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Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Cross, Lewis Black and More Join the 34th Edition of the Just For Laughs Festival
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Cross, Lewis Black, Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle, Howie Mandel, Hannibal Buress, Jeremy Hotz, Brian Regan, Maria Bamford plus many more join the 34th edition of the Just For Laughs Festival in the first of many big announcements!
Montreal, May 3, 2016 – The Just For Laughs Festival, presented by Videotron in association with Loto-Québec, is back with the 34th edition of the largest comedy festival in the world! With many more names and shows still to come, we're thrilled to announce some of the biggest names in comedy coming to Montreal this summer!
THE CAST OF VEEP UP CLOSE
HBO's Emmy® Award-winning and Golden Globe®-nominated series Veep is taking a break from politics with a live appearance in Montreal. Just For Laughs is thrilled to welcome Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine), winner of four consecutive Emmy® Awards for her portrayal of the Vice President and subsequent President of the United States, Selina Meyer, for a conversation about one of the funniest comedic political satire shows ever made. Joining her on stage will be cast members Tony Hale, who plays personal aide Gary Walsh, Timothy Simons, who plays White House liaison Jonah Ryan, and showrunner, the multiple Emmy®-nominated David Mandel. An Evening with the Cast of Veep will take place at Maison Symphonique at Place Des Arts on July 27.
JUST FOR LAUGHS TO BE SEEN BY MORE AMERICANS THAN EVER BEFORE
Unprecedented in our 34-year history, the Just For Laughs Festival will telecast across North America with a very special four-night event this July. In the tradition of Comedy Central's highly successful Roast franchise, fans will be treated to Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle, a new comedy competition featuring a no-holds-barred verbal boxing match in which comedians will compete head-to-head in a battle of wit and insults. Led by the Roastmaster General, Jeff Ross, and the referee/comedian Brian Moses, this Fight Club of comedy is presented in a bracket style competition where two comics in each round will face off, roast each other, and a winner is declared by a celebrity panel of judges. This Thunderdome-of-comedy, four-night special event will be live-taped at the Just For Laughs Festival at L'Astral from July 27-29 with the July 31 finals airing live to millions of viewers as it will simulcast on Comedy Central in the US and the Comedy Network in Canada.
Filmed for The CW network at last summer's Festival in Montreal, Just For Laughs Starring Howie Mandel was an exclusive 90-minute special featuring one-of-a-kind performances from some of the best stand-up comedians working today, and gave JFL exposure to a whole new US audience. Given its phenomenal ratings success, CW renewed for this summer and we're thrilled to welcome back Howie Mandel as host of the second edition of this highly anticipated, all-star multi-comic gala. Mandel thrives in the spotlight, and from Deal or No Deal to America's Got Talent, he has been an unstoppable force in show business for over 30 years. Don't miss your chance to see Howie Mandel's Videotron Gala presented by Air Canada at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts on July 29.
DAVID CROSS TO HOST AN INCREDIBLE VIDEOTRON GALA PRESENTED BY AIR CANADA
Emmy® Award winner and Grammy® Award nominee David Cross is one of the most inventive performers, writers and producers in the industry. Cross recently made his return to stand-up comedy after a six-year hiatus with his tour, Making America Great Again, which he performed this past winter at JFL NorthWest in Vancouver. Cross's popular sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David was relaunched as With Bob and David on Netflix this past fall and IFC recently announced a third season of Todd Margaret which Cross stars in and created. Cross wrote and directed the dark indie film Hits, which was released at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, and he notably reprised his beloved role as Dr. Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development, which aired its fourth season on Netflix in 2013. Catch David Cross's Gala featuring a lineup of comedic heavyweights at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts on July 27.
CONCERTS THAT ARE NOT TO BE MISSED
Lewis Black is known as the king of the rant, and he's here to give you an earful in The Emperor's New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour. Black fittingly voiced the character, Anger, in the 2015 Academy® Award-winning Pixar film, Inside Out. Few others are so perfectly suited to personify anger. Black's hilariously heated outbursts are truly cathartic and shed light on the hypocrisy and madness of the world. His performance will take place at Theatre Maisonneuve in Place des Arts on July 27.
