SameSame.com.au ~ Inside Out Australia

Delicious Deven

Feature, By mudley, 27th January, 2010

In 2007, Canadian comedienne Deven Green swept the internet with her YouTube videos parodying 80’s soap superstar Brenda Dickson – or Brendad Ickson as Green dubbed her. Re-edited and re-voiced, the videos were a hysterical cavalcade of filth and trash in a never-ending series of glittering designer gowns. Oh and huge hair. They were viewed by millions, including the real Brenda Dickson who unsportingly pursued legal action to have the videos removed. This didn’t stop her from using the publicity to re-launch her own career and even the original 1987 ‘Welcome To My Home’, which many of the parodies take their footage from, on DVD in 2009. Apparently you also get a free poster.

But I digress. When I interview Deven, she makes it clear that anything to pertaining to the Dickson parodies is off limits to discuss. Fair enough. Deven Green has many other strings to her bow and thanks to the success of the Brendad Ickson videos, she has enjoyed a massive boost to her profile, in her current hometown of Hollywood, as well as internationally.

More recently, Green has appeared on our computer screens as Betty Bowers, America’s Best Christian, memorably explaining to the rest of the world the ins and outs (literally) of a Bible Based Marriage. As someone who had a singularly godless upbringing, it was certainly a revelation to me. Green has also recently launched an animated talk show called Talking Vajeene as well as performing with her husband/collaborator, Joel Bryant.

On the surface her work is vulgar, extremely silly and delivered at breakneck pace. But her satire and savage wit is very strong and the intelligence of her work (especially the Betty Bowers material), places her as a contemporary of anti-PC luminaries Stephen Colbert, Sarah Silverman and Julia Davis of Nighty Night fame.

So Deven, you started your performance career as a figure-skating champion. Can you tell me about that time in your life? How did you go from that to becoming a comedian?

Growing up in the remote, boreal forest of Canada the activity options were: curling, hockey, figure skating, ringette or drinking. I chose the two most intensive disciplines… I still practice drinking but now only on the weekends. You may see a similarity between skating and comedy. Let me grab your hand and gently lay you inside my head. When I execute a spin there is a moment of inertia where I apply torque to convert the angular momentum. It is no different than when you watch my videos – I invite you in and by the laws of physics you are unable to leave until you are completely spent. There is an arc to a jump and there is an arc to my characters. Let us see an example of this. Kindly go to Talking Vajeene. I hate to spring this on your Same Same readers but there will be a test on Monday. I guess you will now spend the night cramming… and studying.

Also, may I just say that the friends and fans in Australia are just brilliant fun. We honestly can’t wait to book a show there as we have never been. I believe the outpouring of support in response to my comedy is because they truly understand parody and satire – kudos to you, country of Australia! And, I’m dying to try Lung Fish and Platypus – I hear they are delicious on toast points. Actually I don’t eat solid foods… I’m trying to get down to my birth weight.

You have a huge online presence, can you tell us more about your live performance work?

I could say something to the effect of: Deven & Joel bring their fast-paced comedy, stand-up, music and videos that have entertained people around the world since 1998. This real-life comedy couple have performed for the U.S. troops in the Middle East and Europe, won international comedy awards, headlined from Las Vegas to Canada – and even to maximum security prisons, have regularly guested on The Howard Stern Show and the #1-rated podcast Feast of Fun. Amazingly they were named Ambassadors of Peace by the Museum of Peace and Solidarity in Uzbekistan! But if I did let you know this it would sound too braggy. We get booked by individuals, clubs, festivals and companies, so some shows are private and others are public – have a look at our calendar.   You know that Joel is my real life husband right? We were just introduced as the “gay power couple who just happens to be straight”.

It’s great to see you (as well as hear you) in The Betty Bowers videos. What is coming up next for America’s Best Christian?

Betty and her undocumented kitchen servants are busy putting together a new Christian cooking video. It will be a home-cooked meal with all the crucifixin’s! Betty Bowers – America’s Best Christian will certainly be Bringing Integrity To Christian Homemakers.

Can you tell me about any adverse reactions to the Betty Bowers work? Especially from the extreme Christian right or… Mormons?

Betty Bowers has suffered no adverse reaction, but many Mormon computers have. You see, as they prove with generous abundance, Mormons are apt to believe absolutely anything, with little regard for logic or science. When they watch one of Betty’s YouTube videos, they believe that she is actually standing before them, like a magical, legless elf. As such, their monitors tend to be scratched, clawed, slapped – and splattered in non-caffeinated beverages. Betty is indeed unscathed.

Lastly – what is coming up for Deven Green in 2010?

I have more videos on the way, more live shows, more elegantly filthy writing, more TV/film and quite possibly a lady boner. Deven and Joel, the Award-winning comedy duo, will proudly be performing at several Gay Pride events in Canada and the U.S.   Quite honestly one of the best perks about being more well-known now is having the opportunity to be able to be heard by more people and insisting on basic civil rights for my friends in the GLBT community.

You have a huge Australian fanbase – would there be any possibility of any Australian appearances or a tour?

I would love to stay at your place. That is so very salacious and generous of you. You don’t mind sleeping between Joel and I? I didn’t think so.

Happy Australia Day hookers.