Russell Peters has one objective in mind when it comes to hosting the Junos Sunday night - make sure it doesn't "suck."
"I'm really looking forward to hosting the show on Sunday and making it somewhat watchable. Let's face it; it's kind of sucked in the past. But I mean that in a nice way," said Peters, who grew up in Brampton, Ont.
The internationally renowned comedian gave a taste of the funny moments to come during the 2008 Junos Awards press conference Friday afternoon at the Saddledome.
He assured the crowd he did not need any antics to pull off the show, such as former hosts Alanis Morissette, Nelly Furtado and Pamela Anderson have done in the past.
"My tricks are talent," said Peters. "I don't need foam or planes or big tits."
Juno-nominated Hedley also were in attendance and lead singer Jacob Hoggard said he would love the opportunity to finally take home a Juno - after being nominated six times since 2006.
"It's clearly a fantastic Canadian achievement to be recognized by all your peers in the country where you live for your musical accomplishments -- that means a lot," said Hoggard.
The press conference was held on the Junos set, which has been modelled in the belly of a dinosaur with plexiglass ribs - a nod to Alberta, which is home to some of the world's most impressive dinosaur finds
"It's fossils meets fossil fuel in Alberta," said John Brunton, executive producer of Insight Productions, who produces the Junos. "We're standing on a dinosaur and the ribs from the dinosaur are popping through the stage. This is the most ambitious complicated setup we've ever done for the Junos."
Brunton was also very pleased to welcome Peters as the host.
"With Russell hosting the show, we've got an absolute professional. I think he's one of the funniest guys on the planet. This is the guy who sold out the ACC (Air Canada Centre) for two nights, 30,000 tickets, unheard of ... He's huge in Dubai, he's huge in Australia, he's huge in New Delhi and hopefully he'll be huge here in Calgary," said Brunton.
But Peters isn't letting the pressure get to him and laughed at the suggestion he could always picture Anne Murray in her underwear.
"To be honest with you, that would kind of arouse me," said Peters. "I'm not really nervous; I'm more excited about it. I kind of just want to get to it, you know."