Currently a cast member on Comedy Central's hit series Broad City, Hannibal Buress is a favourite of fans and critics on big and small screens alike. He sold out his first national theatre stand-up comedy tour and was praised by The New York Times as one of the most "supremely gifted and respected" comics around. Catch this emerging comedy superstar when he performs at L'Olympia on July 30.
Jeremy Hotz spent the winter braving the harsh elements as he travelled from coast to coast, entertaining Canadian audiences with his International Man of Misery Tour. Now the sun is out and the lovably miserable comedian is coming to the Just For Laughs Festival to continue spreading the joy. Don't miss this hilarious grump live from L'Olympia on July 28.
Brian Regan visits close to 100 cities a year doing stand-up and has sold out some of the most beautiful venues on the continent. He recently made Comedy Central history by performing the first-ever live comedy special at Radio City Music Hall. Regan is a unique comedian whose material is relatable to generations of fans and revered by some of the best comedians in the business. Catch him live at Theatre Maisonneuve at Place Des Arts on July 30.
WE'VE GOT THE HOTTEST NATIONAL BANK SOLO SHOWS AND CLUB SERIES
Maria Bamford was praised for her work in the Netflix reboot of Arrested Development, has a recurring role on FX's critically acclaimed Louie and is the first female comic to have two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials. Maria is the star of the upcoming Netflix series Lady Dynamite, and can be seen live with two performances at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts on July 28 & 29.
Russell Howard, star of the hit BBC TV show Russell Howard's Good News and one of the UK's most popular comedians, returns to the Just For Laughs Festival with a brand new hour-long show. Don't miss this high-energy, upbeat and eye-wateringly funny rollercoaster of a set at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts on July 27 & 30.
Iliza Shlesinger is the host of the new relationship-based game show on TBS, Separation Anxiety, winner of Last Comic Standing and star of the Netflix specials Freezing Hot and Warpaint. Don't miss Iliza when she returns to Montreal for two performances at 5e Salle in Place Des Arts on July 28 & 30.
Over Kathleen Madigan's 25-year comedy career she has performed on nearly every late-night show ever made. She's had stand-up specials on Netflix, HBO, Showtime and Comedy Central, and won the American Comedy Award for "Best Female Comedian." Don't miss your chance to see Kathleen as she brings The Mermaid Lady Tour to Just For Laughs for one night only at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts on July 26.
Nikki Glaser is quickly becoming one of the most sought after young comedians and actors in the comedy world today. Catch the creator and star of Comedy Central's Not Safe w/ Nikki Glaser as she hosts a lineup of special guests at JFL All Access Live with two performances at Club Soda on July 30.
The Commonwealth's sharpest comedic talents are coming to this year's festival for Brit(ish), hosted by Mark Watson with Russell Kane, Joe Lycett, special guest Sarah Millican, and more comedians still to be announced. You'll laugh so hard, it'll make you proud to have the Queen on your money. Brit(ish) will take place with two shows at Club Soda on July 26 and a third show at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts on July 27.
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS COMING TO TOWN FOR JFL COMEDYPRO
FROM JULY 27-30
Scott Aukerman's popular podcast and television show Comedy Bang! Bang! is coming to JFL ComedyPRO. This live performance will feature Scott and some very special guests doing a totally improvised program with plenty of character drop-ins. The live podcast taping will take place at the Hyatt Grand Salon on July 29.
Don't miss Living in Fictional Times: A Political Conversation with Lewis Black, which is bound to be a riveting discussion with the hilarious and thoughtful comedian famous for his scathing critiques of US culture. The timing couldn't be more perfect as it will take place right after the Republican National Convention and during the Democratic National Convention. At the Hyatt Grand Salon on July 28.
Stay tuned for more JFL ComedyPRO announcements in the coming weeks!
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW AS PART OF THE JFL PASS AND SAVE!
With all new benefits, including free tickets and exclusive pass holder zones onsite, the best offer of the festival returns with the Just For Laughs Festival Passes. Grab the 2-Show Pass for only $99.99, the 3-Show Pass for $139.99, the 5-Show Pass for $215 or the new VIP festival pass for $300.
