look back, type thing. But I couldn't see it now. It's like there's so many flights and it's so much fun.

George Stroumboulis: 52:00

It's fun, but it's getting expensive too. Like it's you know, when you start talking about Greece and going back and all this, like, you know, we used to go as kids versus now. Now it's like they're they're it's trying to become the Saint Trope, the new Saint Trope, right? And it's slowly starting to get out into the calamatas and these luxury hotels and all this stuff. Close to Navarino and all that stuff. Navarino's now like multiple hotels, and then it's just I don't know if it's gonna be the same experience 10 years from now. Because going to Greece as a kid, I love the HEMA, the chaos. Because Canada was like so proper. Everything this order on time, yeah. And you'd go there and you're like, I'm buying smokes and I don't even smoke, right? And it's like it's that type of shit. So I I don't know. I I love that aspect of it. But but really quick, where did when like where did you get your comedy? Like, do you think that was a product of Canada Meets You? Were your parents funny? Like what what where did you realize like you're you're funny?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 52:54

You know, and it's funny, my friend's brother was older than us in Ottawa. He gave he gave us um he gave us uh his old comedy albums.

George Stroumboulis: 53:03

Okay.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 53:04

And I listened to Jackie Mason and Mortsall, Bill Cosby, Red Fox, old albums. I loved how these guys with words can make an audience laugh. Then I listened to Carl and and Cosby and you know, and then you know uh Richard Pryor. And I'd hear these comedians, and I was always had this infatuation with it. As a younger kid, I listened to them. And then uh one day in high school, I mean I worked at my dad's restaurant, of course, always joking around. We're always my mom, I mom's more the sense of humor. She's a nishortis, she's from Mitelini, Lashos Island, you know, it's named after lesbians and then my dad's Sparti. What are you what are you looking at?

George Stroumboulis: 53:49

Yeah, the opposite of the.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 53:51

What do you think is funny? Sparta, money. We don't understand something, we kill it. And my mom's a Nishotiside, ding-y-ding-y-ding-ding. So it's it's a real common. I really have the best of both worlds. The assertiveness and the boldness to do this is my father. The actual funny, I think, is more my mom. She's the one always telling us jokes, and mom's always been the one that was funny, you know. My dad was funny, but didn't understand it. Like we it took him two days to calm down, you know. But um, and then I and then in the high school in Ottawa, I was uh I was a dare. Angel, what'd you do? So I did Rodney Dangerfield, who I loved. I did a lot of some of his jokes, and I wrote some of my own jokes for the school. Like one-liner type things. One-liner type things. Yeah. And uh I got hooked. And in high school, in my high school yearbook, Ridgemont High School, I went to Ridgemont High School in Ottawa while Fast Times at Ridgemont High had come out as a movie, believe it or not. How cool was that? At the same time, and I said, uh, Big Ange, aka meat sauce, uh uh endeavors to have a uh career in stand-up comedy and acting. And that's and my friend said to me, Ange, all these years later, you were the only person who knew ultimately at the end what he wanted to do.

George Stroumboulis: 55:06

From from that from high school, 15 years old? Uh yeah, about 17. Okay, so from 17, when did you make your first dollar doing comedy? Like your first actual dollar.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 55:16

So the first actual dollar I went, I moved to I so I drove with a friend of mine. We had a 69 Pontiac Parisian convertible, and we drove from Ottawa to Vancouver.

George Stroumboulis: 55:26

Jeez.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 55:27

Smoking weed, listening to George Thurgood. It was a convertible. We drove across in September, and uh, I remember getting a speeding ticket in Saskatchewan for 27 bucks. Uh and I thought, what speeding through wheat? Like what's drove through Rogers Pass, we went and saw the 19 years old, I saw a country. And I was working at a place called Punchlines Comedy Theater in Vancouver. At the time, there was only two places that had comedy, it was Yuckyaks in Toronto and Punchlines in Vancouver at the time. That was at the time in uh 83, and then I came back and then they opened this Yuckyaks uh in Ottawa, it was the first one, with Howard Wagman, who's been one of my oldest friends in the world, and I still go play his club in Ottawa. I'm loyal. You know, that's the Greek loyalty thing. I'm like, no, other clubs have asked me to go. I've been this where I started, I stay here.

George Stroumboulis: 56:23

That's amazing.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 56:24

You can give me more money, I don't give a shit. This way I give you here. And that's a nostalgia, too, probably.

George Stroumboulis: 56:28

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 56:28

And the first check I got, George, was $15. In Vancouver. In Ottawa. In Vancouver, I was doing it just to get stage time. You always get paid. In Ottawa was my first check. I remember I I kept it fifteen dollars for uh my opening spot at Yuck Yaks. And he gave me the check, and I kept it uh I have it somewhere. It was my first check for opening the I do an opening show.

George Stroumboulis: 56:54

Like what what's that call back home to the parents? Like, I actually got paid for this.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 56:58

Was it excitement or was it I never told my parents what I got paid. Malaka si said $15. You Greeks, how much money do you make at it? Your whole thing. It wasn't about money for me, but see that's the thing. I tell people, if you want to make money, don't get in the arts. Right. It wasn't about the money, but you know, imagine telling my father, yeah, bye, I made money. How much? $15.

George Stroumboulis: 57:20

$15. Go be a sedata or something, right?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 57:23

It's one shift. You can make uh but it's not their fault. I didn't have anybody in show business in my family. It was me. I had to break down the roads. It's funny how people tell me that now. And it's funny because it's like um, you know, and then slowly, eventually kept doing it, kept doing it. And I realized I just loved doing it. I worked other jobs, I worked, uh, you know, I I was in the travel business and now at a diner and this, I had that, everything else. My marriage failed. I moved to Toronto, restarted all over again. Broke. And I said, screw it, lived in a basement apartment, got an agent. Then I started doing commercials, then I started doing movies, and and then I went to Calgary. I'm giving you the fast version of this. Went to Calgary, my friend's band Poseidon, who's now my my cubato Nico, Padera, and the Buzuki player Tony's brother, the fuse blew. And they needed, it was 500 Greeks in Calgary at the community center. And then Christone and Nico said, Ange, go, go do, go do 20 minutes. They're waiting. So the mics were working. I went and I did, I said, that was the first time I did a Greek Canadian. I said they're all Greeks. I could talk about us.

George Stroumboulis: 58:31

Up until this point, all your comedy from Vancouver to there was always just mainstream. I would talk about my name, but that's about it. Okay, so nothing Greek related.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 58:40

I never talked about very m minuscule. And then when I went to Calgary, did that and say, We're Greeks, this and that. I thought these people grew up like me. This is in Calgary, Ottawa, and then we I started talking about her parents talking. After 20 minutes, we got standing ovation. They gave me a standing O, and the light bulb went off of my head. I'm like, oh. How old are you at this point? At that point, I'm uh I'll tell you right now, I'm about 36 years old, 35.

George Stroumboulis: 59:10

So it went off there. Wow.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 59:12

Yeah, dude, comedy. It went it went off because it was like uh no, even younger, I think. But what happened was I realized these people grew up like me. And it was if that happened in Canada, guess what? It can happen anywhere. Yeah, it didn't matter, it was Canada, Calgary, Montreal, Los Angeles, Chicago, Melbourne, Sydney, Johannesburg, London. Guess what? The common denominator, our parents are Greek. Yeah, from villages. From villages, who put the same guilt, same work ethic, same lucky is see the the accents may be different, George, and stuff, but I'll tell you what though, the the actual basis of it remained the song remains the same, Led Zeppelin. Still the same song.

George Stroumboulis: 1:00:00

Absolutely.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:00:01

That's why when I go to these places, there they know my accent's different. They know it's a but the the common denominator is the same.

George Stroumboulis: 1:00:09

Yeah. So they get it. And you laid that foundation in our community, right? Like you are. Angelo Tsarujas is the guy to put it out there. Absolutely, yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:00:17

Put it out there. And it's great. And look, I think it's good that there's more people. I got a lot of younger people reach out to me and I'll share their videos, and they're good, and I think it's good. You know, I think it I don't look at it as oh, they're infringing on me. No, this is good. You encourage them to be more creative, you know. And it's nice, and thanks for, you know, that people will give you the uh accolades going, Angie, it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have done this. I saw I was uh 12 years old, I went with my parents to see you, and it changed my life.

George Stroumboulis: 1:00:45

That's amazing.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:00:45

I saw you talking about something I felt weird about, you made it cool. That makes me feel good. I go, really? He goes, Yeah, I I was embarrassed to be Greek, and I went and saw your show. And I was like, dude, this guy's hilarious. He's you're instead of hiding from it, you put it first and front forward. And this is how we are.

George Stroumboulis: 1:01:05

Absolutely. And there's nothing wrong with it. Well, and growing up, it's like you're embarrassed of your parents' accents, this and that. When you have someone who's bringing that out, like, hey, dude, I went through this and you laugh about it, it just breaks down. It breaks it all down.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:01:17

And and I've had many people tell me, one woman said to me, She goes, Thanks to you, I'm back in therapy.

George Stroumboulis: 1:01:23

Thanks to you.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:01:24

She goes, You're the one that was it. But it's funny because everybody's got, and I said, Look, I go, it's my perspective. That's all comedy, comedy, filmmaking, acting, it's a perspective. Totally. So it's something that when you do it, it's like, how do you uh how do you come across the people? What's the connection that people feel uh maybe they connect to you or they're safe with you? And for comedy, now like now I got new stories with this new show I'm doing now, it's called Diaspora. And what's happening now, I'm taking stories, George, that happened over the years that I kind of buried a bit. Now I'm bringing them out. Can you share any of them or it's still being worked on? It's still being worked on. I can't right now, only because I'm putting it in a new show. But I can tell you, a lot of it has to do with my travels. And the show's called Diaspora.

George Stroumboulis: 1:02:13

Yep.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:02:13

Because that's who we are. We're the diaspora. I'm not uh and we're and we're proud to say we're we're connected to Greece. But my stories now, and my friends at Ange, you have so many stories like the one I just told you now about, it's more heart uh felt. But the story is I may even say in Greece, you know, the thing about my dad came to Canada, it happened. Yeah, and they say uh comedy aristophanies, comedy is tragedy plus time. Yes, Greeks coin that. So to me, I may bring that story up I just told you about my dad. Meaning, why would that happen? See, to a Greek audience, they get it. Absolutely. Because everything has a connection. Everything has, yeah, they would have that connection, right? And then I thought to myself, you know, my dad turned off the lights because he was probably telling me he's visa the foto. To save the money, save the money, what the hell are you doing? Did the thermostat uh change as well during the three seconds? We know I did that video. Exactly. Is this your Greek father growing up? And people are like, yes, yes, you know, the thermostat, the psalmini, the yeah. I hear my dad, how much you gotta wipe your ass with? And it's so funny. I hear my I hear my father. That's what's funny. When I'm doing those characters, I hear my father's voice in my head. Yeah, I hear my mother's voice, my Thea. It's in my head. That's when when I say it to the audience, I'm saying it the way they're saying it to me. And they're hearing it the same way I'm hearing it.

George Stroumboulis: 1:03:40

Yeah, yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:03:41

You know, that's why.

George Stroumboulis: 1:03:41

So it's like and it's powerful because it's a dying generation, right? Right. Right? Like we now are not our parents. It's like, yeah, leave the lights on all day.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:03:49

Like it's just you know, but I'm I'm like, I think I'm turning into my dad now, George. Exactly. My daughter goes, you're grumpy. Grumpy. You're like your papoo wasn't alive now. Exactly. What's going on with this and that? So Andrew, let me uh how are we doing on time? Because I know you need to get back. This is the new uh thing. I gotta go get my daughter from school. Yeah, yeah.

