2 Responses

1. Sharilyn says:

   April 3, 2007 at 4:28 pm

   I’m not sure I believe the claims about the Montreal shows being instant sellouts. Mere days ago, I was told by a JFL higher-up that the Montreal shows have never drawn huge numbers. And I was told this while sitting in a half-full audience waiting for the local-themed show of <>our<> comedy festival. Seems to be a theme.On one hand, I think it’s very important for a festival to support its local artists. But the fact is, a JFL credit carries a lot of weight. Tons. And they’ve been tossed to a lot of people just because they’re Montreal-based comics. Filling a bill with only Montrealers guarantees that there will be a few people squeaking through who just aren’t ready for it, and who otherwise wouldn’t be chosen for the festival.A local comic, Daniel Tirado, says it well at the end of that article: “My feeling is that only the more well-know locals will get shots on the Bubbling series, but that it will be harder for the rest of us.”Is that a bad thing? Getting into JFL IS hard. And it should be just as hard for a middler in Calgary as it is for a middler in Montreal. The rest of the JFL lineup is full people who’ve busted their asses and paid their dues in order to become “more well-known”. Perhaps I’m biased. An egotistical young comic with a Montreal Show credit swooped into an open mic in my city acting like they were the shit because of it. And believe me, their set definitely didn’t warrant such bravado. I can’t really argue with anything that prevents such douchebaggery.

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2. George Hamilton says:

   April 4, 2007 at 7:25 pm

   Good riddance to the Montreal Show! The Montreal show was the ultimate display in navel gazing; full of sound and fury but of very little significance. They’re always two people in the lineup who most Montreal comedian have seen or heard of ever, and would leave us shaking our heads? It was hosted by a local radio hack that I’ve never seen in a local comedy club in over 10 years, and generally was more of a kick-back to the local comedy mafia with little resemblance to the burgeoning, vibrant, and diverse local comedy scene.I would disagree though that Montreal comedian had a leg up on comedians from abroad. If you have one disastrous set in November the festival will hear about it. Where other comedians get to showcase their “best stuff” the Montreal scene had a lot to do with your marketing ability with the local club owners over who had the best audition set.Moreover the best middle comedians in Montreal are no longer auditioning for Just For Laughs! I’ve been surprised at the number of comedians with 8+ years of experience who do not even bother to audition for J4Ls, and are much more interested in performing at Edinburgh Fringe, the Seattle comedy competition or even the Montreal Fringe. When probed on to why they were not auditioning most cited that there was very little “up side” to performing at J4Ls.Consequently the lineup of last few Montreal shows was lamentable, with many of the acts being first time festival comedians with fewer than 5 years of experience. They were green and this has led to an inflated sense of accomplishment. Not as inflated as the average Toronto comedian who has played the Yuks Super club once, but I digress.Our Entertainment heroes from Montreal like Cirque du Soleil, Arcade Fire, or even comedians such as Caroline Rhea or Norm MacDonald did not get their big break on the local scene first. They were mostly unappreciated club acts here who persevered, and found their footing and appreciation elsewhere. If a Montrealer wants to be a hit in Montreal you have to leave Montreal. Meanwhile others comedians performing at J4Ls can be a most brilliantly colored feather in their cap.The cream of the local talent has been getting into the other shows (e.g. New Faces & the Alternative Comedy Show) over the past few years, and there is still 1 guaranteed local slot available to the winner of the Homegrown competition, which this year was earned by the FABULOUS Claire Brosseau.

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