Who’s laughing now?
After filing for bankruptcy and canceling its latest edition earlier in 2024, the revered international comedy festival Just for Laughs is making a comeback.
The fest returns in Sydney, Australia, from Nov. 18-28, 2024, under its new owner ComediHa!, which acquired Just for Laughs in June after it was forced to slash its staff and sell select assets. Trevor Noah, Eric Idle and Brad Williams are among the performers in Sydney, as well as Melanie Bracewell, who will host the All-Star Gala.
Jfl then moves to its 17th edition in Bermuda, from Jan. 22-24, 2025, followed by a stint in Vancouver from Feb. 13-22.
Of course, Just for Laughs will return to Montreal, where it originated in 1983, from July 16-27. In a press release, new owner ComediHa! stressed that maintaining Jfl’s presence in Montreal is one of its “top priorities,” adding, “With an eye towards the future, the...
After filing for bankruptcy and canceling its latest edition earlier in 2024, the revered international comedy festival Just for Laughs is making a comeback.
The fest returns in Sydney, Australia, from Nov. 18-28, 2024, under its new owner ComediHa!, which acquired Just for Laughs in June after it was forced to slash its staff and sell select assets. Trevor Noah, Eric Idle and Brad Williams are among the performers in Sydney, as well as Melanie Bracewell, who will host the All-Star Gala.
Jfl then moves to its 17th edition in Bermuda, from Jan. 22-24, 2025, followed by a stint in Vancouver from Feb. 13-22.
Of course, Just for Laughs will return to Montreal, where it originated in 1983, from July 16-27. In a press release, new owner ComediHa! stressed that maintaining Jfl’s presence in Montreal is one of its “top priorities,” adding, “With an eye towards the future, the...
- 8/21/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Gold Derby can exclusively reveal the 48 episodes entered as 2024 Emmy Award submission for the eight Best Comedy Series nominees. Each program submits six episodes from this past season. Television Academy voters are asked to watch each of the episodes entered for that category before marking their ballots.
See Lively chats with almost 200 of the 2024 Emmy nominees
The complete list of submission for this category below:
Abbott Elementary (ABC) –
“Smoking,” “Panel,” “Party,” “Librarian,” “Alex,” “Double Date”
The Bear (FX) –
“Honeydew,” “Pop,” “Fishes,” “Forks,” “Omelette,” “The Bear”
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO Max) –
“Atlanta,” “Fish Stuck,” “The Gettysburg Address,” “The Dream Scheme,” “Ken/Kendra,” “No Lessons Learned”
Hacks (HBO Max) –
“Just for Laughs,” “Better Late,” “The Roast of Deborah Vance,” “Par for the Course,” “Yes, And,” “Bulletproof”
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) –
“The Show Must…,” “Grab Your Hankies,” “CoBro,” “Sitzprobe,” “Thirty,” “Opening Night”
Palm Royale (Apple TV+) –
“Pilot,” “Maxine Rolls the Dice,...
See Lively chats with almost 200 of the 2024 Emmy nominees
The complete list of submission for this category below:
Abbott Elementary (ABC) –
“Smoking,” “Panel,” “Party,” “Librarian,” “Alex,” “Double Date”
The Bear (FX) –
“Honeydew,” “Pop,” “Fishes,” “Forks,” “Omelette,” “The Bear”
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO Max) –
“Atlanta,” “Fish Stuck,” “The Gettysburg Address,” “The Dream Scheme,” “Ken/Kendra,” “No Lessons Learned”
Hacks (HBO Max) –
“Just for Laughs,” “Better Late,” “The Roast of Deborah Vance,” “Par for the Course,” “Yes, And,” “Bulletproof”
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) –
“The Show Must…,” “Grab Your Hankies,” “CoBro,” “Sitzprobe,” “Thirty,” “Opening Night”
Palm Royale (Apple TV+) –
“Pilot,” “Maxine Rolls the Dice,...
- 8/11/2024
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
French television station M6 is suspending La France a un incroyable talent — the country’s version of America’s Got Talent — for the remainder of its season after one of the show’s judges was accused of sexual harassment. The judge, Gilbert Rozon, is also the president of Montreal’s Just For Laughs comedy festival, and announced his resignation from that and other posts yesterday. (Watch a clip of Rozon on the talent show above). In a statement written in French, Rozon…...
- 10/19/2017
- Deadline TV
Gilbert Rozon, a giant in the Quebec entertainment industry, is stepping down from various positions amid what he calls “allegations involving him.” Rozon said on his Facebook page Wednesday he is no longer president of the Just For Laughs comedy festival, vice-president of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce or involved with the city’s 375th anniversary celebrations. Read […]...
- 10/19/2017
- by Gavin Crisp
- ET Canada
Leading virtual reality studio Felix & Paul and the Just For Laughs comedy festival have partnered with Google to create a brand new Vr comedy series that will live on YouTube and Google’s Daydream mobile Vr platform.
Titled The Confessional, the seven-episode series -- premiering today -- will feature comedians Lilly Singh, Trevor Noah, Judd Apatow, Howie Mandel, Jim Norton, Moshe Kasher, Natasha Leggero, Grace Helbig, and Mamrie Hart. Filmed during the 2017 Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal over the summer, each episode of the 3D, 360-degree series will feature comedians in an intimate confessional booth, sharing awkward stories with viewers. Tales will run the gamut from first dates gone awry to a nightmare car ride in Las Vegas.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
Titled The Confessional, the seven-episode series -- premiering today -- will feature comedians Lilly Singh, Trevor Noah, Judd Apatow, Howie Mandel, Jim Norton, Moshe Kasher, Natasha Leggero, Grace Helbig, and Mamrie Hart. Filmed during the 2017 Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal over the summer, each episode of the 3D, 360-degree series will feature comedians in an intimate confessional booth, sharing awkward stories with viewers. Tales will run the gamut from first dates gone awry to a nightmare car ride in Las Vegas.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 10/17/2017
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
“The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” will add some fresh blood to its roster of correspondents, stand-up comedian Dulcé Sloan will join “The Best F#@king News Team.” Sloan was tapped by Noah, also the show’s Executive Producer, and will make her first appearance with an in studio desk piece. A fresh and unique voice in the world of stand-up comedy, Sloan has appeared on Comedy Central’s “@midnight with Chris Hardwicke,” TBS’ “Conan,” truTV’s “Comedy Knockout,” and made multiple appearances as a correspondent on E! News Daily.
