#FIRSTLOOK: “THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP” RETURNS FOR FIFTH SEASON

The CBC Gem Original comedy series, THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (12×10-min), returns for season 5 with all-new episodes launching Friday, September 6, 2024 on the free CBC Gem streaming service. The new season showcases emerging comics performing standup sets that explore topics including dating, workplace politics, family dynamics and overall observations about life and finding the humour in it. These rising stars each headline their own 10-minute episodes exclusively for CBC Gem, filmed last February for a live audience at JUST FOR LAUGHS VANCOUVER.

Season 5 features the following 12 Canadian comedians:

Alistair Ogden from Toronto, ON – One of Canada’s rising comedic talents, Alistair first appeared in the national spotlight when he won CBC’s Next Up Competition in 2019. Since then, he’s taped a televised stand-up set at the Halifax Comedy Festival, been featured on a Just For Laughs Originals comedy album, and garnered over 8 million views across Instagram and TikTok. He and his show Comedy Pants have been repeatedly featured as part of the Just For Laughs VANCOUVER festival and he made his debut at Just For Laughs Toronto in 2023. You can now catch him regularly at Don’t Tell Comedy shows in Toronto and comedy clubs across the country.

Ahren Belisle from Toronto, ON – Ahren Belisle is a nonverbal comedian who has been taking the world by storm. A year into his career, he became an America’s got talent finalist and golden ticket holder on KILL TONY, the world’s largest live podcast. He started online making mental health and engineering content, and since taking on comedy, he has earned over 750,000 followers.

Cassidy Anhorn from Vancouver, BC – Cassidy Anhorn (she/her) is a dynamic queer comedic performer and writer from so-called “Vancouver”. She is featured on JFL’s Best of BC album (2023) and season 2 of YVR Funny (2023). In 2022 she began producing her own comedy variety show, Big Queer Party Mix. Additionally, she moonlights as an improviser on QueerProv.

Eva Alexopoulos from Montréal, QC – Eva Alexopoulos is your new best friend. High-energy, honest, vivacious and vulnerable, she has captured audiences across North America with the stories of her life such as being diagnosed at 29 with ADHD, exploring her sexuality, navigating the world post-extreme weight loss, and showing us all that the human experience is funny and incredibly complex. The producer of The Kickback MTL, voted #1 Comedy show in Montreal by CULT MTL. Her show, The Kickback is the first local Anglo show to get a main stage at Montreal’s ZOOFEST/OFF JFL Festival. This Greek-Latina fireball is here to hype you up, give questionable dating advice and leave you feeling a little more understood.

Faris Hytiaa from Calgary, AB – Born in Toronto to Sudanese parents and then raised in Alberta, Faris brings a unique mix of storytelling and observational humour to the stage. Known for his relaxed delivery and quick wit, his unpredictable style makes for big laughs and unforgettable crowd work moments. After releasing hos special on YouTube in 2023, Faris was named as a New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival. He’s toured all over Canada and has worked with major acts including Dulcé Sloan, and Neal Brennan.

Jordanne Brown from Saskatchewan – Jordanne Brown is a standup comedian, writer and performer from Saskatchewan based in Toronto. She is the recipient of the Eugene Levy Writing Award, and the Tim Sims Encouragement Award. She has been featured on CBC’s TallBoyz, Toronto Sketch Fest, Sled Island and Just For Laughs Originals. Her debut album “I CAN EXPLAIN” is now available for streaming or purchase.

Myles Anderson from Vancouver, BC: To watch Myles Anderson’s comedy is to see a man unravel and then re-ravel himself onstage. Combining traditional jokes with birdlike movements, Myles always creates a unique and hilarious performance. Myles is a regular performer on Laugh Out Loud and The Debaters on CBC Radio. In 2023, Myles performed at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. This year, Myles released his new comedy special, Myles Per Hour, with 800 Pound Gorilla Media.

