From a media release:
The Comedy Network Celebrates the Life of Irwin Barker with Tribute Presentation of CAN’T STOP LAUGHING, June 25
The Comedy Network expressed its sympathy today at the passing today of Canadian comedian, writer, and four-time Gemini Award nominee Irwin Barker. In tribute to the much-loved comedian, The Comedy Network will re-air his one-hour stand-up special Can’t Stop Laughing, Friday, June 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Comedy fans can witness his genius now on demand at www.thecomedynetwork.ca.
“Irwin Barker is no longer the funniest man alive,†said close friend Brent Butt. “He will be hugely and sorely missed. Thanks for everything you taught us.â€Â
In June 2007, Irwin Barker was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given one year to live. Instead of packing it in, Barker packed his suitcase, and embarked on a cross-country stand-up tour with his ‘final year to live’ comedy act. Exactly one year after his diagnosis, Barker gathered a hand picked crew of funny men in Vancouver to deliver a healthy dose of hilarity for Can’t Stop Laughing. Hosted by friend and colleague Mark Critch (This Hour Has 22 Minutes), the special delivers an avalanche of side-splitting jokes, stories, and gags, courtesy of comics Sam Easton, Peter Kelamis, Shaun Majumder, Bruce Clark, and the star of the evening, Irwin Barker.
Irwin Barker was one of Canada’s best-loved comedy writers and stand-up comedians. He has four Gemini Award nominations under his belt, two of them being for his writing contributions on This Hour 22 Minutes. His performing credits include CBC’s Western Alienation, Comedy Night in Canada, Comics, and CBC Radio’s Madly Off in All Directions.
We have lost and great talent and a great person. May god sit in the front row of your finnal act and witness the talent that he bestowed upon you… and laughs, and laughs and laughs.