香蕉视频

The 29th edition of Just for Laughs should satisfy those who have been lamenting the festival's lack of edge in recent years. It should also satisfy those who have been lamenting the fact that too much of the anglo portion of the fest had been crammed into one week.

No longer. Just for Laughs will run July 5 to 31, with the English-language component running three weeks, from July 11 to 31.

On the edge front, it was announced Tuesday that Just for Laughs has recruited the Daily Show's acerbic John Oliver and Modern Family's Emmy award-winning Eric Stonestreet to host galas, which this year have been moved from Th茅芒tre St. Denis to Salle Wilfrid Pelletier of Place des Arts.

Electricity and edge will certainly be generated by Canadian superstar Russell Peters, who will be hosting two galas. Peters was a surprise guest at Tuesday's news conference - held, curiously, at 香蕉视频's Faculty of Management.

Already announced was the appearance of the Late Late Show's ever-amiable yet piquant Craig Ferguson, who will also emcee two galas.

More electricity and edge can be expected from Eddie Izzard, who brings his one-man show Stripped to the Ges霉, July 11 to 13. The delightfully offbeat Aussie Tim Minchin is back at the fest with his latest spectacle, July 28 to 30 at L'Astral. Previously announced were Jimmy Carr's one-man show Laughter Therapy (July 21 to 24, 27 to 30 at the Ges霉) and Danny Bhoy's Wanderlust (July 19 to 23, 26 to 30 at the Ges霉).

And though festival organizers have yet to confirm what, when and where they will be performing, Louis C.K., considered by many to be the finest stand-up on the planet, and Daniel Tosh, one of the comedy world's brightest and sharpest and star of the cult Comedy Central hit Tosh.0, will be here. What is known is that Louis C.K. will be presented - deservedly - with the Just for Laughs Comedy Person of the Year Award.

Back again this year is the Insider Series. Highlights include the Broadway hit Colin Quinn: Long Story Short, directed by Jerry Seinfeld (yes, that Jerry Seinfeld); SModcast with maverick filmmaker Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier; Kenny Hotz's Triumph of the Will; and Wainy Days from My Damn Channel.

And what would Just for Laughs be without its (arguably) most popular series, the Nasty Show? The new wrinkle this year is host Jeffrey Ross, undeniably one of the nastiest comics in the galaxy. He takes the reins from Greg Giraldo, who passed away following last year's festival. The Nasty Show will be limited to eight shows, July 14 to 16 at Metropolis. Also previously announced was the Ethnic Show (July 21 to 24 at Club Soda), hosted by Axis of Evil Comedy Tour star Maz Jobrani.

And there's more: The Bar Mitzvah Show; Mom Com; Talk of the Fest (formerly Bubbling with Laughter); One-Stop World Tour: The Best of Britcom, O'Comics and Late Nite Down Under; the Homegrown Comedy Competition; the Alternative Show; New Faces of Comedy; Triple Threat; Nasty Girls Night Out; Best of the Fest; and Go West!

And there's the film component and the street shenanigans (can't get enough of that Twins Parade), too.

And can't forget Juste pour rire, for franco chuckles. Among stars lined up are the hot Jean-Marc Parent, St茅phane Rousseau, Mike Ward, Jean-Marie Bigard and Arthur. There will also be a richly merited homage to Denise Filiatrault. Eddie Izzard will also be crossing the cultural frontier and doing a show in French.

And we haven't even got to the ultra-edgy Zoofest, the gonzo component of Just for Laughs. Its schedule will be unveiled next month.

"I guarantee that this year no one will complain about having seen the same show twice," pledged Robbie Praw, the head programmer of Just for Laughs. "Every show is a unique concept and experience unto itself...

Read full article: , May 11, 2011

Related to this article: , May 10, 2011

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