Gay AF Christmas Spectacular: comedy, drag, sexy Santa and more than a little 'extra'
28 Nov 2021

by Drew Rowsome - photos courtesy of Robert Watson

"My favourite thing about Christmas is how the word 'gay' is snuck into all those Christmas carols," says comic Robert Watson, host of the Gay AF Christmas Spectacular. "It brings joy to my heart whenever I hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing 'Make the Yuletide Gay.'" While the MTC won't be on hand for the Gay AF Christmas Spectacular, Watson promises lots of Gay AF Comedy's patented “unapologetically funny and unapologetically gay”entertainment. As he explains, "Christmas is that time of year where everything is just a little bit 'extra' which, as a gay man is something I've also been accused of on several occasions.That extra-ness does tend to make Christmas more whimsical, campy and joyous, which lines up nicely with how our queer community deserves to feel about themselves."

Watson raves about the line-up, "Oh my god, everyone on the show is so talented. Expect some stellar stand-up comedy from Tamara Shevon, Foad HP, Bobbi Summers and Mikael Melo. And Messy Margaret is going to be serving some top notch comedy drag, while I serve up some musical comedy. Our sexy Santa is returning from our 2019 show, and he is beautiful both inside and out. Lockdowns left him not much to do except work out and build toys so he is in peak form for his duties: picking winners from his sack of names and being ogled by the audience." 

Watson is so excited and pleased that he's already been Christmas shopping for all of them. "I like to be thoughtful about my gift giving," he says, "so each of them is getting a sizable gift certificate to Arby's, even though some of them are vegan." It is better to give than to receive so Watson's list for Santa is short and succinct, "The promise of no more lockdowns is be at the top of my wishlist, but that's something only the good people of Ontario can give me. So folks, make the baby Jesus smile this Christmas by getting vaxxed if you haven't already."

Fortunately his personal wish list doesn't depend on whether he's being naughty or nice. Comedy is supposed to push boundaries. "I have a bit about buying my partner an escort for Christmas that tends to get a few gasps," says Watson, "though I don't understand what's so gasp worthy about consensual sex. I will say that the parody songs being performed this year seem to be more filthy than in the past so be prepared." As should be the hecklers. "Scrooge has some great one liners so I'd be terrified if he was there," says Watson. "I can only imagine how if my set bombed he'd be yelling, 'If you're going to die you better do it, and decrease the surplus population!' On the other hand I think the Grinch would appreciate our queer take on Christmas and, as we all know, Elf on a Shelf just likes to watch, if you catch my drift." Watson believes that of the reindeer, Prancer would be most appreciate of Gay AF Christmas comedy stylings, "For obvious reasons."

But why the descriptor 'spectacular?' Doesn't that create more Christmas pressure to deliver in a big way? "It is bold, isn't it?," says Watson. "You know I don't think that I necessarily feel competitive with other shows . . . Oh who am I kidding, I'm an Aries, I'm in it to win it! But more seriously, it's the talent on stage that makes this show spectacular. Performers who have been killing it on Just For Laughs, OutTV and CBC Comedy, along with some genuine star creators from TikTok, it's going to be a fun night."

A night that already feels like a little Christmas miracle from Santa. "Being able to do live performance again is truly a gift," says Watson. "Knowing that there's a vaccination requirement to be in bars and clubs definitely puts my mind at ease in regards to audience and performer safety. Like so many performers I feel the return to live performance as a light at the end of what has been a very long dark tunnel. Human connection, the ability to laugh and have shared experiences again, it's so vital to one's mental well being. I’m incredibly happy to be able to put on an event our community can gather and enjoy with their chosen family."