As former correspondents like Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, and Jessica Williams continue to dominate late-night and rise in prominence, a correspondent slot on “The Daily Show” can be as significant to a young comedian’s career as joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live.” Noah’s “Daily Show” tenure has already helped former correspondent Jordan Klepper launch his own half hour on the network,...
As former correspondents like Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, and Jessica Williams continue to dominate late-night and rise in prominence, a correspondent slot on “The Daily Show” can be as significant to a young comedian’s career as joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live.” Noah’s “Daily Show” tenure has already helped former correspondent Jordan Klepper launch his own half hour on the network,...
- 9/5/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Comedy star Dave Chappelle will be in Toronto to present the Icon Award to homegrown comedy brand Just For Laughs at the Canadian Screen Awards. He will present the award, which celebrates important achievements in Canada’s screen industry, on March 12. Founded in 1983 in Montreal, Just For Laughs has become one of the best-known […]...
- 2/28/2017
- by Rachel West
- ET Canada
New York theatergoers know Bridget Everett as a cabaret singer with a powerhouse belt and a penchant for motorboating audience members. Comedy fans know her as the closing act of each season of “Inside Amy Schumer,” singing songs with names like “Titties.” Instagram followers know her as Poppy’s mother, whom she calls “Pomeranian top model.”
Soon, everyone will know her as Barb, the sharp-tongued lush and embittered mother in ‘Patti Cake$,’ Geremy Jasper’s Sundance crowdpleaser that sold to Fox Searchlight for a whopping $10.5 million, the second biggest deal of the 2017 festival. She’s also a lead in the Julie Rudd and Alethea Jones comedy “Fun Mom Dinner,” opposite Toni Colette.
Read More: ‘Patti Cake$’ Review: Here’s the Best Hip-Hop Movie Since ‘Hustle & Flow’ – Sundance 2017
In a recent interview with IndieWire before leaving New York for Park City, Everett was excited but a little nervous. “I have this...
Soon, everyone will know her as Barb, the sharp-tongued lush and embittered mother in ‘Patti Cake$,’ Geremy Jasper’s Sundance crowdpleaser that sold to Fox Searchlight for a whopping $10.5 million, the second biggest deal of the 2017 festival. She’s also a lead in the Julie Rudd and Alethea Jones comedy “Fun Mom Dinner,” opposite Toni Colette.
Read More: ‘Patti Cake$’ Review: Here’s the Best Hip-Hop Movie Since ‘Hustle & Flow’ – Sundance 2017
In a recent interview with IndieWire before leaving New York for Park City, Everett was excited but a little nervous. “I have this...
- 1/26/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Montreal — The first thing one might notice about “Tickling Giants” – a rousing documentary from Sara Taksler, recently screened at Just For Laughs – is just how audacious the first ten minutes are. Images of a violent revolution sweeping through North Africa are interlaced with a cynical edge of black comedy, punctuated by a fake […]
The post Documentary ‘Tickling Giants’ Shines A Light On Bassem Youssef, Egypt’s Jon Stewart [Review] appeared first on The Playlist.
The post Documentary ‘Tickling Giants’ Shines A Light On Bassem Youssef, Egypt’s Jon Stewart [Review] appeared first on The Playlist.
- 7/23/2016
- by Michael Garmonsway
- The Playlist
Let's say you're a six-person improv group — we'll call you "The Commune" — and you've been kicking around the New York City comedy scene for a while. You're drawing a decent crowd, playing the good nights in a Ucb-level venue downtown, and because you've been doing this together for so long, you're hitting maximum performer mind-meld onstage. Then one of your members gets recruited for an SNL-like show called Weekend Live. The rest of you are still left living gig to gig. What's a troupe to do?
That's the central premise of Don't Think Twice,...
That's the central premise of Don't Think Twice,...
- 7/21/2016
- Rollingstone.com
Usually found (wrongly) bragging about his status with the opposite sex as Jay in The Inbetweeners on big and small screens, James Buckley is striking out away from the gang for a starring role in The Comedian’s Guide To Survival. With Paul Kaye, MyAnna Buring and Neil Stuke in the cast, the film finds Buckley as failed comic James Mullinger, who travels the world interviewing more successful funny types to find the secret to comedy. And because he has to talk to funny types, the film, which is in production right now, features a host of cameos from people who make their trade cracking gags at a variety of levels including Jimmy Carr, Omid Dalilli, Gilbert Gottfried and more. Mark Murphy wrote the script for this one and is directing, including a stint at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in July. Expect the film to hit festivals and...
- 8/20/2015
- EmpireOnline
The Just For Laughs Festival, presented by Videotron in association with Loto-Quebec, returns this summer for its 33rd edition with more laughs and more stars. This year, Broadway stars Neil Patrick Harris, Alan Cumming and Jane Lynch will appear alongside a comedian line-up that includes Mike Myers, Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Wanda Sykes, Trevor Noah, Bill Burr, Patton Oswalt, Weird Al Yankovic, Jason Reitman, Omid Djalili and Ellie Kemper.
- 5/28/2015
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Aubrey Plaza to voice Grumpy Cat for Lifetime In a match made in heaven, the deadpan “Parks and Rec” star has been tapped for "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever” after Jane Lynch reportedly backed out after winning an Emmy. Les Moonves: There’s a “very strong possibility” Showtime will be offered to non-cable subscribers “And possibly with CBS as well,” the CBS chief, who oversees Showtime, told investors today. “Friday Night Lights” alum Zach Gilford to play Jennifer Carpenter’s love interest on USA’s “Stanistan” He’ll play an infrastructure manager for Usaid in the drama about an American compound in the Middle Eastern country of Stanistan. Click Read Full Post For More TBS will celebrate Monday’s 20th anniversary of “Friends” with a 20-episode marathon The 20 episodes will consist of fan favorites. Bill Clinton to return to “The Daily Show” The former president will make his 9th appearance on Thursday.
- 9/17/2014
- by Norman Weiss
- Hitfix
With the season coming to a close on CBC darling, Murdoch Mysteries, and new hitting recently that Cracked and Arctic Air will not be returning, CBC has announced several renewals, and a few new shows.
Murdoch Mysteries and Dragon’s Den are the clear no-brainers of the situation, but we’ve got a full list, plus some pretty hot new efforts.
Schitt’s Creek will be coming your way, a show co-created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, who star with Catherine O’Hara, and that ought to be all you need to know about this one. Also added to the schedule is new show Strange Empire. Reportedly a very dark show, it takes place in western frontier town and follows the women who find themselves stranded when all the men suddenly disappear.
Get all the info below, and make sure your favorites are on the list.
CBC today confirmed...
