Ten Just For Laughs Shows Everyone Should Check Out
You’re in Montreal for the biggest comedy festival in North America. You made it here. And there are hundreds of shows to see in less than a week, and you’re freaking out about what to do.
Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal goes on for a full month, but starting tonight this thing shifts into overdrive with a massive amount of comedy to check out. There are celebrity helmed galas, showcases, headliner shows, and more with literally hundreds of comedians to see. And it’s all outstanding. How do you decide what to see when there is so much to chose from? Break out of your comfort zone, and check out some new shows. You have 4 days and limited hours. Here’s 10 great picks, covering all different formats and ways to see of comedy. Take a break between comedy sets and find the Just for Laughs 80’s Video Game Arcade, and gigantic life size versions of Chess, Billiards played with kickballs, Foosball where you are the Foosman and more.
1. David Cross Gala
Pick a gala. Any gala really. The Just for Laughs Galas are the anchor of the festival. All 10 Galas are studded with headlining performers and allow you to see seven comics in one evening who normally don’t appear in showcase style shows. It’s tough to choose one. This year’s hosts include Jeff Goldblum, Nathan Lane, Howie Mandel, Sebastian Maniscalco, Russell Peters, Carrie Fisher, and NHL all-star P.K. Subban, but we’re going with the David Cross Gala, tonight, Wednesday July 27 at 9:45 as the pick of the week. David Cross is hosting some massive talents including Maria Bamford, Louie Anderson, Nick Thune and Scott Thompson. Get tickets.
2. Andy Kindler’s State of the Industry
Andy Kindler’s State of the Industry is THE can’t miss, must see show at Just for Laughs every year. For over twenty years, Kindler has been calling out all of comedy’s sacred cows. If someone’s been in the news, if someone’s been overrated, if someone is getting paid too much and not living up to the paycheck, if someone is phoning it in, Kindler is on it. His material ranges from gentle roasting to (at times) out and out anger. Be in the room for his latest edition, if you can score a ticket, on Friday at 3pm at the Hyatt.
3. Great Theater with Kroll and Mulaney
Nick Kroll and John Mulaney’s Oh Hello has toured the country with sold out shows everywhere. This weekend you can see them in Montreal Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. We’re recommending the Friday night show, and a little bird told us these guys are moving to Broadway come fall, so this is your chance to see a Broadway show for a fraction of the price. It’s one of the best theatrical comedy stages running and you won’t want to miss it. Thursday, Friday, Saturday at Gesu, 9:30pm.
4. Go Political With Trump vs Bernie
Get political without the fighting, at a spectacular venue. The two best presidential candidate impressionists have been touring Trump vs Bernie all year and it’s exceptional. It’s far more than just impressions- it’s a live debate by two funny motherfuckers. James Adomian and Anthony Atamanuik’s show is BELOVED and still way underrated. Hurry up and get your tickets. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night at Le Balcon!
5. Best Comedy Interviews: Unmasked with Ron Bennington
Our pick for the best interviewer in the country- particularly when it comes to the subject of comedy has been and always will be SiriusXM’s Ron Bennington. This year at Just for Laughs, he’s recording two episodes of his critically acclaimed Unmasked series. Friday, he’ll sit down with one of comedy’s most interesting industry power players- Barry Katz and Saturday he’ll talk with Andy Kindler, who has been at the heart of the Montreal festival since 1996 with his always sold out State of Comedy address. It’s hard to pick one, but our love for all things industry has us leaning slightly toward Unmasked with Barry Katz who undoubtably has stories about everyone in comedy. He’s represented Dane Cook, Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan, and most of the people you love and want to know more about. Unmasked with Barry Katz takes place on Friday, July 29th at 4pm at the Hyatt Regency and it’s almost sold out. Get there early. You can also request tickets here.
6. Concept Shows: Big Jay Oakerson’s What’s Your Fucking Deal?
There are so many concept shows to choose from, which let you see your favorite stand up acts step out of their comfort zone and do something different. And some of the funniest people at the festival don’t have their own headlining shows, but will be all over these line ups. People like Bert Kreischer and Joe List. What’s great about concept shows is that even if you’ve already seen your favorite comic perform their stand up material, now there’s a chance to see them again doing different things. Three of our favorites are in Montreal this year- The Goddamn Comedy Jam which lets you see your favorite comics singing with a live band, Ari Shaffir’s hit Comedy Central show This is Not Happening and our top pick this year, Big Jay Oakerson’s What’s Your Fucking Deal?. WYFD is nothing but crowdwork, so get ready to learn more about the audience around you than you ever have before. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at Cafe Cleopatra.
7. Already Big, Getting Bigger: Barry Crimmins
There are massive stars in Montreal, but there are also great chances to see the comics who are big stars, about to become even bigger stars and you can see them now. Jermaine Fowler, Martha Kelly, Mark Normand, Michelle Wolf, Brad Williams, Cameron Esposito, are all must-see. And don’t miss our #1 pick, Barry Crimmins. Louis C.K. recently called Barry Crimmins one of his favorite comics, and in fact loves Barry so much he produced Barry’s brand new one hour special which will be released later this year. Nobody talks about the current state of the universe like Barry, and there is no better time to seek out his comedy counsel. Before the special is released, see Barry live in Montreal, one night only, on Friday, July 29, at Cafe Cleopatra.
8. See a Movie Screening: Thank You Del Close
There are three movies to see early at Just for Laughs this year- all promising to be excellent. Seth Rogen’s Sausage Party screening is bound to be a huge event, but that will be at a theater near you in a few weeks, so save it for later. Fans of indie film should check out The Comedians Guide to Survival, and if you like to go behind the scenes, Howie Mandel documents the career of Vic Cohen in Committed, but our top pick is for history buffs– Thank you Del Close, is a must see, and screens on Saturday July 30 at 9:15.
9. Get Nasty with Mike Ward and More
There’s a reason why this show has been running for 25 years and had to be moved out of a 500 seat theater and into a 1000+ seat venue. Bobby Slayton hosted this show for most of its run, and he’s handed it over now to Mike Ward, but he’s still performing. So now you get Bobby Slayton AND Mike Ward, plus Ralphie May, Paula Bel, Thomas Dale and Brad Williams. Is Mike Ward the most offensive comic ever? Well he just made comedy history– he’s been fined $42k because of an offensive joke, and the fine has not slowed him down at all- just the opposite. A Just for Laughs institution, see The Nasty Show Every night at Metropolis.
10. Comic vs Comic. Comedy Central’s Roast Battle
Comedy Central is going all in on their brand new Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle. Last year, the new show was done on a much smaller scale and was a runaway festival hit. This year, the show is packed with some of the biggest celebrity names in comedy as judges and it will be interesting to see if the show excels as a big budget production, or works better as a more underground event. Judd Apatow, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Seth Rogen, Anthony Jeselnik, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman and David Spade will judge a ladder contest of 16 comics over four nights with the championship taking place on Sunday. If you’re still in town Sunday night, that seems like it will be the hot ticket. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, a different show each night. Tickets only available as part of your JFL pass.