George Stroumboulis: 1:04:12

Okay.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:04:12

So we're well, and and and I I can sit and talk to you all day here. Dude, I love you. Dude, time went by so fast.

George Stroumboulis: 1:04:18

Amazing. Let me ask you though, a couple more things. Sure. When did you realize like I made it? Because this this again, business podcast, but comedy. I know you said earlier, like, my dad had to come and do this. Comedy is easy. It's not. I think it's probably one of the hardest professions. Well, every day. Every day. And then it's like, cool, you earn, you earn, you know, there's no uh security blanket. Like, you gotta like it's a tough industry, and then aside from being on stage and like ah shit, that bombed, you get demotivated, you gotta come. It's like so many things going on, right?

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:04:50

Like you gotta be a producer, director, you have to be a promoter, yeah, writer. And the thing is, I'll tell you what, because it's we're talking about your business podcast. This is a business, it's called show business for a reason. And the thing is, when I wake up, and that's my wife, every day. It's like I own my shop or when I was doing my business in Canada. Social media, follow up with your leads, follow up with your callbacks, follow up, create. It every day, every day. Cycle when I get up and cycle. And even my friends go, Ange, you're always busy. It's by design, but not by uh not by uh luck. I said, but you gotta work at it. And I've told people, doesn't matter what business you're in, and this is where I give it to the Greeks, and they say, Why are Greeks successful? We're not scared to work. We're not, I know you're not, you're successful, I'm successful. There's a lot of people out there I've met. And they're not, and the one thing I I I'm very proud to say is that when it comes to work, I think we're some of the hardest fucking workers in the planet. It and we understand, yes, we understand life, we understand health, we understand money, but we're not the for volumas that we're not scared to go at it. You got families, I got a family, and as you know, and I I I I think money's evil sometimes, but it's a necessity.

George Stroumboulis: 1:06:18

Yep.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:06:18

Our kids go to dance festivals. My wife wants to drive a nice car. You want to take your family to Disneyland, or you uh as you should. I'm not saying to sound like my dad, you know, me calatar laftasas, but you want to enjoy your life, but I realize the work, and I call I'll say the work ethic. I have it. Yeah. Clearly, dude. You're on a plane every day. Every day going somewhere. Yeah. And when I'm on the plane, I'm checking. I had to I had to uh on the way here, I booked my flight. I'm going to Berlin and uh September 27th. I had to book Charlotte, London, Berlin, Charlotte, North Carolina. I booked on the way coming here to you. Now I go pick up my kid now, and then we have uh Alina, my wife, who's also my manager. We have to send stuff to Greece, send stuff to Australia, visa papers, this and that. We're booking gigs with Greek promotions live with this. It you're constantly working at it. You can't, and I tell people, I said, you gotta work whatever you do. I I'm being show business, I'm a comedian. And the whole idea, George, to make it look easy.

George Stroumboulis: 1:07:21

Exactly. Like effortless.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:07:24

No, you're you you gotta work at this.

George Stroumboulis: 1:07:27

Absolutely.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:07:27

Because people, the thing people want is a pill. How do I get from here to there? Give me a pill and it happens.

George Stroumboulis: 1:07:34

No, it's not, it's not success, weight, love, whatever it is.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:07:39

Everybody wants Ozempic. Yeah. That's why it's so popular, that Z pod Ozempic, whatever. But I but I tell people, and my wife says, you know what she says to me? You're the worst boss I ever had. Good. Good. So, you know, my father, and I learned that from Petros Tarukas. The old man did not care. You know, my brother once said to him, I don't want to go to school, fine. He goes, You're gonna come work in the restaurant. Why do you need time off? No, you're not getting time off. You're either gonna work in the restaurant or you go to school. And I remember one time, one morning, true story. It was January in Ottawa, cold. My dad says, Okay, Bom, we're going to the restaurant. My brother, fuck you. To my dad, fuck you. He goes, What? Fuck you, dad. Okay, fuck you. My dad always had a little cigarette in his mouth. He goes in the kitchen with a big pot, the cazzarola pot, fills it up with water. The big spaghetti pot, comes back in. Because, are you coming to work? Fuck you. Fuck me, fuck you. Whoosh! He threw a pot of water, minus 20. My brother hit the ceiling. Fuck you. Fuck you. He didn't. My dad didn't care what we did and what we went. Eight o'clock, buddy. You're coming to work. I learned that from him and I read and it made me understand. He goes, Canotizalis, my dad was your age. I had girlfriends run around. Buddy, when it was this time, and that that engraved ingrained in my skull, George. And even now, if I know I gotta go somewhere, I'm up early. I'm at the airport early. I've even told my wife, if you're late, I'm leaving. This is this is this isn't uh vacation, this is work.

George Stroumboulis: 1:09:18

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:09:18

And she understands the severity when I get and she was, I understand how severity, because I want to be professional. I want to be there. I like having a good time. I like screwing around, but works. If the show is at 8, I gotta be there at no later than 7.15. Yeah, it's a business for you and your program. You don't want to be the guy, it's late. You don't want to be here, they go showing up, unless something obviously out of your circumstances. But you know, you invited me to your podcast, which had a great time today. Um, you say, Ange, be your time, perfect time. I'm here. Yeah, literally, I was I was shocked. I'm like, boom, five minutes before he's right here. Yeah, yeah. And then the whole thing, you know, and that's and I and I tell people, and if people listening and asking, um, in any business, uh, and my business or any independent, because we're Greeks, we have a hard time working for other people. You gotta be self-motivated, you gotta be committed, you gotta be educated and not scared to take chances. You gotta do all that stuff, and you gotta work. You gotta get up earlier than everybody, go to bed later than everybody. And that's because every business, as you know, is very competitive. And and I always tell people, I don't care what business you're in. I do this, you do that. It's the same thing, it's the same commitment, it's the same you need that motivation. And I think what happens sometimes, we get be we all have those days where you're like, fuck, nothing's working. Okay, take the day off. Totally regroup, wake up in the morning, take a shower, have your Greek coffee, start your day again. That's what I do. Chalk it up. I I I say, okay, I don't need therapy, whatever.

George Stroumboulis: 1:10:57

Some days are tomorrow's another day.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:10:59

Another day. Absolutely. Okay, forget it. Let's go have dinner, let's watch a movie. Look, forget it. It's not gonna work out. And then the next day I get up, I'm like, I want to quit. You know how many times I want to quit? Yeah, of course. It's just shitty business. And then I wake up going, what else am I gonna do? I like doing this. I love I'm gonna do this until they throw me in the ground.

George Stroumboulis: 1:11:16

Good. Dude, I love that. And listen, do it so to close this out. I'm gonna give you two Greek sayings or phrases, and you're gonna tell me your favorite. We're gonna just do quick three rounds, okay? Okay. The first one, Sigami Drosito aftimo. Right? Okay. Or disputanastokagilo. Oh, putanas to cagilo. Is that the best one? The horse bedpost. Yeah, the horse bedpost. Okay. So I like the sweaty ear, but the horse bed post for sure. That wins, okay. Um, this is more just in general. Yeah. Ftuftu mitomatyasume. Yeah. Okay. Or tamatya su decatesera. Oh, tamatya su decatesera.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:11:50

Classic. I heard my mom saying it to me right now. Hey, tamatya su the catesera. Your eyes 14.

George Stroumboulis: 1:11:56

Your eyes 14. And um the last one, right? Speaking of moms, right? Vale zakiedatha. Yeah. Okay? Or phyligo polyadinatises. That's a tie.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:12:09

That's a tie. I haven't heard that one. Failigo tiadinatis. I always get that. It's so funny with Greeks, you don't win, George, because if you're too fat, go upstall.

George Stroumboulis: 1:12:23

Yeah.

Angelo Tsarouchas: 1:12:23

And when you're not, you're not when you're not too thin, hello. Have a sandwich. You can't win. Exactly. So that's a tie. That's a tie. That was a tie. Between the jacket and eating, it's a tie.

George Stroumboulis: 1:12:33

Yeah. Angelo, you you are uh equally as as uh charismatic, funny, like good person off camera as you are on, dude. Like I appreciate you sitting down with me today. Thanks, George. Thanks for having me on the Invigate Your Business Podcast. I appreciate you, brother. I appreciate it, brother. Funny Greek? FunnyGreek.com. Yeah, we're gonna get all that in there. Sweet. Thank you, brother, so much. George, this was my pleasure. Thanks for having me on your show. Absolutely. Thank you, man. Thank you, my man. Thanks for listening to this episode of Invigorate Your Business with George Stroumboulis. Please hit the subscribe and like buttons and follow me on all the main podcast streaming channels. Also, please share your comments when you can. I appreciate your help in expanding this network to a worldwide audience. Until next time, stay invigorated.

CONTENTS OF THIS VIDEO

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 0:00

Καλώς ήρθατε σε ένα ακόμη επεισόδιο του «Invigorate Your Business με τον Γιώργο Στρουμπούλη». Στο σημερινό επεισόδιο κάθομαι με τον αστείο Έλληνα, τον Άντζελο Τσαρούχα. Ο Άντζελο με κάνει να γελάω εδώ και χρόνια, κάνει τον κόσμο να γελάει εδώ και χρόνια. Ο Άντζελο είναι ένας επιτυχημένος κωμικός, ο οποίος έχει εμφανιστεί σε μερικά από τα μεγαλύτερα φεστιβάλ κωμωδίας στον κόσμο, έχει παίξει σε τηλεοπτικές σειρές, έχει παίξει σε ταινίες. Θα μιλήσουμε για την κουλτούρα μας, για το τι είναι τρελό σε αυτήν, τι μας κάνει να γελάμε με αυτήν. Θα μας μιλήσει για το επάγγελμα της κωμωδίας. Θα μπούμε σε πολλά διαφορετικά θέματα. Θα γελάσουμε, θα κλάψουμε. Οπότε φροντίστε να συντονιστείτε σε αυτό το επεισόδιο, το οποίο ξεκινάει τώρα.

Με λένε Γιώργο Στρουμπούλη και είμαι εξαιρετικά παθιασμένος με το να ταξιδεύω τον κόσμο, να γνωρίζω νέους ανθρώπους και να μαθαίνω για νέες επιχειρήσεις. Ελάτε μαζί μου καθώς κάθομαι με άλλους επιχειρηματίες για να μάθουμε για τα ταξίδια τους. Αυτό το επεισόδιο του «Invigorate Your Business» ξεκινάει τώρα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 1:02

Γράφουμε. Λατρεύω τον χώρο σου, Γιώργο. Πρώτα απ’ όλα, θέλω να πω, Γιώργο, ευχαριστώ που με έχεις στο podcast σου. Είσαι ένας κύριος, και όλα εδώ είναι πρώτης κλάσης. Φαίνεται ότι όποιος συνεργάζεται μαζί σου ξέρει ότι έχει να κάνει με επαγγελματία. Γιατί, μόλις μπήκα, η ελληνική φιλοξενία ήταν εκεί: είχαμε πολύ ωραία γαλλικά γλυκά, επειδή δυστυχώς δεν υπάρχουν καλές ελληνικές φούρνοι εδώ, αλλά καφέ, και ξέρουμε ανθρώπους. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι είμαστε Έλληνες. Κάναμε μέχρι τώρα το ελληνικό πράγμα, ξέρεις.