OFF-JFL IS BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER FROM JULY 21-30
PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH PABST BLUE RIBBON
We're thrilled to welcome Alan Carr as he performs his solo show, Yap Yap Yap, in Canada for the first time ever! The award-winning comedian, author and chat show supremo returns to his stand-up roots with his hilarious take on life. You know Tom Green from movies like Freddy Got Fingered and MTV's The Tom Green Show. After touring the world Tom is bringing his outrageous stand-up comedy show to OFF-JFL. Janeane Garofalo, who recently starred in the Netflix relaunch of the cult classic film Wet Hot American Summer, will also be performing her very own solo show. 24 star Mary Lynn Rajskub will be performing her one-woman show 24 Hours with Mary Lynn Rajskub at OFF-JFL before doing a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.
Also announcing: Cameron Esposito and Tommy Johnagin as hosts for Hosts with the Most, Nick Thune, Adam Hills, Steve Rannazzisi, Kurt Metzger, Big Jay Oakerson, Barry Crimmins, Louie Anderson, Emo Philips, Piff The Magic Dragon, Beth Stelling, Michelle Wolf, Todd Barry, Aparna Nancherla, Jermaine Fowler, Mark Normand, Matt Braunger, This Is Not Happening hosted by Ari Shaffir, The Alternative Show hosted by Andy Kindler, Best of the Fest, Midnight Surprise and many more still to come!
Just For Laughs' edgier sibling, OFF-JFL has combined this year with Zoofest creating the inaugural Zoofest & OFF-JFL festival! Choose any 3 shows at OFF-JFL or Zoofest as part of your ZOØFF pass for only $49.99!
Pre-sale for each show begins today, May 3, at 10 am at hahaha.com
Public on-sale starts Thursday, May 5, at 10 am at hahaha.com
ALREADY ANNOUNCED BUT NOT TO BE MISSED!
Often referred to as the "Jerry Seinfeld of French Comedy," Gad Elmaleh is arguably the biggest and most beloved comedic star in France. Oh My Gad, his new stand-up show presented entirely in English, builds upon the jokes that made him famous overseas and includes new observations from his life in America. With a fifth show just added, don't miss your chance to see one of Elmaleh's five performances at Le Gesù from July 25-29, presented as part of National Bank Solo Shows.
Among the most respected and best-loved comedians working in Britain today, Jimmy Carr is one of the biggest-selling live acts in UK comedy and could be seen recently on Showtime's special The Nasty Show, recorded last summer in Montreal. The master of deadpan one-liners brings his international tour and all-new stand-up show Funny Business, which has seen him perform to over 300,000 people worldwide, to Le Gesù for five performances from July 25-30, presented as part of National Bank Solo Shows.
Rachid Badouri hosts The Ethnic Show at Club Soda and Metropolis from July 13-28, where comics of all ethnicities, including special guest Dom Irrera, Godfrey, Gina Brillon, Yannis Pappas and Jessica Kirson will leave the audience in stitches, presented as part of National Bank Club Series.
The Nasty Show, hosted for the second time by "the Celine Dion of dick jokes," Mike Ward, promises to be nastier than ever at Metropolis from July 20-30, with special guest "The Pitbull of Comedy" Bobby Slayton, Brad Williams, Ralphie May and Tiffany Haddish.
The Just For Laughs Festival runs from July 13- 31, 2016 in Montreal, Canada.
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Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @justforlaughs
The Just For Laughs Festival presented by Videotron in association with Loto-Quebec would like to thank its public partners: Government of Canada, Gouvernement du Québec, City of Montréal and Tourisme Montréal for their support.
About the Just For Laughs Group:
Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group has had but one goal in its 30-plus years of operation: Make People Happy. To achieve this goal, the Just For Laughs Group has focused on four major products: festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney; television production including Gags seen in over 130 countries and on over 75 airlines and stand-up specials; live shows, such as Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan and the Just For Laughs Comedy Tour; and talent management. The Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival is the world's largest and most prestigious comedy event welcoming on average 1.35 million visitors to Montreal each summer and generating approximately $80 million for the city's economy. The Group has offices in Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, London and they are all connected to each other via the Internet.
THE 2016 EDITION OF
THE JUST FOR LAUGHS FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY VIDEOTRON
IN ASSOCIATION WITH LOTO-QUÉBEC
For tickets by phone, online or in person:
The Just For Laughs Box Office, 514-845-2322, hahaha.com presented by Videotron
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