Just for Laughs
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL 40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA TO AIR ON CBC
So as you’re aware Just for Laughs celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year in Montréal and a Gala was held to celebrate that with some marquee names in-attendance. Now’s your chance to see the Gala broadcast on TV! As a TV exclusive, CBC will air that celebration for comedy enthusiasts coast to coast.
Tune in to the CBC on November 8, 2022 at 9:00 PM ET (9:30 PM NT) to watch Just For Laughs 40, the anniversary special featuring extraordinary presenters and performances from some of today’s most influential names in comedy, as well as a few surprise appearances!
Presenters include comedy superstars Nikki Glaser, Jimmy Carr, Russell Peters, Dave Merheje, and Fortune Feimster; with performances by Matteo Lane, Katherine Ryan, Caroline Rhea, Tommy Tiernan, Chris Redd, and a very special guest, Canadian comedy icon, Rick Mercer.
(Photo credit: Just for Laughs)
#FIRSTLOOK: PETER BILLINGSLEY & VINCE VAUGHN AT THE JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO WORLD PREMIERE OF “CHRISTMAS WITH THE CAMPBELLS” AND MORE
The tenth edition of JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO just wrapped, doing it bigger and better than ever before. I know we’ve often envied the Montreal leg of the Festival, but Toronto returning to an in-person format this year of the Festival, the excitement was stratospheric! Among the Comedy heavyweights in-town this weekend were Iliza Shlesinger, Marc Maron, Peter Billingsley, Vince Vaughn and Trevor Noah – hot off his announcement that he’ll be exiting The Daily Show after hosting for the past seven years.
Some amazing highlights of the closing-half of the Festival this year.
PETER BILLINGSLEY & VINCE VAUGHN
Toronto really got a treat as A Christmas Story star Peter Billingsley and adored Actor Vince Vaughn closed-out the Festival with the World Premiere of CHRISTMAS WITH THE CAMPBELLS, an upcoming Holiday Comedy which uses the classic Hallmark blueprint, without sparing the swearing! The duo produced the Film together, while Vaughn had a hand in writing the Scrript.
The Premiere, originally scheduled for last weekend, was slotted in for closing night of what already was a star-studded Festival. The Film stars Brittany Snow, Justin Long and Alex Moffatt, and will be in theatres later this year, while also streaming on AMC+ in the U.S.
So happy we got to chat with Billingsley and Vaughn about their new Film.
Could you describe CHRISTMAS WITH THE CAMPBELLS as a love letter to Hallmark movies? Could you say that?
Vaughn: Kinda. We had a woman, Barbara Kymlicka who writes some terrific Hallmark movies, write a real kind of story with emotion. We put a lot of Hard “R” Comedy in there so it’s kinda funny and kinda heart-felt.
How do you draw that fine balance between it being a parody and an actual love letter?
Vaughn: That was the interesting thing part. So we play it straight. We have a Hallmark Composer, Editor, Cinematographer, Set Designer. But the language and points of view of the characters are straight Comedy. It’s a really interesting blend and the Movie has tested really well. We’re just finally excited to have a World Premiere in Toronto.
Billingsley: We don’t betray the rules of a Hallmark movie, so there’s that. There’s a really good feeling in the end and you laugh a lot along the way.
I know you both have a real affinity for Toronto. What’s one thing that Toronto’s got that you can’t find anywhere else in the world?
Vaughn: You know what? I think Toronto’s a place where people are raising families and going to work. It’s a real city where people enjoy themselves. For me it’s special. My mom was born here, I used to come all the time to see family as a kid. I still see family here, it’s just a great city.
Billingsley: Toronto has a lot of film fans. The Toronto International Film Festival has a reputation of being the Fan’s Festival. It gets great crowds that love movies, so it’s always great to bring a film here.
MARC MARON
This charismatic, all-around Entertainer delighted fans two nights at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. If you haven’t checked-out his observational WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, you absolutely should. Also how cool was it that he was starstruck sitting behind Rush‘s Geddy Lee on his flight out of Toronto?
RHYS NICHOLSON
This Australian Treasure really wowed us with an incredible, tight set where we wouldn’t quit with the laughs. We love them from RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, but this was a more accurate capture of his range, amazing comedic timing and writing. Floored. A star on the rise, with some hilarious anecdotes about growing-up non-binary in his native Newcastle.
JERROD CARMICHAEL
It’s Jerrod Carmichael‘s world and we’re all living in it! Hot off his Emmy win for HBO Special ROTHANIEL, he delivered a low-key set at Bluma Appel Theatre, reflecting on life, love and his coming to terms with his sexuality. He has a unique vibe, moving at an unrushed pace, with pensive pauses, and at once has a grip on his audience. So amazing getting to see this burgeoning star, who has in the zone with his headphones on when we spotted him being ushered-in quickly.
Just for Laughs Toronto 2022 was one for the books! While we are a little Festivaled-out in what’s been a hectic September, we wouldn’t trade it in for anything! Cannot wait to see what next year’s Festival brings! More on Just for Laughs Toronto here.
Don’t forget to check-out our Recap of the Festival’s first-half here, which includes some of our favourites as well.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
*All captured on the Samsung S22*
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO RETURNS
Celebrating its tenth anniversary after a two-year pandemic hiatus. JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO is back and on till October 1, 2022. The Comedy Festival has stepped it up this year, reaching a wider audience than ever with the addition of ComedyCon, a Street Festival with food and drink vendors, plus live musical and Comedy performances. plus so much more. But above this, the names in town for the Festival this year are bigger than ever with the likes of John Mulaney, Amy Schumer, Craig Robinson, Craig Ferguson, Marc Maron, Issa Rae, Trixie & Katya and several others, gracing the City at multiple venues around the City. Adapting to shifts in how we see and consume our Comedy, JUST FOR LAUGHS more than ever is placing its focus on an even more inclusie lineup of talent, expanding now to include TikTok personalities, Podcasters, Drag Queens, among others. There truly is something for everyone at the Festival this year.
We were so thrilled to get to see a number of shows at the Festival, back bigger than ever!
ATSUKO
If you’ve never before witnessed the magic that is Atsuko, you are in for a treat. Her Comedy is smart, giving us a unique lens, as an Asian female immigrant in an interracial relationship. Her observations are sharp, with the ability to be expressive also physically. A definite rising star who played multiple shows at the Festival this year, and has an HBO Special on the way.
TRIXIE & KATYA
These RuPaul’s Drag Race Alumni truly have built an empire of their own with their hilarious, playful banter and they treated fans to a full-on production at Meridian Hall lasting 2.5 hours with an intermission even! Fans got a couple chances to see them, including a taping of their Podcast THE BALD & THE BEAUTIFUL, where they got candid about everything from massages, to their thoughts on leaving Drag which you can hear on their upcoming Podcast. Fans even got a chance to buy autographs and photo ops after the taping! Drag stars Priyanka, Olivia Lux and Tynomi Banks even were in attendance!
MEGAN STALTER
This Funnywoman continues to bring the laughs, catching our attention with her hilarious improvised videos which gave gone viral. Remember her “Hi Gay!” Pride month celebration video? We still laugh about it to this day! Stalter also stars in Emmy-winning HACKS on HBO Max, and continues to be a huge star on the rise. Case in point, she was brunching with the likes of Amy Schumer, Trixie and Katya even! Her very interactive show was absolutely bonkers, and even without a clear structure, she still brought the laughs, playing three shows at The Royal.
MONÉT X CHANGE & BOB THE DRAG QUEEN
These RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favourites who have a Podcast together, SIBLING RIVALRY, teamed together again on the Beneva Stage for a free show along with up-and-coming Comedian PINK FOXX on the first Friday of the Festival. A huge turnout!
“BUSY PHILIPPS IS DOING HER BEST” PODCAST
This was a real joy! I’ve always loved Busy Philipps but getting to just hear her talk about her life and adventures in parenting was amazing. Joined by Podcast partner Caissie St. Onge, they brought Atusko out also for a quick chat. We learned all about Philipps’ struggles getting her daughter Harry Styles tickets and does she get to meet Harry? You need to listen to this upcoming Podcast episode and find out. So good!
CRAIG ROBINSON & THE NASTY DELICIOUS
When you think of this Funnyman, star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Killing It, Music probably doesn’t come first. But he’s here to deliver laughter, soul and funk with Band, The Nasty Delicious on the Beneva Stage. A free show for all! You must scroll along in the carousel above to see his amazing entrance.
CRAIG FERGUSON
We’ve missed Craig Ferguson and his amazing run on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He is taking his show on the road and Toronto was so lucky to have him at the Festival, which he actually drove to in his pick-up truck! Ferguson played two shows at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
A Recap Reel:
There is still so much to see at JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO. Check here for tickets and schedules.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
*All captured on the Samsung S22*
#FIRSTLOOKS: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES AND GUESTS
Just For Laughs TORONTO (formerly JFL42), presented by Beneva, in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada, is back in full force this September, promising to provide audiences with the ultimate comedy festival, stacked to the nines. Running in venues across Toronto from September 22 to October 1, 2022, Just For Laughs TORONTO continues to keep their word and deliver a first-rate festival experience for all with an entirely free street festival, and the expansion of their daytime convention, ComedyCON.
FREE STREET FESTIVAL
Conveniently located in the city’s downtown core, close to transport links, this epic, three-day outdoor comedy celebration will feature an accessible site together with a varied and eclectic program of entertainment with something for everyone to enjoy – including both local and international comedians, DJs and much, much more.
Running from September 23-25, 2022, on a 130,000 sq-ft site at Front St. E and Berczy Park, the inaugural free street festival will feature a large main stage BEVENA STAGE presented by Beneva, food trucks, bars featuring Muskoka Brewery beers & Muskoka Spirits Hard Sparkling Waters, local area restaurants, art installations and other activities in collaboration with Toronto’s arts communities. The first of its kind, Just For Laughs TORONTO’s street festival will boast daytime and evening programming, including performances from an array of comedy and music performers, many of the acts reflecting Toronto in all its diversity.
“We are delighted to be back to mark our 10th anniversary of Just For Laughs TORONTO with such an impressive lineup for this year’s event especially with the introduction of the free street festival”, shares Just For Laughs president, Bruce Hills. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the City of Toronto to offer both locals and visitors alike the opportunity to experience free outdoor comedy shows, live music and activations while also getting the chance to see some of the biggest names in comedy as well as discover fantastic newcomers in venues across the city”.
“At Beneva, we feel that laughter is indeed the best medicine, and that it contributes to our collective well-being. That’s why we’re proud to be the presenting partner of this popular event. We’re even more proud that this edition of the festival will allow people from Toronto to attend, for the very first time, a series of free shows in spectacular outdoor locations. An inclusive and caring approach which is perfectly in step with our organizational values. So, I hope you load up on the laughs and have a blast at the festival! shares Martin Robert, Executive Vice-President and Leader – Talent, Culture and Communication at Beneva, the presenting partner of Just For Laughs TORONTO.
Performing on the outdoor stage as part of the street festival are:
Russell Peters’ Old School Mixtape Live – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 9:00 PM
What’s better than comedy and classic hip hop and dance music? Combining all of them! Toronto’s very own Russell Peters and the legendary DJ Starting From Scratch will be hosting an unforgettable outdoor show that’s sure to be the ultimate throwback party to squeeze that last bit of summer in. With some very special musical guests to be announced soon, get ready for this once in a lifetime free concert event in the heart of the six!
Craig Robinson & The Nasty Delicious – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 9:00 PM
Funnyman actor/comedian Craig Robinson (The Office, Brooklyn 99) introduced his band, The Nasty Delicious, in 2007. The nine-piece crew have been electrifying audiences around the globe with their powerful fusion of Chicago-House, funk, hip hop and R & B, all topped off with Craig’s soulful voice, edgy humor, and improved crowd participation.
The members include bassist Ethan Farmer, drummer Asa Watkins, guitarist David Sampson, saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin and Reggie Hines, trumpeter Wynston Byrd, percussionist Bendji Allonce, and Craig’s younger brother and music director/keyboardist Chris “Rob” Robinson. All the members of the band have their own creative projects, and have also toured and recorded with countless legendary artists across the genres, including Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Chaka Khan, Beyonce, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Angie Stone, Macy Gray, Anita Baker, and many more.
Bob the Drag Queen & Monét X Change – Friday, September 23, 2022 | 9:00 PM
You better get your currency in check: Monét X Change is here with fellow drag superstar Bob the Drag Queen for a (FREE) variety show extravaganza!