Α, ναι, ναι. Το προχωρήσαμε. Ήδη ξέρουμε τους ίδιους ανθρώπους, τους κουμπάρους μας, κάτι φίλους, είμαστε και οι δύο φίλοι με τον Θανάση, είμαστε και οι δύο φίλοι με… ξέρεις, ναι, ναι… και μετά βγάλαμε όλα αυτά από τη μέση, και μετά το FDF, τώρα έχεις κι άλλη σύνδεση. Το παιδί μου πάει χορό στο τάδε, και μπλα μπλα μπλα. Οπότε είναι αυτή η άμεση σύνδεση. Ναι, είναι σύνδεση.

Και νομίζω αυτό είναι που με ρωτάνε συνέχεια, Γιώργο: «Τι είναι με τους Έλληνες, όταν πας στον κόσμο;»

Και πάντα τους λέω: έχουμε λέξεις όπως φιλοξενία — φίλοι των ξένων, ναι — φιλότιμο, αγάπη για την τιμή. Τα έχουμε αυτά. Και εγώ, για τους Έλληνες, θέλω ακόμη να πιστεύω — κάποιοι λένε ότι δεν το έχουμε πια — αλλά εγώ πιστεύω ότι οι περισσότεροι από εμάς το έχουμε ακόμη.

Δηλαδή, αν πάω κάπου… ήμουν, έκανα ένα σόου, ήμουν στο Riyadh Comedy Festival πρόσφατα. Το πρόσφατο, το… επίμαχο. Ναι. Ήμουν ένας από τους 50 κωμικούς που κάλεσαν εκεί. Ήταν ο Dave Chappelle, ο Bill Burr, ο Russell, ο Gabriel Iglesias, ο Joe Coy, ο Louis C.K., ξέρεις, όλοι αυτοί.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 2:46

Ο Santino.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 2:47

Ο Santino, και ο Bobby Lee ήταν μαζί τους το πρωί. Ο Bobby συνέχιζε να λέει ότι θα φάει τον σκύλο μου. Του είπα «Οι Αρμένιοι θα σε σκοτώσουν». Αλλά είναι αστείο, γιατί ήταν σαν…

Ήρθαν κάτι τύποι μετά από ένα σόου που έκανα. Ήμουν με τον Maz Jobrani και κάναμε το σόου στο μεγάλο θέατρο, στην αρένα, και έρχονται δύο Έλληνες και μου λένε: «Άγγιλε, είμαστε θαυμαστές σου, είμαστε από την Ελλάδα.» Είναι εργολάβοι οικοδομών, developers, δουλεύουν στο Ριάντ.

Και έρχονται και μου λένε: «Θα σε πάμε για πούρο, θα σε βγάλουμε έξω, έχουμε αυτό το φιλότιμο.»

Και είναι τόσο αστείο για μένα… Και ο ένας τους μου λέει: «Άντζε, είμαστε στο Ριάντ, στη Σαουδική Αραβία, και εμφανίστηκαν Έλληνες που σε ξέρουν.»

Λέω, «Δεν υπάρχουν πολλοί εκεί. Νομίζω ότι όλοι οι Έλληνες του κόσμου δεν κάνουν ούτε μία πόλη στην Ινδία.»

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 3:51

100%. Λένε ότι όσοι Έλληνες είναι στην Ελλάδα, τόσοι περίπου είναι και έξω, πρώτης, δεύτερης γενιάς. Δηλαδή γύρω στα 20 εκατομμύρια. 20–22 εκατομμύρια, πάνω-κάτω. Αυτό είναι μια πόλη στην Κίνα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 4:02

Είναι μια πόλη στην Κίνα.

Οπότε αυτοί οι τύποι μετά μου λένε: «Θα σε πάμε στη Σαντορίνη». Λέω, «Α, είστε από τη Σαντορίνη;» Λένε, «Όχι».

Αυτό που έκαναν είναι ότι αυτοί οι άνθρωποι έχουν τόσο πολλά λεφτά στη Σαουδική Αραβία, που πήγαν στη Σαντορίνη και την αντέγραψαν στο Ριάντ.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 4:25

Έλα τώρα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 4:25

Υπάρχει μια περιοχή — ψάξτε το — υπάρχει μια περιοχή, την έχουν αντιγράψει σχεδόν τέλεια. Το μόνο που έλειπε ήταν οι σταυροί. Είδα ότι δεν είχε…

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 4:34

Α, δεν τους έβαλαν. Γιατί αυτό το έκαναν και στην Κίνα. Υπάρχει και «Σαντορίνη» στην Κίνα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 4:39

Και στην Κίνα, ναι. Επειδή είναι μουσουλμανική χώρα, βγάζει νόημα.

Αλλά αγαπάνε τους Έλληνες. Και είναι τόσο αστείο για μένα… Δεν θυμάμαι αν είχαν τους σταυρούς ή όχι. Νομίζω ότι δεν είχαν, γιατί δεν θα τους επέτρεπαν. Αλλά είσαι εκεί, και κάθομαι εγώ, και ο τύπος δούλευε σε ένα εστιατόριο εκεί — δεν θυμάμαι πώς το λέγανε — και με πήγανε.

Και έλεγα πόσο παράξενο είναι: είμαστε αυτό το μικρό έθνος στη Μεσόγειο, κι όμως όταν κάνουν αντίγραφα, όπως είπες, της Σαντορίνης στην Κίνα ή στο Ριάντ…

Και ξέρω κι έναν φίλο μου, τον Lee, ο οποίος έχει το «Disney in Greece» στη Βοστώνη, κάνει petition να ανοίξουν ελληνικό pavilion στο Epcot. Ναι, ναι.

Και δεν έχει άδικο, και πάντα τον υποστήριζα σε αυτό. Έχουν τόσες χώρες, και σκέφτομαι ότι η Ελλάδα πρέπει να έχει pavilion στο Epcot.

Απόλυτα. Δηλαδή, άλλες χώρες… Ο Καναδάς έχει, ο Καναδάς έχει, φυσικά και πρέπει. Τώρα, δεν ξέρω αν θα το έχουν για πολύ ακόμα, γιατί χάνεται σιγά-σιγά κάθε χρόνο. Ναι, με τους δασμούς μπορεί να το βγάλουν. «Θα το βγάλουμε, ε; Δεν θέλουμε να το βάλουμε εκεί.»

Αλλά είναι ενδιαφέρον για μένα το πώς, πραγματικά, η κωμωδία μού επέτρεψε να πάω στη Νότια Αφρική, στην Αυστραλία, στη Νέα Ζηλανδία, στην Ινδία, στη Σιγκαπούρη, στην Ιαπωνία. Δηλαδή…

Και είναι παράξενο, είναι πολύ περίεργο όταν πας κάπου και εμφανίζονται Έλληνες. Είναι περίεργο, σωστά; Πολύ περίεργο, γιατί δεν το περιμένεις.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 6:12

Και πώς νιώθεις όταν κάνεις ένα σόου και ξέρεις ότι θα έρθουν Έλληνες εκεί; Σε στηρίζουν από default μόνο και μόνο λόγω του επωνύμου σου;

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 6:27

Λοιπόν, οι περισσότεροι πλέον, λόγω social media, έχουν δει τα βίντεο.

Ακόμη και τώρα, όταν πάω στην Ελλάδα, με σταματάνε συνέχεια, γιατί… Δεν το συνειδητοποιείς, γιατί εμείς φτιάχνουμε τα βίντεο, αλλά δεν ξέρεις ποιος τα βλέπει. Υπάρχουν εκατομμύρια views.

Και μετά γίνεται κάτι, π.χ. πριν από μερικά χρόνια ήμουν με τις κόρες μου στην Αθήνα, στο Μοναστηράκι, και κατεβήκαμε στην αποβάθρα του μετρό, και το τρένο μόλις ξεκινούσε. Το χάσαμε, και ξαφνικά σταματάει.

Και ο οδηγός ανοίγει την πόρτα και λέει: «Τσαρούχα, κατέβα εδώ!» Και σταμάτησε το τρένο για να μπούμε. Λέει: «Θέλω… πρέπει να βγάλω μια selfie, θέλω να τη δείξω στη γυναίκα μου.»

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 7:10

Τρομερό.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 7:11

Και για μένα το πιο ωραίο ήταν ότι ήταν η κόρη μου μαζί μου και η γυναίκα μου. Δεν ήταν ότι το περίμενα, αλλά ήταν τόσο παράξενο ότι σταμάτησε το μετρό για να μπούμε, ώστε να βγάλει φωτογραφία για να τη δώσει στη γυναίκα του.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 7:24

Αλλά το να το βλέπει η κόρη σου αυτό πρέπει να ήταν απίστευτο. Είναι σαν να καταλαβαίνει: «Α, γι’ αυτό ο μπαμπάς ταξιδεύει τόσο πολύ, έτσι; Γιατί δουλεύει, χτίζει κάτι.»

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 7:31

Ακριβώς. Γιατί ξέρεις… είμαι στον δρόμο πάνω από 270–280 μέρες τον χρόνο. Πωω.

Γι’ αυτό, όταν μιλάμε για το να είσαι σπίτι, όταν γυρίζω, προσπαθώ… είναι ζογκλάρισμα, έτσι;

Γιατί η γυναίκα μου το ήξερε. Είμαι τυχερός: η γυναίκα μου είναι Λοσαγγελίνα, ζει εδώ, το δίκτυό της είναι εδώ, είναι Αρμένισσα, και οι Αρμένιοι στο Λος Άντζελες είναι σαν τους Έλληνες στη Μελβούρνη της Αυστραλίας. Μεγάλος πληθυσμός, πολύ καλά δικτυωμένος.

Και είναι απασχολημένη. Τώρα είναι απασχολημένη με την κόρη μας, με την εκκλησία μας, με διάφορα — και αυτό είναι καλό, γιατί πολλές φορές, όπως ξέρεις, πολλοί που έρχονται στο LA δεν είναι από εδώ. Αυτή γεννήθηκε εδώ, κυριολεκτικά στο Χόλιγουντ.

Και μετά τι γίνεται; Αυτό πιέζει τη σχέση. Με τη δική μου, όμως, είναι απασχολημένη, άρα… με ενοχλεί καμιά φορά γιατί λατρεύω τις δουλειές. Λατρεύω, ακόμα αγαπώ τις δουλειές, τα σόου, όλα αυτά. Δεν είναι ότι σταματήσαμε, συνεχίζουμε τα σόου.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 8:32

Είναι σαν δόση ντοπαμίνης.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 8:33

Είναι χτύπημα ντοπαμίνης, αλλά είναι το ταξίδι…

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 8:38

Που γίνεται πιο δύσκολο.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 8:39

Ναι, δηλαδή τώρα είμαι στον αυτόματο. Το κάνω έτσι: την άλλη εβδομάδα θα πετάξω για Ελλάδα, θα πετάξω… ξέρεις, 15–16 ώρες από το LA, όπως ξέρεις — πας συνέχεια. Και πας εκεί, κάνεις τα σόου.

Μόλις γύρισα από Φλόριντα, μετά ήμουν στο Cabo San Lucas στο Μεξικό, μετά πάω Salt Lake City, μετά από εκεί, μετά πάω Μέση Ανατολή… απλά, δεν υπάρχει…

Ο κόσμος νομίζει ότι το προγραμματίζεις σαν διακοπές. Όχι. Εγώ ταξιδεύω σύμφωνα με το πρόγραμμα της δουλειάς.