Murdoch Mysteries and Dragon’s Den are the clear no-brainers of the situation, but we’ve got a full list, plus some pretty hot new efforts.
Schitt’s Creek will be coming your way, a show co-created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, who star with Catherine O’Hara, and that ought to be all you need to know about this one. Also added to the schedule is new show Strange Empire. Reportedly a very dark show, it takes place in western frontier town and follows the women who find themselves stranded when all the men suddenly disappear.
Get all the info below, and make sure your favorites are on the list.
CBC today confirmed...
- 4/6/2014
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Longtime ‘Weekend Update’ anchor Seth Meyers will say his final goodbye on Feb. 1, and on Jan. 23 it was announced that an unknown by the name of Colin Jost would replace him. Rest assured, nervous ‘SNL’ fans — he’s the perfect man for the job.
When Cecily Strong sits down in Saturday Night Live‘s iconic “Weekend Update” desk on March 1, she’ll have a brand new co-anchor by her side. Head writer Colin Jost has been tapped to replace longtime anchor Seth Meyers when he leaves to host Late Night on Feb. 24, and we couldn’t be more excited for the new SNL blood.
Colin Jost Replacing Seth Meyers On ‘Weekend Update’: Why It’s A Good Move
Remember back in 2006, when former head writer Tina Fey left SNL for greener pastures, and was replaced by the then-unknown head writer Seth Meyers? It was terrifying! Tina and Amy Poehler...
When Cecily Strong sits down in Saturday Night Live‘s iconic “Weekend Update” desk on March 1, she’ll have a brand new co-anchor by her side. Head writer Colin Jost has been tapped to replace longtime anchor Seth Meyers when he leaves to host Late Night on Feb. 24, and we couldn’t be more excited for the new SNL blood.
Colin Jost Replacing Seth Meyers On ‘Weekend Update’: Why It’s A Good Move
Remember back in 2006, when former head writer Tina Fey left SNL for greener pastures, and was replaced by the then-unknown head writer Seth Meyers? It was terrifying! Tina and Amy Poehler...
- 1/24/2014
- by Shaunna Murphy
- HollywoodLife
Cecily Strong has a new desk mate.
EW has confirmed SNL head writer Colin Jost will join Strong as co-anchor of “Weekend Update” following the departure of longtime anchor Seth Meyers, who will leave to host Late Night starting Feb. 24. Meyers’ final “Update” will be Feb. 1.
After joining the staff at age 22 in 2005, Jost — a former president of the Harvard Lampoon — was named SNL’s head writer in 2012. He’s been nominated for seven Emmy Awards, taken home three WGA awards, and won the 2009 Peabody Award for his work on SNL.
Jost is also a stand-up comedian who’s appeared...
EW has confirmed SNL head writer Colin Jost will join Strong as co-anchor of “Weekend Update” following the departure of longtime anchor Seth Meyers, who will leave to host Late Night starting Feb. 24. Meyers’ final “Update” will be Feb. 1.
After joining the staff at age 22 in 2005, Jost — a former president of the Harvard Lampoon — was named SNL’s head writer in 2012. He’s been nominated for seven Emmy Awards, taken home three WGA awards, and won the 2009 Peabody Award for his work on SNL.
Jost is also a stand-up comedian who’s appeared...
- 1/23/2014
- by Marc Snetiker
- EW - Inside TV
The Fantasia International Film Festival held its annual press conference this morning at the Cinémathèque Québécoise in downtown Montreal, hosted by many of the regular festival programmers and planners, among them general directors Marc Lamothe and Mitch Davis, who both represent the heart and backbone of the event, Isabelle Gauvreau, director of Québec short films programming, Simon Laperrière, director of the ‘Camera Lucida’ selections and King Wei-Chu and Nicolas Archambault, directors of Asian programming, just to name a few.
A few of the major announcements from the first few waves were reiterated, such as Takashi Miike’s Shield of Straw as the opening film and Edgar Wright’s The World’s End as the closing movie. One previously unmentioned bit of tantalizing information shared with the press this morning is that in addition to director Edgar Wright hosting, so will co-star Nick Frost!
More details were revealed concerning the Fantasia-Festival...
A few of the major announcements from the first few waves were reiterated, such as Takashi Miike’s Shield of Straw as the opening film and Edgar Wright’s The World’s End as the closing movie. One previously unmentioned bit of tantalizing information shared with the press this morning is that in addition to director Edgar Wright hosting, so will co-star Nick Frost!
More details were revealed concerning the Fantasia-Festival...
- 7/9/2013
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Previous | Image 1 of 13 | NextBill Maher headlines ‘Just for Laugh Chicago’ at The Chicago Theatre.
Chicago – Two icons of comedy, one contemporary and one classic, took the stage during last month’s “Just for Laughs Chicago” festival – sponsored by the TBS Network – and brought down their respective houses. Political commentator Bill Maher and comic legend Bob Newhart both performed downtown at The Chicago Theatre.
Also performing their acts during the festival – appearing with Seth Meyers – was Al Madrigal of “The Daily Show” and Hannibal Buress, who is a notable stand-up comedian and writer for TV shows such as “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock.”
Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took 13 Exclusive Portraits of these comic masters plying their trade. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.
COMICS1:...
Chicago – Two icons of comedy, one contemporary and one classic, took the stage during last month’s “Just for Laughs Chicago” festival – sponsored by the TBS Network – and brought down their respective houses. Political commentator Bill Maher and comic legend Bob Newhart both performed downtown at The Chicago Theatre.
Also performing their acts during the festival – appearing with Seth Meyers – was Al Madrigal of “The Daily Show” and Hannibal Buress, who is a notable stand-up comedian and writer for TV shows such as “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock.”
Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took 13 Exclusive Portraits of these comic masters plying their trade. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.
COMICS1:...
- 7/9/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Previous | Image 1 of 24 | NextJohn Hodgman of ‘The Daily Show’ headlined ‘Just for Laughs Chicago.’
Chicago – The annual “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival, sponsored by the TBS network, is one of the highlights of the summer months in the Windy City. Each June, Chicago cements its reputation as the capital of hilarity, and the participating comedians are the top of the current crop.
Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took these Exclusive Portraits of 24 comic masters during the festival in June. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.
LAUGHS1: John Hodgman of ‘The Daily Show’ headlined ‘Just for Laughs Chicago.’ LAUGHS2: Tim Meadows of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘The Ladies Man.’ LAUGHS3: Brian Posehn was recently in Comedy Central’s ‘The Sarah Silverman Show.
