Just for Laughs (French: Juste pour rire) was a comedy festival that was held every July in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1982, it was the largest international comedy festival in the world.[1] In addition to the festivals themselves, Just for Laughs also developed, produced, and distributed other forms of comedy entertainment, such as television programming.[2]
In March 2024, it was announced that Just for Laughs as a business went bankrupt, and consequently, all of its festivals were cancelled. The media speculated about its future in Montreal, and how it could be uncertain.[3] In May, however, ComediHa, another Quebec-based company specialising in comedy, announced its acquisition of several assets, including the festival. It was then announced that the anglophone festival would go on,[4] albeit smaller, and without the usual televised galas.[5]
History
Saint-Denis Theatre, the theatre where the festival used to film until 2010Inside Saint-Denis Theatre, 2005 Just for Laughs festivalImprov All Stars stage, Just for Laughs festival 2003Principal shooting set, as of 2014Place des Arts, this is where the festival previously filmed
Just for Laughs was formed in 1982 as a two-day French-language event. In 1985, Andy Nulman joined the festival's staff and introduced English-language events as well; under Nulman's stewardship, the festival increased to a full month, with French-speaking performers during the first half, and English speakers in the second half.[citation needed] International and non-verbal acts (acrobats, pantomimes, etc.) are scattered throughout the program.
In 1999, Nulman left the festival's full-time employ; however, he directed its major Gala Shows at the Saint-Denis Theatre every July, and remained on the board of directors of the festival's parent company. After an 11-year absence, Nulman returned to Just for Laughs in July 2010 as president of Festivals and Television.[6]
Each day, performers, "New Vaudevillians" and other acts both vocal and visual perform throughout the city, particularly in the "Latin Quarter"[citation needed]—an area known for its theatres, cafés and boutique shopping. In the evenings, the nightclubs and live venue theatres offer special programs supporting the performers.
Although Just for Laughs attracts spectators from around the world, many of those in the audience are talent scouts, booking agents, producers, and managers from the entertainment industry. Performing at the festival is one of the biggest opportunities for undiscovered talent to showcase their act in front of industry professionals.
The Just for Laughs festival also has the Comedia comedy film festival component.[7] Awards are given for feature and short films. In 2005, Comedia screened 125 short films from around the world as well as several feature-length films.
In February 1994, the festival sponsored a splinter project in Hollywood, Florida. That coastal area is a favourite winter destination for Quebecers who head south to vacation in the warmer weather. The event, Juste pour rire—en vacances (Just for Laughs—On Vacation), was held in the Young Circle Park, an outdoor venue with an urban park setting.[8]
In July 2007, Just for Laughs celebrated its 25th edition, launching a festival in Toronto, Ontario.[9]
In 2009, a U.S. edition of the festival was held in Chicago, sponsored by U.S. cable network TBS.[10][11]
On November 24, 2010, it was announced that they have to move the Just for Laughs galas to Place des Arts and that the 2011 festival in the Saint-Denis Theatre would be recycled due to budget cuts.[12]
On April 1, 2019, the Just for Laughs name went fully stylized to Just for laughs, and on 2021 as JUST FOR LAUGHS. On April 3, 2020, it was announced that the 2020 edition of Just for Laughs would be postponed until the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was scheduled to run from September 29 to October 11, 2020, however, on July 21, 2020, organizers reversed their decision and cancelled the event. To fill the gap, they choose for a series of virtual performances that will run online (via the Internet only), for two days, on October 9 and 10, 2020.[14][15]
Sale to ICM Partners, Bell and the Molson family
On October 18, 2017, festival president and founder Gilbert Rozon resigned from his position following allegations of sexual misconduct.[16] Rozon later announced that he would sell the festival. As per a partnership with the conglomerate, Quebecor was given right of first refusal to counter competing offers. The company, however, declined. On March 21, 2018, it was announced that the entire company would be acquired by a partnership between U.S.-based talent agency ICM Partners and Ontario comedian Howie Mandel. In their announcement of the purchase, it was stated that Just for Laughs would remain based in Montreal (with Mandel considering the event to be a key component of local culture), and that there would be no changes in its management or operations. It was also stated that the partnership was seeking other local partners. Quebecor subsequently announced that it would become a "founding partner" of Le Grand Montréal Comédie Fest—a competing event (which lasted 2 years) that has been established by a group of Quebecois comedians as a competitor in the wake of the Rozon scandal.[17][18]
