“I’d call the house from friends’ houses and pretend I was a relative and actually have five minute conversations where they thought I was a relative,” he says. “It was insanely funny.”
It was around the same time that Telner, an avid David Letterman fan, began staging his very own imaginary late night talk show in his bedroom instead of doing homework.
“I’d dim the lights, put on a blazer and host a late night show complete with a desk. I’d do a monologue, made it up on the spot,” he says. “My goal as a kid and to this day is to become a late night talk show host.”
It’s people like late night host David Letterman, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David and Andy Kaufman that Telner says influenced him the most – them, and Michael Jordan.
“Michael Jordan... obviously isn’t a comedian but his level of talent, hard work and determination inspires me in everything I do. I grew up idolizing him and still do. Now if only I could just slam dunk or make the NBA,” he says. “As a 5’7 Jew, closest I will get is to maybe be a general manager of an NBA team.”
While Telner’s style of humour may not be for everyone, his prank comedy show, The Paul Telner Show and his comedic shorts on Much Music (The Paul Telner Project), will definitely make you burst out laughing. If however, you’re the one getting pranked, Telner says, prepare to be annoyed.
“To do this sort of comedy you have to just sorta go for it. The actual pranks aren’t, in my opinion, mean-spirited – more weird, odd, and unpredictable,” Telner says. “Most people are pretty good sports and can see the humour in it.”
Even though Telner vows that his comedy is aimed at making people laugh rather than making them despise him, there are those who do on occasion, get downright pissed.
“[In the gardening video] I did where I play a lawn maintenance guy - it was one of the best moments we ever had [on the show],” he says. “I was chased. Not a jog, but an intense, I’m going to kill you, Hollywood film chase.
I did [another] piece where I played a paper boy and dropped newspapers on people’s driveways and said, ‘Have a great day!’ I got chased in that too,” he continues.
Telner also mentions that in this type of comedy, you have to know how to read people. He admits that sometimes you never know who’s going to make a bit hilarious, but knowing how far you have to push them to get what you need is what’s really important.
“When do you backup and when do you comedically push more and more to get what you want? It takes a lot of instinct and really understanding people,” he says. “There are times where you don’t expect someone to react the way they do because of how they look,” he continues. “There are always wild cards.”
Telner, who jokes about being the ‘nerd who used to get pushed into lockers in grade 9,’ says this is his way of turning things upside-down and having some fun. Of course, there are things that he won’t joke about – sickness, disease, religion – are areas which Telner chooses to avoid, especially if the aim is just to be a jerk.
“I usually know right away in my gut if an idea is funny,” he says. “If it makes me feel bad, I know it’s not the right topic and we should just leave it alone.”
This past February, The Paul Telner show launched online with full-blown episodes airing 2-3 times a week - which is great news for Paul Telner fans who crave more videos. Fans can look forward to seeing new characters as well as favourites like Dave The Friendly Goth.
“There will be a lot of new “Crew Screws” which are the adventures of myself, Jason and Byron as we travel the US and Canada, attending meetings, festivals, and generally pissing each other off,” he says. “The cool thing about Crew Screw is it’s real. There’s nothing that’s fake.”
Telner attributes much of the new look of the show to his fellow director Jason Fisher, who majestically revamped the show to include more of Telner’s personality, love for bright colors, and edge of your seat comedy.
“Jason did an amazing job of shaping the look of the show as well. There is real drama here and it makes the cast of Jersey Shore seem normal and almost polite! The PT show airs out the real dirty laundry to everyone… it saves on therapy bills.”
While Telner still hopes to someday host his own late night talk show, he admits that he’ll always be prankster at heart. “I’m a bright coloured, candy/soda obsessed kid at heart who breaks down any wall between me and a stranger. That’s what I do.”
For now, Paul Telner wants to reach as many people as possible while expanding his brand of comedy. Eventually, Telner sees himself evolve into an all around personality on TV, online and in film. Above anything else, he wants to make people laugh.
“To the geeks and nerds of the world – polish off your pocket protectors! I’m coming! Now, I’m off for an Orange Crush.”
Even though he thinks 'connecting online is so weird' you can follow Paul Telner on Twitter and Facebook.