They’re two of the most beloved stars in “RuPaul’s Drag Race” herstory and, together, they’re even more powerful. Bob the Drag Queen notably emerged victorious in Season 8, while Monét X Change competed in Season 10 before re-emerging in All Stars 4. After Drag Race, the pair even joined forces for their hit podcast “Sibling Rivalry” because let’s face it, chosen family is everything. This year at JFL TORONTO, these icons are hosting a stellar variety show composed of dancing, singing, laughter and fierceness. Brown. Cow. Stunning!
Bob The Drag Queen: The alter ego of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, “Bob The Drag Queen” describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and… humble.” Bob’s unabashed confidence won her the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1. The third season of Bob’s Emmy Award nominated HBO Max series We’re Here is coming out at the end of 2022. Bob is also an accomplished stand-up comedian with two solo specials under his belt and a starring role in the recent Netflix comedy concert film Stand Out executive produced by Wanda Sykes. “Sibling Rivalry” – Bob’s podcast with his comedy partner Monét X Change – is now on its sixth season and is also hitting the road playing major venues in the US and Canada in the Fall of 2022 and Winter of 2023.
Monét X Change: Born and bred in New York City, MONÉT X CHANGE is a comedian, singer, and actress and one of the winningest contestants in Drag Race History. Monet was named Miss Congeniality in season 10, co-winner in All Stars season 4, and the runner up on All Stars season 7. “Sibling Rivalry” – Monét’s podcast with his comedy partner Bob the Drag Queen – is now on its sixth season and is also hitting the road playing major venues in the US and Canada in the Fall of 2022 and Winter of 2023. Monét has also recently entered the stand-up comedy space, with a sold-out tour of clubs and small theaters kicking off in the summer of 2022.
Puddles Pity Party – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 8:00 PM
Puddles Pity Party, the 7-foot sad clown whose golden voice is comparable to rock legends like Tom Jones and Freddie Mercury, has amassed nearly 900K YouTube subscribers and performed to sold out shows all over the globe. He recently performed in Homeward Bound: A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon for CBS and is a surprise guest on the Season 4 finale of ABC’s The Conners. Deftly combining melancholy with the absurd, his one-of-a-kind “textured voice laced with melancholy” (NY Times) has been hailed as “operatic” (Boston Globe) and his show both “life-affirming” (Herald Scotland) and “hysterically funny” (LA Weekly). Not bad for a “loser” from America’s Got Talent!
Tanika Charles – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 4:00 PM
Toronto-based 2x Juno Award nominee and Soul music power house, Tanika Charles, has slowly but surely inserted herself as a staple of the genre both at home and abroad. Her music revels in honesty and attitude, her live show is high energy and endearing, and she continues to win audiences over one album, one stream, and one encore at a time. Tanika recently released her third album, Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly. Papillon again follows Tanika’s formula of marrying classic soul influences with modern sensibilities and features the songs “Frustrated”, “Million Ways”, and the disco-infused lead single “Different Morning” featuring Toronto rapper DijahSB.
Drag Me to Street, hosted by Tynomi Banks – Friday, September 23, 2022 | 7:15 PM
Now what the F is going on in here on this day? A free drag extravaganza, that’s what! Featuring amazing drag artists from across Canada, hosted by Tynomi Banks (Canada’s Drag Race), HercuSleaze (Call Me Mother), Miss Moćo (Canada’s Drag Race), Gisele Lullaby (Canada’s Drag Race) & Toddy (Call Me Mother).
Josh Adam Meyers and The Goddamn Comedy Jam – Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25, 2022, daily at 6:00 PM
Every comic wants to be a rockstar and The Goddamn Comedy Jam is the intersection of comedy stardom and rock & roll dreams. Comedians will perform a stand up set and short story followed by a song of their choosing, accompanied by a live band. It is an unprecedented opportunity to shine as both a comedic star and rock God in an electrified outdoor rock concert atmosphere. Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers (Comedy Central/Netflix), and his house band, Elemenopy.
New Faces of Comedy: Canada – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 5:15 PM
Come see the freshest Canadian comedians in the game gear up to take the microphone and change the face of comedy. These up-and-coming artists made a big splash at JFL MONTRÉAL this year, have been able to persevere through the global pandemic, perfect their craft, and are finally ready to share their talents on the Toronto stage. This year, our showcase includes Allie Pearse, Ajahnis Charley, Ben Sosa Wright, Bree Parsons, Clare Belford, Conner Christmas, Laura Leibow, Malik Elassal, Mike Green, and Wassim El-Mounzer.
DJ Cipha Sounds – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 7:00 PM
After an illustrious career in New York radio with Hot 97, where he was responsible for breaking artists like Rihanna and Rick Ross, Cipha Sounds turned years of touring as a DJ for major artists into a respected career in comedy. Since becoming the official DJ for Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show, he has continued to work with Dave Chappelle, joining him on tours as both a DJ and opening comedian. He is a regular DJ at Saturday Night Live after parties, and appeared in Michael Che’s Netflix Special, Michael Che Matters. Having shared the stage with everyone from Jay-Z to Dave Chappelle, Cipha Sounds is truly a one-of-a-kind link between comedy and Hip Hop in New York.
DJ Killa-Jewel – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 7:00 PM
A 25-year veteran of the underground Hip-Hop scene and turntablist community, DJ Killa-Jewel has rocked the decks across Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia at some of the most prestigious clubs, concerts and festivals to date. Well-known for her collaboration with Thud Rumble’s DJ Q-Bert in his Do It Yourself Vol. 2 DVD, and trained in classical music, she spent years fusing Hip-Hop with the theatre milieu by composing “turntable music” live for theatrical productions, and touring extensively with Canadian actor and director Robert Lepage on his highly acclaimed productions Zulu Time (Co-produced by Peter Gabriel) and The Buskers Opera. She marries two different sonic worlds; one for the hardcore turntablist fans who enjoy a range of different scratch techniques, and the other for those whose ears are more attune to the time signature and electronically-synthesized sounds of modern-day trap music.
Plus, additional programming will be revealed soon!
COMEDYCON
In addition to this outdoor expansion, Just For Laughs TORONTO excitedly broadens the reach of their beloved daytime series, ComedyCON. With increasing popularity in comedy and entertainment gatherings, ComedyCON is promising to be one of Toronto’s most fan-centric events, with a plethora of diverse programming including In-Conversations, TV cast panels, podcasts, behind-the-scenes exclusives; and new this year which is sure to be a massive draw, autograph sessions with some of your favorite comedic artists of today!!! Don’t miss out on your chance to meet and get your photo with one of your comedic idols. Pre-booking will start on Friday, August 26th – with an exciting lineup of artists available at our Autograph and Photo Op Alley.
ComedyCON continues to grow an established residence amongst industry and fans, offering different opportunities to get up close and personal with their favourite personalities; from stand-up comedians, to digital creators, and on-screen comedy stars.
Pulling back the curtain and offering fans exclusive access to some of today’s most influential comedy stars, audiences will be able to listen in on never-before shared stories behind the making of some of today’s hit TV shows with hilarious cast panels, live recordings of today’s most popular podcasts, and so much more.
Appearing at 4 venues throughout Meridian Hall & the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, as part of ComedyCON this year is:
COMEDYCON HEADLINERS
The Bald and the Beautiful Podcast – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 2:00 PM
Don’t muss your wig with headphones! Come to Meridian Hall and listen as beloved comedic drag duo Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova bring their hit podcast “The Bald and the Beautiful” LIVE to the Toronto ComedyCon stage!
The Bald and the Beautiful features a pair of grizzled gay ghouls exploring the cultural boundaries of modern beauty through interviews with gorgeous guests who inhabit various facets of the beauty industry. From models, moguls, influencers, drag queens, RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants to adult performers, actors, and more, Trixie and Katya break down the beauty behind it all.
In Conversation with Issa Rae – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 1:00 PM
Issa Rae first received attention for her award-winning web series and the accompanying New York Times best-seller, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.” She created and starred in the Peabody-award-winning HBO series Insecure which garnered her multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations. In 2020 Rae formed HOORAE, a multi-faceted media company that develops content across mediums in an effort to continue to break boundaries in storytelling and representation.
Come get the inside scoop on Issa’s life as a media mogul who reaches back, the highs and lows of ending her groundbreaking, career-making series, Insecure and her latest HOORAE projects that are keeping her busy, happy and feeling anything but awkward.
TV CAST PANELS!
ComedyCON is bringing together the cast and creators of some of your favorite TV comedy series as part of this year’s festival.
HBO’s “Los Espookys” Season 2 Sneak Peek and Cast and Creator Panel – Friday, September 23, 2022 | 4:00 PM
Join us for an advance screening of episode 2 and more sneak peeks from Season 2 of the highly anticipated, critically-acclaimed HBO comedy series, Los Espookys, hailed by Vanity Fair as “bilingual genius.” The series follows a group of friends who turn their shared passion for horror into a peculiar business, providing horror to clients who need it, in a dreamy Latin American country where the strange and eerie are just a part of daily life.
Following the screening, we’ll hang out with the co-creators, writers, executive producers and stars of the show, Fred Armisen, Ana Fabrega and Julio Torres as they discuss the upcoming season, reveal behind-the-scenes stories and answer your questions about what “espookys” them the most.
The series returns to HBO & HBO Max in the U.S. and CRAVE in Canada on September 16th.
RECORDING LIVE FROM TORONTO, YOUR FAVOURITE PODCASTS!
Elevate your podcast listening experience at this year’s festival, by being in the (recording) room where it happens!
Seek Treatment with Cat and Pat Podcast – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 4:30 PM
SEEK TREATMENT is a playful, fun, and flirty podcast where beloved and criminally under-famous comedians Catherine Cohen and Pat Regan talk about “boys, sex, dating, and love.” Each week, Cat and Pat invite a non-boring guest to dish the dirt on living, laughing, and yeah…loving. They’re just two shy slutty psychos who finally answer the question, “what if a gay guy and a girl…were friends?” If you don’t listen….Seek Treatment!
Talk Clearlyer Podcast – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 11:00 AM
Come listen to Cipha Sounds and Wil Sylvince on “Talk Clearlyer” as they butcher the English language while discussing news, comedy, and everything in the Zeitgeist. Or just listen to hear them try to pronounce the word, “Zeitgeist.”
Strictly Beloved Podcast – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 4:00 PM
Dino Archie and Marito Lopez analyze the world around them through a beloved, hilarious, and honest lens.
Obsessed with Sophie Buddle Podcast – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 1:30 PM
Award-winning comedian and writer Sophie Buddle interviews guests about their obsessions. From Beyoncé, to American politics, to checking if the door is locked, to revenge, tune in every week to find out more about hilarious people’s obsessions.
TOPICAL COMEDY PANELS
Listen in on some of comedy’s most in depth conversations about the industry, mental health, racism, and more with these thought-provoking panels!
NAACP Presents: North Meets South – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 12:00 PM
An all-star panel of Black American and Canadian comedians discuss the dichotomy of balancing comedy with the weight of tackling racial issues that transcend our border. Moderated by Amanda Seales, this panel will explore the contrast between comedic creativity and cultural expectations. How does the Black comedian achieve limitless appeal, while preserving an authentic and unapologetic voice?
Presented in collaboration with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Reductress Presents: Our Satire, Ourselves – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 11:00 AM
Join moderator, and Reductress Editor-In-Chief, Sarah Pappalardo and a group of hilarious comics (to be announced shortly) as they discuss creating comedy in these fraught times and dismantle the patriarchy one joke at a time.
Ali Hassan: Is There Bacon In Heaven? – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 1:30 PM
Comedian, actor and broadcaster Ali Hassan will bring the laughs as he reads from his hilarious new memoir, “Is There Bacon In Heaven?” (Simon & Schuster Canada), full of laugh-out-loud funny stories about his journey to becoming a cultural Muslim. Book signing to follow.
Eat My Shorts: Encore Short Film Screening
Just For Laughs Eat My Shorts showcases the funniest short films from around the world. These short films were first selected for the 2022 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, and are getting an encore screening on the big screen in Toronto at ComedyCON! The films include Non-Negotiable, “Julia”, Get Happy, BURDER, Snooze, Coleslaw, My First Native American Boyfriend, Aspirational Slut, I’m Not A Robot, Quarantine Fling, FUBU and Sleepover Mom.
In addition, ComedyCON will play host to many great In Conversations events which include: In Conversation with Craig Ferguson, In Conversation with Neal Brennan, In Conversation with Craig Robinson, and In Conversation with Alok Vaid-Menon.
THE 42
Just For Laughs TORONTO continues to expand its robust standup lineup, with the addition of even more acts performing as part of The 42! Featuring artists you will recognize from their hit international specials and tours, to familiar faces from TV and movies, these comedic additions are not to be overlooked!
