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The article reviews several performances of May and June, 2023 in Canada, including "Enemy Lines" choreographed by Mayumi Lashbrook, in Toronto & Hamilton, Ontario; "Concha Jareño Flamenco Workshop" by Concha Jareño; and "Sakasaka" physical comedy by Madagascar's Compagnie Zolobe.

An interview with actor Ryan Reynolds about the COVID-19 pandemic, parenting and his reluctance to hurt people is presented. Topics discussed include his interest in his new film "Free Guy," role of his experience of being born and raised in Canada in his ability to master the wholesome/not-wholesome comedy dichotomy, and importance of sharing his celebrity experience to other people.

This article looks at Canadian television host Rick Mercer's take on politics. Rick Mercer is a public figure, but he's not on display. You will never read the type of confessional, misspent youth, tears-of-a-clown profile that we have come to expect from our celebrities, even Canadian ones. The question of who is funny in Canadian comedy elicits a long list, seemingly everyone he's ever worked with. Mercer joined the cast of the new show This Hour Has 22 Minutes in 1993, and quickly won fans with his on-the-spot interviews and arm-waving editorials. There have been other projects. Talking to Americans, a special that mined the rich vein of U.S. ignorance about Canada, attracting 2.7 million viewers, CBC's highest-rated comedy special ever. Mercer is hopeful that his new show, which ends when the NHL playoffs start in April, will be picked up for another year. Fifteen years ago, as a punk kid, Mercer made his name by mercilessly skewering cultural icons. Now, he is one.

Presents a script of the Canadian comedy "Rumours of Our Death," by George F. Walker.

Traces the origin of wit and humor in Canada. Trademark of northern humor; Difference between continental and northern humor; Changes made to humor by sophisticated Canadians.

This article discusses internet-usage habits of Canadians. On a per capita basis, computer-savvy Canadians visit online humor sites nearly 50% more often than Americans. Internet-usage monitor ComScore Media Metrix reports that 32% of wired Canadians logged onto a comedy site during January. That compared with 18% of Yanks. Moreover, those north of the border viewed 57% more pages during each visit. Although the order of popularity differed somewhat, the top five humor sites in both countries included: Flowgo.com, Miniclip.com, Funnyjunk.com and ComedyCentral.com..

The article discusses controversy over a joke made by Canadian comedian Mike Ward about boy singer Jérémy Gabriel, who suffers from Treacher Collins syndrome. Emphasis is given to topics such as Ward's jokes about singer Céline Dion, differences between English and French comedy in Canada, and a case brought by Gabriel's family against Ward at the Human Rights Tribunal In Quebec.

Having funneled a steady stream of talent southward for decades, it makes sense that Just for Laughs (JFL), the Montreal International Comedy Festival— perhaps the premier event in the genre— has its roots in the Great White North. JFL, which opened Thursday in Montreal, Quebec, and concludes Sunday, is No. 1 for many of the agents, comedians and attendees who flock to the event each summer — and also for its chief operating officer, Bruce Hills. The sheer size of JFL is staggering: Nearly 2,000 eclectic, often-provocative shows and films are performed and screened at nearly every venue the city has to offer, indoors and out.

At least one comic will leave this year's Just for Laughs (JFL) comedy festival in Montreal, Quebec with a TV talent deal, as Spike TV has said it will hold a special "Spike the Mike" showcase there in a quest to find the next comedy star. Ten performers, scouted and selected during the festival, will perform seven-minute sets in front of Spike TV executives and comic Dom Irrera on Saturday night, with the winner getting a talent holding/development deal with the network. Comedy insiders said the event means further validation of JFL as a platform for talent discovery and could also attract attention from other U.S. networks looking for ways to capitalize on comedy festivals.

Sean Cullen, comedian, vocalist and facial contortionist, first made his name during 11 years in the comedy trenches with Corky and the Juice Pigs. Ontario-born Cullen took a solo run at comedy. A two-year stint co-writing scripts for the Central Broadcasting System (CBS) failed to get him the television pilot he had wanted. Cullen capped off 2002 by hosting the Gemini Awards for television achievement, and now he is the star of 'The Sean Cullen Show', a madcap CBS television variety program that began a six-week run in January 2003.

Discusses the comedy of humorist Yvon Deschamps. Idea that Deschamps is a social critic; Stage persona of Deschamps; Role of Deschamps in Montreal, Quebec province life; Charitable donations made by Deschamps.

Focuses on the popularity of improvisational (improv) comedy on television programs, as of August 1999. Festival and championships created for improv comedy; Popularity of Theatresports; Canadians' love for improv; Television shows, including, `Whose Line Is It Anyway?' and `Not to Be Repeated'; Television producers' caution; The counterculture roots of improv; Efforts of Keith Johnston; Participation of Dean Haglund.

Reports on a panel discussion that was held in New York, New York by several well-known Canadian comedians on the Canadian comedy phenomenon. Some top-notch comedians who are from Canada; Factors that help Canada produce comedians; Why many head to the United States to work; Their affection for Canada.