Rachel Manson from Toronto, ON: Rachel has headlined Just For Laughs TORONTO, and has performed at the Detroit Comedy Fest, Burbank Comedy Fest, San Diego Comedy Fest, Dallas Comedy Fest, Seattle Comedy Fest, Milwaukee Comedy fest, and much more. She has opened for headliners like Jared Freid and Judah Friedlander. She is an award-winning writer, working with producers like Sam Raimi, Debbie Liebling and others. She writes features for TUBI and you can catch her in “What We Do in the Shadow”, “WAYNE” on Amazon Prime, and commercials for Nerdwallet, and Visionworks.

Rebecca Reeds from Toronto, ON: Rebecca Reeds is a Toronto-based standup comedian, writer and podcaster. She can be heard on Sirius XM, CBC’s The Debaters, and CBC’s LOL. Past festival appearances include Just For Laughs MONTREAL, JFL TORONTO, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and Hubcap Comedy Festival. You can listen to her debut album, “Buddy” on all major streaming platforms. She also co-hosts the award-winning podcast The Villain Was Right.

Sam Sferrezza from Toronto, ON: With eight years of experience commanding laughter on and off stage, Sam Sferrazza is a dynamic stand-up comedian, writer, online personality and producer known for his razor-sharp wit and unique comedic perspective. As an online sensation @samislaughing an audience of over 72k followers on TikTok. His trademark wit, political satire, and relatable rants regularly go viral, earning recognition from Time Magazine, Narcity, and Thrillist. As a finalist in the Austin Film Festival Pitch Contest in 2023 and a performer at JFL TORONTO, as well as JFL VANCOUVER. Sam continues to elevate his craft across Canada. His achievements include his sold-out solo show 45 Minutes In Heaven and being a semi-finalist in Toronto Comedy Brawl 2023. He has also appeared on CBC radio and written for publications like CBC Arts and Xtra.

Spencer Adamus from Winnipeg, Manitoba: Spencer Adamus is a talented comedian, budding writer, and an award-winning actor. In the last year alone, Spencer has performed his quirky and endearing stand up at Just For Laughs MONTREAL, Just For Laughs TORONTO, and CBC’s Laugh Out Loud. He has starred in numerous award-winning films and has played several comedic roles in CBC and Bell TV and web series. He co-created the well-known and locally beloved sketch comedy group “Family Dinner”, receiving top reviews consecutively for three years at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Spencer’s special, “Easy To Kill”, is jam-packed with hysterical anecdotes, eccentric accents, and zany real-life events.

Tamara Shevon from Toronto, ON: Tamara Shevon is a Toronto-based comic who started her comedic story-telling through wine-coloured glasses in Beijing, China. Since then, she has been blazing through the Toronto scene with her characteristic wit and her lovable ability to flirt with the boundaries of socially acceptable. She has performed stand-up all over China, Canada, and the United States and was second runner-up in the Beijing Comedy Festival. She has performed at Just for Laughs MONTREAL, Just for Laughs TORONTO, CBC Accent on Toronto, the Comedy is Art Festival, and was recently featured on Out for Laughs on OutTV. She is the creator and co-host of the Sunday Best Comedy Podcast, and the creator and host of ‘Chaotic Good’ a monthly pro comedy show at Comedy Bar.

“We’re proud of the diversity and comedic talent we bring to our shows to Just For Laughs VANCOUVER and it was exciting to record this series live from this year’s festival,” adds Heather Wallace, JFL VANCOUVER Festival Director / Executive Producer, The New Wave of Standup. “We’re certain audiences will be seeing a lot more from these comics in the future.”

The New Wave of Standup is executive produced by Bruce Hills and Heather Wallace. Produced by Heather Wallace with consulting producer, Neil Bansil and directed by Trish Neufeld. Supervising Producer is Blake Gregory. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Sandra Picheca is Director of Current Production, Comedy; and Greig Dymond is Executive in Charge of Current Production and Head of Festivals.