Press Clippings

Just for Laughs comedy festival hits Chicago in its funny bone!
With such a longstanding tradition, it is appropriate that Chicago gets its own Just for Laughs comedy festival. The first inaugural Montreal Festival 27 years ago has grown into the world’s largest and most prestigious comedy festival.

From: Gay Chicago Mag, Written By: Jonathan Lewis, June 11, 2009


Knight at the Movies: Land of the Lost; film notes
This year's Just for Laughs comedy festival will kick off on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 p.m. with a special advance screening of the Jack Black-Michael Cera Stone Age comedy Year One as part of a tribute to director/writer/producer/performer Harold Ramis.

From: Windy City Times, Written By: Richard Knight, Jr., June 10, 2009


Chicago Jewish improv comedian Susan Messing to perform as part of TBS ‘Just for Laughs’ Festival
When comedy takes center stage in Chicago from June 17-21 for TBS Presents A “Very Funny” Festival: Just for Laughs Chicago, Jewish Chicago comedian Susan Messing will be at the ready with her unique brand of uncensored improv comedy.

From: Oy! Chicago, Written By: Cindy Sher, June 9, 2009


Martin Short joins TBS ‘Very Funny’ Special
Martin Short has signed to host a TV special from the TBS Presents a "Very Funny" Festival: Just for Laughs in Chicago. He joins Ellen DeGeneres and David Alan Grier in presenting specials from the inaugural festival, which runs June 17 - 21.

From: The Hollywood Reporter, Written By: Georg Szalai, May 11, 2009


Just For Laughs: Chicago - What I’m Looking Forward To
Just For Laughs is making its big U.S.A. invasion in just a month, putting down a flag in Chicago and establishing what’ll probably become America’s premiere comedy fest almost by default.

From: Dead Frog, Written By: Todd Jackson, May 21, 2009


Chicago’s Zanies to Host TBS Stand-Up Series
Just For Laughs is making its big U.S.A. invasion in just a month, putting down a flag in Chicago and establishing what’ll probably become America’s premiere comedy fest almost by default.

From: Dead Frog, Written By: Todd Jackson, May 21, 2009


Chicago’s Zanies to Host TBS Stand-Up Series
TBS has ordered 10 episodes of "The Very Funny Show," which will be taped at Zanies Comedy Club in June during TBS's Just For Laughs festival.

From: Chicago Now, Written By: Curt Wagner, May 28, 2009


TBS orders ten episodes of 'The Very Funny Show,' hosted by Tim Meadows
TBS has just picked up a ten-episode run of a new half-hour standup series hosted by Saturday Night Live alum Tim Meadows and featuring 30 up-and-coming young comedians.

From: Entertainment Weekly EW.com, News Briefs, Written By: Leah Greenblatt, May 28, 2009


TBD orders comedy fest’s ‘Very Funny Show’
TBS is tapping its upcoming Chicago comedy festival to provide content for a new stand-up series, the network said Thursday.

From: The Hollywood Reporter, Written By: James Hibberd, May 28, 2009


TBS preps 'Very Funny Show'
TBS is set to launch non-scripted latenight series "The Very Funny Show." Hosted by Tim Meadows, 10-episode half-hour series will feature standup performances at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago during the TBS Just for Laughs fest. The show is slated to begin airing in November, but no specific time or date has been set just yet.

From: Variety, Written By: Stuart Levine, May 28, 2009


TBS launching late-night stand-up series in November
TBS will use its inaugural partnership with Just For Laughs Chicago to launch a 10-episode late-night TV series devoted to showcasing up-and-coming stand-up comedians. Tim Meadows (SNL) will host The Very Funny Show, which will tape 30 comedians (or three per episode) at Zanies June 19-20 during JFL Chicago, broadcasting them weekly come November.

From: The Comic’s Comic, Written By: Sean McCarthy, May 28, 2009


Star Power
Tapping into all the talent who'll be in town for the "Just for Laughs'' comedy festival in mid-June, TBS has given the go ahead to ''The Very Funny Show,'' a half-hour, late-night stand-up series hosted by Tim Meadows -- slated to debut in November.

From: Chicago Sun-Times, Written By: Bill Zwecker, May 29, 2009


Comedy festival fuels "Very Funny Show" for TBS
TBS is tapping its upcoming Chicago comedy festival to provide content for a new stand-up series, the cable network said Thursday.

