Cast of Veep, Brian Regan, Lewis Black, a gala for The CW and more at Montreal’s Just For Laughs 2016

The 34th edition of Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, the world’s biggest comedy confab running from July 13-31, 2016, has announced its headliners for this summer.

The industry ComedyPro section — including New Faces, panels, podcasts and awards — will happen July 27-30, 2016.

Among the biggest events revealed so far:

  • An Evening with the Cast of HBO’s Veep, July 27 at Maison Symphonique at Place des Arts, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Timothy Simons, and showrunner David Mandel.
  • David Cross hosting a Gala on July 27 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts.
  • Lewis Black, July 27 at Theatre Maisonneuve in Place des Arts.
  • Brian Regan, July 30 at Theatre Maisonneuve at Place des Arts.

Other one-night-only performances:

  • Jeremy Hotz, July 28 at L’Olympia.
  • Just For Laughs Starring Howie Mandel, another stand-up showcase special filmed for The CW, July 29 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place Des Arts.
  • Hannibal Buress, July 30 at L’Olympia.
  • Kathleen Madigan, July 26, at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts.

Multi-night runs:

  • Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle, returning bigger and now taped for TV and simulcast with referee/comedian Brian Moses and celebrity judges. The four-night special event will be live-taped at L’Astral from July 27-29 with the July 31 finals airing live to millions of viewers as it will simulcast on Comedy Central in the US and the Comedy Network in Canada.
  • Maria Bamford, July 28-29 at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts.
  • Russell Howard, July 27 and July 30, at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts.
  • Iliza Shlesinger, July 28 and July 30, at 5e Salle in Place Des Arts.
  • Nikki Glaser, two performances at Club Soda on July 30.
  • Brit(ish), hosted by Mark Watson with Russell Kane, Joe Lycett, special guest Sarah Millican, and more comedians still to be announced, July 26 at Club Soda, and July 27 at 5e Salle at Place Des Arts.
  • Gad Elmaleh, performing in English at Le Gesù from July 25-29.
  • Jimmy Carr, from July 25-30 at Le Gesù.
  • Rachid Badouri hosts The Ethnic Show at Club Soda and Metropolis from July 13-28, with Dom Irrera, Godfrey, Gina Brillon, Yannis Pappas and Jessica Kirson.
  • The Nasty Show, hosted for the second time by “the Celine Dion of dick jokes,” Mike Ward, at Metropolis from July 20-30, with special guest “The Pitbull of Comedy” Bobby Slayton, Brad Williams, Ralphie May and Tiffany Haddish.
  • OFF-JFL events including Alan Carr, Tom Green, Janeane Garofalo, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cameron Esposito and Tommy Johnagin as hosts for Hosts with the Most, Nick Thune, Adam Hills, Steve Rannazzisi, Kurt Metzger, Big Jay Oakerson, Barry Crimmins, Louie Anderson, Emo Philips, Piff The Magic Dragon, Beth Stelling, Michelle Wolf, Todd Barry, Aparna Nancherla, Jermaine Fowler, Mark Normand, Matt Braunger, This Is Not Happening hosted by Ari Shaffir, The Alternative Show hosted by Andy Kindler, Best of the Fest, Midnight Surprise and many more still to come!
  • Scott Aukerman’s Comedy Bang! Bang! live podcast taping at the Hyatt Grand Salon on July 29.
  • Living in Fictional Times: A Political Conversation with Lewis Black, at the Hyatt Grand Salon on July 28.

Pre-sale for each show begins today, May 3, at 10 am at hahaha.com. Public on-sale starts Thursday, May 5, at 10 am at hahaha.com.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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