Chicago – The annual “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival, sponsored by the TBS network, is one of the highlights of the summer months in the Windy City. Each June, Chicago cements its reputation as the capital of hilarity, and the participating comedians are the top of the current crop.
Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took these Exclusive Portraits of 24 comic masters during the festival in June. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.
LAUGHS1: John Hodgman of ‘The Daily Show’ headlined ‘Just for Laughs Chicago.’ LAUGHS2: Tim Meadows of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘The Ladies Man.’ LAUGHS3: Brian Posehn was recently in Comedy Central’s ‘The Sarah Silverman Show.
- 7/4/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The hottest comic and comedy show came together at the 2013 TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” festival in June. Paul F. Tompkins – podcaster and host of VH1’s “Best Week Ever” – had a show, and also at the event were the cast of comedians that make up the TBS sitcom, “Sullivan & Son.”
HollywoodChicago.com interviewed Tompkins and the “Sullivan & Son” cast, as they talked about the comedian’s life and sitcoms in the age of YouTube.
Paul F. Tompkins
The multi-talented Tompkins has conquered most of the comic media – he has hosted “Best Week Ever” on the VH1 network, has had two comedy albums, he’s appeared in the film “Anchorman” and oversees his own “Pod F. Tompkast” podcast. He also currently produces a weekly web series called “Speakeasy,” in which he speaks with entertainers at local Los Angeles bars.
Paul F. Tompkins at the 2013 ‘Just for Laughs Chicago’
Photo...
HollywoodChicago.com interviewed Tompkins and the “Sullivan & Son” cast, as they talked about the comedian’s life and sitcoms in the age of YouTube.
Paul F. Tompkins
The multi-talented Tompkins has conquered most of the comic media – he has hosted “Best Week Ever” on the VH1 network, has had two comedy albums, he’s appeared in the film “Anchorman” and oversees his own “Pod F. Tompkast” podcast. He also currently produces a weekly web series called “Speakeasy,” in which he speaks with entertainers at local Los Angeles bars.
Paul F. Tompkins at the 2013 ‘Just for Laughs Chicago’
Photo...
- 6/27/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – A round-up of comic stars at the TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” this year included three notable alumni from The Second City stage. Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live”), Scott Adsit (“30 Rock”) and Kevin Dorff (writer/performer for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) all were on The Second City main stage on Wells Street in Chicago during the beginning of their careers.
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
- 6/25/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – A round-up of comic stars at the TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” this year included three notable alumni from The Second City stage. Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live”), Scott Adsit (“30 Rock”) and Kevin Dorff (writer/performer for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) all were on The Second City main stage on Wells Street in Chicago during the beginning of their careers.
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
- 6/25/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Last night was the second annual [Redacted] comedy show, brought to the world by your friends at The A.V. Club along with Constellation and Just For Laughs. Once again, the comedians were kept secret until they walked on stage, and once again it was a lot of fun—and raised a bunch of money for 826 Chicago. And now we must thank everyone who donated their time, in order of appearance: Brian Babylon, Cameron Esposito, Kyle Kinane, Brian Posehn, David Cross, Todd Barry, Mac McCaughan, Jason Narducy, Jon Glaser (sort of), Todd Glass, Doug Benson, and John Hodgman. Highlights ...
- 6/13/2013
- avclub.com
Chicago – The great city of Chicago can’t stop the funny this week. The TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival returns for another hilarious six days. Highlights include performances by Russell Brand, John Hodgman, Seth Meyers, Bill Maher and the legendary Chicagoan Bob Newhart.
But that’s not all. Every day through Sunday, June 16th, venues all over the city will be open for a variety of acts, in both types and sizes. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the name acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s funniest American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
Russell Brand at “Just for Laughs Chicago” 2013
Photo credit: TBS
Tuesday, June 11
”iO Theater Presents Tj & Dave”
The iconic Chicago improvisation duo – T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi – now nationally known through their hilarious commercials for Sonic restaurants, gets a...
But that’s not all. Every day through Sunday, June 16th, venues all over the city will be open for a variety of acts, in both types and sizes. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the name acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s funniest American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
Russell Brand at “Just for Laughs Chicago” 2013
Photo credit: TBS
Tuesday, June 11
”iO Theater Presents Tj & Dave”
The iconic Chicago improvisation duo – T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi – now nationally known through their hilarious commercials for Sonic restaurants, gets a...
- 6/11/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Exclusive: Comedy Central executive-turned-producer Lou Wallach has signed an overall deal with Universal TV’s Alternative Studio. Under the pact, Wallach will develop, produce and consult on comedies of different formats, primarily for NBC but also possibly for other networks. Wallach most recently has been an independent producer and consultant. He executive produced Comedy Central’s Michael & Michael Have Issues, and BBC America’s Funny As Hell: UK and consulted for AMC, Comedy Central UK, Mtvx, Red Bull Media House and Just For Laughs Festival. Previously, he was Svp, Original Programming at Comedy Central where he oversaw Chappelle’s Show, The Colbert Report, Comedy Central Presents, Crank Yankers, and Insomniac with Dave Attell.
- 4/4/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
For our Canadian readers...
Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison, Co-Creators of the stage production of Night Of The Living Dead Live, are pleased to announce that Second City Alumni Darryl Hinds and Canadian Comedy Award-winners Mike “Nug” Nahrgang (Evil Dead: The Musical) and Dale Boyer, will team up with Trevor Martin (Evil Dead, the Musical, Just For Laughs All Star Gala with John Cleese), Gwynne Phillips (half of the award-winning sketch comedy duo, “The Templeton Philharmonic”) and Andrew Fleming (The Russian Play, “Omega”) at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue in Toronto. Night Of The Living Dead Live is directed by Christopher Bond (Evil Dead, The Musical, A Little Bit Zombie) who was also the director, co-creator and co-composer of Evil Dead, The Musical.
Read more...
Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison, Co-Creators of the stage production of Night Of The Living Dead Live, are pleased to announce that Second City Alumni Darryl Hinds and Canadian Comedy Award-winners Mike “Nug” Nahrgang (Evil Dead: The Musical) and Dale Boyer, will team up with Trevor Martin (Evil Dead, the Musical, Just For Laughs All Star Gala with John Cleese), Gwynne Phillips (half of the award-winning sketch comedy duo, “The Templeton Philharmonic”) and Andrew Fleming (The Russian Play, “Omega”) at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue in Toronto. Night Of The Living Dead Live is directed by Christopher Bond (Evil Dead, The Musical, A Little Bit Zombie) who was also the director, co-creator and co-composer of Evil Dead, The Musical.
