Milan Horanski doesn’t come to the stage with an agenda—just a genuine desire to give the room a good time. The Winnipeg-based comedian has built a following on light-hearted, conversational comedy that feels less like a performance and more like catching up with someone you’ve known for years. (A drunk audience member once told him exactly that, and Milan considers it high praise.)
How would you describe your comedy style?
My comedy is light-hearted and conversational. My main goal as a comedian is to give the audience a fun show. I’m not on stage trying to make any points or settle any scores.
One time after seeing me perform, a drunk guy told me that he felt like he’d known me for years, so I would say my comedy can be personal as well.
Who are some of your influences?
My influences are always changing, but I love Norm Macdonald. Joe List, Dan Soder and Kevin Bridges are some of my other influences.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Growing up, my favourite comedian was Bill Burr. He has a joke on YouTube called “Old Man Face.” I watched that joke with my mom when I was a kid, and I’ve never seen her laugh so hard. That’s one of my happiest memories.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Joe List. He is a comedian I’m surprised more people don’t know about. His comedy feels effortlessly funny.
What is your pre-show ritual?
My pre-show ritual is nothing special. I look over my material and have some water. If I’m feeling crazy, I might have a Diet Coke.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
My favourite place I have performed is Rumour’s Comedy Club here in Winnipeg. It is one of the best comedy clubs in North America, and it is an honour to perform on the same stage as so many great comedians.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
I have a joke about the one time my dad tried to talk to me about feelings that I really like.
I like it because it sums up a father/son relationship in only a few sentences. I will tell it to you now.
My dad only tried to talk to me about feelings one time ever. I was eight and out of nowhere one day, he asked me,
“Hey Milan, do the other kids at school make fun of you?”
And I said, “What? No!”
And my dad said, “Oh, then just forget it.”
I still have no clue what he thought everyone was making fun of me about.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I listen to a ton of comedy podcasts. If I find a guest on a show I like, I’ll dive deeper into their material.
Tell us a joke about your city.
I grew up a little bit north of Winnipeg, and things got dicey in my neighbourhood, but my family always kept things fun for me.
When I was a little kid, a meth lab exploded close to where I lived, and it was crazy. It blew the shingles off, knocked the glass out, and I was walking with my mom, and I asked, “Mom, what happened to their house?” And she said, “They had unprotected sex.”
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I’ll be performing on April 21st for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. You can go to their website to learn more!
Where can we follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram and TikTok.
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Tim Gray. He runs really fun comedy shows at Luci’s Comedy Club, and I think you should go to them.