A calendar of events for the comedy community in Canada in 2010 is presented including one featuring "Funny People" star Aziz Ansari at the Vogue Theatre on June 26, another with "Home Improvement's" daddy Tim Allen at the Red Robinson Theatre on June 18, and another one with "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan at the River Rock Show Theatre on June 4.

The article presents a review of the television program "Little Mosque on the Prairie," created and written by Zarqa Nawaz.

Focuses on the Mustard Seed Benefit Comedy show featuring comedian Brad Stine to be held at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Alberta on September 24, 2004. Information on the beneficiary of the fund raising event; Objectives of the benefit show for the Mustard Seed church; Views of Stine on the use of comedy in expressing religious beliefs.

This article focuses on the efforts of actor Christopher Jacot and others in making "Going the Distance," a teen sex comedy film in Canada. In 1982, Canada graced the world with the teen sex flick Porky's. "It pushes the envelope," says co-star Christopher Jacot. The cast is made up of little-known twentysomething Canucks--Jacot and Joanne Kelly play the romantic leads, Ryan Belleville and Mayko Nguyen are the physical comedians and Shawn Roberts is the clueless beefcake. On their way from B.C. to St. John's, Nfld., in a motorhome, the road-tripping characters do drugs, hook up and meet rock stars.

The comedian Brent Butt, first saved Vancouver, British Columbia's comedy scene, now he's trying to give Canada its first funny sitcom. Now he is winding down from season one of the television programs Corner Gas, Butt's take on small town life in his native Saskatchewan, which may not have split a lot of sides open, but did demonstrate solid writing and a promising cast. In Canada if a TV series draws 400,000 viewers the creators are anointed with sacred oils and paraded around the Toronto Convention Centre. The fact is he is very successfully avoided the fate of his character in Corner Gas, residing 40 kilometres from nowhere and pumping gas for a living.

Features the comedy school at the Humber School of Creative and Performing Arts in Toronto, Ontario. Goal of students; Assumption of scholars of comedy concerning Canada.

Luke Kirby plays a heartbroken Italian in the charming romantic comedy "Mambo Italiano." Actors find little pleasure in being upstaged. So pity Luke Kirby, star of Mambo Italiano, who found himself overshadowed by another performer. Already a hit in its native Canada (earning nearly $3 million since June 2003), Mambo Italiano is based on a successful play by Steve Galluccio, who cowrote the screenplay with director Emile Gaudreault. Although neither gay nor Italian in real life (he's Newfoundland Irish), Kirby could relate to his character Angelo's experiences with homophobia.

Examines the career of Canadian comedian Larry Zolf. Biographical details; Highlights of his work as a joke-writer for Canadian politicians; The release of 'Zolf,' his book of essays and speeches; Details of his performance at a gathering of donors to the Writers' Development Trust in Ottawa, Ontario.

Profiles Canadian comedy troupe the Kids in the Hall. Their North American tour; Exposure received from reruns of their television program on The Comedy Network; Solo projects undertaken by the members.

Focuses on Canadian comedian Shaun Majumder. Biographical and career-related information; The effect of his cultural and ethnic upbringing on his comedy.

Reviews 'South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut', an animated motion picture with Canadian content. How Canadians will react to Canadian references in the show; Mention that Americans wrote the film; Comedy in Canada.

Features author Ann-Marie MacDonald. Elements of comedy and tragedy in her novel "The Way the Crow Flies"; Family background of MacDonald; Status of MacDonald as a lesbian in Canada.

Reports on the 2000 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Quebec. Show attendance; Number of indoor shows staged; Event highlights.

The article reports on the announcement of the development of a training program in developing theatrical comedies in Canada. The program which is funded by the Canada Feature Fund will be called the Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab and will launch in November. The films are expected to run into production in 2011-2012 with a budget of $C1 million.

The article reports that rival Canadian webs CTV Television Network Ltd. and Global Television have unveiled scrappy and aggressive fall lineups. It is under intense pressure to perform, given that CTV has 18 of the top 20 shows on the sked. Back-patting and self-congratulation were the order of the day for CTV Monday, with the web citing the many ways in which it trounced Global in 2004 with "CSI," "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "ER." CTV scored relatively well on the domestic front last year with half-hour comedy "Corner Gas" and "Canadian Idol," which are returning.

This article reports on developments related to the field of performing arts. Artist Alex Steyermark will direct actors Cynthia Nixon and Michael Angarano in "One Last Thing …" a dark comedy in which a mother copes with her son's terminal illness. The shoot began on April 11, 2005 and will wrap by May 13, 2005. Robert De Niro's film "The Good Shepherd" would likely shoot in Canada rather than New York. According to the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, however, representatives for the picture are actively scouting New York City locations at this time.

Presents the celebrities scheduled to participate in the Montreal Just for Laughs comedy fest on July 10-20, 2003 in Canada. Involvement of Bill Cosby, Kelly Ripa, Brad Garrett and others; Celebrity schedules and venues; Introduction of four club shows; Return of regular club series shows and comedians.