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Toronto Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Tom Segura, Mae Martin, Russell Peters enlisted for revamped Just For Laughs festival
Published May 08, 2025 • 1 minute read Television reporters set up outside the Just for Laughs offices in Montreal Tuesday March 5, 2024 after the company declared bankruptcy. Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Tom Segura and Russell Peters are among the headliners booked for a revamped Just For Laughs comedy festival. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Montreal summer showcase is touting a lineup that includes Toronto's Mae Martin, Pakistani-American comic Kumail Nanjinai, and U.S. comics Fortune Feimster, Michelle Buteau and Adam Ray. JFL president and CEO Sylvain Parent-Bedard says this year's festival will have something for everyone as it rebounds from bankruptcy under new ownership. Parent-Bedard's company ComediHa! purchased Just For Laughs last year after the Montreal comedy giant declared bankruptcy. The company mounted shows in Vancouver and Bermuda last year but the Montreal festival is their flagship event. JFL is set to run from July 16 to 27 and tickets go on sale on May 12. Parent-Bedard says he's applying a 'comedy first' approach to a new chapter of Just For Laughs. 'I have my hands on the wheel. We can make our own decisions, and we are going to make decisions about love for comedy, about passion,' Parent-Bedard said in an interview. Toronto Maple Leafs Canada Editorial Cartoons World Celebrity
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tom Segura, Mae Martin, Russell Peters enlisted for revamped Just For Laughs festival
Tom Segura and Russell Peters are among the headliners booked for a revamped Just For Laughs comedy festival. The Montreal summer showcase is touting a lineup that includes Toronto's Mae Martin, Pakistani-American comic Kumail Nanjinai, and U.S. comics Fortune Feimster, Michelle Buteau and Adam Ray. JFL president and CEO Sylvain Parent-Bédard says this year's festival will have something for everyone as it rebounds from bankruptcy under new ownership. Parent-Bédard's company ComediHa! purchased Just For Laughs last year after the Montreal comedy giant declared bankruptcy. The company mounted shows in Vancouver and Bermuda last year but the Montreal festival is their flagship event. JFL is set to run from July 16 to 27 and tickets go on sale on May 12. Parent-Bédard says he's applying a 'comedy first' approach to a new chapter of Just For Laughs. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I have my hands on the wheel. We can make our own decisions, and we are going to make decisions about love for comedy, about passion,' Parent-Bedard said in an interview. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
Montreal Gazette
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
Brownstein: Just for Laughs 2025 lineup unveiled, including Russell Peters, Fortune Feimster, Kumail Nanjiani
Columnists By There were fears in some quarters that mirth may be at a minimum here in July when no announcements had been forthcoming about the 43rd Just for Laughs Festival, particularly after lineups for such summer staples as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Osheaga and Lasso had already been unveiled. Well, the chuckles-addicted should fret no longer. Sylvain Parent-Bédard, the JFL president and CEO who took over the fest nearly a year ago amid much turmoil, laid out a fairly impressive and well-stocked lineup on Thursday for this edition, slated to run July 16-27 at familiar downtown venues. Crowds should be massive for free outdoor events featuring the hilarious Adam Ray in Dr. Phil LIVE on July 24 and hot-shot wit Tom Segura in Come Together on July 26, both at Place des Festivals. Among those to check out at indoor venues are the no-holds-barred Kumail Nanjiani, Mae Martin, Danny Bhoy, Russell Peters, Russell Howard, Brad Williams and hometown star Rachid Badouri — who has made a seamless transition from franco to anglo frivolity. In addition, there will be galas again, July 25 and 26 at Théâtre Maisonneuve, hosted by Michelle Buteau and Fortune Feimster, respectively. Also back are such fest faves as the Nasty Show, New Faces of Comedy, Culture Show and Brit(ish) series. And expect the air to take a decidedly blueish hue with Roast Battle Canada spectacles. Parent-Bédard also announced Thursday most of Juste pour rire's indoor lineup. Included for the first time will be the franco equivalent to New Faces, the Nouveau Visage series. Also appearing will be acclaimed French/Moroccan actor/comic Jamel Debbouze of Asterix fame and equally renowned French stage vet Jarry, né Anthony Lambert, as well as an array of local talent. Overall, there will be about 300 artists appearing in 200 shows, performing outdoors and indoors at Place des Arts, L'Olympia, Espace St-Denis, Club Soda, MTelus, Studio TD and Le Gesù. It would be understandable if some had their doubts about JFL re-emerging. There was a period last year when we thought 2024 was going to be a largely laugh-less summer in the city for many. In March 2024, it appeared the end was nigh for Just for Laughs, with the announcement that the summer fest had been cancelled and its ownership group was seeking protection from its creditors. Then two months later, it was revealed that Quebec City's ComediHa! festival, in marking its 25th anniversary, was planning a special comedy salute to Montreal in July. Then in early June 2024, seemingly out of the blue, it was disclosed that ComediHa! had purchased the assets of the financially beleaguered Just for Laughs and had assumed control of the festival. The fest's new leader, ComediHa! boss Parent-Bédard, was quick to come out with a JFL lineup for last July. Suffice it to say it could take more than a year for JFL to land big-name talent as in editions gone by, so there were few lofty expectations that Parent-Bédard could pull off the feat in a few weeks. But he did. Admittedly, there were no Kevin Harts or Jerry Seinfelds last summer, but he managed to land Dane Cook, Iliza Shlesinger, Bassem Youssef and lovable comedy pitbull Bobby Slayton, among two dozen standups. It's been something of a whirlwind adventure for Parent-Bédard, more likely a baptism by fire. Not only is he heading Just for Laughs and Juste pour rire here, but under his wing are JFLs in Toronto, Vancouver, Bermuda and Sydney, not to mention travelling shows and one-nighters in this country. Plus, he's still at the helm of Quebec City's ComediHa!, which has since been redubbed Juste pour rire Québec. 