Αν το σόου είναι στο Τορόντο, πάω στο Τορόντο. Αν είναι στο Λονδίνο, πάω στο Λονδίνο. Αν είναι στο Σακραμέντο… δεν υπάρχει λογική, είναι όπου είναι η δουλειά. Για μένα, το να μπω σε αεροπλάνο είναι όπως για τους άλλους το μετρό ή το λεωφορείο για να πάνε στη δουλειά.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 9:34

Ακριβώς. Ναι, αλλά με τόσο πολύ ταξίδι πρέπει να είναι τρομερά δύσκολο, γιατί όπως λέγαμε πριν — παρεμπιπτόντως η γυναίκα σου είναι ψυχούλα — νιώθω ότι πολλοί μου λένε… παντρεύτηκες «πάνω». Σίγουρα, σίγουρα, έτσι; Φαίνεται.

Αλλά λέγαμε για το πώς ισορροπείς το πρόγραμμα και το κάνεις αυτό για την οικογένεια. Είναι ωραίο, είναι σαν… μεγαλώνοντας στις οικογένειες των μεταναστών με τα εστιατόρια, η οικογένεια ήταν πάντα μαζί. Το αναπαράγεις αυτό σε μια τελείως διαφορετική δουλειά, αλλά παραμένει οικογενειακή υπόθεση, κάτι που είναι υπέροχο.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 10:05

Αυτό το κάνει ωραίο. Βλέπεις, η γυναίκα μου δούλευε στο CBS, και μετά την απεργία των σεναριογράφων και όλα αυτά… τώρα είναι εκπληκτική σύζυγος και μητέρα, γιατί με ανέχεται.

Και δεν είναι εύκολο. Είσαι στον δρόμο, νιώθεις μοναξιά, μετά γυρνάς σπίτι και καμιά φορά, επειδή έχεις μπει σε ένα μοτίβο, νιώθεις ότι σε πνίγει. Είναι χαρούμενοι που γυρνάω, αλλά μετά η κόρη μου «μπαμπά, έκανα αυτό στο σχολείο, εκείνο στο σχολείο…»

Οπότε φοράς ταυτόχρονα δύο καπέλα: έχεις καριέρα, αλλά η άλλη μου ευαισθησία είναι ότι είμαι επίσης σύζυγος και πατέρας, όπως ξέρεις. Πρέπει να φοράς και τα δύο.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 10:44

Α, ναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 10:45

Και νομίζω ότι η επιτυχία — γιατί οι άνθρωποι ρωτάνε «πώς δουλεύει;» — είναι ότι είναι και μάνατζέρ μου. Οπότε όταν με ρωτάνε «πώς νιώθει η γυναίκα σου για όλα αυτά;», λέω «Ρώτα την ίδια. Αυτή το έκλεισε.»

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 10:57

Ναι, ακριβώς.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 10:57

Και η Αλίνα το ξέρει. Και, κοίτα… να δώσω κι ένα shout-out σε μια νεότερη γυναίκα που ξέρω εδώ και 10–12 χρόνια, την Αριάνα Παπολεξόπουλου, η οποία είναι φοβερή. Πριν από χρόνια ήρθε και μου έδωσε ένα βίντεο που είχε κάνει, το ανέβασα, μου άρεσε αυτό που έκανε. Τη βρήκα πολύ ταλαντούχα, πολύ θαρραλέα — είχε τα κότσια.

Και τώρα έχει εκατομμύρια views και κάνουμε βίντεο μαζί, είμαστε τόσο αντίθετοι αλλά τόσο συγχρονισμένοι σε αυτό που κάνουμε.

Και θα ανοίγει τις παραστάσεις μου στην Ελλάδα, έχει ήδη μεγάλο κοινό, και δεν έχει πάει ποτέ στην Αυστραλία, οπότε θα την πάρω στην Αυστραλία να ανοίγει τις παραστάσεις. Δεν είχε πάει ποτέ, και θα πάρω και τις κόρες μου μαζί.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 12:00

Πότε θα γίνει αυτό; Είναι μεγάλο πήδημα, Αυστραλία-Αυστραλία.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 12:03

Και πάλι, ναι. Παρεμπιπτόντως, κάθε Έλληνας στον κόσμο έχει κάποιον συγγενή στην Αυστραλία.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 12:08

Απόλυτα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 12:08

Δεν έχει σημασία πού είσαι στον κόσμο, αν είσαι Έλληνας, κάπου είσαι συγγενής, είτε το ξέρεις είτε όχι.

Το είπα αυτό στον Τομ και τον Νικ στο «Ouzo Talk» και γελούσαν.

Αλλά το αστείο είναι ότι θα πάρω τις κόρες μου μαζί και τους είπα: «Κοιτάξτε, θα πάω μόνο για 8–9 μέρες. Είναι μεγάλο ταξίδι, αλλά δεν πειράζει, θέλω η κόρη μου να έχει αυτές τις εμπειρίες.»

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 12:30

Απόλυτα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 12:31

Και η Αριάνα θα έρθει και οι κόρες μου τη λατρεύουν. Θα κάνουμε σόου. Ο μόνος «πονοκέφαλος» με αυτό, Γιώργο, είναι ότι όταν είμαι στην Ελλάδα — ο πατέρας μου είναι από τη Σπάρτη, έχω ξαδέρφια εκεί — μου λένε «Έλα, ήσουν εδώ και δεν κατέβηκες να μας δεις;» Ε, ήμουν εκεί το καλοκαίρι. Τους λέω: «Παιδιά, δουλεύω. Έχω πρόγραμμα. Δεν μπορώ. Γιατί δεν έρχεστε στη Λακωνία δυο μέρες;» Δεν έχω bandwidth, γιατί πρέπει να κάνω συνεντεύξεις στην Ελλάδα, μετά δύο σόου, μετά Θεσσαλονίκη, μετά πίσω εδώ γιατί έχω κι άλλα σόου.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 13:06

Και πρέπει να είσαι «on». Δεν είσαι εκεί για να χαλαρώσεις.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 13:10

Ναι, δουλεύουμε. Και νομίζω ότι αυτό που γίνεται είναι ότι θολώνουν οι γραμμές. Ακόμη και όταν πηγαίνω Αυστραλία — έχω πάει 12–13 φορές — ο κόσμος λέει «Α, πας ως εκεί, θα κάτσεις έναν μήνα;» Το παιδί μου έχει σχολείο. Κάνω σόου. Την έχω πάρει μαζί, αλλά μπορούμε να πάμε μια βδομάδα, όταν έχει διακοπές. Δεν μπορώ να κάτσω παραπάνω.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 13:36

Ακριβώς.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 13:37

Πρέπει να γυρίσουμε στη ζωή μας. Και τους συμπεριλαμβάνω όσο μπορώ. Αν έχω σόου στη Νέα Υόρκη ή αν είμαι στο Τορόντο, στην Οττάβα, στο Μόντρεαλ — η κουμπάρα μου ζει στο Μόντρεαλ — προσπαθώ να το κάνω ταξιδάκι. Πέρσι δεν μπορέσαμε να βρούμε εισιτήρια για Taylor Swift στο LA…

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 14:00

ΟΚ.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 14:01

Αλλά βρήκαμε εισιτήρια Taylor Swift στο Τορόντο.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 14:03

Στο Τορόντο, ναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 14:04

Οπότε πήγαν. Η κουμπάρα μου στο Τορόντο έχει διαμέρισμα. Έτσι, πέταξαν στο Τορόντο για την Taylor Swift, μετά πήραν το τρένο Via Rail για Μόντρεαλ να δουν τη γιαγιά για λίγες μέρες — να την κάνουν χαρούμενη — και μετά πίσω στο LA.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 14:21

Ναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 14:21

Οπότε προσπαθείς, ξέρεις… Και όσο μεγαλώνω, η οικογένεια είναι πολύ σημαντική. Η κόρη μου είναι πλέον νεαρή έφηβη και αυτά είναι τα διαμορφωτικά της χρόνια, οπότε…

Πώς να το πω, Γιώργο; Είμαστε σε μια ναρκισσιστική δουλειά μέχρι ενός σημείου. Ξέρω ότι χρειάζεσαι εγώ για να κάνεις αυτή τη δουλειά, χρειάζεσαι εγώ ακόμη και για αυτό που κάνουμε τώρα.

Αλλά ταυτόχρονα πρέπει να μπορείς να το «χαμηλώνεις» και να λες: «Κοίτα, είμαι και πατέρας και σύζυγος». Και ο γάμος είναι σαν λουλούδι. Το ποτίζεις και το βλέπεις να μεγαλώνει κάθε μέρα. Αν όμως δεν είσαι εκεί να το ποτίζεις, έρχεται ο γείτονας, το ποτίζει για σένα, αλλάζει τη γλάστρα, τα αλλάζει όλα… και ξαφνικά όλα αλλάζουν.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 15:14

Ναι, γι’ αυτό πρέπει να προσέχεις και ποιους γείτονες έχεις, έτσι;

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 15:16

Γι’ αυτό εγώ μένω δίπλα σε παππούδες.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 15:19

Ακριβώς.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 15:20

Ούτε το Viagra δεν θα βοηθήσει αυτόν.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 15:24

Λοιπόν, περίμενε, υπάρχουν τόσες κατευθύνσεις που θέλω να πάω με αυτό. Εσύ, ειδικά για την ελληνική διασπορά, είσαι σαν εθνικός θησαυρός. Και είσαι πριν την εποχή του mainstream social media. Δηλαδή, ήσουν ήδη γνωστός.

Θυμάμαι, όταν ήμουν μικρός, σε έβλεπα, νομίζω στο Chum TV, με τον Γιώργο Τσουτσούλα, κάποιες συνεντεύξεις, παλιά. Σε θυμάμαι και σε ελληνικά κανάλια στον Καναδά.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 15:53

Ο Γιώργος Τσουτσούλας είναι εξαιρετικός σκηνοθέτης. Κάναμε ένα ντοκιμαντέρ, το «Back to Sparta», το οποίο σκηνοθέτησε ο Γιώργος. Ήταν ιδέα του. Είναι για μένα που επιστρέφω στην Ελλάδα το 2014 να κάνω ένα σόου. Είχα πάει παντού αλλού, και ο Γιώργος γούσταρε την ιδέα να πάμε εκεί. Και γυρίσαμε ένα one-hour special, το «A Night in Athens».

Τότε ο Λάμπρος Φισφής ήταν από τους μεγαλύτερους κωμικούς στην Ελλάδα, άνοιξε την παράσταση για μένα. Υπήρχε ήδη κωμωδία, αλλά όχι στο επίπεδο που είναι τώρα.

Και γνώρισα τον Γιώργο — είχε εκπομπή στο Omni TV, ναι, ναι, ήταν ελληνική εκπομπή.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 16:36

Ναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 16:36

Ο Γιώργος έκανε και την ελληνική εκπομπή αλλά και mainstream πράγματα. Θυμάσαι το Chum, το «Television Report», ήταν η Ντόρα και ο Γιώργος, ο Γιώργος Τάιλερνης, και ο Σταν Παπουλκάς που ήταν το αφεντικό μας τότε. Μετά εγώ έκανα το «Fat Boy Food Review» εκεί και όλα αυτά.

Ήταν φοβερά χρόνια στο Τορόντο. Μου λείπουν πραγματικά, γιατί η ζωή μου άλλαξε φεύγοντας από την Οτάβα. Όταν πήγα στο Τορόντο και μπλέχτηκα με αυτούς, τώρα ο Σταν είναι στο Έντμοντον, δουλεύει νομίζω με το CityTV, ίσως έχει βγει στη σύνταξη και κάνει ανεξάρτητα.