Added as part of the 42 this year, performing in venues around the city are:
*for specific venue locations, dates, times and pass info, visit toronto.hahaha.com
Jerrod Carmichael: Jerrod Carmichael is evolving the landscape of comedy with his groundbreaking work as a performer and creator in stand-up, television and film. Last year, Jerrod released Rothaniel, the deeply personal HBO special directed by Bo Burnham that is equal parts conversation, confession and comedy routine. Prior to, Jerrod was an executive producer on the hit Hulu series Ramy, and produced the FOX series REL. Jerrod starred in, wrote and produced the hit NBC series The Carmichael Show. On the big screen, Jerrod joined the cast in Michael Bay’s Transformers: The Last Knight, and appeared in James Franco’s 2017 film, The Disaster Artist. He made his directorial debut with the film On the Count of Three, which premiered at Sundance 2021 to extensive critical acclaim. He is also known for Sermon on the Mount and Home Videos, a two-part HBO special released in 2019 that carries intimate conversations with the women in his family after returning home to North Carolina for candid discussions on sex, confidence, beauty standards and feminism.
Los Espookys: The Stand-up Show, featuring Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, and Fred Armisen: Creators of the critically-acclaimed HBO series Los Espookys, Ana Fabrega, Jolio Torres and Fred Armisen will be showcasing their comedic skills in “Los Espookys: the Stand-Up Show”.
Fred Armisen’s career began as a musician in the Chicago-based post-punk band Trenchmouth as well as the Blue Man Group. His transition to comedy came with the 1998 underground short film Fred Armisen’s Guide to Music and South by SouthWest.n 11-season veteran of Saturday Night Live, Armisen has engaged audiences with memorable impressions and characters. In 2014, Armisen was named band leader of the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers. The band, curated by Armisen, includes members of indie rock bands Les Savy Fav and Girls against Boys. Armisen plays with the band when he is not in production on one of his other projects.
Ana Fabrega is an actor, writer, and comedian. She is the co-creator, co-writer, EP and star of the critically acclaimed HBO Spanish language comedy series Los Espookys alongside Julio Torres. She has appeared as one of Vulture’s “38 Comedians You Should and Will Know”. Her comedy has also been chosen for Just For Laughs’ 2017 New Faces: Characters and for Comedy Central’s “Comics to Watch” for the 2016 New York Comedy Festival.
Julio Torres is an Emmy-nominated and WGA-winning writer and comedian from El Salvador. Torres is the star, co-creator, writer and executive producer of Los Espookys, which debuts its second season on September 16th. Torres recently released his picture book, “I Want to Be a Vase”. Illustrated by animator and designer Julian Glander and inspired by Torres’ first HBO standup special, My Favorite Shapes. Torres is currently in post-production on his feature film debut. Starring opposite Academy-Award winner Tilda Swinton, Isabella Rossellini, and RZA, Torres also wrote and directed the film. He received four Emmy nominations for his work on Saturday Night Live, on which he has served as a writer from 2016 to 2021. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
Todd Barry: Todd Barry has released three one-hour stand-up specials including his latest one for Netflix, Spicy Honey. He’s appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan and Late Night With Seth Meyers and his acting credits include The Wrestler, Road Trip, Flight of the Concords, Chappelle’s Show, Spin City, and Sex and the City. You may have heard his voice on the animated series Bob’s Burgers, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Todd is also the author of the critically-acclaimed 2017 travel memoir “Thank You For Coming To Hattiesburg”.
Alex Edelman: Just For Us takes the audience through hilarious anecdotes from Alex Edelman’s life — his Olympian brother AJ, an unconventional holiday season, and a gorilla that can do sign language — but at its center is an astonishing and frighteningly relevant story. After a string of anti-Semitic abuse is directed at Edelman online, he decides to covertly attend a gathering of White Nationalists in New York City and comes face to face with the people behind the keyboards. The result is a hair-raising encounter that gives Just For Us its title and final, jaw-dropping twist.
Nick Thune: Nick Thune is a comedian and actor, who hails from the Great Northwest, where he spent his early years growing up. Nick’s absurdist view and deadpan wit have distinguished his unique style of storytelling mixed with one-liners. Nick has appeared on The Tonight Show 10 times, Conan 2 times, and Late Night once. He performs comedy to sold out crowds across the country, and around the world.
The Alternative Show hosted by Mark Forward: Mark Forward has done stand-up on John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show (Comedy Central), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS), Funny As Hell (HBO), and Just For Laughs: All Access (The Comedy Network). His TV work includes “Coach” on the Crave/Hulu Comedy series Letterkenny, Donny Mashman on Season 3 of Fargo on FX. Mark also has 2 one-hour Comedy Specials titled Mark Forward presents Mark Forward, or Mark Forward wins all the awards which can be seen on Crave.
Pat Regan: Pat Regan is a stand-up comedian in New York City, of all places. After three years as a house improviser at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, he has spent the past few years focusing exclusively on stand-up. Pat has performed at venues across the city, including: Caroline’s on Broadway, Ars Nova, Littlefield, Union Hall, Knitting Factory, The Bell House, and The Duplex with his stand-up shows Unsuccessful by Choice (FKA Pat Regan: Unrepped and Loving It!) and Essgays. Pat has performed at Outside Lands, NY Comedy Festival, the Michigan LGBT ComedyFest, NYTVF, Podfest NYC, Vulture Festival, and Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. Pat has been featured in publications such as NEW YORK TIMES, OUT, VULTURE, and most recently PAPER MAGAZINE. Pat has several projects in development and is currently in his second season writing for the Emmy Nominated and Critically Acclaimed HBO Max Original series, Hacks.
Got Land?: Got Land? expresses solidarity through humour. Got Land? Comedy is a stand-up comedy variety show, where First Nation, Inuk and Metis entertainers tell jokes and share life stories. Nation to nation comedians will showcase their material for allies, the indigenous community, and for Just For Laughs audiences. Featuring: Nicole Etitiq, Vance Banzo, Don Kelly, Janelle Niles, Dakota Ray Hebert, and Chad Anderson.
Late Night Surprise: Who doesn’t love a spot-on show title? Late Night Surprise is exactly that: a late-night show in an intimate venue with a surprise lineup that changes every night. What’s so special is that we pull out all. the. stops. for this one. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see your favorite performer testing some new never-before-seen material, or maybe you’ll get to discover new talents. Two things are certain: it happens late, and the surprises are well worth it 😉
JFL420 with Mike Rita: For over a decade comedian Mike Rita hosted a law breaking, underground comedy show that was world famous for one thing. It was one of the only open 420 friendly comedy shows in the world. Each week people from around the city, locals and tourists alike packed Stoner Sundays to enjoy themselves and the room. Now Just For Laughs welcomes The 420 Show with Mike Rita to our Toronto festival with 5 jam packed shows featuring some of the best comedians in the world, in a one-of-a-kind environment!
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS REVEALS 2022 NEW FACES
In addition to bringing-out the heavyweights at JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTRÉAL, it also is about showcasing new talent! Just announced today are their 2022 NEW FACES! The Program is responsible for helping out names like Jo Koy, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Mike Birbiglia and more on the map! And did we see ALEXIA DOX, our fave “Tiny Dog” Video Creator on the list? Why, yes we did!
NEW FACES OF COMEDY hosted by Pete Holmes
Ali Kolbert was once an NBC Page at 30 Rock, where she worked on shows such as Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Kolbert made her television debut in that very building, performing stand-up on The Tonight Show. She has performed on A Little Late with Lilly Singh, The TODAY Show, and even once impersonated Reese Witherspoon on The Howard Stern Show. Kolbert was also included in Variety Magazine’s July comedy issue and profiled in Forbes Under 30. She can be seen co-hosting AOL’s Build Brunch, a daily morning talk show featuring a roundtable of diverse, young and influential personalities speaking to breaking news, hot topics and the latest in entertainment. She can also be seen as a series regular on the truTV show, Top Secret Videos, and performed a comedy special for HBO MAX’s Queer Comedy Showcase for Pride 2021.
Ali Macofsky is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer who began her stand-up comedy career shortly after high school. She quickly established herself in the Los Angeles comedy scene where she became the first regular to perform on over 100 episodes of the Comedy Store’s weekly Kill Tony podcast. She most recently went on tour opening for rock musician, St. Vincent, across the US. Her stand up has been featured on Just For Laughs digital receiving over 3 million views. She has a popular series on Instagram, where she talks to strangers online and hosts a podcast called Resting Bitch.
Andrew Orolfo is a Filipino American comedian who is an established staple in the San Francisco comedy scene, and has been featured in SF Sketchfest, Limestone Comedy Festival and Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. He can be heard on SiriusXM Radio and seen on Comedy Central, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jo Koy: In His Elements on Netflix, Comedy Central Stand Up & Comedy Dynamics’ Coming to the Stage.
Brandi Denise is a standup, actor, and writer, who just wrapped filming a series regular role on the BET show Games People Play, and can be seen recurring on Starz’ Power and Power Book II: Ghost. Boyd is an alumnus of Chicago Second City Improv Program and a Conservatory Student, Annoyance theatre alumni and the I.O. Writing for T.V. Program.
Brian Bahe is an Indigenous (Tohono O’odham, Hopi, Navajo), gay comedian and writer originally from Phoenix, Arizona, now based in New York City. He taped a standup set for Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Featuring, headlined Caroline’s on Broadway, and his writing has been published in McSweeney’s. His animated comedy pilot Decolonize was selected for the 2022 Indigenous List, a collaboration between The Blacklist, the Sundance Institute, and IllumiNative.
Emil Wakim is a stand-up comedian and writer currently based in Brooklyn, by way of Bloomington, Indiana. He recently served as a consulting producer on The Wendy Williams Show. He also made an appearance as a main focus on ViceTV’s docuseries Hunters.
Ethan Simmons-Patterson is a NY-based comedian from the suburbs of Chicago who just graduated from NYU’s nursing school. When he’s not working at a children’s hospital, Simmons-Patterson performs at the Comedy Cellar, Caroline’s, New York Comedy Club, The Bell House, Littlefield, and popular shows across Brooklyn and Manhattan. He’s been featured in the New York Comedy Festival, the Janelle James Festival, and Floodwater Festival. He was selected to perform for Comedy Central’s This Week at the Comedy Cellar.
Ever Mainard (they/them) is an incredibly talented Texas born comedian, actor, writer, and improviser. They are a three-time Award Winner for their role in The Feels, and appeared in the Duplass brothers’ Paddleton for Netflix. As an improviser and comedian, Mainard trained at The Second City Chicago, I.O., and Groundlings where they were quickly flagged as a stand-out. Their one-person show Let Me Be Your Main Man was picked as one of the best U.S. Imports at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Mainard has written content for The Huffington Post, E! Online, and AfterEllen. They recently appeared on Lance Bass’s series VERSUS for Roku. Mainard has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, OddBall Comedy Festival, and more.
Fabrizio Copano is one of the most well-known comedians in Latin America and is the first South American comedian to shoot an original comedy special for Netflix. Actor and writer of the hit Chilean comedy show El Club de la Comedia, Copano also lead his own late-night show El Late de Copano and was one of the hosts of the Comedy Central Latin America produced La Culpa es de Colon, a comedy super group with the top five comedians from 5 countries in Latin America. His 2016 film Prueba de Actitud (Attitude Test) which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in is still one of Chile’s highest grossing comedies of all time. When he is not touring and selling out theatres all over the US and Latin America, he co-hosts the hit iHeart Radio comedy podcast 4th From The South with Steve Hely, which explores political topics out of Latin America. Also, an author, in 2019, he released a memoir, “Mi Vida Como Dibujante”, (My Life As a Doodler) which delved into his life from a “distracted child” to a central figure of comedy in Latin America. Fabrizio is currently developing an original comedy series for Netflix Mexico.
Gianmarco Soresi is a stand-up comic, actor and writer based in New York City. He won critical acclaim for his stand-up special and documentary Shelf Life directed by Emmy Award winner Andy Buck, currently streaming on Amazon Prime, and is the host of the popular podcast The Downside. He appeared in the Billy Crystal/Tiffany Haddish film Here Today, and has appeared in roles on Bonding for Netflix, Deception, Blue Bloods, and in the feature film Hustlers opposite Jennifer Lopez. He has also been featured on Comedy Central, hosted programs for IBM and MTV and was the spokesperson for General Electric.