'The real cornerstone of Just for Laughs is and will always be Montreal,' Parent-Bédard says. 'I've really discovered that over the last year, having visited Los Angeles, New York, Macao, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney. Everywhere I've been, people in the business say the same thing, that Montreal is the comedy cornerstone in the world, and they are all thrilled to come back. 'The artists will be here again this year, as will be agents, managers, producers, broadcasters from all over the world and commercial and government sponsors. I feel the fans will be coming back as well. We've worked so hard in preparation.' Parent-Bédard believes a strong foundation for the festival is being built and is bullish about its future. He credits Nick Brazao, the fest's head of programming and talent for bringing much-needed fluidity back. 'Nick has been our organization's cornerstone,' says Parent-Bédard, who, along with Brazao, points out that more anglo and franco talent announcements can be expected in the coming weeks. Brazao, a former standup in town, is one of the few holdovers from the previous JFL regime. 'This has been an exciting new opportunity for me, having lived through a really tumultuous 2024,' understates Brazao, who first started at JFL in 2009. 'It means so much to the country and the rest of the world to make Montreal such a gathering point for the comedy world. 'There is nothing like this festival that exists in the world, and it energizes us so much to be part of this institution and take it forward to the next generation.' AT A GLANCE
The Province
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
Comedian Sarah Millican brings new show to Vancouver
Q-and-A with award-winning English comic ahead of Late Bloomer comedy tour stop in Vancouver Comedian Sarah Millican returns to Vancouver with her new stand up tour Bobby Dazzler. Tickets for the Oct. 28 Vancouver Playhouse show go on sale April 29 at 10 a.m. Photo credit: Courtesy of JFL Photo by Courtesy of JFL / PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors When: April 26, 8 p.m. Where: Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, UBC Tickets/info: English comic Sarah Millican launched into the highly competitive global comedy scene in 2008 after winning the best newcomer comedy award at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A mere five years later, Millican was listed as one of the 100 most powerful women in the U.K. by Radio 4's Women's Hour program and appearing regularly on radio, television and theatre stages. Frequently veering far beyond social norms, her razor-sharp observations of gender relations had less to do with traditional relationship routines and far more to do with the kind of behaviours that grind the sexes into mush. Her peeling laugh and friendly smile hid a surprisingly dark, and hilarious, biting wit behind them. Having last toured North America with her sixth standup show titled Bobby Dazzler, Millican is back with her latest creation, Late Bloomer. The run of 100-plus performances on the world tour brings her to the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre at UBC on April 26. Millican answered some questions about the new show and her brand of mirth-making. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Postmedia: What is Late Bloomer about? Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer is about me. About 12-year-old me and 49-year-old me, and what has changed in the intervening 37 years. It's also possibly about you, if you also had a handbag at the age of 9. Q: Late Bloomer sees you performing in a venue five times larger than you played on your previous trip to Vancouver, and your website has a photo of you performing to 12,000 people in Perth, Australia last month. Is there a difference telling jokes in arenas? A: I'm quite new to arenas and wasn't sure if I'd like them, but I love them! They feel surprisingly intimate. There are screens that show my big face, which means everyone can see facial expressions but also that I have to pluck my moustache at, like, 7:55 p.m. to make sure I get them all. Q: From Taskmaster to QI, Would I Lie to You? to the Chase and so many radio programs, it seems that the media landscape for U.K. comics is so well developed. Do you think this is a win or lose situation for developing standup skills? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A: I like doing television very much, but I don't think it helps you develop standup skills. The only way to do that is get on stage, all of the stages, over and over and over again. Standup is my love. All of the other things are fun, but mostly to get people to come and see you do standup. Q: How much do you think being a Geordie (from the Tyneside region) influences your comedy? It often seems that the further North you go in the U.K., the funnier — and often, darker — folks become? A: I think there is definitely a Northern sense of humour. But luckily it translates around the world! I'm pretty sure I learned how to tell a story when I lived at home with my family. And there are definitely some words that sound funnier in my accent like 'monkey' and 'photocopier'. Still haven't managed to get them both in the same joke though. Some day. Q: Who are some of your favourite comics and why? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A: Some of the funniest people I've seen are Canadian comics: Debra DiGiovanni, Mike Wilmot, John Hastings, Steph Tolev and Mark Forward. They all make me hoot with laughter and be jealous of their jokes. Q: Where do you like to eat when you are in Vancouver? A: I will try to get poutine. As I don't like cheese curds, I need to go somewhere they won't throw me out for asking for poutine without the cheese curds, which is essentially chips and gravy, which is pretty Geordie in itself. Also, you have my favourite type of food here, which is 'huge portions'. sderdeyn@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Homes Vancouver Whitecaps News Vancouver Canucks
