Comedy
Festivals
ShowbizMonkeys.com is sometimes lucky enough to cover major events and festivals in film, music, comedy, and pop culture. Whether a major international spectacle like the Academy Awards or a more regional festival like the Winnipeg Folk Festival, we're on the scene with interviews, photos, video, and special commentary.
JFL Toronto Review: Sarah Millican - "Late Bloomer"
Posted by: Matthew Ardill • September 21, 2025 @ 9:10am
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.
JFL Toronto Review: The Alternative Show with James Adomian
Posted by: Andrew Lizotte • September 19, 2025 @ 12:15pm
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.
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.
Another JFL Toronto has come and gone. It's been such a treat to see so many masters at work, each showcasing their talent in their own unique way. One of the most memorable among them was Patti Harrison, with a show that sent a shock wave of mixed emotions through The Royal Theatre.
Summers in Toronto are magical, and the Just for Laughs comedy festival is a perfect way to end one with a bang. It's 10 days of your favourite entertainers, the weather is right, and last call stretches 'til the wee hours.
As someone in the funny business, I often struggle between the urge to see and be seen, and the pleasure of my couch + a cozy list of grievances.
One of my favorite things about Toronto's Just for Laughs Festival is that some of the acts are really great at showing you how the sausage gets made.
Going to a Craig Ferguson show is like going on a walk with a Scottish family member. I know this because I am married to someone who is only once removed from this, and watching Craig Ferguson's set is like chatting with my wife.
JFL Toronto Reviews: Kurt Braunohler & Alex Edelman
Posted by: Showbiz Monkeys • September 24, 2022 @ 9:04am
Kurt Braunohler
Reviewed by: Matthew Ardill
After having a delightful conversation with the incredible Kurt Braunohler, I felt it was a MUST to make it to his shows (which is a lie – I had tickets to last night's 9 PM show at Comedy Bar and "Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen" well before I got to sit wi
JFL42 Reviews: Serious Talk with Funny People, Gabriel Iglesias, The El-Salomons, My Gorgeous Son
Posted by: Showbiz Monkeys • September 30, 2019 @ 5:34pm
Serious Talk with Funny People
September 28, 2019 • 3:00 PM @ TIFF Bell Lightbox
Reviewed by: Andrew Lizotte
Spirits were high as the panelists (Andy Kindler, Deanne Smith, Jessica Holmes, and Byron Bowers) took to
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