Hannah Berner was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up playing competitive tennis professionally, and for the University of Wisconsin. She emerged on the comedy scene by directing, editing, and acting in videos on Instagram and writing viral tweets. She has two hit podcasts, Giggly Squad and Berning In Hell,with over 20 million downloads. She was a co-host on Bravo’s Chat Room, as well as a member of Bravo’s Summer House for three seasons.
Jared Goldstein can most recently be seen on season 2 of Hulu’s Dollface for Hulu, Roku/Quibi’s NIKKI FRE$H starring as Nicole Richie’s trusty right hand and assistant, as well as CBS’ The Unicorn. Most recently, Goldstein hosted and co-wrote the 10-year anniversary live special for 5 Seconds of Summer. He recently taped a Comedy Central Featuring set that premiered this past November. In 2019, he was chosen as one of New York Comedy Festival Comics to Watch as well as Time Out’s Comedians to Watch. He participated in last year’s CBS Diversity Showcase. Previously, he has appeared on Comedy Dynamic’s Out on Stage, as well as ABC’s Modern Family, Starz’s Counterpart, and the feature film It’s Kind of A Funny Story. He’s additionally appeared in an SNL sketch written by Tina Fey featuring Jimmy Fallon as well as the Off-Broadway production of Spring Awakening and the Broadway production of A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden.
Lara Beitz is a fast-rising star in the Los Angeles comedy scene. She was selected as the first comedian to perform stand-up on Comedy Central’s Lights Out with David Spade, where she became a red-carpet correspondent and a regular panelist. She is a paid regular at every comedy club in Hollywood and her stand-up was featured in the Comedy Store documentary on Showtime in the fall of 2020. She just made her late-night debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden and is currently developing a semi-autobiographical series with Judd Apatow.
Laura Peek is one of the most promising young Los Angeles based standup comics to come out of Nashville’s bustling comedy scene. She was named one of the 50 Best Undiscovered Comics in the country by Thrillist, and has been featured in Comedy Central’s Roast Battle as well as many prominent festivals such as Laughing Skull, Limestone, and the Nashville Comedy Festival. You can catch Laura next in “Iliza’s Locals”, a comedy special produced by Iliza Shlesinger which will premiere next year.
Marcello Hernandez is a stand-up comic, writer, and actor based out of New York City and Miami. He has toured with acts such as Jim Breuer, Ashley Hesseltine, Mark Viera, Gilbert Gottfried, and more. He currently acts as creative director and host for @onlyindade, a Miami-based media company that delivers daily news, sports, and pop culture commentary to its massive online audience. He has appeared numerous times on Telemundo’s Acceso Total and NBC’s 6 in the Mix. Currently he is performing on select tour dates with Tim Dillon and in clubs across New York City.
Michael Rowland is a New York-based stand-up comedian and actor who’s been featured multiple times on This Week at the Comedy Cellar on Comedy Central, as well as Stupid Questions with Chris DiStefano and Pause with Sam Jay on HBOMax. He also has a feature set for Comedy Central Digital, and in 2019 he was a finalist in the “New York’s Funniest Stand Up” competition for New York Comedy Festival. He tours all over the country and currently co-hosts the monthly show Laughodills in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Pat Regan is a stand-up comedian in New York City, of all places. After three years as a house improviser at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, he has spent the past few years focusing exclusively on stand-up. Pat has performed at venues across the city with his stand-up shows “Unsuccessful by Choice” (FKA “Pat Regan: Unrepped and Loving It!”) and “Essgays”. Pat has performed at Outside Lands, NY Comedy Festival, the Michigan LGBT ComedyFest, NYTVF, Podfest NYC, Vulture Festival, and Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. Pat has several projects in development and is currently in his second season writing for the Emmy Nominated and Critically Acclaimed HBO Max Original series, Hacks.
Pink Foxx has toured around the country with Deray Davis, opened for Dave Chappelle, Patton Oswalt, and Russell Peters. She’s performed at The World-Famous Comedy Store, Melrose Improv and The Laugh Factory in Hollywood, CA. She’s also made an appearance on Revolt Tv’s Blocked, and has written for shows like Here TV’s Slay Model search. No matter where or when you’ve seen her, one thing is certain, Foxx is funny and her perspective is one of a kind!
Sabrina Wu (they/them) is a Brooklyn-based comedian, writer, and actor who can soon be seen starring as a lead in the upcoming untitled Adele Lim feature for Point Grey/Lionsgate. On the writing side, Sabrina is staffed on FX’s Dying for Sex, based on the hit Wondery podcast. They recently sold their pilot, It Gets Better to 20th and were previously staffed on Disney+’s Doogie Kamealoha M.D. On the stand-up front, they regularly perform all over New York City, at venues such as Union Hall and the Bell House. Their stand-up has been selected for the New York Comedy Festival, Women in Comedy Festival, and Laughing Skull Comedy Festival.
Skyler Higley is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor who comes out of Chicago’s legendary comedy scene. His incisive and razor-sharp writing earned him a WGA Award while on staff at CONAN, and he is currently a staff writer for ‘The Onion.’ He has also contributed to ClickHole and the New Yorker. Skyler was named one of New York Comedy Festival’s ‘Comics To Watch’ and has been described by his former boss Conan O’Brien as ‘delightfully bizarre and undeniably hilarious.’
The New Faces of Comedy showcases will be taking place on Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay on Wednesday, July 27 2022 at 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM.
NEW FACES: CHARACTERS hosted by Pete Holmes
Allison Reese is an accomplished sketch comedian known for her online characters and Kamala Harris Impression (3.5M likes; Millions of Views on TikTok.) She is fresh off the heels of the 2022 CBS Sketch Comedy Showcase, and an alumnus of The Second City Touring company. Allison was also a staff writer for the famed comedy institution. Her most recent writing credit is for The Revolution Will be Improvised, which has a 2022 summer residency at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The CBS sketch written by and starring Allison, Belinda’s Mom, won Best Parody at both the Independent Shorts Awards and the Oniros Film Awards and is an Official Selection in the Houston Comedy Film Festival.
Andrew Farmer is a gay, disabled writer/comedian who has performed at The Museum of Modern Art, Joe’s Pub and all the finest basements in New York and LA. TV writing credits include TBS’ Miracle Workers, Freeform’s Praise Petey and Apple+’s Best Foot Forward. He’s developed projects with Universal, CBS and National Lampoon and is a recipient of The Jonathan Larson Grant for Musical Theater. With comedian Anna Drezen, he hosts the podcast” Scary Stories to Tell on the Pod”, described by Vulture as “hilarious, impressive & weird.”
Ceara Jane O’Sullivan is a character comedian, actor, and writer based in LA. She is an alum of the Improv Asylum mainstage and current director of the Improv Asylum mainstage revue, “Air Conditional Love.” These days, you can find Ceara studying at the Groundlings, posting little sketches on the internet, or on stage in her 2-person show, “The Regrets Club.” Ceara is currently developing a project with Powderkeg Media.
Inessa Frantowski got her start in sketch comedy with the Sketchersons in Toronto. She is a Canadian Screen Award winner and a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner. An alumnus of The Second City Mainstage in Toronto, she wrote and starred in four record breaking revues and also performed on UCB’s Maude Night for four years. She was a writer/performer on This Hour has 22 Minutes and stars in the International Emmy nominated series, The Amazing Gayl Pile on Amazon Prime, for which she won an Indie Series Award. Additional credits include: Cosmopolis, The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town, True Dating Stories, Match Game, Scare Tactics, American Princess, Greener Grass and the Avicii video I Could Be The One which has over 330 million views on YouTube.
Jordan Stafford attended Saginaw Valley State University, where he studied theatre and was introduced to improv. After graduating in 2015, he moved to Chicago and loves it. He is on the iO Harold team Lil’ Tooties and also does solo work all around Chicago. Stafford was recently selected and performed in the 2022 ViacomCBS Diversity Showcase.
Lisa Gilroy is upcoming in a recurring role for the Netflix series Glamorous with Kim Cattrall, as well as Hulu’s History Of The World, Part II and Amazon Freevee’s Jury Duty. Lisa has appeared on NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the NBC pilot Someone Out There. She is in the voice cast of Comedy Central’s Fairview and is featured as the voice of Ellen DeGeneres in the FOX sketch series from Robert Smigel, Let’s Be Real. Lisa is a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner and former Tour Company ensemble member from The Second City Toronto. She was a mainstage Harold (improv) and Maude (sketch) performer at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in Los Angeles.
Luke Millington-Drake is an actor, writer and improviser with dual citizenship of the UK and US. Luke is a performer in the Groundlings Sunday Co and is LGBTQ+. He has trained with RADA, LAMDA, and performed with theatre companies in and outside of London, ranging in material from Shakespeare to musical theatre. Luke is upcoming in a recurring role in Steve Levitan’s Reboot on Hulu, Netflix’s That 90’s Show, and NBC’s Night Court. He can be seen in Apple+’s new Maya Rudolph series Loot, and is one of the lead voice roles on the Netflix animated series The Cuphead show. Luke took TikTok by storm with his remarkable Keira Knightley impressions, and has since garnered millions of views and followers for his brilliant portrayals of talent such as Hugh Grant, Gillian Anderson and Jude Law.
Nick Mestad is a New York City based writer and performer. An alumnus of iO and The Annoyance Theatres in Chicago, he can be seen all around NYC performing his highly physical style of comedy. He has recently appeared on The Tonight Show as well as NBC’s Chicago Fire and Seeso’s Shrink. He can next be seen on Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal and the upcoming independent feature Molli & Max In The Future opposite Zosia Mamet. His work has been featured in Vulture and Clickhole, and he has amassed millions of views online with his characters.
Shaan Baig is a comedian, actor, and writer based in Los Angeles. He is an alum of UCB’s Maude Night, Characters Welcome, and the theatre’s first all-South Asian team THE GET BROWN. His videos have been featured on Vulture, Funny or Die, and BuzzFeed. Baig co-hosted the Bollywood Boys Podcast with Saagar Shaikh, which was profiled on NPR. He recently appeared on A Little Late with Lilly Singh on NBC.
The New Faces of Comedy: Characters showcases will be taking place at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay on Thursday, July 28 2022 at 7:00 PM.
NEW FACES: UNREPPED hosted by Pete Holmes
Adam Gilbert cut his teeth in the Midwest alternative comedy circuit, opening for touring comics such as Doug Stanhope, Robert Kelly, Todd Barry, and Brian Posehn. A Chicago transplant, he has performed at the Laugh Factory, Zanies, and Comedians You Should Know. Adam was a featured performer at the Limestone Comedy Festival and was featured in Pique Magazine.
Benny Feldman is a stand-up comedian based out of New York City, known for his one-liners and for performing with Tourette’s Syndrome. Most of his jokes are about dirt and birds and stuff.
Brendan Sagalow has deftly and defiantly owned the stage for over 10 years. Sagalow has written for MTV’s Joking Off, been a featured guest on many SiriusXM shows. He was the winner of the 2015 New York Comedy Club Comedy Competition, and a finalist in “New York’s Funniest” at Caroline’s comedy club. Sagalow’s album “Not Now More Than Ever” was #1 on the iTunes Charts. You can see him perform nightly at the world-famous Comedy Cellar, and listen to him every week on his podcast “Here’s The Scenario”.
Caitlin Peluffo is a stand-up comedian who recently made her network television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and has been seen on NBC Seeso’s “New York’s Funniest” as well as the Comcast Network as a finalist in the ‘Trial By Laughter Comedy Competition.’ She has performed in festivals across the country, and was runner up in the Big Sky, Finger Lakes, San Diego, and the Stand-Up NY Comedy Competitions. She recently performed in San Francisco’s Sketchiest in the Audible’s Fresh Voices Showcase, is featured on both Sirius XM’s “Raw Dog” and Audible’s “Punchlines,” and hosts her own weekly podcast, “Good Time Gal with Caitlin Peluffo.”
Dauood Mohammad Naimyar is an Afghan-American comedian, who learned the value of assimilating at a very young age. Once he embraced his eccentric point of view, he saw the humour all around him. Naimyar’s comedic perspective is shaped by the duality of his constant need to fit in and his relentless desire to be different. Naimyar has built a following of 150,000+ TikTok followers by showing the humour of his circumstances as an Afghan living in America, with multiple viral hits poking fun at politicians and world leaders. His debut comedy album, Pier 69: Junior Varsity, topped all the charts upon its release.
Kalea McNeill is an actor and stand-up comedian who has hosted many live shows and events, honing in on her quick wit and signature style. McNeill hit the standup scene hard performing in legendary clubs such as The Comedy Store. In 2017, McNeill booked her first television role as a co-star on TNT’s Animal Kingdom. Since then, she has booked a recurring role on CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and various guest/co-star spots on FX, CBS, TruTV and TNT. You can watch her standup on Amazon Prime Video’s Laugh After Dark and her upcoming for her comedy special Sma’am.
