Cleveland-bound comic Ian Bagg is a nonstop observational machine

Feb. 6—There's observational comedy, and then there's Ian Bagg.

The international headliner — and observant savant — uses a fast-paced, off-the-cuff, quick-witted and animated style for a one-of-a-kind show where the audience becomes the material as part of an ever-changing set.

"I basically write a show while the show is happening," said Bagg, calling from Southern California. "I honestly have some jokes planned, and then the crowd takes me all over the place. I can't really say what we're going to talk about.

"All I know is some of it will be about Cleveland, some of it will be about me, some of it is going to be about them and some of it will be what's going on in the world that day. Every show will be at least 30 percent different from the show before."

Bagg traces his ability to read a room back to his dichotic youth, when he split time growing up in rural British Columbia and bustling Sydney, Australia.

Early on, each of the disparate experiences — requiring different assimilation skills — provided a unique exposure to culture, with humor being the byproduct.

"Canada has its own sense of humor," Bagg said. "But then where I grew up we had three television channels that were Canadian and four American, so I was influenced just as much by America as Canada.

"Then I go to Australia and was influenced by their humor, but it's the same thing — there were two Australian channels and three English channels. So it's not so much where I grew up but how I grew up. I'm a mix of all those things. I see the world as a little bit of an outsider, which gives me a different look."

Such a background today allows for touring nonstop across North America, as well as Australia, China and the Middle East.

Early on, Bagg's finals appearance on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" led to guest shots on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show."

He also was in half-hour specials on Comedy Central and HBO followed by one-hour specials — Showtime's "Getting to Know You" and Prime Video's "Conversations."

These days Bagg — along with many other comedians — has changed his business model. Thanks to social media, he doesn't tour with the next special in mind. Instead, his social media marketer is busy releasing a constant stream of bite-size content, with the comedian observing the results.

"The world of entertainment has changed," Bagg said. "Content is king, but distribution is changingm as well. We can record stuff in the clubs and get it out there. Last week, I put something up that had 2 million views. The last three weekends my shows have sold out. I've always felt everybody else has always been in charge of my career. It's the first time I feel like I'm in charge."

Local audiences interested in seeing Bagg in action can check him out when he performs Feb. 9 through 11 at the Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in Cleveland. However, be prepared for a few jokes about at the downtown's expense.

"I love (that) you guys try to rebuild the place, but it never works out," Bagg laughed. "One time I was in Cleveland for St. Patrick's Day weekend. I've never seen so many parents drunk with their kids.

"It's like, that's why you try to fix it but it never gets done. You have good intentions by having kids, but then you continue drinking like you're 21."

Ian Bagg

When: Feb. 9 through 11 (times vary).

Where: Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, Cleveland.

Tickets: $20 to $30.

Info: 216-736-4242 or pickwickandfrolic.com.