Read more...
- 3/28/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
"Saturday Night Live" has added three new featured players, all associated with Second City and Chicago's iO theater. Aidy Bryant (left) trained with iO Chicago and Annoyance Theatre and was an ensemble member of the Second City E.T.C Stage. See also: Watch Kristen Wiig Graduate 'SNL' (Video) Tim Robinson, also an alumnus of The Second City, performed on its mainstage and in its national touring company. He has also performed at the iO Theater in Chicago and at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. Cecily Strong has performed as a member of the...
- 9/10/2012
- by Tim Molloy
- The Wrap
Live from Chicago — it’s Saturday Night Live‘s new cast additions. The veteran NBC sketch comedy series just announced it is adding three featured players heading into its 38th season: Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson and Cecily Strong. All three hail from Chicago. (Word of Bryant and Robinson’s appointment leaked on Friday.) The reinforcements are coming as SNL is returning without departing cast members Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg, and Abby Elliott, with Jason Sudeikis, who portrays presidential candidate Mitt Romney, also rumored to exit following the November election. Bryant trained with iO Chicago, Annoyance Theatre and was an ensemble member of the Second City E.T.C Stage. Robinson, also an alumnus of The Second City, performed on its Mainstage and in its national touring company. He has also performed at the iO Theater in Chicago and at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. Strong also has performed...
- 9/10/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Patton Oswalt is not only a funny comedian and a solid actor, but he's also a big movie, TV, and comic book geek. The guy has used his status in the industry to kind of be a spokesperson for the rest of us. During a keynote speech he delivered at the Just For Laughs Comedy Conference in Montreal, Canada, he read two open letters. One of the letters addressed all of the comedians, and the other one addressed all of the "gatekeeper" in the room.
The letters are not only funny, but inspirational, adressing all kinds of creativity and expression. It's definitely worth your time to read through these letters. Let us know what you think about what Oswalt said when you're done!
Letter to comedians:
Dear comedian in 2012:
How are you? I am good. In answer to your last letter, the mozzarella sticks at the Irvine Improv do taste weird.
The letters are not only funny, but inspirational, adressing all kinds of creativity and expression. It's definitely worth your time to read through these letters. Let us know what you think about what Oswalt said when you're done!
Letter to comedians:
Dear comedian in 2012:
How are you? I am good. In answer to your last letter, the mozzarella sticks at the Irvine Improv do taste weird.
- 8/2/2012
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival is wrapping up this weekend, and thanks in no small part to Patton Oswalt, the comedians and industry professionals who gathered there for the marathon run of shows and panels will all depart just a bit wiser.
Oswalt had the auspicious honor of being this year's keynote speaker -- a role occupied last year by Marc Maron -- and he used the opportunity to speak directly to his younger peers and the people who have a hand in establishing their careers.
In two separate letters -- one to comedians and one to industry -- Oswalt created a portrait of the comedy world as it is now: no longer subject to the tried and true paths to success, and wilder and more inventive than any other time.
In his inimitable way, though, Oswalt first pointed out that he's not necessarily the person you go...
Oswalt had the auspicious honor of being this year's keynote speaker -- a role occupied last year by Marc Maron -- and he used the opportunity to speak directly to his younger peers and the people who have a hand in establishing their careers.
In two separate letters -- one to comedians and one to industry -- Oswalt created a portrait of the comedy world as it is now: no longer subject to the tried and true paths to success, and wilder and more inventive than any other time.
In his inimitable way, though, Oswalt first pointed out that he's not necessarily the person you go...
- 7/29/2012
- by Carol Hartsell
- Huffington Post
Montreal - A sudden truce sprang up Thursday night in the nasty, brutal comedy world when the Muppets took over the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal. “It’s nice to be in a city where they speak French and I’m not an appetizer on the menu,” Kermit the Frog, who hosted a comedy gala in Montreal Thursday night, joked as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and the rest of the Muppets gang returned to their variety-show roots. The Jfl gala mixed Jim Henson’s puppets with a hit squad of comics like Mike Birbiglia, Greg Morton and Jim Breuer to
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- 7/28/2012
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – The cliché “up and coming” applies to Eric Andre, Natasha Leggero and Chicago’s own Susan Messing. While not quite household names, they are all on the cusp of comic greatness, and had notable shows at the recent “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival, sponsored by the TBS Network.
Eric Andre is just about to launch a talk show parody on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, smartly titled “The Eric Andre Show.” Natasha Leggero had a role in the recently canceled “Are You There, Chelsea,” is the voice of Callie Maggotbone on Comedy Central’s animated “Ugly Americans” and makes frequent appearances on the late night show “Chelsea Lately.”
Susan Messing is a local Chicago treasure, and is one of the top improv instructors in the Windy City. Besides appearing on the Second City main stage, she is an artist-in-residence at the Annoyance Theatre, where she’s performed...
Eric Andre is just about to launch a talk show parody on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, smartly titled “The Eric Andre Show.” Natasha Leggero had a role in the recently canceled “Are You There, Chelsea,” is the voice of Callie Maggotbone on Comedy Central’s animated “Ugly Americans” and makes frequent appearances on the late night show “Chelsea Lately.”
Susan Messing is a local Chicago treasure, and is one of the top improv instructors in the Windy City. Besides appearing on the Second City main stage, she is an artist-in-residence at the Annoyance Theatre, where she’s performed...
- 6/19/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The just completed “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival brought in a variety of name acts. Insult comedy, improvisation and stand up was performed by Jeff Ross (“Comedy Central Roast”), Scott Adsit (“30 Rock”) and Chris D’Elia (“Whitney”).
Six days of amazing comedy stretched through all parts of Chicago during the festival. New and old venues served as stages for the events, including the famous iO Theater (Adsit), the Park West (Ross) and the new Laugh Factory (D’Elia). HollywoodChicago got a chance to talk with each of the comedians.
Jeff Ross, Roast Master of the “Comedy Central Roast”
Jeff Ross has established a niche in the art of insult comedy, and is the current New York Friar’s Club Roastmaster General, besides presiding over all nine “Comedy Central Roast” presentations. He was born in Springfield, New Jersey, and experienced difficult years as a teenager, as both of his...
Six days of amazing comedy stretched through all parts of Chicago during the festival. New and old venues served as stages for the events, including the famous iO Theater (Adsit), the Park West (Ross) and the new Laugh Factory (D’Elia). HollywoodChicago got a chance to talk with each of the comedians.
