At the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal this week, stand-up comics are juggling more than just punchlines; they’re booking club gigs across North America and arena dates worldwide. But let’s be clear: this isn’t just a clever ruse to dodge the rent during the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes. Oh no, it’s so much more. It’s an artistic pilgrimage—a quest to beef up their material, connect with fans, and, quite possibly, buy that second avocado toast at brunch.
For these comedic warriors, live performances and viral TikTok videos are just part of the sacred grind. They’re aiming for that golden ticket of global stand-up touring, which they hoist as the pinnacle of their profession—much like a kid hoisting a trophy after finishing a round of Monopoly. The current Hollywood industry shutdown, courtesy of SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America’s contract talks with the AMPTP, seems to have made minimal ripples in the comedy ocean, creating a “strike-proof” festival. Who knew that humor could be such a sturdy life raft?
“Stand-up is our heart and soul, and the strikes don’t touch that,” noted Robyn Kaszor, VP of festivals at Just For Laughs. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she revealed that while the actors strike may have thwarted cast panels from U.S. shows like Peacock’s Killing It, it certainly didn’t thwart their desire to promote good old joke-telling. “We had to cancel three American cast panels, but we’re more concerned with comedians making people laugh than moping around about it,” she added. Grateful indeed!
There’s an undeniable camaraderie among stand-up artists in Montreal—they might as well be at a summer camp, waiting for the s’mores to come out. And yet, their gaze is fixed on Hollywood’s soap opera unfolding around contract talks. Unsurprisingly, their livelihoods are less tied to those negotiations and more glued to the art of making people laugh—preferably not at their shoes.
Meet Steph Tolev, a Los Angeles-based stand-up star bringing her show “Steph Tolev: Filth Queen” to Montreal after a guest spot on Bill Burr’s Netflix special. She finds herself both in solidarity with her fellow SAG-AFTRA members and slightly bemused by the Hollywood hoopla. “I had no idea how little we get paid compared to how much the billionaires are swimming in cash,” she quipped. Ah, the irony: the ones telling the jokes are often the ones left out of the paycheck.
On one side of the festival spectrum, fresh comedic talent is trying to get their legs under them—crafting viral bits for TikTok, spinning yarns in clubs, or launching podcasts. “We live in a content-saturated society. If you don’t like one thing, just swipe left—engagement is the name of the game!” said Devin Gant, a digital video whiz, during a showcase for emerging comedic talent. Spoiler alert: “Moving on” is now officially a form of engagement.
On the other end stand the comedy titans like Ali Wong and Rammy Youssef, those who’ve turned their Netflix specials into a multi-faceted business empire. “There are endless ways to thrive in this industry, whether through online antics, streaming, or comedy tours that make ‘big business’ look like a toddler with a piggy bank,” Kaszor mused. Who would have thought that being funny could ever lead to financial success?
In a world obsessed with sharing heartfelt stories, Kaszor insists that comedy platforms have blossomed like weeds in a sunny garden thanks to streaming and social media. “We’re witnessing the dawn of a new era; comedians have multiple channels for discovery,” she explains, as attendees chuckle at the mere idea of discovering a comedian live. Welcome to the age of instant engagement, where live laughs and memes share the same stage!
So, while Just For Laughs rolls on until Sunday in Montreal, comics will keep the laughter rolling—much to the chagrin of landlords everywhere. As the industry flirts with chaos back in Hollywood, this festival proves that comedy, unlike some celebrity egos, can survive the storm. Who knew laughter could be such a buoyant force?
