No wonder his family prefers he stay home from funerals.

Yes, Blanchard certainly has a knack for tapping into the funnier side of life. And starting tonight, residents will be able to catch this hometown comic on TV hosting a new comedy contest, ‘Stand Up and Bite Me,’ which he also created.

The four-week contest will air today, Friday, Oct. 24, Friday, Oct. 31 and Friday, Nov. 14 on digital TV channel BITE, winner of an International Emmy.

Big prize at stake

It’ll be filmed in Toronto at Absolute Comedy, and will see 24 comedians compete $5,000 as well as other prizes. A panel has already reviewed DVD entries and chosen the 24 competitors.

Each week, eight comedians will perform for eight minutes, Blanchard explained. At the end of each of the first three episodes, judges will choose one comedian to perform in the finals November 14. A second performer will be selected each week by on-line voters. The performances will be available to view on-line at www.bite.ca . the Monday following each episode.

The finals will see one comedian declared the winner, after they each perform a second time.

Blanchard is the first to say there’s nothing new about comedy contests. What makes this one different is the fact it’ll be unedited and uncensored.

On other shows such as Last Comic Standing, the emphasis is more on the drama and “reality show” aspect rather than the performances themselves, Blanchard said.

“This contest is focusing on the actual comics and their material, not the censored, edited (versions),” Blanchard said. “(With this show) you’ll see the entire set, not just what the producers want you to see.”

He added there’ll be no laugh tracks to make non-funny comedians sound better than they are.

“With this contest, we’re trying to keep it as absolutely fair as we can.”

Of course, with it being uncensored, anything goes. Although Blanchard said he expects most of the comics won’t be particularly explicit, there’s no guarantee there won’t be material that’s offensive to some viewers.

Keeping busy

Blanchard started in the world of comedy after visiting a club and being told by a friend he could do better than those on stage. Blanchard took up the challenge, and the rest is history.

These days, he spends his time touring and doing various gigs in a wide variety of settings. As well, every week he hosts and headlines at a club in Toronto. Tomorrow, he’ll perform at Casey’s in Milton.

He said he loves making people laugh, and getting paid to do that makes it all the better.

“If I won the lottery on Saturday, I’d still perform,” he said.

Laughter is a great way of relieving stress and even burning calories, Blanchard said — and more fun than jogging.

With two kids, a 15-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son, Blanchard said he comes up with many of his jokes on the homefront.

“They’re a tremendous source of material,” he said of his family.

Blanchard hopes Miltonians will decide to check out the performances for themselves at Absolute Comedy or at least watch the episodes on TV.

To reserve tickets to the contest, call Absolute Comedy at (416) 486-7700. For more information, visit www.absolutecomedy.ca or www.jasonblanchard.com .

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com .