KC Shornima is a comedian who has performed at clubs and theatres across the country with national headliners like Nate Bargatze, Dave Attell, Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis, Paul Virzi, Dusty Slay, John Crist, among others. KC has performed at comedy festivals around the country including Moontower Just for Laughs. She was named the Best Up-and-Coming Comedian in Nashville by the Nashville Scene Magazine, and was a semi-finalist for Stand-up NBC. She has also written and performed on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network.
Orion Levine is a stand-up comedian who was a finalist in the 2021 San Francisco International Comedy Competition. A regular performer at the San Francisco Punch Line and Cobb’s Comedy Club, he was recently featured in this year’s Big Pine Comedy Festival in San Diego.
Victoria Vincent is a rising star in the Chicago Comedy Scene. She is a healthcare worker who brings a wild card ‘Why is She Here?’ vibe to both medicine and comedy, attempting to be the blacker hairier Patch Adams someday. Vincent is a regular feature at Zanies and Laugh Factory Chicago. She is the host & producer of Don’t Tell Comedy Chicago, has opened for the likes of Cameron Esposito, Bobcat Goldthwait, and was featured in the Chicago Reader.
The New Faces of Comedy: Unrepped showcases will be taking place at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay on Thursday, July 28 2022 at 9:30 PM.
NEW FACES: CREATORS hosted by Jake Hurwitz & Amir Blumenfeld
Adrian Bliss is a comedian, writer, and performer from London best known for his sketches on TikTok which explore everything from history to natural science to religion. Bliss’s sketches have found him 11 million followers across social media and have been featured in The Guardian, CNN and Vogue.
Alexia Dox is a French-American actress and writer, based in LA. After a few years as a sketch writer and performer at Upright Citizen’s Brigade, the pandemic quickly had her pivot into the digital-sphere of TikTok, where her off-beat and relatable sketches have garnered almost 150 million views and over 1 million followers. Her TV/streaming credits include starring as June in the YouTube Originals Series Overthinking with Kat and June, two seasons of Hulu’s improvised western comedy, Quick Draw, and writing for Nickelodeon and Lionsgate.
Grace Kuhlenschmidt is an NYC based stand-up comedian, actress and writer who was recognized by the New York Times as one of the top 7 Comedians to Watch. She recurred in the final season of Search Party which was recently released on HBO Max and also can be seen in the first season of Killing It which just finished airing on Peacock. She also appeared in the first season of Ziwe on Showtime. Kuhlenschmidt is a writer for the Audible Original series Hot White Heist to be directed by Alan Cumming and produced by Broadway Video.
Jordan Mendoza is an Asian-American TV writer, comedian, and filmmaker who will star in the upcoming Netflix series Jigsaw, a crime heist drama from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and Eric Garcia, starring Giancarlo Esposito. He’s currently a writer for FX’s Dave, and has written for Netflix’s Big Mouth, Human Resources, Showtime’s Ziwe, and Comedy Central’s Beavis and Butt-head. He created and hosted Comedy Central’s Cry Battle—a game show where whoever cries the most wins.
Joshua Neal is an actor, writer and social media content creator. In 2 years, he has accumulated 1Million followers on TikTok, 179k followers on Instagram, and 76k on Twitter. His content has been featured on popular platforms including BuzzFeed, Shaderoom and Variety. Joshua recently booked a role on a SAG film directed by & starring Tristan ‘Mack’ Wilds & P-Valley’s Shannon Thorton. He wrote a short film of his own that has amassed over 110k views on Twitter. Neal is no novice to the industry, he has been Meisner trained, booked a national commercial and can also be seen in a feature film on Amazon.
Mary Elizabeth Kelly has taken the TikTok world by storm. Kelly is an alum of the prestigious UCBNY, UCBLA and Second City improv and sketch writing programs. With her unique ‘Mouth Acting’ impressions going viral during the pandemic, she has gathered over 26 million likes on TikTok and nearly 1.5 million followers across all her social media platforms. She’s also garnered the attention of several of the celebrities she has impersonated, including Drew Barrymore, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and Ryan Reynolds. This past year, Kelly headlined a one-woman show, recently wrapped the indie film How to Make Her Cheat. Kelly will be taking her one-woman show Pretty Impressive on the road this fall.
The New Faces of Comedy: Creators showcases will be taking place at Grand Salon Opera on Thursday, July 28 2022 at 1:30 PM.
NEW FACES: CANADA hosted by DeAnne Smith
Ajahnis Charley (they/them) is a Black, Non-Binary comedian who has performed on CBC Gem’s New Wave of Standup. They are a cast member of the Second City Touring Company and star in the HBO miniseries Station Eleven and Bell Media sitcom Shelved. They’ve written punch-ups for upcoming comedy series Bria Mack Gets A Life, comedy-doc Stay Tooned, and they write for Canadian news satire platforms The Beaverton and Because News. They directed the short film I AM GAY, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, which screened in the 2021 Inside Out Film Festival, and won the Inspire Award at the 2021 Caribbean Tales Film Festival where it won the Inspire Award. Their solo show THOTS & PRAYERS won awards at Toronto and Montreal Sketch Comedy Festivals. Charley is a co-founder and co-producer of the Untitled Black Sketch Project, Canada’s first all-Black sketch ensemble.
Allie Pearse is a standup comedian and writer on the award-winning TV show Letterkenny. She is the winner of JFL’s 2021 Standup & Pitch competition and has performed for tapings at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, CBC’s New Wave Of Standup, and CBC’s The Debaters. She has performed at the Limestone Comedy Festival and Sled Island Comedy Festival. Pearse has been featured on SiriusXM radio, has recorded for JFL Originals and has appeared at OFF-JFL. In September of 2022 she will be co-headlining shows at Just For Laughs Toronto.
Ben Sosa Wright is a pretty, queer, and Latinx stand-up comedian, writer, and improviser from Toronto. Wright was named one of CBC’s 15 Canadian Comics To Watch in 2019. He performs in clubs all over the country and at festivals such as JFL42, Toronto’s Big City Improv Festival, Bruce McCulloch’s Young Stars Showcase, and The Museum of Comedy in London. Most recently, his podcast, Nostalgique was recently mentioned by Vulture as their comedy podcast of the week.
Clare Belford is a comedian who cut her teeth on the road all over her home province of Alberta, telling deeply personal jokes to crowds of drunk tradesmen from Fort McMurray to Red Deer. She quickly moved to the home of the nation’s largest and most competitive comedy scene, Toronto, where she spent five years honing her craft and establishing herself as a fixture in Canadian comedy. These days she continues to make waves, bringing her authentic delivery and unique brand of preposterous pragmatism to festivals including the Halifax Comedy Festival, JFL42, Field Trip Festival and North By Northeast. Her debut album, The Entire Cabbage was selected as one of the best of 2021 by NPR and can regularly be heard on SiriusXM.
Conner Christmas (he/they) was born in Calgary, and raised in High River, Alberta. They began their stand-up career while taking theatre at the University of Lethbridge, going to any open mic they could despite there not being many in the small city. After 3 years of producing shows and helping to build the comedy community in Lethbridge, Christmas moved to Calgary to get more stage time and focus on performing. You can find their face pop up in a variety of different TV series on multiple streaming services, as well as their directorial debut for Telus Storyhive premiering February 2023.
Laura Leibow has used her wit and laid-back comedic style to become an in-demand comic in the Toronto stand-up comedy scene. She has performed at festivals such as JFL42, She Devil, Icebreakers Comedy Festival, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Comedy Festival. Leibow is a dynamic performer who can expertly perform on the club circuit, in alternative rooms, and in theatres. She has impressed crowds from Toronto, to New York, to LA and has performed in legendary clubs like the Improv and Micky’s in LA and Gotham and Broadway Comedy Club in NYC. She is the editor of the comedy website “UNoriginal” and hosts two podcasts for the Canadian Jewish News. She can be heard frequently on SiriusXM and on 604 Records’ comedy compilation album “The Great Canadian Comedy Rumble.”
Malik Elassal is Lebanese Canadian stand up, writer, and actor from the streets of North East Calgary. In the past year, Elassal has won the Yuk Yuk’s top comic competition in his hometown of Calgary, recorded sets for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and CBC’s The New Wave of Standup and performed the titular track of the JFL Originals album Yeehaw Hell Yeah.
Mike Green has told jokes for years on stages all across the country. He started in Winnipeg which he will always argue has one of the strongest comedy scenes in the country, and he began learning the rules of the road a decade ago with the Raise the Woof fundraiser shows which benefit animal shelters all across Canada. He’s gone on to boost his scene in Winnipeg by producing shows like the Secret Standup Series and Comedy At the Handsome Daughter which is one of the longest running weekly shows in the country, and also tour himself as a headliner and with the show format he created, the Comedy Battle Royale, which you can watch on FibeTv1.
Wassim El-Mounzer began his comedy career like most stand ups—while teaching ESL in South Korea. He enjoyed it so much that he quit his job at “U Can English Academy” and moved back to Canada to pursue comedy more seriously. In 2018, El-Mounzer was named by the Montreal Gazette as one of the artists to watch and was featured on the BBC Arts Hour and CBC’s Laughter at the Lion D’Or. He has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival three times and in 2019 was the opening act for Sugar Sammy on a Canada-wide theatre tour. In 2021, he was featured on a JFL Originals comedy album recording, which can be streamed on Sirius XM Canada.
The New Faces of Comedy: Canada showcases will be taking place at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay on Friday, July 29 2022 at 9:30 PM.
NEW FACES: INTERNATIONAL hosted by Rhys Nicholson
Anirban Dasgupta is a Kolkata-born, Mumbai-based stand-up comedian and writer with a distinct comedic style. Since leaving behind his career as a corporate salesman, Dasgupta has headlined at major comedy clubs and festivals around India and abroad. After several popular YouTube videos, he released his first stand-up special Take It Easy, in black and white on Amazon Prime Video to overwhelming acclaim. Following that, he co-wrote and co-created Afsos, a first-of-its- kind black comedy thriller series on Amazon Prime Video that was released in 2020 to rave reviews.
Blake Freeman is one of Australia’s brightest new comedians, making a name for himself with his own brand of energetic and disarmingly honest comedy. Through his youthful energy and charismatic delivery, Freeman weaves charming stories, making the intensely personal relatable. Blake won the Best Newcomer Award at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Catherine Bohart is an award-winning comedian, writer and actor. She has fast become one of the most sought-after comedians in the UK and Ireland after her debut solo show, Immaculate, premiered at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe. She returned to the festival in 2019 with her second hour-long show, Lemon, which sold out after a month-long run and received critical acclaim. Her new show, This Isn’t For You, is currently touring the UK & Ireland this year. She co-hosted BBC Sounds Podcast and Radio 4 show You’ll Do; and has appeared on multiple radio shows including The Now Show, The News Quiz, Museum of Curiosity and A Good Read. All the while, she found the time to record her stand-up special, Immaculate for Amazon Prime.
Geraldine Hickey’s deceptively effortless knack for turning low-key yarns about agapanthuses and bouncy-castles into high-stakes, endlessly funny narrative roller coasters, culminated in her receiving the Most Outstanding Show award at the 2021 Melbourne Comedy Festival. A firm favourite of and in the Australian comedy scene, Her 2019 show Things Are Going Well received a nomination for the Melbourne Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show, while she also took home the coveted comedians’ choice Piece of Wood Award. From 2016 to 2021, Hickey was a co-host on the much-revered breakfast radio show Breakfasters on RRR, and has made multiple appearances on ABC Radio, Triple M and the Hit Network. Her award-winning stand-up show What A Surprise is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
Jason Leong is one of Malaysia’s best and brightest stand-up comedians. His 2020 Netflix special Hashtag Blessed, diving into his transition from medical doctor to professional joke-teller, was a global success leading to extensive international touring. His latest live show Heaty completed a sold out run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Leong’s online stand-up clips have received tens of millions of views making him a dominant force in the Asian comedy scene. He has appeared on Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Asia and won the Hong Kong International Comedy Competition.
Michelle Brasier is a multiple award-winning actor, singer, writer and comedian. On the small screen, Brasier has featured on Network Ten’s Drunk History Australia and How To Stay Married, ABC’s Stories from Oz, Utopia, Whovians, Get Krackin’ and At Home Alone Together. She has voiced characters in Adult Swim’s YOLO: Crystal Fantasy. Brasier is widely known for her collaborations with absurdist comedy sketch group, Aunty Donna, including most recently on their smash-hit Netflix special, Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun. Comedy fans will also recognise Brasier for her work in the comedy duo, Double Denim, alongside Laura Frew. In 2021, she toured her award-winning show, Average Bear, across the Australian comedy festival circuit. In the same year, Average Bear was awarded the Sydney Comedy Festival’s Director’s Choice Award and was nominated for Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Most Outstanding Show. Following this, Brasier toured her hilarious show, Reform, across Australia in 2022.
