Just For Laughs Just Got Better

Canada

Just For Laughs Just Got Better

Mon., Jul. 28, 2008 11:31 AM PDT by EOL Canada Staff

GAT Productions

The second annual Just For Laughs Toronto Festival attracted 153,000 comedy fans to a wide variety of spectacular outdoor events and star-studded indoor shows in the heart of downtown Toronto including Yonge-Dundas Square.

Thursday’s Gala kicked off with host and award-winning entertainer, Martin Short who slipped effortlessly into several different characters including his most famous: Ed Grimley and movie critic Jiminy Glick with surprise guests: Football legend Damon Allen and Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, who won over audiences with his killer stand-up and hilarious Broadway medley as well as his declaration of love for all things Canadian during Friday’s Gala performance.

Future Late Night on NBC host Jimmy Fallon took on Saturday’s Gala and won over locals with his entertaining jabs at Toronto including the naming of Bloor Street and over 20 impressions of famous JFL alumni including: Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman ("I'm f*cking Canadian), Chris Rock and Robin Williams.

Master ventriloquist Jeff Dunham showed why he is one of North America’s biggest concert draws, in a sold-out concert event at Massey Hall. Dunham had audiences in hysterics as he interacted with his subversive puppets Walter, Ahmed the Dead Terrorist, Peanut, Jose the Jalapeno on a Stick and accompanist Guitar Guy - Brian Haner. Crowd favourite puppet Bubba J made a special appearance in Toronto inspiring audience members to call out his punchlines.

The ever popular Asian Invasion show, hosted by Canadian stand-up sensation Sugar Sammy, tore up the Winter Garden Theatre with gut-busting sets by Jo Koy and KT Tatara. Meanwhile, in the same theatre, the Wiseguys had audiences in hysterics as hosts The Doo Wops performed their new tune Mangia Cake Girl and stand-out Joey Kola ranted about accumulating hair in the strangest places.

This summer’s free outdoor spectacle featured troupes from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Canada and the Netherlands as well as a very special free concert featuring Canadian superstar Shaun Majumder and friends: Derek Edwards, Greg Morton and beatbox master Charlypop. Fans packed Yonge-Dundas Square on Friday night as the streets were invaded by: Catalonia’s CLAK! who performed tunes from the hit films Across the Universe, Pulp Fiction and Star Wars; giant Antelopes and giraffes from Italy’s Teatro Pavana and England’s Plungeboom who traveled through the streets melting hearts as they encouraged festivalgoers to hold and cuddle their newborn vegetable babies. Street attendees were especially taken aback by the incredible aerial routines of France’s Transe Express who performed stunning drum beats suspended high above the city streets joined by the award-winning Burlington Teen Tour Band. The spectacular show ended with the sights and sounds of fireworks and the cheers from crowds of dazzled spectators.