Jen Kirkman: Rationally Solid Comedy
I think there’s a chance Jen Kirkman may read this review. She did, after all, make reviews a topic of discussion in the informal preamble she had with the audience before launching into her performance of Irrational Thoughts at OFF-JFL. I say performance rather than set because, as Kirkman warned us, it wasn’t a standup […]
NASTY! The Nasty Show Returns to JFL
As one of the most-loved, longest-running shows at Just For Laughs, every edition of The Nasty Show comes with bigger shoes to fill. Not one to shy away from expectations, host Ari Shaffir opened the show—featuring Robert Kelly, Jimmy Carr, Yamaneika Saunders, Godfrey and Big Jay Oakerson — with a bible story, an intriguing, attention […]
Wyatt Cenac on Montreal Crowds, the New Daily Show and Political Comedy in the Age of Trump
Comedian and writer Wyatt Cenac has performed standup in a variety of venues over the years, some big, some small, some rather unique. But does the type of venue affect his performance? “It’s not the type of venue as much as the type of crowd,” he said in a telephone interview, “that’s the wild card. […]
Big Boum Theory: Montreal Artist Samantha Leriche-Gionet’s Experience of Comic Con
For the past seven years local cartoonist Samantha Leriche-Gionet has attended the Montreal Comic Convention with copies of her autobiographical comic strip, Boumeries, in hand. The graduate of Concordia University’s Film Animation department has made a career for herself chronicling the ups, downs and in-betweens of daily life by finding humor in everything from raising […]
Living the Dream is Waking Up in Death Valley with Iggy Pop in Your Heart
I am the type of person that has a lot of irrational fear. I am afraid of things going too fast, I am afraid of letting go. I don’t know if I have ever really had an orgasm or truly allowed myself to be vulnerable. I am a loner desperately trying to love life and […]
Boundless Energy and Finding Humour in Pain: An Interview with Jessica Kirson
Jessica Kirson is a comedian all can admire. She’s funny, she’s fearless and she has a versatility few comedians have, shifting seamlessly from social commentary to hilarious impressions. She has the kind of energy most can only match after several cups of caffeine, and though she’s been through her share of struggles, Kirson has managed […]
Moshe Kasher on the Internet, the Importance of Conversations and Montreal
This won’t me Moshe Kasher’s first visit to Montreal, or to Just for Laughs. The comedian, writer and actor has been performing regularly here since his first appearance at the fest in 2009. “I love Montreal,” he stated in a telephone interview, “this will be my fifth or sixth time coming to Montreal, so I […]
A Cultural Melting Pot of Great Talent: Just for Laughs’ The Ethnic Show
The Ethnic Show is described by Just for Laughs as “a cultural melting pot for comedy”. This year is its ninth edition and comedians from a variety of backgrounds are here to show their comedic mettle. Some are well-known, some less so, but one thing is for certain, you’re guaranteed a good time even if […]
Scientists Warn the Sixth Mass Extinction will be a Biological Annihilation
The sixth mass extinction will hit harder than expected, according to a collaborative study between Stanford and the University of Mexico. 32% of all vertebrate species are steadily decreasing, even if one third of them classify as low concern species. We already knew that animals and plants are going extinct 100 to 1 000 times […]
Artists Among Us: A Preview of Montreal Comic Con
If you happen to spot a Power Ranger or Sailor Scout in the days ahead, do not be alarmed. It’s simply that special time of year again, when fanboys and girls of all ages gather at the Palais de Congres for three days of celebrities, cosplay and comic books. Yes, the Montreal Comic Con is […]
Total Corporate Education: A Big Oil VP May Become the Director of Polytechnique
Philippe Tanguy, a top executive from the multinational oil corporation Total, is set to become the new director of Polytechnique, and more than a few people are concerned. The school board has recommended Tanguy for the job despite the growing pushback and it’s now up to Education minister Hélène David to give the final and […]
Gina Yashere on British Politics, Raunchy Humour and Montreal
Gina Yashere is a Just for Laughs veteran, recent contributor on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and the host of this year’s JFL British Show. FTB’s Samantha Gold speaks with her about Montreal, raunchy humour and the difference between the current British and American political situations: Brit(ish) hosted by Gina Yashere runs July 26-28. […]