Accounting for Canucki Comedy Chops

Why are we Canuckis so goshdarned funny? Some experts--including wildly successful comedian Russell Peters--weigh in:

Peters says: "The funniest people come from the outside. Canada's outside the U.S., so we're always looking at them for their lead."

In the mostly unseen wilderness of the Canadian comedy circuit, homegrown comics also develop their style free from the pressure of U.S. talent scouts. "In L.A., people are honing material for a TV gig," says Rebecca Addelman, a Torontobred comedian currently performing with the Upright Citizen's Brigade in Los Angeles.

"In Canada, you're not on the radar as much, and you're more free to experiment."

Oh, yeah? Tell that to, say, Guy Earle. (Incidentally, what are your thoughts on free speech in Canucki comedy clubs, Russ, Becca?)