Singer-impressionist André-Philippe Gagnon performs at the Canon Theatre in Toronto from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5.
Do you watch the Canadian Football League?
"Yeah, I watch games here and there. I watched some of the Calgary game [last weekend's West Division final] and some of the Alouettes [East Division final] as well. But I cannot tell you 'Oh, No. 23, Calhoon or I don't know who else. Sometimes I watch the last quarter, the last half. Being with children, you don't necessarily have three hours to pour yourself in front of the TV."
Will you watch this Sunday's Grey Cup game?
"I think I will. I don't have any shows that day. If I'm at home, I'll watch the whole game. That's the idea for now."
Will you watch the game or celebrate it?
"Oh, it won't be a party with wings and everything. We'll have some friends over for dinner and in the afternoon, we'll watch the game."
Have you missed many Grey Cups?
"Yes. When I was young I'd watch Sonny Wade and the Alouettes and this big guy from Hawaii. It goes back. Since 15-20 years I've been quite a bit on the road and not able to watch the game. I was not in the right country, or it was not the right time. I've missed a lot of finals in recent years."
Who is your team?
"The Alouettes, for sure. They have a good team and they're in a good position. They have players from all over, not just Montrealers who speak French. Our best player is a Mexican."
What's an Alouette?
"A bird. You know, it's the song … Aaa-lou-ette-ah, gen-tille aaa-lou-ette-ah … A song all English folk sing when they come in Quebec!"
Have you ever seen an alouette [skylark]?
"I have seen a cardinal. I've seen other birds less ordinary, but an alouette, I've never seen one. Other than on a football field, it would be tough to see one."
Ever seen a roughrider?
"At the Calgary Stampede, I've seen a couple."
Do you watch the National Football League?
"A little bit less than the CFL. Mostly the main plays [highlights]. I'm not a diehard fan."
Do you know how the two leagues differ?
"Well, it's 1-2-kick [in the CFL]. They can try three times. Also the depth of the goal zone is different."
Which is better?
For me, the CFL is better. Because it's Canadian. [For] spectacular, I'd have to go with the NFL. In the NFL, you watch the game because you want to know who was caught in a scandal or something last weekend. Who got DUI ? Who got arrested?"
Are CFL players purer?
"They work more discreetly."
The Grey Cup: Who was 'Grey'?
"Mister Grey? Is it like Lord Stanley? I don't know. That is something that is missing from my culture. I know Lord Stanley gave his name and a little cup at the beginning and it got bigger. I don't know Grey.
Have you ever played football?
"A little, for fun, in school."
Touch or tackle?
"Touch."
Should the CFL go to touch to further distinguish it from the NFL game?
"Faster players? It could be called another name then. Not football. Tackles have to be involved in football."
Who is going to win the Grey Cup?
"Montreal."
By what score?
"It can't be like 48-17 [the score in the Alouettes' victory over Toronto in the East final]. It won't be like that. It will be closer, something like last year. I can't predict the score, but something tight. Alouettes by a nose. By a beak."