Just For Laughs Montreal announces lineup for 30th anniversary comedy festival

Montreal’s big daddy of comedy festivals celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer, and Just For Laughs has revealed much of its headlining acts for the fete that runs through most of July.

Highlights include Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppets, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Bill Hader, Bob Saget, John Pinette, Lewis Black, Jim Gaffigan, Patton Oswalt, Wayne Brady, Mario Cantone, Epic Meal Time, JB Smoove as Leon Black, Jeff Garlin, Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Carr, Mike Birbiglia, Tommy Tiernan and more. Chelsea Handler will receive the fest’s 2012 Comedy Person of the Year award, Key & Peele (stars Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele) will be recognized as this year’s “Breakout Comedy Stars,” while Hannibal Buress will be named this year’s “Rising Comedy Star.”

And just look at all of the names listed on that JFL Montreal anniversary poster! Of course, they’re not done filling out the lineup — what with a new crop of New Faces to “introduce” to the industry, and several more slots on the galas and showcases that will populate live venues around the French-Canadian city from July 12-29 (note: The Comedy Conference with panels, parties, award ceremonies and more for the business of show will run July 26-28, 2012, with Patton Oswalt delivering this year’s keynote address).

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GALAS
Themes continue in 2012 for the biggest showcases, called Galas. 2012 will toast the talents of:

• John Pinette, with special guest Tommy Tiernan (hosting early July 24)
• Bill Hader (hosting late July 24)
• The Muppets All-Star Comedy Gala (July 26)
• Lewis Black presents “The American Dream? Election Year Gala” (early July 27)
• Bob Saget and friends get raw and hardcore with JFL XXX Gala (late July 27)

CONCERT SERIES

Mark your calendars for Jim Gaffigan (July 23), Patton Oswalt (July 25), Aziz Ansari (July 25-27), Epic Meal Time (July 27) and Kevin Hart (July 28).

Wayne Brady presents his one-man show, “I See White People,” (July 23-28) while Mario Cantone runs previews of his follow-up to his Broadway show, “Laugh Whore” (July 24-28)

Podfathers Adam Carolla (July 27) and Marc Maron (July 28) will host live studio audience editions of their popular podcasts, with Maron also will be performing a solo stand-up show in addition to his live WTF.

Jimmy Carr hosts Britcom, Bobby Slayton hosts The Nasty Show, and who knows who will take center stage for The Ethnic Show. Other solo headlining shows include new hours from Jim Jefferies and Hannibal Buress, a late-night talk show hosted by JB Smoove as Leon Black, his Curb Your Enthusiasm character who’ll bring “the Ruckus” to Montreal. Key & Peele will perform their sketches live. Mike Birbiglia screens Sleepwalk With Me.

And that’s just the start!