From: Reuters, Written By: James Hibberd, May 29, 2009


Tim Meadows will host new TBS stand-up comedy show Back in April, Punchline Magazine reported on the announcement of TBS’ upcoming Chicago comedy festival, AKA TBS Presents a Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs. Now, the network plans to take it one step further. The self-described “Very Funny” cable channel has just announced plans to launch a late night stand-up T.V. series, hosted by Tim Meadows.

From: Punchline Magazine, Written By: Brendan McLaughlin, May 29, 2009


Late-Night Ladies' Man:
Tim Meadows is set to host the late-night series The Very Funny Show for TBS.

From: New York Magazine, Written By: Amos Barshad, May 29, 2009


'Just for Laughs' explodes with even more Chicago talent
Just announced to the schedule for TBS Presents a "Very Funny" Festival: Just for Laughs is the taping of a new half-hour, late-night standup series hosted by Tim Meadows (TBS's The Bill Engvall Show, Saturday Night Live) and slated to premiere in November called THE VERY FUNNY SHOW.

From: Examiner, Written By: Rachael Manson, May 29, 2009


Very Funny
Boasting a star-studded lineup including Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez, and jimmy Fallon, the United States’ first Just For Laughs festival is guaranteed to leave Chicago in stitches.

From: Where Magazine, Written By: Elisa Drake, June 1, 2009


‘Funny Show’ Set
TBS will launch its nonscripted late-night series "The Very Funny Show."

From: The Washington Times, Compiled by Robyn-Denise Yourse from Web and wire reports, June 1, 2009


Q&A With Ellen DeGeneres
Emmy Award-winning comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres comes to Chicago as part of TBS Presents A "Very Funny" Festival: Just for Laughs. The weeklong festival, June 17-21, is held at several venues around the Chicago area and features some of the top comedians working today, including Jimmy Fallon, George Lopez, Lisa Lampanelli and David Alan Grier.

From: North Shore Magazine, Written By: Michael Austin, June 1, 2009


New shows added to Just For Laughs fest in Chicago
The TBS Presents A "Very Funny" Festival: Just For Laughs from June 17-21 in Chicago keeps growing. TBS announced its adding more performances to its slate of comedy shows, including two performances by Robert Smigel and Dino Stamatopoulos of "The Unaired Bozo Circus Parody: The Original 'TV Funhouse' Pilot."

From: Chicago Now, Written By: Curt Wagner, June 3, 2009


Kanye West, David Blaine, Nick Cannon added to Ellen DeGeneres Chicago gig
The upcoming "Just for Laughs" festival says it has added Kanye West, magician David Blaine and entertainer Nick Cannon to the bill of the Ellen DeGeneres variety show, "Ellen's Bigger Longer & Wider Show," headed for the Chicago Theatre on June 17.

From: Chicago Tribune, Written By: Christ Jones, June 5, 2009


Kanye West, David Blaine & Nick Cannon to Join Ellen DeGeneres’ Variety Show
Grammy award-winning rapper-producer Kanye West, magician David Blaine and comedian Nick Cannon are among the performers lined up for Ellen’s Bigger, Longer & Wider Show, which is set to tape Wednesday, June 17, at the Chicago Theatre.

From: Stage Time Magazine, June 5, 2009


The Chicago Comedy Examiner interviews Lisa Lampanelli
The Examiner interviews Lisa Lampanelli about being a woman in comedy, about being an insult comic, about standup and roasts, amongst other topics.

From: The Examiner, Written By: Rachel Mason, June 9, 2009


Montreal’s megawatt yuk fest aims for permanent-fixture status in Chicago
On Wednesday 17, TBS Presents Just for Laughs, a very funny festival kicks off at 12 comedy venues around town. It features a knockout lineup including headliners such as Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Short, George Lopez and Louis CK, as well as a smorgasbord of local and national alt comic acts like Robert Smigel, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Patrice O’Neal, Brick, Don’t Spit the Water, Late Night, Late Show and many more.

From: Time Out Chicago, Written BY: Jason Heidemann, June 11-17, 2009


JUST FOR LAUGHS CHICAGO: With DeGeneres, Martin Short and local talent, this is some serious funny
Just for Laughs, which is the leading name in French-speaking comedy and long a familiar name to BBC viewers in Britain, has been producing bilingual comedy festivals for years. Its Montreal flagship festival began in 1983. The company has expanded its festivals to Nantes and Paris, France, as well as creating an English-language festival in Toronto. The company is also is the talent management and TV production business.

