Just for Laughs kicked off this weekend and it’s giving (as the kids say) Montreal summer vibes of yesteryear. The festival brings back three major crowdpleasing festival staples: The Nasty Show, The Culture Show (formerly the Ethnic Show), and Midnight Surprise.
This year, The Culture Show promises to break stereotypes and boundaries with comedy, and runs through July 23 at Club Soda (and Studio TD– check your tickets!) Host, Indian-American comedian, Asif Ali (The Mandalorian, WandaVision, Ghosts) came out last night to welcome the “mostly white audience,” before introducing a lineup of five culturally diverse comedians.
Frankie Quiñones was introduced first and came out beatboxing. As a Mexican-American, he expressed concern over being allowed back into the United States and noted that it may be the beginning of his Canadian comedy career, earning him a welcoming applause. He will also be performing his solo show at Café Cleopatra on July 24 and his special drops on Disney + this October.
Currently starring opposite Susan Sarandon in Netflix’s Emmy-nominated Nonnas, Tammy Pescatelli came out rocking a killer ponytail. She’s repping the tough Italian-Americans (she’s 100% Sicilian) and “not as sensitive as [she] once was.” I grew up watching her, so I was pretty stoked to see her live (I’m 100% Marchigiana). Plus, mad respect for her for still using the term “broad.” With Tammy walking off to thunderous applause, Asif had nothing to do but keep the show rolling.
Reggie Conquest was a surprise to this lineup, seemingly subbing in for Andrea Jin, who was absent from the show. Currently performing in the Nasty Show, he adjusted his set – but no spoilers here.
The penultimate act was Orlando Leyba, a five-timer of The Tonight Show. He came out expressing concern that “Just for Laughs” wasn’t coming back, which received audible agreement from the crowd. Needless to say, everyone’s relieved it’s back.
Finally, closing out the night, was Lebanese-Canadian comic, Dave Merheje (Ramy, I Love You Habibi). Originally from Windsor, Ontario, and now based in Los Angeles, he admits regret over never learning French. As a comedian who comes through Montreal often – he was just here in March, at Lord William Pub – his local references are on point. He had a man in the upper balcony jumping up and down before folding over himself with laughter, as he discussed taxis. Dave closed out the show by tearing the roof off the place. (Based on the July 18, 7PM show)
The Nasty Show, also at Club Soda (and Studio TD– check your ticket) through July 25, promises to be the filthiest and most shocking show at the Festival. Hosted by Che Durena, it offers a lineup of five foul-in-their-own-way comics.
Che Durena walked out to an intro that highlighted he is Canadian and has 9 million social media followers. As he hit center stage, he immediately clocked the five bros at the front. (They should have known when they sat there.) This “mattress on the floor guy” hyped the very eclectic crowd before bringing out the first comic.
Kicking off the show was Australian-Croatian, “lawyer in a past life,” comedian Amos Gill. He entered, looking quite smart, in a blazer he claimed was bought by his stepdad. Covering the racism portion of the Nasty Show, Amos is for the history buffs in the room. You’ll see.
Next, Pink Foxx came out to 4Batz and gave the audience an RnB lesson. You might remember her from New Faces in 2022. Though she started the lesson with RnB, she taught way more than that. Be ready to take notes because class is in session…is a winky face appropriate here?
Lessons continued with Reggie Conquest who sauntered out in a baseball cap and t-shirt. A little fumble off the top earned him an encouraging “woo” from the balcony, to which he hilariously retorted “I don’t need that.” He was just warming up to what’s in his heart: BBLs and group chats (IYKYK).
The penultimate act, Jiaoying Summers, made history as the first Chinese person to sell out the Apollo. She’s totally glam in a suit jacket and stilettos and had the woman next to me, who politely smiled all night, cackling from the beginning to the end of her set. Jiaoying’s patience on stage enables her to sneak up on you with her wit. Be ready.
This particular evening’s final act was none other than Jay Jurden. When he came out, the crowd lost it. His sprinkling of local references and a nod to the French language only made the crowd love him more. It’s important to be prepared though, because he slapped us with the truth and then slapped us with the truth and then Che Durena sent us home.
The mixed audience ranging from couples of all ages, groups of bros, travelers, and even families proves that we’re all a little bit nasty– this show just helps pinpoint where we might fall on that spectrum. (Based on the July 17, 7PM show)
When it came to the Midnight Surprise, it’s still early days of the Festival so the surprises were limited to a cocktail of comics from the Culture Show and the Nasty Show. On July 17, Jay Jurden had the crowd hollering as he brought up a lineup of comedians that included Tammy Pescatelli, Jiaoying Summers, Dave Merheje and more. Last night’s show was hosted by Pantelis and included Frankie Quiñones, Tammy Pescatelli, Asif Ali, Orlando Leyba, and local comedian Wassim El-Mounzer. Wassim shared the lineup to his instagram as a “Huge milestone for ya boi.” It’s just warming up and, in a couple of days, when the Festival is in full swing, all bets will be off. And if the days of yesteryear are truly back, there’s no telling who will pop by from one night to the next. This high energy show caters to the committed comedy fans who are ready to laugh until they might miss the last metro.
If you’re really looking for a night out, you can likely see all three shows in one night with just enough time in between to grab a quick bite – perhaps at the iconic Montreal Pool Room – and stroll the 5 minutes it takes to get to Theatre Sainte-Catherine for the Midnight Surprise. Protip: arrive early, the shows are general admission, selling out fast, people save seats, and these shows start right on time. All the shows I saw were packed and the festival is only getting started. Also, the venues have quick turnarounds, so be kind to the staff and tip your bartenders well, ‘cause they are working hard.
Last thing, while you’re out there, if you want to post about the festival, use #jflmontreal.
The Culture Show will run through July 23 at Club Soda and Studio TD (double check your venue) at 7:00 PM (info here).
The Nasty Show will run through July 25 (info here).
The Midnight Surprise as part of OFF-JFL (info here) and as part of JFL (info here).
Che Durena will have a solo show on July 26 at Club Soda, with Wassim El-Mounzer as his opener (info here).
Other Solo Shows are linked above throughout.