Οπότε ναι, η εκπομπή της Ντόρας Παπουζάκη, που την αγαπάω, είναι ψυχούλα, με τον Νικ και τον Γιώργο Βασιλά.

Και τώρα έχουμε και το podcast «Talks Cheap» που κάνω με τον Φρανκ Σπαντόνε — «Talks Cheap» — που είναι ιστορίες με τον Φράνκι, είναι απίστευτα αστείος, από τους πιο αστείους ανθρώπους που ξέρω.

Και έχουμε και το «Connecting Greeks» που κάνω με τον Φώτη Γιαννάτη, κάτι ακόμη που τρέχουμε.

Είναι αστείο, λοιπόν, γιατί… (για το μικρόφωνο)

Είναι περίεργο αυτό το μπράτσο; Όχι, καθόλου. Το έστησαν έτσι και είπαν «είναι εντάξει». Στο μέλλον θα το φτιάξουμε. Οκ, μπορώ να το φτιάξω, απλώς το γυρνάω έτσι. Έτοιμο. Ευελιξία, μωρό μου.

Ο Γιώργος λοιπόν έκανε το ντοκιμαντέρ με τον Παύλο, τον διάσημο Ελληνο-Καναδό κιθαρίστα, πολύ καλό μου φίλο, απίστευτος μουσικός.

Και έτσι πήγαμε στην Ελλάδα και το γυρίσαμε. Και ο Γιώργος είναι πολύ ταλαντούχος. Ο τρόπος που το μοντάρισε, που το έδεσε…

Αλλά τον ήξερα από τότε. Και είναι αστείο ότι ο χώρος μας δεν είναι τόσο μεγάλος. Σιγά-σιγά δημιουργείς σχέσεις. Και μετά δουλέψαμε πάνω σε αυτό, το φέραμε στο LA Greek Film Festival.

Και όλα συνδέονται, ενώ εσύ ήσουν στον Καναδά όταν ξεκίνησε αυτό.

Εγώ τότε ζούσα ήδη στο Λος Άντζελες. Οπότε ήρθε ο Γιώργος κάτω, το κάναμε, και μας είπαν ότι χάσαμε το βραβείο για μία μόνο ψήφο. Ο κόσμος το αγάπησε. Και νομίζω γεφυρώνει το χάσμα.

Και για μένα, το πρώτο CD που έκανα λεγόταν «It’s All Greek to Me». Αν το θυμάσαι, ήταν CD. Κλασικό. Αυτό ήταν το original, το έκανα στο Μόντρεαλ, γυρίστηκε εκεί. Ήταν ήχος και μετά κάναμε και βίντεο.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 19:11

Πόσο χρονών και ποια χρονιά ήταν αυτό;

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 19:18

Ήταν το 2000.

Και τότε, ποιο ήταν το mainstream social media; Δεν υπήρχε. Έχω ακόμη το CD. Δεν ήταν MP3, ήταν απλώς CD. Αλλά μπορούσαν να το κάνουν transfer. Στο Greek City Video στο Τορόντο το πουλούσαν.

Τότε έτσι δούλευε. Ποιος έχει πια DVD player ή CD player; Τώρα όλα είναι στο κινητό. Ακριβώς.

Οπότε έπρεπε να το κάνουμε έτσι, και νομίζω όταν ο κόσμος σε γνωρίζει από τα grassroots, όπως είπες, είναι αλλιώς, γιατί είναι φυσική βάση κοινού.

Τώρα, αν το σκεφτείς, από τότε που ήρθε ο COVID, όλοι μπήκαν online. Και ξαφνικά δημιουργήθηκε ένα νέο είδος ψυχαγωγίας και νέοι άνθρωποι. Κάποιοι παλιότεροι καλλιτέχνες το αντιπαθούν.

Έπρεπε να ξαναεφεύρεις τον εαυτό σου;

Γι’ αυτό εγώ, ως αποτέλεσμα του COVID, αρχίσαμε να ανεβάζουμε short βίντεο. Και αυτά έγιναν viral.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 20:22

Ναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 20:22

Αυτά που έκανα στην Ελλάδα — μου άφησαν να χρησιμοποιήσω τα κλιπ — με τις ελληνικές μεταφράσεις, το αστείο με τα ενοικιαζόμενα αυτοκίνητα και όλα αυτά — 13 εκατομμύρια, 15 εκατομμύρια views. Οι άνθρωποι τα έβλεπαν και μετά ερχόταν κόσμος και μου έλεγε «Ε, take a souti pordi» ή μου έκαναν quotes από τα αστεία.

Και κατάλαβα ότι η δύναμη αυτού του κινητού είναι πολύ μεγαλύτερη. Και αν δεν μπορείς να τους νικήσεις, ενώσου μαζί τους. Απόλυτα.

Πολλοί παραπονιούνται: «Αυτά τα κωλόπαιδα, αυτοί…» Όχι, είναι πιο εύκολο γι’ αυτούς τώρα απ’ ό,τι ήταν για μας; Ναι. Αλλά δεν είχαμε τις πλατφόρμες.

Θυμάμαι όταν βγήκε το MySpace, μετά το Facebook. Θυμάμαι εποχή χωρίς κινητό. Χωρίς internet.

Η γενιά των παιδιών μας δεν θα ξέρει ποτέ πώς είναι η ζωή χωρίς internet.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 21:19

Πάντα λέω στα ανίψια μου, που είναι έφηβοι, «Δεν ξέρετε πώς είναι να ψάχνεις πορνό με dial-up σύνδεση». Σε διακόπτουν συνέχεια, βλέπεις τις γραμμές να φορτώνουν…

Καλά, μιας και μιλάμε γι’ αυτό, εδώ καταλαβαίνεις πόσο καλή είναι η κωμωδία σου: έχω ένα intro για τους ακροατές, γιατί είσαι παντού γνωστός. Και μιλάς στη γενιά των γονιών μου — γελάνε τρελά. Δεν είναι μόνο το ελληνικό. Για όσους ακούν, δεν είναι μόνο ελληνικά. Το κανονικό σου stand-up είναι ξεκαρδιστικό — π.χ. το να τα κάνεις πάνω σου στο Target και όλα αυτά.

Οπότε να διαβάσω αυτό και ξαναμπαίνουμε μετά.

Σήμερα μαζί μου είναι ο Άντζελο Τσαρούχας, ένας από τους πιο αναγνωρίσιμους κωμικούς της ελληνικής διασποράς στον κόσμο. Ένας διεθνώς περιοδεύων stand-up κωμικός, ηθοποιός, σεναριογράφος και storyteller, του οποίου το larger-than-life χιούμορ τον έχει κάνει σταθερή παρουσία σε comedy clubs, θέατρα και φεστιβάλ σε όλη τη Βόρεια Αμερική, την Ευρώπη και πέρα από αυτά. Γνωστός ως «The Funny Greek», ο Άντζελο έχει παίξει παντού, από το Just for Laughs στο Μόντρεαλ μέχρι το Comedy Store στο LA, αρένες σε όλο τον Καναδά και sold-out παραστάσεις στην Αυστραλία, στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο και σε όλο τον κόσμο. Τα specials του έχουν φτάσει σε εκατομμύρια θεατές και οι ρόλοι του σε ταινίες και τηλεόραση έχουν αναδείξει τον ιδιαίτερο συνδυασμό ζεστασιάς, πολιτισμικής ματιάς και αδιαμφισβήτητης ελληνικής κωμικής φλέβας.

Μεγαλωμένος σε ελληνική μεταναστευτική οικογένεια, ο Άντζελο μετέτρεψε το οικογενειακό χάος, το φαγητό, την κουλτούρα, την ταυτότητα σε διαχρονική κωμωδία που αντηχεί με κοινό παντού. Η ικανότητά του να κάνει τον κόσμο να γελάει ενώ λέει ιστορίες που είναι βαθιά οικείες σε οποιονδήποτε έχει «κληρονομιά» ή μεγαλόφωνη οικογένεια, τον έχει κάνει αγαπητό σε ολόκληρο τον πλανήτη.

Σήμερα θα εξερευνήσουμε την άνοδό του στην κωμωδία, την πραγματικότητα της ζωής σε περιοδεία, τις εμπειρίες του στο Χόλιγουντ και γιατί το ελληνικό χιούμορ συνδέει το Τορόντο με τη Μελβούρνη και την Αθήνα.

Το διαβάσαμε στη μέση του επεισοδίου, αλλά αυτό σε περιγράφει. Ήμασταν απλά πολύ απασχολημένοι να μιλάμε για άλλα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 23:17

Είναι πολύ ευγενικό από μέρους σου, ευχαριστώ. Δεν κάθομαι συχνά να μυρίσω τα λουκούμια, τον καφέ. Είναι αστείο, όταν το κάνεις, δεν το σκέφτεσαι. Λες: θα πάω από το Α στο Β, από το Β στο Γ, από το Γ στο Δ.

Αλλά το κομμάτι με τα social media, γι’ αυτό τα έχω αγκαλιάσει. Τώρα είχαμε την ιδέα με την Αριάνα.

Είδα το πρώτο βίντεο που κάναμε, ήμασταν στο LA Greek Film Festival. Ήμουν είτε παρουσιαστής είτε έδινα βραβείο, και την είδα. Είχε πάντα την κάμερά της και λέει «Πάμε να κάνουμε ένα κλιπάκι, γρήγορα, αυθόρμητα».

Κάναμε το βίντεο με τα ελληνικά σινιάλα. Το είδα. Μέσα σε τέσσερις μέρες είχε τρία εκατομμύρια views. Και δεν ήταν καν στημένο.

Οπότε καταλάβαμε ότι υπάρχει κάτι εκεί. Πήρα αστεία που είχα ήδη, εκείνη γράφει φοβερά, ο αδερφός της ο Αλέξης είναι εξαιρετικός σκηνοθέτης, σπούδασε στο USC, είναι απίστευτα ταλαντούχοι.

Και η χημεία είναι καλή. Εκείνη το πιάνει. Αν κάτι δεν νομίζω ότι θα είναι αστείο ή δεν βγάζει νόημα, δεν το κάνω. Δεν θέλω να κάνω content μόνο για να κάνω content. Είναι χαζό.

Μερικές φορές, αν νιώθω πολύ έντονα κάτι — π.χ. για το 1821, για την επέτειο της ανεξαρτησίας μας, ή κάτι για τον Καναδά ή την Αμερική, ή πέρσι ήταν τα 50 χρόνια από την Κύπρο — βγήκα και μίλησα.

Κάποιοι μου λένε «Θέλεις να ρισκάρεις;» Λέω: «Η Λευκωσία είναι ακόμη η μόνη κατεχόμενη πρωτεύουσα στην Ευρώπη». Ο κόσμος μιλάει για πολλά, αλλά αυτό το ξεχνάει. Έχω πάει Λευκωσία, έχω κάνει σόου στην Κύπρο, ο κόσμος είναι υπέροχος. Έχω φίλους εκεί.

Και λέω «Το συνειδητοποιείτε αυτό; Ο Καναδάς ήταν ειρηνευτική δύναμη στη γραμμή. Γνωρίζουμε ανθρώπους που υπηρέτησαν εκεί. Η Λευκωσία είναι η μόνη κατεχόμενη πρωτεύουσα στην Ευρώπη.»

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 25:51

Το ξεχνάμε αυτό, ναι. Απόλυτα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 25:53

Και άλλοι μου λένε «Είσαι ενήμερος; Όταν είσαι στην Ελλάδα στην κρίση, ξέρεις;» Λέω «100%.

