The Just For Laughs Festival, presented by Videotron in association with Loto-Québec, will be doing what is does best one again July 13-31 in Montreal, Canada. This event marks the 34th edition of the largest comedy festival in the world. If that is not impressive enough this year’s lineup is full of surprises. Just get a look at the announcements coming to the fest this summer:
An Evening with the Cast of Veep at Maison Symphonique at Place Des Arts (July 27)
The Emmy® Award-winning and Golden Globe®-nominated HBO series will be spending some time away form the campaign trail with a live appearance at JFL. VEEP cast members JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, Tony Hale, and Timothy Simons plus showrunner David Mandel will be gracing the fest with their presence this year. If hilarious political satire is your game then this is just the panel for you!
JFL to telecast across North America with a special four-night (July 27-29, July 31)
Roast Battle with Roastmaster General Jeff Ross at L’Astral
If comedy roasts are your jam you’re in luck. Viewers will be delighted to hear that JFL will be telecasting JEFF ROSS Presents Roast Battle, a comedy competition featuring “a no-holds-barred verbal boxing match.” This is a bracket style competition where two comics will roast one another like there’s no tomorrow and a winner will be crowned by a celebrity panel of judges. The event will be live-taped at L’Astral from July 27-29. The finals will air live to millions being simulcast on Comedy Central in the US and the Comedy Network in Canada July 31st.
CW’s Just For Laughs Starring Howie Mandel at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts (Fri, July 29)
Comedian/actor HOWIE MANDEL will host the second edition of “an all-star multi-comic gala.” Just For Laughs Starring Howie Mandel was so popular last summer that The CW network decided to renew it for another go-round. Mandel has captivated audiences for over 30years so it’s no surprise he’ll be returning for this JFL event. The America’s Got Talent judge will help debut one-of-a-kind performances from the top comedians in the biz. The Videotron Gala will be presented by Air Canada at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts on July 29.
David Cross hosts the Videotron Gala presented by Air Canada (Wed, July 27)
You know him from Mr. Show with Bob and David, Arrested Development and Todd Margaret. We’re, of course, talking about the Emmy® Award winner and Grammy® Award nominee DAVID CROSS. The comeidan/actor/writer/producer will be hosting a a gala event featuring a lineup comedy philes will drool over. The event will be held at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts on July 27.
In addition to star-studded panels and galas the festival will be offering comedy concerts featuring “the king of rant” LEWIS BLACK July 27th at Theatre Maisonneuve in Place des Arts, Broad City’s HANNIBAL BURESS at L’Olympia on July 30, International Man of Misery Tour comedian JEREMY HOTZ live from L’Olympia on July 28 and the first to perform his comedy special live at Radio City Music Hall for Comedy Central BRIAN REGAN will be taking the stage at Theatre Maisonneuve at Place Des Arts on July 30.
Are you getting excited yet? There’s more! Expect solo shows at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts from Lady Dynamite herself MARIA BAMFORD July 28 & 29, an hour-long show from RUSSELL HOWARD July 27 & 30th, Separation Anxiety host on TBS ILIZA SHLESINGER July 28 & 30 and a one night only performance from KATHLEEN MADIGAN’s The Mermaid Lady Tour July 26.
The CLUB SERIES will include creator and star of Comedy Central’s Not Safe w/ Nikki Glaser hosting a lineup of special guests at JFL All Access Live with two performances at Club Soda on July 30. You’ll also see Brit(ish) which includes the commonwealth’s finest Russell Kane, Joe Lycettand special guest Sarah Millican hosted by MARK WATSON. Check out two shows at Club Soda on July 26 and a third show at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts on July 27.
And just when you thought there couldn’t be more the JFL ComedyPRO will welcome an improvised program from SCOTT AUKERMAN’s Comedy Bang! Bang! july 29 at the Hyatt Grand Salon, as well as Living in Fictional Times: A Political Conversation with LEWIS BLACK at the Hyatt Grand July 28 with more JFL ComedyPRO announcement to come!
Being one of the largest comedy festival in the world, of course, there’s more on the comedy platter. Since we’re slightly evil we’ll just list more JFL comedy guests to force you to head to Montreal and purchase your pre-sale tickets today at 10am at hahaha.com (public on-sale starts Thursday, May 5, at 10 am at hahaha.com) Now for that enticing list:
Alan Carr, Tom Green, Janeane Garofalo, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cameron Esposito, Tommy Johnagin, 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, Ari Shaffir, Andy Kindler, Gad Elmaleh, Jimmy Carr, Rachid Badouri, Dom Irrera, Godfrey, Gina Brillon, Yannis Pappas, Jessica Kirson, Mike Ward, Bobby Slayton, Brad Williams, Ralphie May, Tiffany Haddish and more!
Mentions: 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! More box office info HERE. JFL 2016 runs from July 13- 31, 2016 in Montreal, Canada.