Rhys James’ sardonic wit combined with his playful style have made him a firm favourite on the British comedy scene. He’s showcased in his six critically acclaimed sell-out solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, along with his three award-nominated series for BBC Radio 4. His comedy special Rhys James: Forgives can be seen on Amazon Prime. He is best known as one of the regulars on BBC’s topical panel show Mock The Week. James will debut to US audiences as a regular panellist on The Great American Joke Off, soon to air on The CW Network.
Sophie Duker is a hysterical, intellectual new comedy voice. In 2021, she took home the Funny Women Best Comedy Writer Award, as voted by producers, head writers and industry executives. Her first stand-up hour, Venus, saw her nominated for the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Duker is a regular guest on BBC2’s Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. She hosts the official companion podcasts to both Michaela Coel’s, I May Destroy You and Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love.
Suzi Ruffell is a comedian who has had five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, racking up critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. Ruffell is now on tour with her show Dance Like Everyone’s Watching, which has gained her a nomination for Best Stand-Up Show in the National Comedy Awards 2021. She continues to grace our screens with appearances on numerous TV shows such as Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, The Jonathan Ross Show, Dating No Filter, Channel Hopping with Jon Richardson, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, The Last Leg, and There’s Something About Movies to name but a few. The 2018 release of Ruffell’s stand-up show Keeping It Classy for Live From The BBC saw a clip gaining over 44 million views on Facebook, and she was nominated for Outstanding Female Comedy Entertainment Performance in the National Comedy Awards for her hosting duties on Comedy Central’s Yesterday, Today & The Day Before in 2021.
Wary Nichen is a comedian, writer and a filmmaker. His show Nomad has taken him to different cities on four continents. Performing in English, French, Arabic, and Spanish, Nichen uses his keen sense of observation and improv skills to highlight the differences between East and West – bringing people of different backgrounds together to laugh about themselves. Switching gears after a career in telecommunications, he now appears regularly on French TV, and his political satire is often featured on francophone radio. He also writes comedy series for French and Algerian TV. His news-based jokes have made the pages of Le Monde and the New York Times.
The New Faces of Comedy: International showcases will be taking place at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay on Friday, July 29 2022 at 7:00 PM.
More at hahaha.com.
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS VIRTUAL FESTIVAL RETURNS ON SIRIUSXM
SiriusXM and Just for Laughs are teaming-up again for a third year! While the in-person Festival is celebrating its 40th edition in Montreal July 13-31, 2022, an audio-only Festival just days before the in-person events, can be heard only on SiriusXM. Listeners will hear jokes from the biggest names in Comedy from over the history of the Festival.
From Monday July 11 to Sunday July 17, 2022 inclusive, SiriusXM listeners can enjoy the best moments from the past four decades of the Just For Laughs festival, including both rising news stars and world-class comedy talent, broadcast live on Raw Dog Comedy, SiriusXM Channel 99. Monday through Saturday, two hour-long specials will air each day at 10am and 5pm EST. Then on Sunday the 17th, the virtual festival will conclude with an audio marathon of the best of Just For Laughs starting at 8am EST. Just For Laughs Canada (SiriusXM Channel 168) will also be playing the virtual festival daily at 11am EST.
Learn more here about the Festival!
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO 2022 LINEUP ANNOUNCED
Mindblowing! The lineup for the 2022 Just for Laughs Toronto Festival have just been announced! The Festival brought to us by Beneva and SiriusXM, fully returns in-person after a brief hiatus and runs September 22 to October 1, 2022. You won’t believe the names this year! Headliners like Amy Schumer, Pete Davidson, John Mulaney, Trevor Noah, Issa Rae, Trixie & Katya, and several more! It isn’t just Comedy Shows though. There will be Panels, Podcasts, Autograph and Photo Sessions too! Toronto deserves this!
Headliners:
Trevor Noah: Back to Abnormal World Tour – Friday, September 30 & Saturday, October 1, 2022 | Scotiabank Arena | 8:00 PM & 7:30 PM
John Mulaney: From Scratch – Thursday, September, 22 2022 | Scotiabank Arena | 8:00 PM
Amy Schumer: Whore Tour – Friday, September, 23 2022 | Coca-Cola Coliseum| 7:00 PM
Trixie & Katya Live – Friday, September 23, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM
Iliza Shlesinger: Back in Action – Saturday, October 1, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM
Ben Schwartz & Friends – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool – Thursday, September 29, 2022 – Saturday, October 1, 2022 I Meridian Hall I 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Tim Dillon – Friday, September 30, 2022 | Meridian Hall | 7:00 PM
Deon Cole – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Meridian Hall | 7:00 PM
ComedyCon Headliners:
In Conversation with Issa Rae – Saturday, September 24, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 1:00 PM
In Conversation with Pete Davidson – Sunday, September 25, 2022 | Meridian Hall I 3:30 PM
Lineup:
*performance dates vary for Artists below
Vir Das
Marc Maron
Amanda Seales
Maria Bamford
Neal Brennan
Not Another D&D Podcast
ALOK
Catherine Cohen
Rhys Nicholson
Melissa Villaseñor
Joel Kim Booster
Beth Stelling
Atsuko Okatsuka
Kurt Braunohler
Ivan Decker
Got Land?
Sophie Buddle
Randy Feltface
Ali Hassan
Mark Little
Emmy Blotnick
Laurie Kilmartin
Matt Richards
Marito Lopez
Dino Archie
Dakota Ray Hebert
Mike Rita
Al Val & Allie Pearse
Courtney Gilmour & Hisham Kelati
Moe Ismail & Juliana Rodrigues
Ola Dada & Ben Sosa Wright
Absolute Comedy
Yuk Yuk’s
The Second City
Nothing Fancy
ComedyCON 2022 Lineup
With 50+ more acts to be announced in August!
For full show details, artist bios and photos, visit the official Just For Laughs TORONTO website here.
Additional programming for the upcoming Just For Laughs TORONTO Festival will be revealed in the coming weeks.
TICKET DETAILS:
Passes will be available starting Friday, June 10, 2022 as of 10:00 AM at www.toronto.hahaha.com
Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, June 17, 2022 as of 10:00 AM at www.toronto.hahaha.com
Festival passes range from $69 to $209 CDN (excluding service charges). Single tickets range from $29.50 to $69.50 CDN (excluding service charges)
Lineup subject to change.
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS 40 BACK IN-PERSON THIS YEAR!
Running July 13-31, 2022, JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL is back again this year and they’re doing it BIG! This is the 40th edition of the Festival.
Complete programming line-up for the World’s premiere Comedy Festival has just been announced. Artists like Kevin Hart, John Mulaney, Hasan Minhaj, Chelsea Handler, Ronny Chieng, Patton Oswalt, Marc Maron, Amy Schumer, Jimmy O. Yang, and several more will take the stage as the Festival welcomes back it’s traditional in-person format!
GALAS
The 40th Anniversary Gala- Saturday, July 30 2022 | Théâtre Maisonneuve at Place des Arts | 9:45 PM
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL, a brand-new gala is coming to the festival this year. Expect special surprise guests that will include festival favourites for a night of guaranteed laughs not to be missed!
CONCERT SHOWS
Amy Schumer: Whore Tour – Saturday, July 30 2022 | Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts | 7:00 PM
Amy Schumer is an Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated standup comedian, actress, writer, producer and director. Schumer is the creator, star, writer and executive producer of the wildly popular “Inside Amy Schumer,” the multi award-winning TV series that ran for four seasons on Comedy Central. Schumer’s successful film career was propelled with Universal Pictures film Trainwreck (2015), which dominated the worldwide box office as the hit summer comedy. She went on to win the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy; and was nominated for a Writers’ Guild Award in the category of Original Screenplay. That same year, the BAFTAs honoured Schumer with The Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy. Schumer’s one-hour Netflix Comedy special titled “The Leather Special” earned her a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Variety Special. Her one-hour HBO comedy special, “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo” directed by Chris Rock, premiered on October 17, 2015, and was HBO’s most watched Saturday night comedy special debut since December 2009. Schumer’s first book, The New York Times bestseller “The Girl with The Lower Back Tattoo” earned her a 2017 Grammy Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Album, and was released in paperback in August 2017. In July 2020, Schumer’s three-part documentary series, “Expecting Amy” premiered on HBO Max. Most recently, Schumer co-hosted the 94th Academy Awards alongside Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. She also wrote, executive produced, directed and starred in her critically-acclaimed 10-episode comedy series “LIFE & BETH”, now streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Often touring theatres and arenas all over the world, Schumer returns to Montreal this summer!
Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny 2.0 – Wednesday, July 27 2022 | Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts | 8:00 PM
Award-winning comedian, writer and television host, Jimmy Carr is one of the biggest-selling comedy acts in the world. His last tour, Best Of Ultimate Gold Greatest Hits, sold over 480,000 tickets globally with current show, Terribly Funny, set to exceed that figure by the end of 2022. Jimmy is a household name in UK television, well known for hosting Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats, in addition to presenting Comedy Central’s Roast Battle UK and Your Face Or Mine. He is a regular on all the top panel shows, has performed as part of The Royal Variety Performance three times, is a judge on hit BBC1 entertainment series I Can See Your Voice and the host of brand-new Channel 4 gameshow I Literally Just Told You. As the first UK comedian to sign a stand-up deal with Netflix in 2015, Carr has released two specials on the platform, and has presented and exec-produced an original panel show format The Fix. Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny 2.0 is Jimmy’s brand-new show that contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes – they are not terrible things. Having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo. Now you’ve been warned, buy a ticket.
Jimmy O. Yang – Wednesday, July 27 2022 | L’Olympia | 7:00 PM
Jimmy O. Yang is an actor, stand-up comedian, and writer best known for his role on HBO’s Emmy-nominated series Silicon Valley. In 2017, he made a dramatic turn in his theatrical debut starring opposite Mark Wahlberg in the highly acclaimed Patriots Day. Shortly after, he joined the ensemble of the international phenomenon in Warner Bros. hit film, Crazy Rich Asians. Yang wrote a memoir, How To American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents, and his hour-long comedy special Good Deal, pulls stories from his life as mentioned in his book. Yang stars and writes Netflix’s Space Force and stars in the holiday romcom Love Hard on Netflix. Yang makes up one-third of the production company Crab Club Inc., which wrapped their first feature film Easter Sunday starring comedian Jo Koy.
Comedy Night in Canada – Friday, July 29 2022 | L’Olympia | 7:00 PM
Just For Laughs is excited to announce Comedy Night in Canada hosted by the one and only, Rick Mercer will be coming to Montreal! Following a very successful coast-to-coast sold-out tour across Canada this past Spring, the festival brings Canadian comedy legend Rick Mercer back to Montreal as he returns to lead a stellar line-up of the country’s most hilarious and diverse comedians. Stay tuned for the full lineup of artists who will join Mercer for this one night only Canadian celebration.
Dara Ó Briain – Friday, July 29 2022 | Maison Théâtre | 9:30 PM
Stand-up comedian and television presenter Dara Ó Briain is best known in the UK for hosting BBC’s Mock the Week, BlockBusters, Robot Wars, Stargazing Live, Dara and Ed’s Great Big Adventure and Dara O Briain’s Go 8Bit and most recently Channel 4 quiz One and Six Zero’s.
Dara’s latest show Voice of Reason has been performed across the globe, touring in UK and Ireland, Scandinavia, mainland Europe, Australia and the Middle East. It was filmed and released as a BBC special in 2019. In September 2017, Dara released his first children’s book Beyond the Stars (Scholastic), a hilarious journey through the solar system and our galaxy; it has been nominated for the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Non-Fiction. In 2018 the follow up Secret Science – The Amazing World Beyond your Eyes was released to great critical acclaim. His third children’s book Is There Anybody Out There was released in 2020. Dara has also released five best-selling DVDs with Universal Pictures. He will be on a world tour in 2022 and 2023 with his new show, So Where Were We?