From: Chicago Tribune, Written By: Chris Jones, June 12, 2009


Ha Ha Homecoming: Check out Marina Franklin @ "A Very Funny Festival"
Starting Wednesday, you'll be invaded by more comedians than you can shake a stick at. Some of the biggie-sized names include David Alan Grier, Ellen DeGeneres, Mike Epps, and Jimmy Fallon. (Hope Fallon leaves those awkward "Late Show" monologues back in the Big Apple.) Let's not leave out other comics Andy Dick (hopefully acting normally), Earthquake as well as Bronzeville Jokes and Notes alum, Lil Rel, whose mug graced the RedEye cover on Monday.

From: Chicago Now, Written BY: Kyra Kyles, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Bill Engvall
A discussion of Bill Engvall, who will be appearing in TBS's "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Jimmy Fallon
A discussion of Jimmy Fallon, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Ellen DeGeneres
A discussion of Ellen Degeneres, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Lisa Lampanelli
A discussion of Lisa Lampanelli, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Russell Peters A discussion of Russell Peters, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: David Alan Grier
A discussion of David Alan Grier, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Martin Short
A discussion of Martin Short, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Mike Epps
A discussion of Mike Epps, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: George Lopez
A discussion of George Lopez, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just For Laughs: Robert Smigel and Dino Stamatopoulos
A discussion of Robert Smigel and Dino Stamatopoulos, who will be appearing in TBS PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FESTIVAL: "Just for Laughs" Comedy Festival in Chicago.

From: Chicago Decider, June 15, 2009


Just for Laughs Chicago: 10 To See at the Just for Laughs Chicago Festival '09 If you're planning on attending the first-ever Just for Laughs Chicago Festival, here are suggestions for 10 shows you won't want to miss (and be sure to check out the complete Just for Laughs Chicago schedule).

From: About.com, Written By: Patrick Bromley, June 15, 2009


On the Scene: Ellen DeGeneres at Just for Laughs
If the crowd gathering under the marquee at the Chicago Theatre last night was any indication of the weekend to come, audiences for the Just for Laughs live shows—which kicked off last night—will consist mostly of suburban housewives (and the men who love them) and power lesbians. But this was no ordinary festival kick-off, it was the taping for Ellen’s Bigger, Wider, Longer show, which airs to the public later this month on TBS. It was a razzle-dazzle evening of lights! camera! Ellen! with energy levels cranked up to megawatt levels.

From: Time Out Chicago, Written By: Jason Heidemann, June 18, 2009


Decider's Just For Laughs festival preview: Day 2
Part 2 of a condensed preview of the ambitious Just For Laughs comedy festival.

From: Chicago Now, Written By: Jim Walsh, June 18, 2009


Mike Epps and Kevin Hart: Morning Feature
The "Just for Laughs Comedy Festival" is in town and tonight the "Comedy Blowout" is going on at the Chicago Theater. It will be hosted by Mike Epps. The show will feature many comedians including Kevin Hart.

From: WGNtv.com, June 18, 2009


Class Clowns
Hometown comics reuniting at this week’s Just for Laughs fest reminisce about the cashiers at Jewel, open-mike Mondays at Lyon’s Den (R.I.P.) and plans to visit moon colonies in 2010.

From: Time Out Chicago, Written By: Jason Heidemann, June 18, 2009


David Alan Grier brings funny to Chicago, TBS
David Alan Grier won't tell any jokes about the Rod Blagojevich scandal when he hosts the "Comedy You Can Believe In" show at 7 p.m. Friday at the Vic Theatre.

From: Chicago Now, Written By: Curt Wagner, June 19, 2009


Just For Laughs: The Righteous and the Wicked
The Vic Theater was the place to be for laughs on Thursday night, as 10 headline-caliber comedians took over the Brew & View stage. The evening began with Martin Short's Let Freedom Hum, a standup showcase featuring Greg Giraldo, Jeremy Hotz, John Pinette, Kathleen Madigan and Tom Papa.

From: Written By: Matt Motyka, June 19, 2009


From 'Just for Laughs'
"Let Freedom Hum" is a Martin Short-hosted compilation of stand-ups that will air later this month on TBS. It is packed with dark, middle-age comics of a certain age.

From: Chicago Tribune, Written By: Steve Johnson, June 20, 2009


Aching sides, lessons learned
The first Chicago version of the "Just for Laughs" festival has departed. More than 100 acts spread out across the city trying to make something original out of universal experiences. There were successes and failures, chronicled below and in Saturday's roundup, but the festival itself came off surprisingly smooth for a first-time venture. The thought here, as we bid the fest farewell for now, is to offer three tips for improvement next year.

From: Chicago Tribune, Written By: Steve Johnson et al., June 20, 2009