When I heard Sarah Millican's Late Bloomer tour was going to make a stop in Toronto as part of the revived Just for Laughs Toronto, I was delighted. When I heard it would be literally a five minute walk from my house, I knew there was no way I could miss that.
On my way out to my first show of Just For Laughs Toronto 2025, I was starting in a familiar space made unfamiliar. Comedy Bar is easily my favourite space for comedy in the city and the cabaret space my favourite room, and it couldn't have started in a more pleasant way.
I have been reviewing this festival for a long time now, and one thing remains as true as ever: The Alternative Show is the best show of the fest.
The new producers of JFL Toronto are doing a lot of things right this year. First of all, The Alternative Show is back at the original Comedy Bar location.
James Adomian, if you don't already know him, is your favourite comedian's favourite comedian. He can also do an impression of your favourite comedian so accurate that you don't realize he's not your favourite comedian. Then when you do realize, he will be your favourite comedian.
I put him in the category of the Jonathan Winters of our generation.
In an effort not to bury the lede: You're going to want to see Conner O'Malley.
In a time when the news is overwhelming and it feels like satire might be dead – because reality is just too over the top – his show on Saturday at JFL Toronto was actually kind of healing. It made me laugh in a way that almost knocked me off balance and I didn't see coming.
A fun conversation with Clif Knight getting sauced.
Troma Entertainment opened its doors in 1974 and – like Roger Corman, who created B-movies and served as a proving ground to great talent – launched the careers of innumerable talents in front of and behind the camera: James Gunn, Eli Roth, Samuel L. Jackson, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Marisa Tomei to name a few.
We chat with the amazing Precious Chong. She shares her thoughts on hot dogs and LA related hot dog stories.
We sit down with comedian Zach Wycuff who educates us about the joys of the Skyline Dog.
Well, folk friends... we did it! We feasted and frolicked, celebrating Winnipeg Folk Festival's 50th festival! Word on the street is that this edition ranked high on many people's lists of favourite festival years.
I certainly wasn't disappointed.
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