#FIRSTLOOK: “STAND UP FOR CANADA” STARRING RICK MERCER TO GO INTO PRODUCTION

Producers Bruce Hills Entertainment, Counterfeit Pictures, and Hemmings Films are pleased to announce that they will go into production on Stand Up For Canada Starring Rick Mercer, a new one-hour comedy special set to premiere on CBC and CBC Gem. Timing for the premiere will be confirmed at a later date.

Set to film in front of a live audience in Saint John, New Brunswick on October 17, 2025 the special will capture a night on Rick Mercer’s wildly successful coast-to-coast comedy tour, which continues through October 2025, and is presented by MRG Live and Bruce Hills Entertainment. Mercer is joined by Canadian comedians Sophie Buddle, Mayce Galoni and Julie Kim, and performed 28 shows across 20 cities, with 24 sold-out venues and more than 40,000 tickets sold.

The Stand Up For Canada Starring Rick Mercer special promises to deliver a funny, insightful and heartfelt celebration of Canada through the comedy of one of the country’s most beloved voices, as well as a new generation of rising stand-up stars. Together, Mercer, Buddle, Galoni and Kim will shine a light on the diverse perspectives, stories and humour that make Canada’s comedy scene one of the richest in the world.

Stand Up For Canada Starring Rick Mercer is produced by Bruce Hills Entertainment, Counterfeit Pictures, and Hemmings Films, in association with CBC.

ABOUT RICK MERCER

Rick Mercer is a Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist and author. He is best known for his work on the CBC Television comedy shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made In Canada and Rick Mercer Report. He is the author of four books all of which have been national best sellers. Mercer has received nearly 30 Gemini Awards and Canadian Screen awards for his work on television. His CBC Television special Talking To Americans remains the highest rated Canadian comedy special ever with 2.7 million viewers.

Rick holds Honorary Doctorates from Memorial University, Laurentian University, University of British Columbia, McMaster University, Bishop’s University, Brock University and the University of Guelph. In 2014, he received Honorary Doctorates from the Royal Military Academy and from University of Western Ontario and York University.

He is on the board of directors of Historica Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting Canadian history, identity and citizenship. They are the “Heritage Minute” people.

He is a recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement and in 2014 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

He is a native of St. John’s, Newfoundland.

ABOUT SOPHIE BUDDLE

Sophie Buddle is a stand-up, a TV writer, and a podcaster. She has appeared on “The Tonight Show”, “The Late Late Show with James Corden”, and on CBC’s “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” as a correspondent and staff writer. She’s also been featured on CTV’s “Roast Battle”, JFL All Access, Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the Halifax Comedy Festival. She was a featured performer at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and in 2022 had the esteemed privilege of delivering the Canadian Keynote Address on Comedy.

Sophie released her first album in 2019, “Lil Bit Of Buddle,” which won the 2020 Juno Award for Best Comedy Album of the Year, making her the first female comic to win that award. She released the album herself so you can find it on iTunes in the genre “easy listening”, which was a mistake, but it is easy to listen to, so it’s OK. Her podcast “Obsessed with Sophie Buddle”, which tackles people’s obsessions (from Beyoncé to American politics to checking if the door is locked to revenge) is currently available on Apple Podcasts. She is a three-time runner up (but fourth time’s the charm!) for Canada’s biggest stand-up contest, SiriusXM Top Comic, and can currently be seen headlining across the country.

ABOUT MAYCE GALONI

Mayce Galoni is a Los Angeles based stand-up comedian and writer. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Mayce started doing stand-up in dive bars on school nights when he was 15 years old. His laid-back style and clever writing have led him to perform at comedy clubs and festivals across North America.

He has been seen on Just for Laughs Montreal, Hulu, Netflix is a Joke Fest, MTV, Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, Dry Bar and Don’t Tell Comedy’s Secret Sets, and his clips from these appearances have amassed millions of views online.

His work in television includes starring in BiteTV’s PrankYou, as well as being a staff writer and correspondent on 3 seasons of CBC’s This Hour has 22 Minutes. Mayce’s comedy album can be heard regularly on SiriusXM, and was nominated for Comedy Album of the Year at the JUNOS. You can watch his debut full length comedy special “Live at the Blue Grotto” which is available now on YouTube.