Και γι’ αυτό χρειάζεστε την κωμωδία τώρα περισσότερο από ποτέ. Καταλαβαίνω ότι είναι δύσκολα, καταλαβαίνω τις συντάξεις, την ευρωπαϊκή αγορά. Ο κόσμος εξελίσσεται, αλλάζει. Ο Καναδάς άλλαξε, η Αμερική άλλαξε, η Ελλάδα, παντού.

Αλλά να μην ξεχνάμε ότι υπάρχει ένα σημείο μέχρι το οποίο μπορούμε να κάνουμε κάτι. Ταυτόχρονα, πρέπει και να σπάμε λίγο όλο αυτό. Και ελπίζω αυτό να μπορώ να προσφέρω εγώ.

Κάποιοι δεν το γουστάρουν. Ειλικρινά, κάποιοι Έλληνες μου λένε «Μας κοροϊδεύεις». Λέω, «Όχι. Απλά εγώ δεν μεγάλωσα εκεί.»

Είναι δύο διαφορετικοί κόσμοι. Εσείς ζείτε εκεί, εγώ λατρεύω την Ελλάδα. Δεν έχω γνωρίσει ούτε έναν άνθρωπο να μου πει ότι πήγε στην Ελλάδα και δεν του άρεσε. Αντίθετα, είμαι πρεσβευτής της Ελλάδας.

Μιλάω για τη χώρα, θα κάνω χιούμορ με την κουλτούρα μας, αλλά δεν λέω ποτέ ότι είμαστε χαζοί, ούτε τίποτα τέτοιο.

Αν κάποιος με ρωτήσει «Να πάω Ελλάδα;» του λέω «Πρέπει να πας».

Το μότο μου είναι ότι όλοι πρέπει να πάνε στην Ελλάδα μια φορά στη ζωή τους. Και μετά, όταν πάνε, λένε «Γιατί δεν ήρθαμε νωρίτερα;»

Και έχουμε λίγο αυτή την αλαζονεία σαν Έλληνες — φυσικά. Σαν να λέμε «εμείς το φτιάξαμε αυτό», πού αλλού θα πας να φας;

Και το αστείο είναι ότι, αν ρωτήσω τη γυναίκα μου και την κόρη μου «πού θέλετε να πάτε διακοπές;», θα πουν «Ελλάδα».

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 27:39

Ναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 27:40

Δεν το λέω εγώ, εκείνες το λένε. «Θέλουμε να πάμε στην Ελλάδα πρώτα.» Η κόρη μου αμέσως: «Θέλω να πάω στην Ελλάδα, μπαμπά.»

Τι νομίζεις ότι είναι αυτό, από την πλευρά μιας 13χρονης;

Νομίζω ότι καταλαβαίνει την κουλτούρα της, γιατί έχει δύο πλούσιες κουλτούρες: αρμένικη και ελληνική. Πέρσι πήγαμε και στις δύο. Ήθελα να πάω Αρμενία, ήθελα να το δει. Δεν ήθελα να… και ερωτεύτηκα τη χώρα.

Είναι υπέροχη χώρα, αν μπορεί κάποιος να πάει στην Αρμενία, να πάει. Το φαγητό είναι φοβερό, μοιάζει πολύ με την Ελλάδα, απλώς είναι κλειστή από θάλασσα.

Οι Αρμένιοι είναι απίστευτα καλοί, και έχουμε τόσο ισχυρή σύνδεση μαζί τους — και μισούμε λίγο τους ίδιους ανθρώπους.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 28:21

Αυτό ενώνει περισσότερο από οτιδήποτε άλλο. Αν μισούμε τους ίδιους…

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 28:24

Ο εχθρός σου είναι κι ο δικός μου εχθρός; Είμαστε φίλοι, είμαστε εντάξει.

Και βλέπω τώρα την κόρη μου, και η γυναίκα μου λέει το ίδιο. Λέει: «Έχει λατρεία με την Ελλάδα. Λατρεύει τις φορές που πήγαμε.» Νομίζω νιώθει ένα αίσθημα ελευθερίας εκεί.

Και το να μεγαλώνεις στο Λος Άντζελες με επώνυμο Τσαρούχας είναι λίγο ιδιαίτερο. Ενώ όταν ήμασταν στο χωριό στη Δάφνη, όλοι είχαν παρόμοια ονόματα. Δεν ένιωθε «διαφορετική».

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 28:59

Ακριβώς.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 28:59

Ένιωσε ότι αυτό είναι το σπίτι της. Της λέω: «Αγάπη μου, εδώ είναι ο τόπος των προγόνων σου, εδώ είναι ο παππούς σου και ο προ-προ-πάππους σου.»

Και δεν το βλέπω μόνο στους Έλληνες — Ιταλούς, Πορτογάλους, πολλούς που δεν παίρνουν ποτέ τις οικογένειες πίσω να δουν την πατρίδα.

Και αυτό που δίνω 100% στους Έλληνες — όπως και στους Εβραίους — είναι ότι θα δείξουν στα παιδιά τους από πού είναι. Δεν λέω ότι οι Ιταλοί και οι άλλοι δεν το κάνουν, αλλά ξέρω πολλούς Αμερικάνους 6ης–7ης γενιάς ιταλικής καταγωγής…

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 29:40

Εκεί είναι η διαφορά. Δεν ξέρουν από πού είναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 29:40

Δεν ξέρουν.

Ενώ οι Εβραίοι έχουν το πρόγραμμα Birthright από την κυβέρνηση, πληρώνουν για να έρθουν όλοι να δουν τη χώρα. Είναι υπέροχο.

Για τους Έλληνες, μας κοροϊδεύουν ότι όλο για την Ελλάδα μιλάμε. Αλλά νομίζω ότι οι περισσότεροι Έλληνες είναι ακόμη πρώτης–δεύτερης γενιάς.

Τώρα, τα παιδιά της κόρης σου, τα παιδιά της κόρης μου… θα έχουν την ίδια σύνδεση; Αν τους το δείξουμε, ναι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 30:09

Και αυτό κάνουμε τώρα, οπότε υπάρχει μεγάλη πιθανότητα η κόρη μου να κάνει το ίδιο.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 30:13

Απόλυτα.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 30:14

Και αυτό μετράει. Και βλέπω ότι η κόρη μου έχει αυτή τη σύνδεση. Αν της πω «πάμε Ελλάδα κάθε χρόνο;», θα πει ναι.

Βέβαια τώρα, λόγω TikTok, θέλει να πάει Καμπότζη, Βιετνάμ και Turks & Caicos.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 30:44

Έχω λύση. Σβήσε το TikTok.

Άντζeλο Τσαρούχας: 30:44

Θέλει να πάει Καμπότζη, που δεν έχω πάει ποτέ, Βιετνάμ, κ.λπ.

Και αυτά τα παιδιά είναι πιο ενημερωμένα από ό,τι ήμασταν εμείς.

Θα σκεφτόσουν ποτέ εσύ στα 13 να πας Καμπότζη; Ούτε καν ήξερα να το γράψω ή πού είναι στον χάρτη.

Αλλά τώρα έχω πάει σε πολλές χώρες λόγω δουλειάς. Και λέω: ναι, βάλ’ το μέσα, δες τα όλα.

Αλλά όπως έχουμε ελληνική περηφάνια, να μιλήσουμε λίγο και για τον Καναδά. Έχεις την ίδια περηφάνια ως Καναδός;

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 31:17

100%.

Εγώ έχω κάνει πολλές φορές αυτή τη συζήτηση. Μπορείς να πας μέχρι ένα σημείο στον Καναδά. Όταν ζούσα στο Τορόντο, έκανα διαφημίσεις, σειρές, ταινίες, stand-up. Ήταν υπέροχα.

Αλλά φτάνεις σε ένα σημείο — είναι σαν μπαλόνια που σκάνε στο ταβάνι. Μόλις φτάσεις εκεί, είναι αναπόφευκτο.

Δες τον Howie Mandel, τον Mike Myers, τον Russell Peters, όλους αυτούς. Κάποια στιγμή όλοι καταλήγουμε στο LA ή στη Νέα Υόρκη.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 31:55

Ακόμη και οι τραγουδιστές, ο Bieber, όλοι.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 31:58

Ναι, οι τραγουδιστές. Ο Michael Bublé μπορεί να ζει στο Βανκούβερ, αλλά είναι διεθνές brand. Η Rachel McAdams νομίζω γύρισε στο Τορόντο, αλλά ζούσε εδώ. Ο Drake, ο απόλυτος τύπος.

Η Celine Dion, δισεκατομμυριούχος στο Μόντρεαλ…

Αλλά έχεις αυτά τα brands.

Και είναι αστείο γιατί εγώ είμαι ακόμη 100% Καναδός. Μου λείπει το Keg, το Swiss Chalet, τα Harvey’s, τα Tim Hortons.

Και η κόρη μου… το πιο αστείο είναι όταν είμαστε στο αεροδρόμιο του Τορόντο ή του Βανκούβερ, έχει Timmy’s εκεί.

Για όσους Αμερικάνους βλέπουν, εμείς δεν λέμε Tim Hortons, λέμε «Timmy’s» και ξέρουμε όλοι τι είναι.

Της παίρνω το κουτί με τα 50 Timbits. Δεν γίνεται να μην πάρεις. Και τα βάζω σε σακούλα, τα φέρνω πίσω. Τα δίνω στα κορίτσια, τις φίλες της.

Και τις βλέπω όλες γύρω από το κουτί. Λέει η κόρη μου: «Ο μπαμπάς μου είναι Καναδός, εγώ είμαι μισή Καναδή, αυτά είναι από τον Καναδά, είναι Timbits. Θα τα μοιραστώ μαζί σας, αλλά να ξέρετε ότι δεν τα βρίσκεις κάθε μέρα.»

Ξέρει όλες τις επαρχίες και τα εδάφη. Της τα έμαθα, γιατί κι εγώ είμαι Καναδός. Γεννήθηκα στο Μόντρεαλ, μεγάλωσα στην Οτάβα, έζησα στο Τορόντο, πέρασα από Βανκούβερ και σπούδασα καναδική ιστορία, το Parliamentary Act, όλα.

Και είναι αστείο γιατί ένας πολύ καλός μου φίλος, ο Γιώργος Στρομπουλόπουλος, ο «boyfriend του Καναδά»…

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 33:37

Που εγώ, παρεμπιπτόντως, εκμεταλλευόμουν το επίθετο για να μπαίνω σε μπαρ όταν ήμουν μικρός. Στο Νιαγάρα έλεγαν «George Strombo…;» και έλεγα «Ναι, ναι, δεύτερος ξάδερφος». Εκείνος έχει 84 γράμματα, εγώ 12, αλλά… Άλλος ένας εθνικός θησαυρός. Στρουμπούλης, Στρομπουλόπουλος, ίδια φάση.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 33:55

Ξαδέρφια, τελείωσε.

Ο Γιώργος πέρσι πήρε το Order of Canada, την υψηλότερη τιμή για πολίτη.

Είναι πολύ περήφανος Καναδός, κάνει εκπομπή στο Apple Radio, αλλά και στο «Hockey Night in Canada».

Και βλέπεις ότι είμαστε περήφανοι. Λέω στους ανθρώπους «Ναι, ζω στην Αμερική, αλλά είμαι Καναδός. Και πιστεύω ακόμα ότι ο Καναδάς είναι η καλύτερη χώρα στον κόσμο.»

Τα τελευταία χρόνια, βέβαια, έχει αλλάξει ο πλανήτης. Δεν είναι δίκαιο να λες μόνο «ο Καναδάς ή η Αμερική». Έχει αλλάξει όλος ο πλανήτης.