Jeff Ross, Roast Master of the “Comedy Central Roast”
Jeff Ross has established a niche in the art of insult comedy, and is the current New York Friar’s Club Roastmaster General, besides presiding over all nine “Comedy Central Roast” presentations. He was born in Springfield, New Jersey, and experienced difficult years as a teenager, as both of his...
- 6/19/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – One of the great nights of the TBS ‘Just for Laughs Chicago’ comedy festival is the ‘New Faces of Chicago’ revue. The cream of the Windy City crop did their killer stand-up routines at The Comedy Bar, a new laugh venue in the River North neighborhood in Chicago.
To get an idea of the burgeoning stand-up scene here – several new clubs have opened in the last five years – HollywoodChicago.com talked to three of the “new faces” who performed. James Fritz, Mark Henderson and Mike Lebovitz spoke about their backgrounds as comedians.
James Fritz
HollywoodChicago.com: How does where you grew up and how your family was inform your comic style?
James Fritz: It made me angry? I don’t know. I grew up in Kentucky in a really religious environment, and think that’s why that sh*t is in my brain, a lot. I tried to make...
To get an idea of the burgeoning stand-up scene here – several new clubs have opened in the last five years – HollywoodChicago.com talked to three of the “new faces” who performed. James Fritz, Mark Henderson and Mike Lebovitz spoke about their backgrounds as comedians.
James Fritz
HollywoodChicago.com: How does where you grew up and how your family was inform your comic style?
James Fritz: It made me angry? I don’t know. I grew up in Kentucky in a really religious environment, and think that’s why that sh*t is in my brain, a lot. I tried to make...
- 6/16/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – If a collective chorus of guffaws is heard throughout the Windy City this week, blame it on the ‘Just for Laughs Chicago’ 2012 Festival. From June 12th-17th, stages large and small throughout Chicagoland will feature some of the hottest comedy acts, stars and the taping of the ‘Conan’ TBS chat show, featuring Conan O’Brien and Andy Richter.
Every day through Sunday, June 17th, over one dozen venues will be open for a variety of acts, in both types and sizes. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the name acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s great American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
The ‘Conan’ Show is in Chicago through June 14th
Photo credit: TBS
Tuesday, June 12
”Conan”
The “Conan” TBS show will be taped at the Chicago Theatre with load-in beginning at 4pm from today through June 14th.
Every day through Sunday, June 17th, over one dozen venues will be open for a variety of acts, in both types and sizes. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the name acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s great American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
The ‘Conan’ Show is in Chicago through June 14th
Photo credit: TBS
Tuesday, June 12
”Conan”
The “Conan” TBS show will be taped at the Chicago Theatre with load-in beginning at 4pm from today through June 14th.
- 6/12/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Late-night host Conan O'Brien kicked off his one-week residency in Chicago in grand fashion Monday evening as he launched a 10-foot sausage across the State Street bridge and sailed through a "Chicago citizenship test" administered by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"With the permission of the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Police Department, Chicago marine police, Chicago Fire Department and a lot of people who just seem to like watching stuff jump and crash, … every night this week we'll be launching things over the State Street drawbridge," O'Brien pronounced Monday during the Chicago Theatre taping.
Did the 10-foot bratwurst-on-wheels successfully make the 80-foot jump across the bridge? Watch above to find out.
Later in the taping, Mayor Emanuel came on stage to test O'Brien's knowledge of his home for the next week.
The test started with 101-level questions about Chicago's nickname and the former name of the Willis Tower and got trickier (and...
"With the permission of the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Police Department, Chicago marine police, Chicago Fire Department and a lot of people who just seem to like watching stuff jump and crash, … every night this week we'll be launching things over the State Street drawbridge," O'Brien pronounced Monday during the Chicago Theatre taping.
Did the 10-foot bratwurst-on-wheels successfully make the 80-foot jump across the bridge? Watch above to find out.
Later in the taping, Mayor Emanuel came on stage to test O'Brien's knowledge of his home for the next week.
The test started with 101-level questions about Chicago's nickname and the former name of the Willis Tower and got trickier (and...
- 6/12/2012
- by Joseph Erbentraut
- Huffington Post
Late-night host Conan O'Brien kicked off his one-week residency in Chicago in grand fashion Monday evening as he launched a 10-foot sausage across the State Street bridge and sailed through a "Chicago citizenship test" administered by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"With the permission of the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Police Department, Chicago marine police, Chicago Fire Department and a lot of people who just seem to like watching stuff jump and crash, … every night this week we'll be launching things over the State Street drawbridge," O'Brien pronounced Monday during the Chicago Theatre taping.
Did the 10-foot bratwurst-on-wheels successfully make the 80-foot jump across the bridge? Watch above to find out.
Later in the taping, Mayor Emanuel came on stage to test O'Brien's knowledge of his home for the next week.
The test started with 101-level questions about Chicago's nickname and the former name of the Willis Tower and got trickier (and...
"With the permission of the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Police Department, Chicago marine police, Chicago Fire Department and a lot of people who just seem to like watching stuff jump and crash, … every night this week we'll be launching things over the State Street drawbridge," O'Brien pronounced Monday during the Chicago Theatre taping.
Did the 10-foot bratwurst-on-wheels successfully make the 80-foot jump across the bridge? Watch above to find out.
Later in the taping, Mayor Emanuel came on stage to test O'Brien's knowledge of his home for the next week.
The test started with 101-level questions about Chicago's nickname and the former name of the Willis Tower and got trickier (and...
- 6/12/2012
- by Joseph Erbentraut
- Aol TV.
TBS Just For Laughs Chicago to include advance screening of "That's My Boy," with Adam Sandler making an appearance. Conan O.Brien, Aziz Ansari, Vince Vaughn, Sarah Silverman and Kevin Smith Take Center Stage at Fourth Annual TBS Just for Laughs Chicago Comedy Festival at The Chicago Theatre, from June 11-17. Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group.s growth is concentrated on four major focal points: Festivals (in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago); television production, live shows (Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Jeremy Hotz, John Pinette, Louis C.K., the Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour, North American dates for Family Guy Live!); and talent management. Its inaugural Montreal Festival launched 30 years ago is now the world.s largest comedy...
- 6/5/2012
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
Exclusive: New Wave Entertainment is boosting its East Coast business by tapping Maureen Taran as VP Management and Production. There The 15-year talent, production and management veteran will run the company’s soon-to-open New York office and help cultivate a roster of new clientele and acquisitions. Taran helped launch the careers of comedians Dave Chappelle, Wanda Sykes and Tracy Morgan and held executive positions at Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival and Epix, and also was supervising producer of Showtime’s The Green Room With Paul Provenza. “A hire of this caliber clearly represents our commitment to servicing the East Coast talent and buyers that we do so much business with,” said Brian Volk-Weiss, New Wave’s Head of Production and Svp Talent Management and Dynamics.
