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Second City talent search winner

TORONTO (CP) _ Megan McDowell, an office temp and theatre grad from Habitant, N.S., has been crowned "The Second City’s Next Comedy Legend."

The Toronto resident, known for her quirky sketch comedy characters, was declared the winner Tuesday night in the season finale of the reality series on CBC-TV.

"It is a big title," McDowell said in an interview. "The ‘Legend’ part is a lot to live up to."

As the winner of the televised talent search, McDowell becomes part of the Second City’s touring company, which performs at the famed Second City nightclub in Toronto and around the world.

She also gets to be an understudy for the Second City’s mainstage troupe in Toronto, which boasts an all-star alumni list including John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin and McDowell’s idol, Catherine O’Hara.

"I would consider them comedic legends," McDowell said. "I think I’m definitely off on the right foot getting to participate in the Second City touring company. That’s definitely the first step."

Throughout the series, hosted by former WWE star Trish Stratus, the contestants had to live together in a loft and perform in front of a live audience and judges Joe Flaherty, Elvira Kurt and Mick Napier.

McDowell, who studied theatre at Acadia University, didn’t go into the show with a lot of experience in comedy, but said making people laugh has always been a part of her life.

"I’ve always been told that I’m funny," she said. "That’s sort of been my weapon from the time that I was born."