Με τα social media, ο κόσμος είναι πιο ενημερωμένος από ποτέ. Και όταν ξέρεις πάρα πολλά, είναι και καλό και κακό.

Και τώρα το θέμα είναι κοινωνικοοικονομικό. Λένε «ο Καναδάς άλλαξε». Ναι, τώρα βλέπω περισσότερους Ινδούς, περισσότερους από τη Μέση Ανατολή. Εμείς μεγαλώσαμε με αυτούς, δεν είναι κάτι νέο.

Απλώς είναι περισσότεροι τώρα, γιατί υπάρχει πίεση να φέρουν κόσμο. Το ίδιο συμβαίνει και στην Αμερική.

Και λέω: οι γονείς μας ήρθαν με τον ίδιο τρόπο. Ο πατέρας μου ήρθε στον Καναδά από το Pier 21 στο Halifax, το 1949. Ο Καναδάς έχει το δικό του Ellis Island.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 35:25

Ναι, η εκδοχή του Ellis Island.

Άντζελο Τσαρούχας: 35:27

Ακριβώς.

Και βλέπεις αυτό. Και τώρα, κοιτάζω την κόρη μου, το TikTok, το Instagram, τους νέους μετανάστες που έρχονται.

Είναι εύκολο να πεις «Τι κάνουν εδώ; Γιατί έρχονται;»

Αλλά όχι — οι περισσότεροι θέλουν τις ίδιες ευκαιρίες που είχαν οι γονείς μας. Δεν θα ήμασταν εδώ χωρίς αυτό.

Θα σου δώσω ένα παράδειγμα: το Halifax Comedy Festival για το CBC. Δουλεύω μαζί τους, είναι υπέροχοι άνθρωποι.

Πριν δύο χρόνια, μου είπαν ότι ανοίγουν νέο θέατρο και δεν μου κόλλησε ότι είναι στο Pier 21. Κάνουμε σόου με Καναδούς των οποίων οι γονείς ήρθαν από άλλη χώρα, μέσω αυτού του λιμανιού.

Και δεν το είχα καταλάβει. Πάω στον Καναδά, φτάνω λίγο νωρίτερα και ρωτάω: «Συγγνώμη, πού είναι ακριβώς;»

Λέει: «Αυτό είναι το pier από όπου έμπαιναν όλοι οι νέοι Καναδοί.»

Έπαθα σοκ.

Της λέω: «Πότε ήρθε ο πατέρας μου; Ξέρω ότι ήρθε στο πλοίο Queen Frederica, 6 Δεκεμβρίου 1949, με τη θεία Ελένη. Ήταν 15 χρονών, εκείνη 17, παιδιά.»

Λέει: «Το θέατρο που παίζετε είναι εκεί που έρχονταν αυτοί.»

Και μου λέει: «78 χρόνια πριν, ο πατέρας σου πέρασε από εδώ. Και τώρα εσύ κάνεις σόου στο ίδιο σημείο. Αυτό είναι success story για τον Καναδά και για το CBC. Αυτές είναι οι ιστορίες που θέλουμε.»

Και της είπα: «Αν ο πατέρας μου δεν είχε έρθει από αυτό το pier, εγώ δεν θα ήμουν εδώ.»

Και αυτό είναι το μήνυμα. Στην τηλεόραση αυτό είναι χρυσάφι. Και είναι αλήθεια.

Στο τέλος μού έδωσαν ένα ασπρόμαυρο κάδρο με το πλοίο και από κάτω έγραφε: «6 Δεκεμβρίου 1949: Ο Καναδάς έγινε καλύτερος όταν ο Πέτρος Τσαρούχας ήρθε στον Καναδά.»

Κατάρρευσα. Συγκινήθηκα, γιατί κατάλαβα εκείνη τη στιγμή ότι, αν δεν είχε έρθει, δεν θα ήμουν εδώ.

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 39:56

Τρομερό.

Άντζeλο Τσαρούχας: 39:57

Και τώρα θα σου πω κάτι ακόμα καλύτερο.

Δύο μέρες μετά, γυρίζαμε για το CBC. 3.000 άτομα στο Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax, τέσσερα-πέντε φορτηγά με εξοπλισμό, ήχος, φώτα, όλα.

Ο Trent, ο ωραίος τύπος από το «This Hour Has 22 Minutes», ήταν ο παρουσιαστής. Όλοι οι μεγάλοι κωμικοί, η Debra DiGiovanni, εγώ, κ.λπ., κάναμε το gala.

Έρχεται η σειρά μου, με φωνάζουν. Μεγάλη παραγωγή, φώτα, κάμερες CBC, όλα. Πάω, πάει τέλεια.

Στη μέση του 8λεπτου σετ μου — μπαμ — σκοτάδι.

Όλα τα φώτα σβήνουν. Πλήρες σκοτάδι. Σαν όνειρο. 3.000 άτομα και ξαφνικά μαύρο.

Μετά από δύο δευτερόλεπτα ξανά ανάβουν.

Είσαι πνευματικός άνθρωπος; Είμαι.

Τι να κάνω; Δεν μου είχε ξανασυμβεί. Ζωντανή τηλεοπτική ηχογράφηση.

Και λέω στο κοινό: «Και αν νομίζετε ότι αυτό είναι θαύμα, για άλλα 150 δολάρια μπορώ να σας φέρω να δείτε και τον Χριστό από κοντά!» Το γύρισα σε αστείο σαν τηλε-ευαγγελιστή.

Και συνέχισα από εκεί που είχα μείνει.

Ο κόσμος δεν κατάλαβε τι έγινε. Βγαίνω έξω και ρωτάω «Τι συνέβη;»

Λένε: «Δεν ξέρουμε». Ένας άλλος λέει «Ήταν power surge».

Λέω: «Αν ήταν power surge, δεν θα μπορούσε να ξανάρθει σε δύο δευτερόλεπτα. Θα θέλατε 15–20 λεπτά να επανεκκινήσετε.»

Ρωτάνε το control room, κανείς δεν πάτησε τίποτα.

Και λέω: «Ήταν ο πατέρας μου.»

«Τι;»

Λέω: «Ήταν ο πατέρας μου που μου είπε ότι είναι καλά.»

Και ο τύπος με κοιτάει. «Μπορείς να το ξαναπείς;»

Λέω: «Έκανα σόου πριν δύο μέρες στο Pier 21 για τον πατέρα μου. Μίλησα με όλους τους παραγωγούς, κανείς δεν πάτησε τίποτα. Στη μέση live taping δεν σβήνουν έτσι τα φώτα. Αν νομίζετε ότι είμαι τρελός, εξηγήστε μου τι έγινε.»

Ένας παλιός κωμικός μου λέει: «Παιδί μου, κάνω αυτή τη δουλειά 38 χρόνια. Δεν έχω εξήγηση. Μπορεί να ήταν ο πατέρας σου να σου λέει ότι είναι καλά.»

Γιώργος Στρουμπούλης: 43:12

Ναι.

Άντζeλο Τσαρούχας: 43:12

Και στους Έλληνες, που είμαστε πνευματικοί… Λέω: Αν ήταν power surge, θα έκανε 15–20 λεπτά να επανέλθει. Δεν θα έσβηνε για 2–3 δευτερόλεπτα και μετά πλαφ πάλι όλα on.

Δεν υπάρχει τεχνική εξήγηση.

Οπότε εγώ ξέρω ότι ήταν ο πατέρας μου να μου δώσει thumbs up.

Με ρώτησαν: «Δεν τρόμαξες;» Λέω, όχι.

Ο πατέρας μου μπήκε σε καράβι τρεις εβδομάδες, Πειραιάς–Νάπολη–Σαουθάμπτον–Halifax, 15 χρονών. Εγώ λέω αστεία. Τι να φοβηθώ;

Και μερικοί νόμιζαν ότι ήταν μέρος της παράστασης, γιατί το έκανα αστείο.

Δεν έβλεπα ούτε εσένα μπροστά μου. Ούτε το κοινό. Μαύρο.

Και μετά, μπαμ, ξανά φως. Για μένα ήταν ο Πέτρος Τσαρούχας να μου φωνάζει «Είμαι εδώ».

Τον πατέρα μου τον έχασα νέο, 65 χρονών, πέντε μέρες μετά τα γενέθλιά του. Πέθανε από επιπλοκές άνοιας/Αλτσχάιμερ.

Είχε αρχίσει να βλέπει τι κάνω, είχε δει λίγο την πορεία μου. Μου έλεγε: «Αν κάνεις αυτή τη δουλειά, κάν’ την καλά. Δεν έχει σημασία αν γίνεις κωμικός ή οτιδήποτε — να γελάνε μαζί σου, όχι με σένα.»

Το κατάλαβα.

Και πάντα μου έλεγε «Ό,τι δουλειά κάνεις, κάν’ την καλά.» Να έχεις περηφάνια.

Θα του άρεσε αυτό που βλέπει σήμερα. Αλλά εγώ πιστεύω ότι το βλέπει.

Και αυτοί στο Halifax δεν ήξεραν τι να πρωτοσκεφτούν. Δεν ξέρουν ότι εμείς διαβάζουμε καφέδες, ότι έχουμε τέτοια, ότι πιστεύουμε σε αυτά.

Και είπα στον executive producer: «Δεν πιστεύεις ότι ήταν ο πατέρας μου; Εντάξει. Εξήγησέ μου τότε τι ήταν.»

Μου είπε: «Θα βρω απάντηση.» Μέχρι σήμερα δεν έχει.

Και λέω: «Ωραία. Πιστεύω πνευματικά ότι ήταν ο πατέρας μου. Απόδειξέ μου το αντίθετο.»

Κανείς δεν έχει καταφέρει να μου το αποδείξει.

TELL ME ABOUT ANGELO TSAROUCHAS’ COMEDIC CAREER

Angelo Tsarouchas is a world-touring stand-up comedian known for his larger-than-life stage presence, sharp observational humor, and his iconic Greek family storytelling. He has performed for more than two decades across North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, earning a reputation as “The Funny Greek.”

Raised in a Greek immigrant household in Canada, Angelo turned the chaos, traditions, food, and quirks of Greek family life into universal comedy that audiences of all backgrounds instantly connect with. His humor blends cultural identity, everyday life, and personal experiences, making his shows both hilarious and deeply relatable.

He has headlined major comedy institutions including:

  • Just For Laughs (Montreal)

  • The Comedy Store (LA)

  • The Laugh Factory

  • The Ice House

  • The Edinburgh Festival

  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival

He has toured extensively across:

  • Canada

  • The United States

  • The United Kingdom

  • Australia

  • Greece

  • Cyprus

  • The Middle East

Angelo’s specials, including Bigger is Better and It’s All Greek to Me, have reached millions of viewers worldwide. His social media clips continue to go viral, especially within Greek communities across the diaspora.

In addition to stand-up, Angelo has appeared in numerous films and TV shows alongside major Hollywood names, bringing his comedic timing to screen roles.

His style is warm, bold, physical, and full of personality — mixing storytelling, cultural comedy, and honest everyday observations. Today, he remains one of the most beloved and influential Greek comedians worldwide, celebrated for making people laugh while reminding them of home, heritage, and family.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A COMEDIAN TODAY

Being a comedian today is far more than just being funny. It takes discipline, resilience, authenticity, and business savvy — because comedy is no longer just performing on stage; it’s building a brand, a presence, and a long-term connection with an audience. To succeed today, a comedian needs:

1. Relentless Work Ethic

Stand-up is repetition, failure, rewrites, late nights, empty rooms, and constant refinement. The stage looks effortless only because of endless reps.