ABOUT JULIE KIM

Julie Kim is a comedian, writer, podcaster, and content creator. She is one of Canada’s top stand-up comedians. Julie recently completed a Canadian solo tour with multiple sold-out shows. Julie previously toured across North America doing 40 theatre shows with Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah). She was a gala performer at the 2022 Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and headlined four sold-out solo shows at Just for Laughs Toronto in 2023. Over the past decade, Julie has performed at all the major Canadian comedy festivals including Just for Laughs Vancouver, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and Halifax Comedy Festival (with multiple televised performances). She tours internationally and made her debut at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Julie has also been regularly featured on CBC’s The Debaters.

Julie is also a Canadian Screen Award winning writer and producer. She has contributed to the writing rooms of Kim’s Convenience, Run the Burbs, and Still Standing. Julie was a producer and writer for Simu Liu (Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) as he hosted the 2022 and 2023 Juno Awards. Julie’s increasingly popular podcast, called Bothered, includes rant-worthy stories and experiences that are hilarious and relatable.

Julie’s mission is to spread happiness, lighten hearts, and unite through laughter. And no amount of mom-shaming will stop her.

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS

COUNTERFEIT PICTURES

Counterfeit Pictures, a Toronto-based production company with a focus on comedy, is led by partners Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery and Anton Leo. Counterfeit’s half-hour workplace comedy ‘The Office Movers’ (Crave) returns for a second season featuring Bell Media Studios breakout stars and online legends Jae and Trey Richards. The company recently completed filming the comedy special ‘No Refunds’ from TikTok sensations Darcy & Jer (Crave). Other credits include ‘One More Time’ (CBC) with comedian D.J. Demers (The Tonight Show, Conan), ‘Shelved’ (CTV), the award-winning ‘Sunnyside’ (CityTV/FX Canada), and ‘Keep Busy’ with YouTube sensation Kurtis Conner.

Counterfeit’s newest production, the feature length performance documentary, People Of Comedy: Celebrating 30 Years of The Nubian Show recently debuted on Crave. Under its banner Counterfeit Sounds, the company has recently produced the podcast ‘Benefits With Friends’ starring Mae Martin and Sabrina Jalees (Audible), and a slate of comedy albums including the Juno Award winning ‘Honourable Intentions’ from Debra DiGiovanni, as well as albums from Howie Mandel, Robby Hoffman, D.J. Demers, Allie Pearse and Brent Butt.

Learn more at: counterfeitpictures.com

BRUCE HILLS ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 2025 by comedy industry veteran Bruce Hills, Bruce Hills Entertainment is driving a new era in live comedy, spearheading concert promotion across Canada and beyond, advising top global companies in the comedy and entertainment space, and producing world-class events that push the boundaries of the genre. The company’s recent work reflects its bold vision, including strategic consulting for The Second City and the launch of its new venue in New York City to curating the comedy slate for the inaugural Departure Festival in Toronto—including a one night only concert by Dave Chappelle. Among its earliest productions was a sold-out arena show featuring Kevin Hart at Montréal’s Bell Centre. The company is also co-promoting comedian Josh Johnson’s highly anticipated Canadian tour alongside MRG Live. Prior to launching this venture, Hills spent 39 years leading Just For Laughs, overseeing its global English-language operations and expanding festivals to cities like Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago and Sydney. Recognized as a pioneer in comedy, Hills played a key role in launching the careers of stars such as Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Wanda Sykes, Ronny Chieng, and Jimmy Fallon.

Counterfeit Pictures, a Toronto-based production company with a focus on comedy, is led by partners Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery and Anton Leo. Counterfeit’s half-hour workplace comedy ‘The Office Movers’ (Crave) returns for a second season featuring Bell Media Studios breakout stars and online legends Jae and Trey Richards. The company recently completed filming the comedy special ‘No Refunds’ from TikTok sensations Darcy & Jer (Crave). Other credits include ‘One More Time’ (CBC) with comedian D.J. Demers (The Tonight Show, Conan), ‘Shelved’ (CTV), the award-winning ‘Sunnyside’ (CityTV/FX Canada), and ‘Keep Busy’ with YouTube sensation Kurtis Conner.

