  Canadian funnyman Russell Peters will try to make the Junos "somewhat watchable" during a Juno Awards news conference in Calgary yesterday. (Brett Gundlock, Sun Media)
|
CALGARY - Russell Peters says the Junos have "kinda sucked in the past."
But now that he's on the scene they're sure to get a whole lot better, brighter, and jammed full of ballsy banter.
The Canadian comic is gearing up to take the stage as host of the 2008 Juno Awards, held in Calgary tomorrow night.
Peters says don't expect him to put on a show anything like some of his predecessors -- specifically Alanis Morissette, Nelly Furtado, and Pamela Anderson -- who've hosted in past years.
"My tricks are talent, I don't need foam or flames or big (boobs)," Peters told reporters in a Juno Awards news conference in Calgary yesterday.
"Well I do need, actually, the latter of the three, not on me, but in my life."
He's joking around about some of the past antics hosts have used to gain audience attention.
Morissette once wore a now infamous flesh-coloured bodysuit on stage, Furtado flew in on cables when it was her turn to entertain.
And Anderson?
Well, let's just say she brought the whole kit and caboodle during the taping of the 2006 Juno Awards.
Peters says it's just going to be him and the jokes tomorrow, don't expect any crazy bells, whistles, or eye-catching body parts.
"I'm going to do what I do, I'm going to be me, which is to roll with the vibe in the room," he says.
"It's great to be here and I'm really looking forward to hosting the show and making it somewhat watchable."
Peters helped Juno organizers give media the first glimpse of the newly built stage -- which depicts the inner chest cavity of a dinosaur's remains, a tribute to southern Alberta's badlands (where many a dinosaur bone can still be found deep in the ground) -- CTV personality Ben Mulroney, Juno Awards executive producer John Brunton, and Juno nominated act Hedley were also on hand to kick off Juno weekend.
There will be seven Junos awarded during tomorrow night's broadcast including Juno Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Group of the Year, New Group of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, and Country Recording of the Year.
The remaining 32 awards will be handed out during a private gala tonight (also held in Calgary).
Several live performances by Canadian stars such as Avril Lavigne, Feist, Anne Murray, Michael Buble and Measha Brueggergosman will take place, and organizers say the night is sure to have a countrified twist in honour of the host city's bustling country music scene.
There will be an Alberta Tribute performance, which will include the nominees for Country Recording of the Year: Artist's Aaron Lines, Gord Bamford, Johnny Reid, Paul Brandt and Shane Yellowbird (four of whom are Albertan).
Legendary country songwriter Ian Tyson is scheduled to make an appearance as well.
Peters joked around about the Junos being a show no one likes to watch.
"They've kinda sucked in the past. But you know, I mean that in a good way," says the off-the-cuff comedian.
This weekend, he will put his funny where his mouth is and try to get Canadians to tune in.
"You don't have to watch, but I'd prefer it if you did," he says.
The 2008 Juno Awards air on CTV tomorrow night.
