Why The Nasty Show Remains Just For Laughs Biggest Show

The Nasty Show returns to Montreal’s esteemed Just for Laughs festival this year as the fest celebrates it’s 35th anniversary. We’re not sure if that’s 35 JFL years, or 35 Nasty Show years but the show has been running for decades so either is possible. The Nasty Show is a major JFL institution- not only for its continuous years in existence but also for the sheer number of shows that take place each year. Two weeks, with one and sometimes two shows a night, and still the event sells out show after show after show. Performers push boundaries, treading in dangerous territory, covering everything dirty, taboo, rude, offensive and raw. This year, Ari Shaffir returned to the Nasty Show, and for the first time he is serving as host and master of ceremonies for the evening. Shaffir takes over for Mike Ward who has hosted th past few years but before Ward, Bobby Slayton held down the job for nearly 20 years- although he missed one or two here and there. Also on the roster are Jimmy Carr, Robert Kelly, Godfrey, Yamaneika Saunders, and Big Jay Oakerson. All are returning Nasty Show vets, with the exception of Godfrey who is a first timer.

To celebrate one of JFL’s greatest traditions, we talked to everyone who is a part of this year’s Nasty Show to find out why the show is so beloved, and such a giant part of North America’s biggest comedy festival. The Nasty Show runs every night from now through July 29th, at Club Metropolis at 9:30pm. Some nights also have 7pm shows. Go to hahaha.com for tickets and more information.

Ari Shaffir, who just released a double Netflix special, on hosting a JFL institution this year, after performing in the show many times over:

“It’s gonna be a great Nasty Show this year, it’s basically a [Comedy] Cellar lineup, plus Jimmy Carr. It’s legit, degenerate, now comedy with people who aren’t trying to be dirty just for the show. These are people who can’t help it, that’s what I prefer. I’m shocked I’m hosting! It’s the show that got me into Montreal and Bobby Slayton was always the host, then Jeff Ross and Mike Ward, it was sort of a legendary thing. I’m just a regular comic, these guys are bigger so it didn’t make sense.”

Yamaneika Saunders, who had an unforgettable appearance on Roast Battle this year and is looking forward to her first special coming to Comedy Central in the fall on why everyone loves the Nasty Show:

“Because everybody has a little bit of nasty in them. No boundaries, no borders, definitely no walls being built. Just good old fashioned fun, plain and simple.” Yammie shared a story from her last appearance on The Nasty Show, about Brad Williams. “The first time I did my midget bit- he walked out behind me. I didn’t know he was there. And I was just talking about midgets, hardcore. And the audience went crazy. It was a great experience. Also, I have to say one of the highlights for me, was J.B. Smoove came to watch the show, and I watched him, and one of the most expensive suits I probably ever seen- you know how dapper he is- eating a hot fudge sundae and not spilling an ounce of it, backstage.”

Robert Kelly explains why the Nasty Show works:

“Because the word nasty. That’s it. It literally psychologically frees everybody from coming in and judging everything that’s said. It’s just the word Nasty. It lets everybody know that oh, some crazy stuff might be said, and it just frees their brain up to be able to laugh at anything. You know what I mean? Good. Because, look if you have this show or that show or just a comedy show, someone might get offended. But if you walk into a show that has the word nasty in it, and you get offended, it’s your fault. YOu made that decision. It takes the average person that might get offended at dirty stuff or something a little edgier- it puts them- oh I’m gonna go see it. It’s like if I told you that we’re going to go get salads, and I took you to a strip club where they put stuff in girls butts you’d be like hey, dudes, I thought we’re getting salads. If I told you we were going to go to a strip club where they put stuff in girls butts.. and have salads, you’d be like, lets go.”

Big Jay Oakerson talks about the legend of the Nasty Show and shares a story about doing the show with Dom Irrera and Patrice O’Neal.

“Well for one, it’s like the longest running show of the festival- well it’s one of them. It’s for the entire two week run almost. And they present it for the locals before it becomes an industry event which is pretty neat- that’s why we’re here now. It tends to also have the balls to showcase comics who are filthy as well as comics who are not deemed to be filthy at all and give them a chance to do their thing. Whether it be this year- Godrey, and Jimmy Carr again- you know Jimmy Carr is squeaky clean, except for this show.”

“I remember Bobby Slayton not liking me and Patrice sticking up for me with him, and when I heard Dom Irerra say before Patrice got there that he doesn’t want to go up after Patrice because he doesn’t like him…. and then I asked Patrice about that and also asked Patrice to keep his mouth shut and not tell Dom Irerra or anybody that I told him that he said that. And then Patrice went immediately and called Dom Irerra laughing and said yeah I heard you have a problem with me. And then when Dom Irerra came to me to ask me why- and he was half sarcastic apologetic- saying hey I didn’t know Patrice was your buddy, I wouldn’t have said it like that in front of you. And I just played stupid and was like Whaaat? What are you talking about? I just committed to, I didn’t say anything.”

Via Instagram @evablue

Godfrey on why it’s great to be on the Nasty Show!

I think it’s Awesome to be on the Nasty show because we have the freedom to be unpredictable, edgy and not give a shit except be funny!!??

The Nasty Show runs every night from now through July 29th, at Club Metropolis at 9:30pm. Some nights also have 7pm shows. Go to hahaha.com for tickets and more information.

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