Counterfeit’s newest production, the feature length performance documentary, People Of Comedy: Celebrating 30 Years of The Nubian Show recently debuted on Crave. Under its banner Counterfeit Sounds, the company has recently produced the podcast ‘Benefits With Friends’ starring Mae Martin and Sabrina Jalees (Audible), and a slate of comedy albums including the Juno Award winning ‘Honourable Intentions’ from Debra DiGiovanni, as well as albums from Howie Mandel, Robby Hoffman, D.J. Demers, Allie Pearse and Brent Butt.

Learn more at: counterfeitpictures.com

Hemmings Films

Hemmings Films, a full-service production house headquartered in Saint John, New Brunswick, develops feature films, documentaries, and network series. Led by founder and Executive Producer Greg Hemmings and partners Steve Foster and Evan Ottoni, the company leverages decades of industry experience to deliver premium productions across genres. Hemmings Films recently partnered with Blue Ice Pictures on Revival – a supernatural noir series based on the Image Comics franchise; the 10×44‑minute series launched 12 June 2025 on Syfy/Crave with Melanie Scrofano and Romy Weltman. On the unscripted front, the company co‑produces the CBC competition show Race Against the Tide, where teams of world‑class sand sculptors race the Bay of Fundy’s tide clock, the design‑driven lifestyle series Real Houses Of… featuring one‑of‑a‑kind North American homes, and docu‑soap Kardinal Sinners, a gritty portrait of semi‑pro wrestlers battling for a shot at stardom.

Hemmings Films also produced the drama What We Dreamed of Then – written and directed by award‑winning filmmaker Taylor Olson and produced by Sandy Hunter, Stephen Foster and Britt Kerr. Hemmings Films continues to operate as a creative hub for international and interprovincial co‑productions, using forward‑thinking production services and a values‑driven approach to deliver content that entertains and inspires.

Learn more at: hemmingsfilms.com

ABOUT CBC/RADIO-CANADA

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages: Dëne Sųłıné, Dene Kǝdǝ́, Dene Zhatıé, Eastern Cree, Dinjii Zhuʼ Ginjik, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun and Tłı̨chǫ. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

#SPOTTED: SIMU LIU, JEREMY LIN, KIM LEE, CHARLES MELTON, RONNY CHIENG + MORE IN TORONTO FOR 2022 CCYAA CELEBRITY CLASSIC

It was one for the books as the second CCYAA (Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association) Celebrity Classic powered by Virgin Plus, took place last night at the University of Toronto‘s Goldring Centre! Headlined by and featuring guest appearances by the likes of Simu Liu and NBA star Jeremy Lin, Comedian Ronny Chieng, Comedian Hasan Minhaj, Bling Empire star Kim Lee, Shang-Chi star Meng’er Zhang and more, the weekend was highlighted by a series of events leading up to the match. The event raises funds for the Jeremy Lin Foundation and the CCYAA’s new Community Centre.

Among the festivities this weekend were three Comedy Shows at Yuk Yuk’s with Comedian Julie Kim headlining. Kim recently wrote the Script for the JUNOS, hosted by Liu, and is confirmed for the upcoming Just for Laughs Festival! There also was a Youth Jam held at Goldring Centre, plus a four-day vendor Festival, FRESH FEST, at indoor Asian Night Market, SUPERFRESH in the Annex. For one day only, popular California Bubble Tea Chain BOPOMOFE CAFE did a pop-up shop which saw at one point, a 90-minute queue outside the hotspot.

As expected, Lin strut his stuff at the tournament, not to be outshined by Content Creator Mike Wu, whom many were saying deserved MVP! Fans went wild seeing up-close and personal some of their Asian-Canadian/American idols!

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We were out and about and so thrilled to get to meet some of the stars in-town for the affair celebrating North American Asian Excellence.

See who we spotted, with a little help from beanie!

This event is amazing and hoping in coming years it remains an annual thing! So important to celebrate the accomplishments of this Community!

Learn more about it here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Adrianne Ho CCYAA Charles Melton Chase Sui Wonders Hasan Minhaj Jeremy Lin Julie Kim Kim Lee Lucia Liu Meng'er Zhang Simu Liu

#SPOTTED: JULIE KIM AT TORONTO’S COMEDY BAR

It’s been years since we’ve enjoyed some live Comedy! Scarborough’s Julie Kim continues to make waves in Comedy and Toronto was so lucky to get her back for two shows tonight on her current Tour, after having supported Funnyman Ronny Chieng on his Hope You Get Rich Tour. Though she’s based now in Vancouver, Kim‘s ties to Toronto continue to remain strong and she’s currently working closely with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu, as he hosts the Juno Awards in the City next month.

For those who aren’t familiar with Kim‘s Comedy, she looks at motherhood, marriage and also more so of late, race relations being a mother of a bi-racial daughter. She delivers a set that is unfiltered, hilarious and relatable, often poking fun at men and other women who are judgmental.

Kim headlined her own show at Comedy Bar on Bloor West, filling the club for two shows tonight – one at 7 PM and one at 9 PM. She worked the room, building to a crescendo. She ponders her life has a mother, whether it be breastfeeding, or her choice to “save the v” by doing the “c”, a Caesarian section. She admits she never thought much about race much growing-up, but this been on her mind of late as we group people by terms like “Person of Colour” or “BIPOC”, plus also seeing that many of her daughter’s classmates like her are bi-racial. She also makes funny observations about the “fetishization” of Asian women by white men.

Kim‘s ability to storytell is her strongest suit and in addition to being a sharp Comedian with a great command of the stage, her writing also is tight and edited. Inasmuch as the people in the front tables get picked-on a lot, we’re sure they love being in on the joke.

She was supported by some up-and-coming Canadian talent including Marito Lopez, who had the crowd cackling as he jokes about being a Latino Comedian from Calgary, and the height difference between his girlfriend and him, proclaiming himself a “Short King”.

Charles Demers emceed the night, the JUNO-nominated Comedian joking about being outnumbered by gay men in in his family and also being married to a Chinese-Canadian wife, something Kim wanted him to share seeing that some of her Comedy is inspired by her interracial marriage also.

Toronto’s Joe Vu also supported, reflecting on his experiences as an Asian man trying to date outside his race, with humour.

And there were some very special guests in the audience tonight, including Run the Burbs and Kim’s Convenience‘s Andrew Phung, plus also Meng’er Zhang who stars in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Zhang has just been announced to star in THE WITCHER as Milv, a Huntress with great skills in Archery. She is a good friend of Kim‘s! What a treat!

Learn more about Julie Kim‘s Comedy here, including her videos on YouTube which have garnered over 20+ million views.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SPOTTED: RONNY CHIENG X JULIE KIM IN TORONTO FOR “HOPE YOU GET RICH” TOUR

Funnyman Ronny Chieng has become a staple of the Just for Laughs circuit and tonight he brought his HOPE YOU GET RICH Tour to Toronto at Massey Hall! Despite losing his luggage, he was able to pull together a sharp outfit from Uniqlo (he tells me) at Eaton Centre, just in time for tonight’s gig before a packed house.

Chieng got a huge boost starring in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021 as Jon Jon and it was just announced his new Comedy Special – only his second ever – SPEAK EASY will arrive April 5, 2022 on Netflix! The Special promises more of this The Daily Show Correspondent’s hot takes on things like the Pandemic, Cancel Culture and more! Chieng can be seen in upcoming Features M3GAN alongside Allison Williams and Joah Jordan‘s Helvellyn Edge.

Such a joy meeting him and Supporting Act, two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner, Toronto’s own Julie Kim who is touring with Chieng. Learn more about her here.

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..,and how is this for a surprise? Meng’er Zhang, who played Xialng in Shang-Chi also came out to Toronto to show support!

When you scroll to the left and realize that’s another Cast member of SHANG-CHI! Nice to see you Meng’er Zhang! pic.twitter.com/TP05i4qzmn

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 20, 2022

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)