In May 2018, La Presse reported that the partnership planned to sell a 51% stake in Just for Laughs to Bell Canada and Evenko (an event management company owned by the Montreal Canadiens' ownership group Groupe CH, in turn owned by the Molson family), so that the event would remain majority-owned by Canadian interests and remain eligible for government tax credits.[19] On June 7, 2018, Just For Laughs confirmed that Bell Media and Groupe CH had acquired stakes in the festival.[20]
In July 2022, Just for Laughs announced a line-up of 62 comedians that will be featured in the Montreal festival that will run from July 13 to 31st. This festival also marks the 40th anniversary of Just for Laughs.[21]
2024 cancellation and uncertain future
The stage set up for ComediHa! salue Montréal, including Just for Laughs-branded events, at the Place des Festivals in 2024
On March 5, 2024, it was announced the 2024 edition of the Just for Laughs festival had been canceled as Groupe Juste pour rire tried to avoid bankruptcy.[22] The organizers attributed lost revenues during the COVID-19 pandemic, streaming services, and reduced budgets at networks to the company's collapse. A month later, it was exposed that the company was $22.5 million in debt, with an additional $3.4 million on top of that owed to various creditors. It was also revealed the festival lost $800,000 in an email phishing scheme in 2023.[23]
In May, Just for Laughs announced that it was selling some of its assets to ComediHa!, a company which organizes similar comedy festivals in other Quebec cities.[24] In an interview in July, ComediaHa!'s CEO, Sylvain Parent-Bédard, reported that the company plans to keep the Just For Laughs and Juste Pour Rire brands for the festivals, and use the ComediHa! brand for musicals, theatre, TV, and scripted shows.[25]
TV shows and other
In addition to the festivals themselves, Just for Laughs also develops, produces, and distributes other forms of comedy entertainment, from stand-up specials and variety shows to sitcoms and reality television.[2]
For instance, tapings from festival performances have been featured in Just for Laughs-branded television programs and specials, which have aired on channels such as CBC Television,[26]Radio-Canada, The Comedy Network, and TVA. This includes the original Just for Laughs series; Just for Laughs: Galas, a series of four galas;[26] and a newer series that premiered in 2012, Just for Laughs: All Access.
Just for Laughs' television productions are also broadcast outside of Canada on over 150 platforms. American audiences can watch JFL programming via HBO, FOX, ABC, Comedy Central, Showtime, Hulu, and more. A UK series, also entitled Just for Laughs, aired on Channel 4 from 1987 to 1996. Just for Laughs Australia screens on the Ten Network in Australia and features highlights from the festival with an emphasis on Australian comedy performers.[2]
The festival has also lent its name to a hidden camera comedy series, Just for Laughs Gags, which has also been aired by various Canadian channels, and has been sold internationally. Adapted from Gags is Just Kidding, a show with a similar premise but with kids pulling pranks.[2]
Just for Laughs also produces Humour Resources, a series starring Jon Dore as a retired comedian-turned-human resources manager for comedy.[27]
In 2018, Radio-Canada and The Comedy Network (now called CTV Comedy Channel) briefly dropped all Just for Laughs programming, apparently caused by Gilbert Rozon's allegations of sexual misconduct. TVA continued to air Just for Laughs Gags, but renamed Les Gags. CBC Television still air Just for Laughs Gags with no changes. Following the festival's subsequent ownership changes, CTV Comedy and other Bell Media channels have resumed airing festival programming.[citation needed]
Just for Laughs also owns a record label titled JFL Originals, which publishes multi-comedian albums recorded in different cities across North America.[28]
When the artist first created the mascot, the character’s horns were coloured blue. However, when Vittorio’s blue marker had run out of shades of blue, the mascot’s horns became red.
His catchphrase, as heard at the end of most Just for Laughs television broadcasts ever since the inception, is "Mommy, it’s over!"
The image was inspired by a monster that preys on Montreal.[29] The logo can be seen across the world on posters, T-shirts, event site markers, costumes, and inflatables.
In 2005, the character was redesigned by animator Alan Best at the behest of advertising agency Cossette as part of a comprehensive graphic overhaul of the Just For Laughs brand. In 2007, "Rose" was created, a character to be the wife of Victor.[22]
In 2023, Victor was absent from all visual material related to the festival.
Just for Laughs Gags is a Canadian silent comedy/hidden camera reality television series that is under the Just for Laughs brand created by Pierre Girard and Jacques Chevalier.
Godfrey C. Danchimah Jr., professionally known mononymously as Godfrey, is a Nigerian-American comedian, impressionist and actor who has appeared on BET, VH1, Comedy Central, and feature films, such as Soul Plane, Original Gangstas, Zoolander, and Johnson Family Vacation. He was also a spokesperson for 7 Up during the popular '7up yours' advertising campaign and a cast member on the first season of The It Factor, a reality television show. Currently, he is a regular performer at the comedy club Comedy Cellar in New York. He is also known for doing the voices of Mr. Stubborn and Mr. Tall in The Mr. Men Show and hosting the FOX game show Bullseye. Godfrey also hosted his own radio show on SiriusXM until he parted ways with the show in July 2019. He now owns and hosts a podcast called 'In Godfrey We Trust' on the “Gas Digital Network”. He is also known for collaborating with other social media stars such as King Bach, Destorm Power, etc. He was once a regular guest on VladTV.
The Quiddlers are a physical comedy group formed in Southeastern Michigan. They are known to audiences worldwide as "The International Ambassadors of Physical Comedy."
Anthony Kavanagh is a Canadian stand up comedian, actor, singer and TV presenter. After a successful career on the francophone stand-up scene in Quebec, he became a major star in France and is now a popular television host.
Marc Dupré is a Canadian singer, songwriter and musician from Quebec.
The Canadian Comedy Awards (CCA) is an annual ceremony that awards the Beaver for achievements in Canadian comedy in live performance, radio, film, television, and Internet media. The awards were founded and produced by Tim Progosh in 2000.
A comedy festival is a celebration of comedy with many shows, venues, comedy performers and is held over a specific block of time. Normally, each festival has a diverse range of comedy themes and genres.
The Just for Laughs Museum was a Canadian museum that opened in 1993, dedicated to humour located in Montreal, Quebec. The museum closed in 2011. It had been visited by more than two million people since its opening.
Samir Khullar, better known as Sugar Sammy, is a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer from Montreal, Quebec. Being fluently quadrilingual, his comedy routines are delivered in English and French, and sometimes in Punjabi and Hindi.
Steve Patterson is a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television and radio host. He is also a television producer and known for his satire and observational comedy.
Andy Nulman, is a Montreal-based businessman best known for his activities in co-founding and promoting the Just For Laughs comedy festival; under Nulman's stewardship, the festival grew from a two-day show to a month-long event drawing international audiences. Nulman also sold multimillion-dollar corporate sponsorships and creator and/or executive producer of more than 150 Festival TV shows, in a variety of languages, all over the world. He wrote, produced and hosted the 1997 CBC production of "The Worst of Just For Laughs," created the Gemini-award nominated gay sketch comedy show In Thru the Out Door for CBC and Showtime in 1998, and won a "Best Variety Series" Gemini Award for "The Best of Just For Laughs" in 1993.
Rachid Badouri is a Canadian comedian.
Gilbert Rozon is a Canadian businessman and founder of the Just for Laughs comedy festival, which he created on July 14, 1982. He is also responsible for the development and international deployment of the Just for Laughs/Juste pour Rire brand in over 150 countries. The Just for Laughs festival is considered the largest comedy festival in the world.
Behzad Ghafarizadeh, is an Iranian - Canadian cartoonist and illustrator. He was born in 1983 in Tehran, and grew up in an art-centered family. He graduated from the University of Tehran and received his master's degree in materials engineering. He continued his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec, in Montreal, Quebec.
Martha Chaves is a Nicaraguan-Canadian comedian, actress, activist and playwright. She performs standup in English, Spanish, French and Italian. She is a regular in the comedy circuits in Canada, the United States and Latin America, at Just for Laughs and other major festivals, and on CBC Radio.
Pat Dussault is a Canadian television comedy writer, sketch comedian and actor. He has written for a number of Canadian shows, including Just for Laughs and This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Comedy is a vast cultural sector in Quebec, whose promotion and development are in part ensured by the Association des professionnels de l'industrie de l'humour (APIH).
Anaïs Favron is a Canadian radio and TV host, actress, and improviser.
Mariana Mazza is a Canadian comedian from Quebec of Uruguayan and Lebanese origin. She is also an actress, appearing notably in the films Bon Cop, Bad Cop 2 in 2017, with among others Patrick Huard and Colm Feore, as well as in Father and Guns 2 released the same year, starring Louis-José Houde and Michel Côté.
Garihanna Jean-Louis is a Haitian-Canadian writer, comedian and actress. Most notably known as the first and only Black female comedian to graduate from l’École nationale de l’humour.
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