A year ago, the idea of a bear becoming president seemed ridiculous and local sketch troupe President Bear made their debut with a not-quite-ready-for-prime-time show.

How a year changes things.

Their effort this year feels much more consistent and the off-kilter sense of humour that is President Bear at their best shines through more in sketches. Like one about spiders dealing with the aftermath of the constant destruction of their webs. Or a disturbingly funny take on the Tom Hanks movie Big.

They use video nicely in spots too — a look at how a different choice of backgroud music changes a sports "bloopers of the week" segment is snappy and smart.

Some sketches don't take off, though, and the troupe has a tendency to occasionally go for gross-out jokes that are just a bit too easy and not as funny as their best material.

But the show moves briskly — the sketches that don't work are quickly followed by ones that do — and the foursome played gamely to a much-too-small house on opening night.

Here's hoping more sketch fans cast their vote for President Bear as the fest goes on.