James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome – Thursday, July 28 & Saturday, July 30 2022 | Maison Théâtre | 9:30 PM
James Acaster is a whimsical master, and has received acclaim from around the world, including a record breaking five consecutive nominations for ‘Best Comedy Show’ at the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. In 2017, he toured the country with a staggering three show Trelogy, performing Recognise, Represent and Reset consecutively over three nights in each venue. These three shows and Recap form his Netflix four-part series, Repertoire. It was the first of its kind, a standup mini-series with an overarching narrative, and James is the first UK comic to shoot more than one Netflix Original special. In 2017 James released his debut book Classic Scrapes which made the Sunday Times bestseller list. James’ second book Perfect Sound Whatever also made the Sunday Times bestseller list in 2019. This summer will see the publication of James’ latest book, James Acaster’s Guide to Quitting Social Media. In 2019 James completed a mammoth long tour of his hugely successful show Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 around the UK, Australia and America, the show is now available to watch on Vimeo. James also has two hit podcasts Off Menu which he hosts with Ed Gamble, and Perfect Sounds both of which are regulars on the iTunes top 10 List.
Debra DiGiovanni – Wednesday, July 27 2022 | Maison Théâtre | 9:30 PM
Debra DiGiovanni is a multiple award-winning comedian originally from Toronto, who is now dominating the Los Angeles comedy scene. She tours the world constantly and can be seen on Comedy Central in her digital web series Steph & Deb as well as a part of their Stand-Up Series. Debra performed on Conan, was a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and has specials on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Crave. Her album Lady Jazz earned her Top Ten Comedy Albums of the Year in 2019, and a Juno nomination. In 2020, she taped a special for Unprotected Sets on the Epix network.
Jacqueline Novak: Get On Your Knees – Wednesday, July 27 & Thursday, July 28 2022 | Maison Théâtre | 7:00 PM
A New York Times “Critics’ Pick,” and Drama Desk-nominated performance, Get On Your Knees is a high-brow show about the blow job, unexpectedly philosophical and joke-packed, part feminist outcry, part coming-of-age tale of triumph. The show extended six times in New York City in 2019 and 2020 and then reopened in 2021 for another sold-out, extended run. Since 2021, Jacqueline Novak has been touring “GOYK” across the US, Canada, and the UK, and found a regular home for the show in LA, where it sold the most total tickets of any show at Largo at the Coronet in 2021. Her sold-out five-night run at London’s SOHO Theatre this April GOYK garnered glittering reviews, prompting her to return to the UK for limited runs at Leicester Square Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe. She co-hosts POOG, a Time Magazine Top Ten Podcast of the Year 2021, with Kate Berlant. Jacqueline’s memoir How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings on Depression from One Who Knows was published by Crown in 2016.
Katherine Ryan – Friday, July 29 & Saturday, July 30 2022 | Maison Théâtre | 7:00 PM
Creator, Writer, Star & EP of Netflix Original hit series The Duchess (along with two global Netflix comedy specials: In Trouble and Glitter Room) comedian and TV’s Katherine Ryanmakes a hugely welcome return to the stage with her brand-new live show, Missus. Having previously denounced partnership, Katherine has since married her first love, accidentally. A lot has changed for everyone and we can look forward to hearing Katherine Ryan’s hilarious new perspectives on life, love, and what it means to be Missus.
Maria Bamford – Wednesday, July 27 2022 | Club Soda | 7:00 PM
Maria Bamford is revered for her deeply personal and experimental comedy about mental illness. She starred in the surreal, semi-autobiographical Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite, about a comedian who suffers a nervous breakdown, and is the star of three unconventional hour-long stand-up specials: Weakness is the Brand, Old Baby and Maria Bamford, the special, special, special! Maria was the first female comic to have two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials. She also created and starred in the cult hit web series The Maria Bamford Show. Maria is often recognized for her prolific voiceover work, including characters on Big Mouth, BoJack Horseman, Summer Camp Island, Adventure Time, Talking Tom and Friends, Bob’s Burgers, Legend of Korra, Puss in Boots, CatDog and PBS’s Emmy-winning series Word Girl. She also stars as Tilly Mulch in Team Coco’s scripted podcast Frontier Tween.
Fortune Feimster – Saturday, July 30 2022 | Club Soda | 7:00 PM
You can catch stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, Fortune Feimster, on the radio, on screens both big and small, and touring her stand-up across the nation. Fortune Feimster’s first one-hour special, Sweet & Salty, is currently streaming on Netflix and was nominated for Best Comedy Special for the Critics’ Choice Awards. Prior to her one-hour special, Netflix released Feimster’s half-hour special in 2018 as part of The Standups, which received rave reviews. Fortune Feimster first became known nationally as a writer and panelist on E’s hit show Chelsea Lately before starring as a series regular on Hulu’s The Mindy Project NBC’s Champions. Fortune can currently be heard every morning with Tom Papa on Sirius XM’s channel 93 on their show, What a Joke with Papa and Fortune. She also hosts a weekly podcast with her partner, Jax, called Sincerely Fortune. Fortune is currently starring opposite David Spade on the new Netflix series, The Netflix Afterparty. Along with co-writing and selling two comedy pilots to ABC, the latter of which is produced by Tina Fey, Fortune co-wrote and is attached to star in two features, Bad Cop Bad Cop and Field Trip, both of which were acquired by Spielberg’s Amblin Pictures.
CLUB SHOWS
The Nasty Show- Wednesday, July 20 through Sunday, July 24 and Tuesday, July 26 through Thursday, July 28 2022 | MTELUS
The Nasty Show is back! Promising to be the filthiest and most shocking show at the festival, this raw comedy series constantly pushes the boundaries, encouraging audiences to check their political correctness at the door… let go, and laugh! Hosted by the one and only Big Jay Oakerson, this year’s lineup will also feature Liza Treyger, Robert Kelly, Sophie Buddle, Josh Adam Meyers, and Yamaneika Saunders.
Brit(ish)- Wednesday, July 27 through Saturday, July 30 2022 | Le Studio TD
We’re absolutely chuffed to reveal the full lineup for the 2022 Brit(ish) show, hosted by Tom Allen! This year’s series will feature special guest Dara Ó Briain and a wickedly funny lineup including Fern Brady, Nish Kumar, Phil Wang and Sindhu Vee.
PODCASTS
Girls Gotta Eat – Thursday, July 28 2022 | Club Soda | 7:00 PM
Why do guys just want to f*ck you once then watch your Instagram stories until the end of time? How do you get over a breakup when you feel like you’re gonna die? When should you give it up? My boyfriend takes morning baths: IS THIS WEIRD? These are all questions answered on Girls Gotta Eat — a hilarious and uncensored podcast from comedic duo Ashley Hesseltine and Rayna Greenberg. GGE is a top comedy podcast on iTunes, has been reviewed as “life-changing” by thousands of listeners, and the live shows have had record-breaking sellouts in cities all across the US. At this show, Ashley, Rayna, and special guests will answer all those burning questions about sex, dating, and relationships in a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience. No one leaves without a fresh outlook on dating and at least one new ab from laughing.
COMEDYPRO
JFL ComedyPRO returns this year, promising to unite today’s industry trailblazers and die-hard comedy fans for an unforgettable four-day event. While more programming will be released in the coming weeks, the festival is elated to reveal that the coveted discovery showcase, New Faces, has expanded its reach this year… and is going global!
Entering its 26th year, this internationally recognized series has launched the careers of so many of today’s A-list stars. Now, for the first time ever, joining the previously established New Faces, New Faces: Characters, New Faces: Unrepped, and New Faces: Canada, is New Faces: International! We cannot wait to welcome some of comedy’s freshest names from across the world, offering them an international stage to perform some of their best material for comedy’s most influential trendsetters.
New Faces will be taking place on Wednesday, July 27 2022 at 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay.
New Faces: Characters will be taking place on Thursday, July 28 2022 at 7:00 PM at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay.
New Faces: Unrepped will be taking place on Thursday, July 28 2022 at 9:30 PM at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay.
New Faces: Canada will be taking place on Friday, July 29 2022 at 9:30 PM at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay.
New Faces: International will be taking place on Friday, July 29 2022 at 7:00 PM at Monument National: Ludger-Duvernay.
Stay tuned for more details regarding this year’s cohort for all 2022 showcases, as they will be revealed in the coming months!
Variety 10 Comics To Watch Showcase – Saturday, July 30 2022 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM
One of the biggest events in the comedy world each year is Variety’s unveiling of their annual “10 Comics To Watch” feature. Catch the best and brightest from “10 Comics To Watch” and let them show you why they made the 2022 list.
OFF-JFL
OFF-JFL has been described as the festival’s edgy sibling, and that couldn’t be truer! Each year, festival goers flock to the unique programming only OFF-JFL has to offer, hoping to discover their new favorite artist, show formats, and material that spans comedy, theatre and music. With over 100 shows, OFF-JFL delivers some of the most memorable comedy content of the fest, combining improv, sketch and stand up from a perfect blend of rising stars and established names.
Rhys Nicholson RHYS! RHYS! RHYS! – Thursday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 27 & Friday, July 29 2022 | Theatre St- Catherine | 10:00 PM & 10:30 PM
Rhys Nicholson is a multi-award-winning Australian stand-up, writer, actor and collager. With an enormous passion for live performing, his work continues to receive awards and accolades around the world. As well as numerous televised stand-up performances in Australia, the UK and Canada, in early 2019 he was hand-picked to open for comedy legend Conan O’Brien as he toured Australia. A few months later, Nicholson’ made his USA television debut as a stand-up guest on TBS’ Conan. In 2019, he recorded his third stand up special, this one for Netflix, making him one of only three Australians with a solo show on the streaming giant. Rhys is a series regular in the Netflix Sci-Fi comedy The Imperfects to be released this year.
Randy Feltface: Alien of Extraordinary Ability – Thursday, July 21 through Thursday, July 28 2022 | Theatre St-Catherine | 8:30 PM & 9:00 PM
Randy Feltface has spent over fifteen years carving out a unique niche on the international comedy circuit. He was nominated for best comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, sold out in London and New York, and featured several times at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. He has released five comedy specials and made his US television debut as a crowd favourite on NBC’s Bring The Funny. His live show is a high energy existential crisis full of the kind of amusing anecdotes and biting observations that have earned him the title of World’s Most Entertaining Non-Human Comedian.
Matteo Lane – Thursday, July 28 & Friday, July 29 2022 | Cafe Cleopatra | 10:30 PM
Matteo Lane is a New York-based comedian whose stand-up special can be seen on Netflix’s The Comedy Lineup. He’s also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers, HBO’s Crashing and Will & Grace. Matteo is currently developing an animated series Kickass Drag Queen, together with Bob the Drag Queen, Gary Sanchez and Unicorn Island Productions, and co-hosts the podcast “Inside the Closet” together with Emma Willmann. Not limited to just stand up, Matteo also performs a live cabaret, Streisand at the Bon Soir, to great critical acclaim.
Atsuko Okatsuka presents The Intruder – Thursday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 27 & Friday, July 29 2022 | Theatre St-Catherine | 7:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Atsuko Okatsuka is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer based in LA. Atsuko made her late-night stand-up debut on The Late Show with James Corden. Atsuko is starring in the new Comedy Central animated series, Fairview and the Paramount+ feature film, Washingtonia, from EP Stephen Colbert. She’s written for Adult Swim’s The Eric Andre Show and Soft Focus with Jena Friedman. Atsuko’s on-screen credits include, season 3 of the HBO series, Room 104, The Show Nextdoor with Randall Park on ROKU+, and HULU’s latest project with ATTN: Mom & Pop. Atsuko was named a ‘Comedian To Watch’ by Vulture & ‘Top 10 Comedians to Watch’ for TimeOut LA. She is also fluent in Japanese and Mandarin.
Mark Forward: A Very Mark Forward… – Tuesday, July 26, Thursday, July 28, & Saturday, July 30 2022 | Diving Bell Social Club | 9:00 PM
Mark Forward has done stand-up on Comedy Central’s John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, CBS’ The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, HBO’s Funny As Hell and The Comedy Network’s Just For Laughs: All Access. His TV work includes Crave’s Letterkenny and FX’s Fargo. Mark also has 2 one-hour comedy specials on Crave, titled Mark Forward presents Mark Forward and Mark Forward Wins All The Awards.
Rosebud Baker – Tuesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 30 2022 | Cafe Cleopatra |
9:00 PM
Rosebud Baker is a New York based comedian, writer and actress, who is currently on the writing staff for the award-winning sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live in its 47th season. Her debut hour stand up special Whiskey Fists, produced by Bill Burr’s All Things Comedy, premiered on Comedy Central Digital in 2021. The special was a hit with fans and critics alike, as Vulture featured Rosebud in “Comedians You Should and Will Know in 2022.” The New Yorker included her in their annual list of “Best Jokes of 2021” and Rolling Stone gushed that her humor “ranges from merciless self-excavation to slashing social satire graced by intelligence and nuance.” She can be seen in the recurring role in the new Hulu series Life & Beth alongside Amy Schumer and Michael Cera, and she is a writer and performer on HBO Max’s WGA Award nominated sketch series That Damn Michael Che. Baker also co-hosts the popular weekly podcast Find Your Beach with her husband and fellow comic Andy Haynes.