- 5/8/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Stand-up veteran Bill Burr went on a six-minute tirade against the rise of nerds, specifically neo-geek comedians, on "Monday Morning Podcast." Singling out "The Office" and "awkward" stand-up comedians that he thinks are hurting the form, Burr ranted about the difference between "alt comics" and "club comics," and why he thinks the former are wrong to condescend to the latter.
"I really can't wait for the backlash on nerds," Burr said. "I've had it with them embracing the fact that they're awkward to the point of pretending to be awkward even when [they're] not." He spoke disdainfully of men who are "35 years old acting like some 14 year-old on his first date."
Burr, a Boston native generally regarded as one of the most talented stand-ups working today, is known to slay audiences both in traditional comedy clubs around the country as well as in "alt" rooms, such as the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
"I really can't wait for the backlash on nerds," Burr said. "I've had it with them embracing the fact that they're awkward to the point of pretending to be awkward even when [they're] not." He spoke disdainfully of men who are "35 years old acting like some 14 year-old on his first date."
Burr, a Boston native generally regarded as one of the most talented stand-ups working today, is known to slay audiences both in traditional comedy clubs around the country as well as in "alt" rooms, such as the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
- 3/28/2012
- by Ross Luippold
- Huffington Post
Chicago – Hilarity is back in the Windy City as the annual “Just for Laughs” festival comes to town to kick off summer. Over the next five days, Chicago venues will be rocking with comedy legends like Steve Martin, and the smaller clubs around town will also be featuring up-and-coming acts.
Every day through Saturday, June 18th, over one dozen acts and venues will be open to catch the hottest comedians working. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the big acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s great American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
Scott Adsit and John Lutz of ‘Adsit and Lutz’
Photo credit: Just for Laughs
Wednesday, June 15
”Adsit and Lutz” of “30 Rock”
The Producer (Scott Adsit as Pete Hornberger) and one of the Writers (John Lutz as Lutz) of the hilarious sitcom “30 Rock...
Every day through Saturday, June 18th, over one dozen acts and venues will be open to catch the hottest comedians working. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the big acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s great American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
Scott Adsit and John Lutz of ‘Adsit and Lutz’
Photo credit: Just for Laughs
Wednesday, June 15
”Adsit and Lutz” of “30 Rock”
The Producer (Scott Adsit as Pete Hornberger) and one of the Writers (John Lutz as Lutz) of the hilarious sitcom “30 Rock...
- 6/15/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Montreal -- As one of the judges on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," comic Andy Kindler tempered his annual State of the Industry address Friday at the Just For Laughs comedy festival.
For about a minute.
"Now that I'm on an NBC show, I don't appreciate that kind of thing," Kindler said in reference to fellow comic Lewis Black a day earlier savaging network TV executives during his Just For Laughs keynote address (Hr, July 15).
He defended industry for working hard. "They're good people. It's not our job to make fun of people that are low-balling me on my contract."
With that off his chest, Kindler promptly slammed NBC's "Parks and Recreation."
"Can we all admit that 'Parks and Recreation' is horrible? Is this something we would all know, but don't say? Maybe everything should not be improv'd," he told a packed conference room at the Hyatt Regency hotel,...
For about a minute.
"Now that I'm on an NBC show, I don't appreciate that kind of thing," Kindler said in reference to fellow comic Lewis Black a day earlier savaging network TV executives during his Just For Laughs keynote address (Hr, July 15).
He defended industry for working hard. "They're good people. It's not our job to make fun of people that are low-balling me on my contract."
With that off his chest, Kindler promptly slammed NBC's "Parks and Recreation."
"Can we all admit that 'Parks and Recreation' is horrible? Is this something we would all know, but don't say? Maybe everything should not be improv'd," he told a packed conference room at the Hyatt Regency hotel,...
- 7/16/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kristen Schaal is busy. She may not be reporting to the "Flight of the Conchords" set anymore, but the actress/comedian has lately been in demand everywhere an actress/comedian would hope to be demanded. Her film "Toy Story 3" is a hit. She’s got a book on sex coming out this summer. And she gave crowds bellyaches last week bringing four stand-up performances to Chicago’s Just For Laughs comedy festival.
- 6/25/2010
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Chicago – Ellen DeGeneres has always been a woman of many hats. Whether taking a seat as host (or featured dancer) on her Emmy Award-winning talk show “The Ellen Degeneres Show”, offering musical insight to hopefuls on “American Idol”, or lending her voice to the Lgbt community, DeGeneres has become a trailblazer of the entertainment industry. Now at the height of a career that spans over two decades, DeGeneres returns to Chicago for TBS Presents “Just For Laughs” with her fourth variety show spectacular, “Ellen’s Somewhat Special Special”. A follow-up to last year’s sold-out turn, this year’s production is packed with performances by Lady Antebellum, Nick Cannon, and a slew of acrobats. The funny lady recently caught up with HollywoodChicago.com to discuss her much anticipated return to the Windy City.
Ellen DeGeneres
Photo courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres
HollywoodChicago: What aspects of Chicago will you incorporate into the...
Ellen DeGeneres
Photo courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres
HollywoodChicago: What aspects of Chicago will you incorporate into the...
- 6/10/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Montréal, Québec will be humor HQ for a week in July during the 28th annual Just For Laughs (or, as the locals call it, Juste Pour Rire) Festival. The event, which will run July 6-18, boasts an all-star comedy line-up from classics like Cheech & Chong to comedians du jour Aziz Ansari, to lesser-known comics-on-the-rise. Throughout the week, the likes of Pamela Anderson, Nick Cannon, Lewis Black and Kevin Smith will take to stages to entertain....
- 6/8/2010
- Pastemagazine.com
The Just for Laughs Festival's organizers have announced the creation of two events: the Insider Series and the Comicpro – The Just For Laughs Ultimate Fan Package. Besides, film screenings and the Zoofest Comedy shows will be returning this year. The festival will be held in Montreal from July 12 to 18, 2010.
Without further ado, let's have a look at what we should expect the Insider Series and the Comicpro – The Just For Laughs Ultimate Fan Package.
Insider Series
It will feature casts and show creators who’ll let us into their private world of anecdotes and stories about their films and TV shows, as well as performances by your favourite TV and film stars. First up is Kevin Smith, a writer/director/producer and all-around cool guy. He's got his hands in films such as Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma, Chasing Amy and the more recent Cop Out. A Late Afternoon with Kevin Smith will be presented on Thursday,...
Without further ado, let's have a look at what we should expect the Insider Series and the Comicpro – The Just For Laughs Ultimate Fan Package.
Insider Series
It will feature casts and show creators who’ll let us into their private world of anecdotes and stories about their films and TV shows, as well as performances by your favourite TV and film stars. First up is Kevin Smith, a writer/director/producer and all-around cool guy. He's got his hands in films such as Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma, Chasing Amy and the more recent Cop Out. A Late Afternoon with Kevin Smith will be presented on Thursday,...
- 5/20/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Bill Hicks left behind the legacy of an iconic comedy talent. But is American: The Bill Hicks Story the right film for the right man?
I can still remember seeing Bill Hicks for the first time, a late night Channel 4 Just For Laughs special called Relentless. I can still remember the intro music (which was, as I would later discover, Hicks' very own take on Hendrix), the opening gags ("Comedy is the greatest job in the world. It's not the sharing of laughter and all that horse shit... It's the fact that I don't have a boss. Picture that... And envy me").
I remember scrabbling for a VHS cassette. I remember feeling I was watching something special, huddled in front of the TV in my parents' living room. As a fifteen, maybe sixteen-year-old, I think that in that slightly cherubic, sad-eyed, pasty, acerbic, razor-edged motormouth I saw everything that I was,...
I can still remember seeing Bill Hicks for the first time, a late night Channel 4 Just For Laughs special called Relentless. I can still remember the intro music (which was, as I would later discover, Hicks' very own take on Hendrix), the opening gags ("Comedy is the greatest job in the world. It's not the sharing of laughter and all that horse shit... It's the fact that I don't have a boss. Picture that... And envy me").
I remember scrabbling for a VHS cassette. I remember feeling I was watching something special, huddled in front of the TV in my parents' living room. As a fifteen, maybe sixteen-year-old, I think that in that slightly cherubic, sad-eyed, pasty, acerbic, razor-edged motormouth I saw everything that I was,...
- 5/14/2010
- Den of Geek
New York -- TBS and Montreal's Just for Laughs are bringing back their Chicago comedy festival for its second year this summer.
Among performers on the early talent lineup unveiled Tuesday are Ellen DeGeneres, Cedric the Entertainer, Denis Leary, Russell Peters, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Aziz Ansari and Bob Odenkirk.
The TBS Presents a "Very Funny" Festival: Just For Laughs event will take place at key Chicago venues June 15-19.
TBS plans three TV specials from the event, including "Ellen's Somewhat Special," her fourth variety show for TBS; "Cedric the Entertainer's Urban Circus" (working title); and a third show to be announced at a later date.
Odenkirk will be on "The Not Inappropriate Show," a sketch show for kids. Among the performers are Kate Micucci and members of The Groundlings and Upright Citizen's Brigade.
Leary brings "The Rescue Me Comedy Tour" to the festival, while Russell Peters will present "The Green Card Tour.
Among performers on the early talent lineup unveiled Tuesday are Ellen DeGeneres, Cedric the Entertainer, Denis Leary, Russell Peters, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Aziz Ansari and Bob Odenkirk.
The TBS Presents a "Very Funny" Festival: Just For Laughs event will take place at key Chicago venues June 15-19.
TBS plans three TV specials from the event, including "Ellen's Somewhat Special," her fourth variety show for TBS; "Cedric the Entertainer's Urban Circus" (working title); and a third show to be announced at a later date.
Odenkirk will be on "The Not Inappropriate Show," a sketch show for kids. Among the performers are Kate Micucci and members of The Groundlings and Upright Citizen's Brigade.
Leary brings "The Rescue Me Comedy Tour" to the festival, while Russell Peters will present "The Green Card Tour.
- 3/23/2010
- by By Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cleese Cancels Comedy Slot
Fawlty Towers legend John Cleese was forced to scrap a performance at the world's biggest comedy festival this week (beg20Jul09) due to ill health.
The British star had been due to appear at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, Canada but cancelled on Wednesday so he could undergo treatment for inflammation of the prostate gland.
Organisers are now trying to rearrange the 69-year-old's show for Sunday.
The event's chief executive Bruce Hills says, "This is the first time this has happened in 25 years. This is something John Cleese has worked on for four months."
Cleese has taken to his personal Twitter.com page to assure fans he is recovering well after his treatment. He writes, "Feeling a bit better. May be strong enough to poke (my friend) Garry in the eye with a plastic fork, which is a sign that my strength is coming back..."...
The British star had been due to appear at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, Canada but cancelled on Wednesday so he could undergo treatment for inflammation of the prostate gland.
Organisers are now trying to rearrange the 69-year-old's show for Sunday.
The event's chief executive Bruce Hills says, "This is the first time this has happened in 25 years. This is something John Cleese has worked on for four months."
Cleese has taken to his personal Twitter.com page to assure fans he is recovering well after his treatment. He writes, "Feeling a bit better. May be strong enough to poke (my friend) Garry in the eye with a plastic fork, which is a sign that my strength is coming back..."...
- 7/24/2009
- WENN
New York -- Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, David Alan Grier, George Lopez, Bill Engvall, Lisa Lampanelli, Russell Peters, Louis Ck, Jim Jefferies, Bob Odenkirk and Andy Dick will be among the comedy talent at this summer's inaugural “TBS Presents A 'Very Funny' Festival: Just For Laughs" in Chicago.
The co-production of comedy giants TBS and Montreal's Just For Laughs is scheduled to take over the Windy City June 17-21.
TBS plans three TV specials from the event, including "Ellen’s Bigger Longer and Wider Show," a variety showcase hosted by DeGeneres; all-star standup special "Comedy You Can Believe In" hosted by Grier; and a third event to be announced later.
“We are confident that the elite roster of talent at our inaugural event this summer will secure our status as the premier comedy Festival in the United States," said Gilbert Rozon, president of Just For Laughs. "So it seems our...
The co-production of comedy giants TBS and Montreal's Just For Laughs is scheduled to take over the Windy City June 17-21.
TBS plans three TV specials from the event, including "Ellen’s Bigger Longer and Wider Show," a variety showcase hosted by DeGeneres; all-star standup special "Comedy You Can Believe In" hosted by Grier; and a third event to be announced later.
“We are confident that the elite roster of talent at our inaugural event this summer will secure our status as the premier comedy Festival in the United States," said Gilbert Rozon, president of Just For Laughs. "So it seems our...
- 4/1/2009
- by By Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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