Peters Beats Nardwuar For Juno Job

11/19/08 12:44pm

by Steve McLean (CHARTattack)

Russell Peters has been chosen to host the Juno Awards for a second consecutive year, as the powers that be inexplicably believe that he'll be better than Nardwuar The Human Serviette.

Peters has somehow become one of the hottest comedians over the past few years and draws big crowds to his stand-up gigs around the world. He also won a Gemini Award for his Juno hosting role in Calgary this past April, so a lot of people obviously like him — especially at the television network that airs the awards show.

"Russell knocked one out of the park when he hosted the Juno Awards for us last year," says Susanne Boyce, CTV Inc.'s president of creative, content and channels. "After the response from viewers, we knew that we had to get him back for a night that is sure to surprise and entertain."

Peters has toured around the globe, hosted the nine-episode Comic Without Borders series for Showtime and appeared on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno over the past year. The Brampton, Ont. native released his latest DVD, Red, White And Brown, in Canada on Sept. 30. It has sold more than 35,000 copies — a total that's 5,000 more than the number of people who saw him perform at Toronto's Air Canada Centre over two nights last year.

Peters will take his routine on the road again next year to mark his 20th anniversary of doing stand-up. He's now based in Los Angeles, where he's developing two new television series, including Russell Peters Presents for Showtime.

Nardwuar's resume or bank account may not be quite as impressive, but he's funny (some would argue funnier), supports Canadian artists and knows a lot more about musicians than Peters (or pretty much anybody) ever will. He's released two DVDs, too.

Now that Nardwuar has been passed over to host the televised show, let the lobbying now begin for him to oversee Saturday evening's non-televised event, where the majority of the Junos are actually given out. You can sign up on the Facebook page or visit the website that are both dedicated to Nardwuar's Juno cause.

"Although it is sad I will not get an opportuniity to host the Junos, I have had fun fantasizing the past nine months about doing a duet with Celine Dion," says Nardwuar of the snub. "Perhaps my Juno moment will forever remain me getting kicked out of the 1991 Junos in Vancouver.

"I doubt it though, becuase my defining Juno moment has now shifted to the present and the 870 people that have voiced their approval to have me host the Junos in Vancouver. That is a great honour and something I will never forget. I really mean that. Thanks again for the dreams. Keep on rockin' in the free world! Have a good dinner!"

The 2009 Juno Awards will air on CTV on March 29 from Vancouver's General Motors Place.

You can see Nardwuar being turfed from the 1991 Junos here: