In a vibrant celebration of comedy’s freshest talent, the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal made a triumphant return, spotlighting emerging voices in the comedy scene. Highlighting the event, Variety once again honored their annual list of 10 Comics To Watch, showcasing an impressive array of comedians destined to shape the future of humor. The event, sponsored by Cohen Gardner Law, brought together both budding and seasoned comics in an unforgettable gathering of laughter and talent.
A Glimpse at This Year’s Comedic Standouts
On July 24, Variety revealed their coveted 10 Comics To Watch at a lively cocktail party. Attendees included new and exciting talents like Emmy nominee Robby Hoffman from “Hacks,” the dynamic Mary Beth Barone known for “Overcompensating,” and social media phenomenon Dyon ‘Mojo’ Brooks. The celebration didn’t stop there, with notable appearances by Joe Dombrowski, Nate Jackson, Morgan Jay, Gianmarco Soresi, Jiaoying Summers, Steph Tolev, and Tacarra Williams, each bringing their unique brand of humor to the festival.
Jeff B. Cohen of Cohen Gardner, who has been a stalwart supporter of this initiative for nearly two decades, emphasized the significance of this event, stating, “Variety has a remarkable track record of identifying comedy’s next stars with its 10 Comics To Watch list.” His appreciation extended to the festival itself, humorously noting, “It’s my one chance a year to eat poutine!”
Showcase and Honoring Comedy’s Elite
The festivities continued on July 25 with a showcase where the 10 Comics To Watch took the stage to perform in front of an eager audience. This event coincided with the annual Just For Laughs Awards, where comedy giants received due recognition. Highlights included Ryan Reynolds awarding the Generation Award to his “Welcome to Wrexham” collaborator Rob McElhenney. Reynolds praised McElhenney, stating, “Nobody does 17 seasons of a television show with the same cast and crew and also happens to be a dick,” showcasing the camaraderie and respect within the comedy community.
Hosted by former financial analyst and now comedian Matthew Broussard, the awards ceremony was a testament to comedy’s broad reach and enduring influence. Honorees included George Wallace, who received a lifetime achievement award from Roy Wood Jr., a former 10 Comics To Watch alumnus himself. Among others celebrated were Benito Skinner as the breakout comedy star, Hannah Berner as a rising star, and Fortune Feimster, who shared the podcast of the year award.
Variety’s 10 Comics To Watch celebration at the Just For Laughs Festival stands as a testament to the enduring power of comedy to bring joy, connect people, and spotlight the stars of tomorrow. With such incredible talent on display, the future of comedy is undoubtedly bright.
