Just For Laughs TORONTO (formerly JFL42), presented by Beneva, in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada, has revealed the first slate of programming for the long-awaited festival return, running in venues across Toronto from September 22 to October 1, 2022.
In addition to delivering one of the most expansive comedy lineups in North America, Just For Laughs TORONTO is extending its impressive reach with arena, concert and club shows, and unmatched programming for its daytime ComedyCON series.
“We are very much looking forward to returning to Toronto to celebrate our 10th festival anniversary this fall, and are excited to be bringing so much premium standup comedy to the city”, says Bruce Hills, President of Just For Laughs.
Headlining this year’s festival is the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, former host of the 2021 and 2022 Grammy Awards, and eleven-time Emmy nominee, Trevor Noah who will be returning to Toronto this fall, as well two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer, actor, and comedian John Mulaney. Emmy-winning standup comedian, actress, writer, producer and director, Amy Schumer is set to perform, as well as Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova, the beloved iconic comedic drag duo known for their award-winning YouTube series UNHhhh and the hit podcast The Bald and the Beautiful.
Iliza Shlesinger, award-winning comedian, actor, writer and producer who has five Netflix standup specials, including Elder Millennial, together with comedian and actor, Ben Schwartz, who can be seen in AppleTV+’s The Afterparty, will be taking the Toronto stage, as well as comedian and storyteller Mike Birbiglia, who has praised solo shows with coveted off-Broadway runs, including The New One, which recently moved to Broadway and received a Drama Desk Award. Best known for his role in the ABC sitcom Black-ish, which earned him two SAG Awards, actor, comedian and screenwriter, Deon Cole makes JFL TORONTO debut.
Additional performers include American stand-up comedian, and prolific voice actor, Maria Bamford, critically revered for her deeply personal and experimental comedy about mental illness, as well as standup comedian and host of the wildly popular podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, Marc Maron will be performing. Emmy-nominated writer, comedian, and podcast host, Neal Brennan, best known for co-creating and co-writing Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show with Dave Chappelle, and for his Netflix standup special 3 Mics, joins the lineup.
Internationally acclaimed transfeminine writer, comedian, performer, fashion icon, activist and public speaker, ALOK will be taking the Toronto stage, as will actress, comedian and singer, Catherine Cohen fresh off her Netflix Special The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous. Comedian and impressions expert from NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Melissa Villaseñor will perform, as will Canadian comedians Al Val and Allie Pearse who can be seen on CBC Gem’s New Wave of Standup.
JFL is excited to introduce a new standup comedy variety show, Got Land? where First Nation, Inuk and Metis performers entertain and share life stories, all expressing solidarity through humour. Also performing at this year’s festival is Canadian Comedy Award nominee Ali Hassan - a regular host on CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud and frequent guest star on CBC’s Run The Burbs and Working Moms. Sophie Buddle is a stand-up, a TV writer, a podcaster, and 2020 Juno Award winner for Best Comedy Album. You've seen her on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden, and on CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes as a correspondent and staff writer.
Her podcast “Obsessed with Sophie Buddle” was also an instant hit. Mark Little, an award-winning actor, writer and comedian, has appeared at JFL, on TBS’ Conan, and was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics To Watch. He voiced notable characters in blockbuster films including Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, Transformers: BotBots and many others. Actor and comedian, Dakota Ray Hebert has performed across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and China. She won Best Actress at AIFF for her role in the critically-acclaimed film Run Woman Run, and her debut solo comedy album I’ll Give You An Indian Act, will be available to stream this year.
ComedyCON, Just For Laughs TORONTO’s daytime programming series will be taking over Meridian Hall for four non-stop days of live comedy content, offering fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of their favourite stars! The first two headliners will blow your mind! Creator and star of the award-winning HBO series Insecure, Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actor and comedian, Issa Rae will be doing an In Conversation at this year’s festival. Also joining in on the fun is comedian actor, and SNL alum, Pete Davidson; and we’re just getting started. A robust slate of programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
TICKET DETAILS:
Passes will be available starting Friday, June 10, 2022 as of 10:00 AM at www.toronto.hahaha.com
Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, June 17, 2022 as of 10:00 AM at www.toronto.hahaha.com