2. Thick Skin & Mental Toughness

Bombing is part of the process. Rejection is constant. Critics are loud. Online opinion is brutal. A modern comedian must survive it all without losing their voice.

3. Original Voice

In a world of millions of creators, the only real currency is uniqueness. Comedians today must have a distinct point of view that nobody else can copy.

4. Mastery of Multiple Platforms

Modern comedy lives everywhere:

on stage, on TikTok, on Instagram, on YouTube, in podcasts.

A comedian is now also an editor, writer, marketer, and storyteller.

5. Authenticity

Audiences crave realness. They can sense fake in two seconds. The best comedians today are vulnerable, raw, and completely themselves.

6. Business & Branding Skills

Comedy is entrepreneurship.

Deals, tours, negotiations, content strategy, fan community — comedians today run full-scale businesses, not just write jokes.

7. Versatility

Stand-up is the foundation, but today’s comedians also expand into acting, writing, producing, podcasting, and digital content.

8. A Love for the Craft

The only people who survive are those who genuinely love the grind. If you don’t love being on stage, rewriting, traveling, and doing the work, you won’t make it long-term.

WHO ARE THE MAIN COMEDIANS OF GREEK DIASPORA AND WHY ARE THEY KNOWN

1. Angelo Tsarouchas (Canada / USA / Global)

One of the most recognizable Greek-diaspora comedians worldwide.

Known for:

• “The Funny Greek” persona

• Storytelling about immigrant parents, food, culture, and madness at home

• Touring globally across North America, Europe, Australia, and the UK

• Movie & TV roles in major Hollywood productions

His humor feels like every Greek family — loud, chaotic, and full of love.

2. Basile the Comedian (USA)

A classic in the diaspora comedy scene.

Known for:

• His iconic Greek-American characters

• High-energy stage presence

• Mixing English and Greek in jokes

• A huge following across Greek communities in the US and Australia

His “Yiayia and Papou” material is legendary.

3. Stavros Halkias (USA)

One of the fastest-rising Greek-American comedians.

Known for:

• His hit podcast appearances

• Raw, unfiltered humor

• Stand-up specials with massive online traction

• Younger audience appeal

He’s become a major voice in modern US comedy.

4. Yianni Agisilaou (UK / Australia / Greece)

A Greek-Cypriot stand-up with an intellectual comedic style.

Known for:

• Performing across the UK and Australia

• Smart observational humor

• Strong festival presence (Edinburgh, Melbourne)

He blends culture, language, and identity with sharp wit.

5. Effie Stephanidis (Mary Coustas – Australia)

A Greek-Australian household name.

Known for:

• The TV character “Effie,” which became iconic

• Accented Greek-Aussie humor

• Long career in Australian TV and theater

She defined the Greek comedy scene in Australia for an entire generation.

6. George Kapiniaris (Australia)

Another pillar of Greek-Australian comedy.

Known for:

• The classic series “Wogs Out of Work”

• Sketch comedy and stage performances

• Comedy built on immigrant identity

He helped shape multicultural comedy in Australia.

7. Nick Giannopoulos (Australia)

One of the biggest Greek names in Australian entertainment.

Known for:

• Creator of “Acropolis Now,” “Wogs Out of Work,” and “Wog Boy”

• Defining Greek-Australian pop culture

• Massive theatrical influence

He’s considered the godfather of Greek comedy in Australia.

8. Mary Sinatsaki (Greece / Diaspora Digital)

Not a traditional stand-up comedian, but a huge digital comedic personality with Greek-diaspora reach.

Known for:

• Social humor

• Greek cultural skits

• Massive online following

Why Greek-Diaspora Comedians Stand Out

They combine:

• immigrant family chaos

• cultural identity

• food, language, stereotypes

• universal humor that anyone with heritage understands

Greeks worldwide connect deeply with:

“this is exactly my mother,”

“this is my family,”

“this is every Sunday lunch.”

And that’s why these comedians succeed globally — they turn Greek everyday madness into universal comedy.

BLOG POST

  • Funny Greek On Work, Family, And Fame

  • From Diaspora Stages To Global Spotlight With Angelo Tsarukas

  • How A Comedian Turned Culture, Hustle, And Heart Into A Worldwide Career

  • Greeks, Timbits, And Dad Turning Off The Stage Lights

  • What Keeps Laughter Alive Across Continents

What keeps a comedian grounded when the lights go out—literally? We sit down with Angelo Tsarukas to trace the arc from tiny club checks to global tours and the unseen systems that power a creative life. This is a story about filotimo, discipline, and why the same joke can land in Sydney, Toronto, and Athens when it springs from something real.

Angelo walks us through the mechanics of a modern comedy career: back-to-back flights, meticulous follow-ups, and the daily cadence of writing, posting, and booking. He’s open about the tradeoffs too—being a dad on deadlines, a husband on hotel Wi-Fi, and a mentor who only makes content that’s truly funny. We talk viral clips, why he partnered with rising talent like Ariana, and how embracing platforms turned years of craft into global reach without losing credibility. Along the way, he shares the Calgary gig that unlocked his Greek material and the blueprint for turning culture into a universal connection.

The heart of the episode beats at Halifax’s Pier 21. Angelo revisits his father’s arrival in 1949, then describes a national TV taping two nights later when the entire theater went dark for a few seconds mid-set. No technical cause, no panic—just a surge of presence he reads as a message from his dad. It’s a full-circle moment that threads immigration, identity, and show business into one idea: legacy fuels the work, and the work honors the legacy. If you care about creative careers, diaspora stories, or the quiet math behind big laughs, you’ll find something to keep and share.

If this conversation moves you, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to a friend who needs a push to keep going. Your support helps us bring more untold stories to the mic.

BLOG POST

The conversation with Angelo Tsarukas opens with warmth, humor, and a shared shorthand only diasporas know well: filotimo, hospitality, and the uncanny way Greeks find each other anywhere on Earth. That sets the tone for a far-ranging talk about a career built on grit and heart, where Yuck Yucks paychecks and long-haul flights hardened a craft that now fills arenas. Angelo frames touring like a day job with 5 a.m. calls and constant logistics, but he also frames laughter as oxygen for people under pressure. The work is relentless—Toronto one day, Riyadh the next—yet it’s also a bridge across cultures, where a punchline lands in Melbourne the same way it does in Montreal because the roots, accents, and parents are recognizably ours.

Family stays at the center. Angelo is candid about balancing a high-velocity schedule with being present as a husband and father, especially during a child’s formative years. He talks about bringing his family on select runs to stitch memories into the miles and the way community softens the strain—his wife managing bookings, friends opening doors, and younger collaborators like Ariana sharpening ideas. He doesn’t romanticize the travel: it’s airports, paperwork, and constant follow-ups. What he romanticizes, if anything, is the moment a kid sees a train stop so a conductor can take a selfie or a daughter tastes Timbits in LA and claims them as part of her identity. The grind funds the life, but the life gives the grind meaning.

Angelo’s Canadian roots shape his worldview: gratitude for the opportunities, clear eyes about the ceiling at home, and respect for how the U.S. scales careers. He threads in a profound immigration arc that climaxes at Halifax’s Pier 21, where his father first touched Canadian soil in 1949. Hosting a show there, he’s handed a photo that reads Canada became a better place when Petros arrived. Two nights later, during a national TV taping, the theater goes dark for a few seconds mid-set—no technical cause found. Angelo reads it as a nod from his father and keeps going, proof that professionalism under pressure and faith can coexist. That story encapsulates his message: legacy fuels the work, and work honors the legacy.

The craft itself took shape early—Rodney one-liners in high school, club sets that paid in pride more than dollars, and a lightning-bolt discovery in Calgary where a fully Greek audience validated material about parents, guilt, and village logic. That moment unlocked a global lane: same roots, different accents, universal recognition. Since then, he’s blended mainstream bits with diaspora stories and embraced social media not as a shortcut but as an amplifier. Viral clips, careful writing, and collaborations turn rooms into communities. He credits mentorship and insists on doing content only when it’s truly funny, resisting the churn. The new tour, Diaspora, leans into travel tales and heart, driven by the belief that comedy is tragedy plus time—and also plus work ethic, humility, and a passport that never cools.

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George Stroumboulis sits down with Eric Papachristos - Boston restaurateur, co-founder and CEO of A Street Hospitality, and one of the city’s most influential voices in dining and development. They dive into becoming a major force in Boston hospitality, the story behind building standout restaurant concepts, and the pressures of leading a fast-growing team.

LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE PUBLISHER WITH CHRIS GIALANELLA | E067 PODCAST
LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE PUBLISHER WITH CHRIS GIALANELLA | E067 PODCAST

George Stroumboulis sits down with Chris Gialanella - Publisher of Los Angeles Magazine and one of LA’s most influential media connectors. They dive into his path through the publishing world, the evolution of Los Angeles culture and business, and how he built a network that bridges brands, creators, and communities.

CRIME PREVENTION IN CANADA WITH CHRIS VANDENBOS | E066 PODCAST
CRIME PREVENTION IN CANADA WITH CHRIS VANDENBOS | E066 PODCAST

George Stroumboulis sits down with Chris VandenBos — former Canadian police officer, CPTED consultant, and co-founder of Blue Line Home Protection. They dive into his path into policing, what he witnessed firsthand on the force, the deterioration of public safety in Canada, and why he shifted his focus from enforcement to prevention.

SCALING A MEDIA EMPIRE WITH ANTHONY SORELLA | E065 PODCAST
SCALING A MEDIA EMPIRE WITH ANTHONY SORELLA | E065 PODCAST

George Stroumboulis sits down in Toronto with Anthony Sorella — co-founder of The Neighbourhood Agency and co-host of the Money Buys Happiness podcast. They dive into his early career, how he and his partner built a no-BS media machine, why they launched MBH during the pandemic and how raw, unfiltered storytelling turned into billions of views

NEW YORK’S 1V1 STREETBALL KING WITH GEORGE 'THE MESSIAH' PAPOUTSIS | E064 PODCAST
NEW YORK’S 1V1 STREETBALL KING WITH GEORGE 'THE MESSIAH' PAPOUTSIS | E064 PODCAST

George Stroumboulis sits down with George “The Messiah” Papoutsis — the viral streetball sensation from NYC’s legendary West 4th Street Courts. They dive into his upbringing, Greek roots, hustle-filled journey, streetball culture, social media explosion, and how he turned grit and personality into a global brand.

ORGANIZED CHAOS TATTOO ART WITH GEORGE 'DRONE' PAPADOPOULOS | E063 PODCAST
ORGANIZED CHAOS TATTOO ART WITH GEORGE 'DRONE' PAPADOPOULOS | E063 PODCAST

George Stroumboulis sits down with George “Supreme Drone” Papadopoulos in Newport Beach, California, for a dynamic and visually charged episode of Invigorate Your Business — exploring tattoo artistry, mixed-media creativity, artistic evolution, the culture of Malaka Tattoo in Los Angeles, and how Drone has built a global following through originality and fearless expression.

SCALING A LIGHTING EMPIRE WITH JUDAH REGENSTREIF | E062 PODCAST
SCALING A LIGHTING EMPIRE WITH JUDAH REGENSTREIF | E062 PODCAST

George Stroumboulis sits down with Judah Regenstreif in Newport Beach, California, for a powerhouse episode of Invigorate Your Business — diving into the world of lighting, product distribution, scaling companies, faith-driven leadership, strategic partnerships, corporate clients, family business, and so much more.

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