The Sunshine Coast's most famous – and evilest – octopus is back in the spotlight Tuesday evening, May 2, as he and his “lobotomized assistant”, Gibsons ventriloquist Damien James, compete in the semi finals of Canada's Got Talent.
In a post on Instagram, Mr. Cuddles the Evil Octopus gave instructions to his minions: "Please do whatever you can to coerce your friends and family to vote for me to make it through to the CGT finals (threats of torture and death are encouraged). The fate of the destruction of your species depends on it!"
James and Mr. Cuddles appeared in the March 28 episode of Season 2 of Canada's Got Talent on the Citytv network. Then, the comedic act that saw the accidental creation of the mutant spawn of judge Howie Mandel earning four "yeses" from the laughing judges. The judges this season include rapper Kardinal Offishall, wrestler Trish Stratus, social media personality Lilly Singh, and Mandel.
Mr. Cuddles is one of 18 acts out of the 82 spotlighted in the series to make the semi-finals. The winner will receive $150,000 and financial advice. The top finisher will also have the opportunity to perform in America’s Got Talent Presents SUPERSTARS Live at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
For Mr. Cuddles and James, the jackpot would enable an ambition that is decidedly close to home. “It’s not cheap to live in British Columbia,” Mr. Cuddles told Coast Reporter in March, “but there is nowhere else I’d rather be based than the Sunshine Coast. The humans here are especially susceptible to mind control via social media and as a Giant Pacific Northwest octopus my kind has thrived here for generations.”
The show airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Citytv, with a two-hour season finale on May 16.
– With files from Michael Gurney