Best of the Fest – Tuesday, July 26 & Wednesday, July 27 2022 | MainLine Theatre |
7:30 PM & 9:45 PM
Here’s what you need to know: the title really says it all.
Fest @ The Nest – Tuesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 30 2022 | Comedy Nest |
8:00 PM & 10:30 PM
The world’s most prestigious comedy festival lands in Montreal’s premiere comedy club for 10 mix-and-match, multi-stand-up, full-of-surprises shows.
Midnight Surprise – Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24 & Tuesday, July 26 2022 | Theatre St-Catherine | 11:59 PM
The show is at midnight… the rest is a surprise!
The Alternative Show – Tuesday July 26 through Saturday, July 30 2022 | MainLine Theatre | 11:59 PM
The quintessential comic’s comic takes you off the beaten path of mainstream comedy and into the chaotic wilderness.
DeAnne Smith – Tuesday, July 26 through Thursday, July 28 & Saturday, July 30 2022 | Diving Bell Social Club | 7:30 PM & 10:30 PM
Canadian Comedy Award winner, DeAnne Smith is coming to Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL OFF-JFL this summer! Fresh from taping their second special at the Just for Laughs Festival in July 2021 for Crave, DeAnne Smith is back at the festival with a brand new and hilarious set.
Pre-sale tickets will be available starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 26, 2022 as of 10:00am ET at www.hahaha.com
Tickets will be available to the public on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 10:00am ET at www.hahaha.com
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTRÉAL GOES HYBRID IN 2021
JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTRÉAL is back! Pivoting to adapt to the current travel restrictions, the world’s top Comedy Festival runs this year July 26-31, 2021! Appearing at the Festival, which will be in a hybrid format this year, are the likes of Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumolo, Jason Sudeikis, Bowen Yang, Patton Oswalt and so many more! Hart will be sitting down with Neal Brennan as part of LOL’s Comedy Gold Minds with Kevin Hart!
Just announced also is that Jean Smart, star of HBO Max‘s acclaimed HACKS will be honoured with COMEDY PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR AWARD at the 2021 JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARDS SHOW, to be hosted by Amber Ruffin.
For the first time ever this year, fans will be able to tune in online from anywhere in the world to watch the JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARDS SHOW. Being honoured this year are Dave Chapelle with the Comedy Person of the Year Award; Kristen Wiig & Annie Mumolo as Comedy Writers of the Year for their hilarious film BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR; the Writers and Cast of TED LASSO, including star Jason Sudeikis for Comedy Series of the Year Award; and SNL‘s Bowen Yang receiving Breakout Comedy Star of the Year Award. The JFL Awards Show will air online for free at hahaha.com as of July 28, 2021.
Kevin Hart will be front and center at the Festival this year with his Comedy Gold Minds with Kevin Hart. The show dives into the minds of some of the world’s funniest people with Kevin Hart in his show, Comedy Gold Minds. From rising stars to comedy legends, Kevin pairs with comedic tastemakers for “ear-opening” dialogue that takes listeners on a wild and crazy ride through some of the world’s top comedic minds. From chronicling their comedy club experiences to a sneak peek of their latest material, each episode is packed with punchlines, anecdotes, and inside jokes. Previous guests include Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, Tiffany Haddish, Sarah Silverman, Steve Harvey, Amy Schumer, Nick Kroll, Hasan Minhaj, and more. This show will air online for free at hahaha.com.
For a complete list of programming at the Festival this year and tickets, visit hahaha.com. More announcements to come.
#FIRSTLOOK: WHAT THE WATCH – JANUARY 2021 VOL. II: “HUMOUR RESOURCES”,”THE HISTORY OF SWEAR WORDS”, “WANDAVISION”, “TIGER”, “BLING EMPIRE”, “NIGHT STALKER”, “LOCKED DOWN”
January 2021 is so loaded with content to watch, we had to create a second volume of recommendations! See our thoughts on some things you might find interesting to stream!
HUMOUR RESOURCES (CBC)
I first got my introduction to charismatic Jon Dore when he was a correspondent on Canadian Idol. We’re going wayyyy back. Since then, he’s continued to tour, had a show on The Comedy Network and appeared on Sitcoms like How I Met Your Mother.
He’s back with a new Just for Laughs-produced Series, HUMOUR RESOURCES, which has him taking on the role of the Human Resources Manager of Comedy where he interviews fellow Comedians under the context of a virtual chat to discuss their “performance”, effectively doubling the Series as a mock talk show. This, while he navigates fictional situations in his life with his stepdaughter Emma and partner Christina at home. Interestingly, this was created just recently amidst the pandemic.
The talent featured is actually quite impressive including chats with the likes of Sarah Silverman, Tom Green, Nikki Glaser, Scott Thompson, Ronny Chieng, Debra DiGiovanni and several more. Episodes are 30 minutes and there are six for you to enjoy.
We felt he could’ve played-up the deadpan HR Manager bit even more, as the subjects sometimes feel unsure of the context. It might’ve been even funnier that these Comedians get grilled with more sternness. Regardless, Dore has a good idea and this is a quick, fun watch. You can stream now on CBC Gem here.
THE HISTORY OF SWEAR WORDS (NETFLIX)
We can’t get enough Nicolas Cage! The History of Swear Words is a six-episode Docu-Series hosted by the Oscar winner, tracing the etymology of curse words like “fuck”, “shit”, “pussy”, “dick” , “bitch” and “damn”. With the help of a panel of Comedians including Nick Offerman, Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser, London Hughes and more, we get a briefing of how these words have evolved over time. In some instances taking on negative connotations, but in some instances we see how words like “bitch” and “shit” have been reclaimed as terms with positive connotations. While we feel the deep dive could’ve been even deeper, this is entertaining enough a watch and insightful enough as a conversation piece. The History of Swear Words streams now on Netflix.
WANDAVISION (DISNEY+)
We haven’t been so excited for a new Series in quite some time! This nine-episode Series transports Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) in the world of classic television Sitcoms as we explore their chemistry over their course of the Series as they try to be a normal American family. Olsen particularly is a standout just absolutely nailing the diction, tone and speech of the eras she’s placed in. While we struggled to understand how exactly this all ties in with Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it all becomes clearer piece by piece with small connections scattered. We’ve never seen anything quite like this and we’re certain this will be back for more! Can’t wait for you to discover it. First two episodes stream on Disney+ Friday, January 15, 2021.
COBRA KAI (NETFLIX)
If you’re like me, you adored The Karate Kid franchise as a kid, but I’m not sure why I was so reluctant to give Cobra Kai a try. In fact, I let three seasons pass by before finally giving it a shot. The Series reunites rivals Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio) whom 30+ years later find their feud ignited as adults. Daniel is a successful car dealership owner with a great home and family. Johnny has a bit of a drinking problem, coming out of a failed marriage with a strained relationship with his son Robby (Tanner Buchanan). He is hoping to revive Cobra Kai, but is struggling financially and winds up mentoring a bullied and frail teen named Miguel (Xolo Maridueña). Johnny hasn’t forgotten how Daniel got in the way of his dream girl Ali (Elisabeth Shue) and he is out to avenge his loss in their last match back in 1984. Daniel also hasn’t forgotten some of the ill philosophies that Cobra Kai stands for and this awakens his passion again for Martial Arts. Things get complicated when Daniel’s daughter Samantha (Mary Mouser) and Miguel fall for one another, but then Robby seeks Daniel’s guidance as a fighting mentor. And this is enough to fuel three seasons worth of ass-kicking drama.
While the dialogue is shockingly a slap in the face at progressiveness at times, its Writers are fully aware what they are doing and it is little wonder why Cobra Kai is connecting with audiences right now in need of catharsis and a release of aggression during this pandemic. Aside from this, it feels nostalgic and its Soundtrack which often nods to the original era of the franchise help take us back there. Its decision to see this from the side of Johnny Lawrence is an inspired and ballsy move which has paid dividends. All three seasons of COBRA KAI are available now on Netflix.
TIGER (HBO)
This two-part Documentary by Co-Directors Matthew Hamachek and Matthew Heineman about golf icon Tiger Woods, documents his rise from a very age under the guidance of his father Earl. Though archived footage we see first-hand how his father had prophesied his son’s greatness into existence. The Film isn’t afraid to examine their estrangement from one another as Woods‘ star rose and also some of the problems in their family life. Following the death of his father, the second-half of the Documentary details Woods‘ public downfall around 2009 when he found himself at the center of a scandal where it was exposed he had been involved in multiple extra-marital affairs, losing his wife and several sponsorship deals. One of the women he had been involved with, Rachel Uchitel who had felt her side of the story on the matter had yet to be told, agrees to sign-on to speak in the Documentary. From here we witness his rise again. TIGER examines cause and consequence in Wood’s life and also the relationships that came to define him. The first half is available now on Crave with the HBO add-on, with the second half arriving January 18, 2021.
BLING EMPIRE (NETFLIX)
If you loved Crazy Rich Asians, these characters are actually the real deal! Set in glamorous L.A., we follow the lives of a circle of friends. This eight-episode series is none short of juicy as we see dueling Queen Bees Christine (founder of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc and wife of Dr. Gabriel Chu) and the mysterious Anna (heiress to an arms empire) fire friendly shots at one another. Kevin (a model) is our eyes into this world as he tries to grapple with his wealthy friends’ excess, while at once trying to make sense of his own Korean-American identity. He was adopted by an American family at a young age, not knowing his biological parents and their story. He is best friends with the flamboyant Singaporean fashionista Kane, who sits in the chair of the judgy onlooker who also helps give us insight into this world. Kelly is in a bit of a toxic relationship which her friends disapprove of, though sometimes she doesn’t know what’s best for her. Kim is a world-renowned DJ on a search for her estranged father. Cherie is expecting a second child, but her partner is stalling on the marriage proposal still. There’s a bit of betrayal that keeps the show moving along, but none detrimental that these characters sever ties – just the way we want it. We’re thrilled for you to discover this fun escape which never loses sight beneath the gloss of its deeper meaning about finding one’s identity.
There has to be a Season Two!BLING EMPIRE arrives Friday, January 15, 2021 on Netflix.
NIGHT STALKER: THE HUNT FOR A SERIAL KILLER (NETFLIX)
This honestly was so horrifying I had to take breaks and turn on the lights. This four-part Series documenting a serial killer who tormented Los Angeles one summer in the mid-80s. He was random about who he preyed on – neither children nor the elderly were safe from this sinister predator who sent detectives on a restless chase before he ultimately was captured. We learn about the roadblocks and obstacles the two lead detectives faced trying to keep clues classified, as media threatened to destroy their case divulging too much information to the public.
This is outstanding storytelling which gave me major anxiety, but also beneath this is a story about how the investigation tore one detective apart from his family as the Night Stalker‘s crimes circled closer and closer to their home. We also get first-hand accounts from some victims and family who made the grizzly discovery of his victim’s bodies. We felt an overwhelming feeling of grief for these victims and their families, whose lives were altered forever after the summer of ’85. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but if true crime is your thing, this was done very well.
LOCKED DOWN (HBO MAX/CRAVE)
While originally intended to be a much larger production when it was announced September 2020, the ongoing Pandemic had forced this to alter its course and we wonder what would’ve came of it otherwise. This Heist-Comedy from Director Doug Liman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow) clocks-in at two hours but truly could’ve been told in a fraction of that as it spends much of its time exploring the work lives and romantic falling-out between its two central characters Linda (Anne Hathaway) and Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The couple are on the verge of separation but the lockdown forces them to remain together longer and they devise a plan to steal a jewel valued at £6 million at Harrod‘s. Only in its Final Act do things pick-up outside of what feels like a lot of video conference calls and time spent within the confines of their shared flat, and they venture to Harrod’s to carry out the heist. And this is where LOCKED DOWN goes from okay to great, with Hathaway shining yet again, this time taking a bit more of an active role in a crime than her posh prima donna in Ocean’s Eight. This is smart and witty, but admittedly feels a bit long. If you’re willing to sit through it, you’ll be rewarded. LOCKED DOWN streams now on Crave with HBO add-on.
In case you missed our last volume of recommendations, you can catch them here.
(Photo credit: Netflix/CBC/Disney/HBO)
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