CANADA LAUGHS’ 150 GREAT CANADIAN COMEDY MOMENTS AND PEOPLE: PART 3
Welcome to the third and final instalment of great Canadian comedy moments & people! Just a reminder, this is not a ranked list. There’s a lot to celebrate in Canadian comedy, these are just some of the people and moments. This week we wrap it all up with a list that features legendary French comedy institutions and performers, some fantastic venues, famous comics we all know and love and a couple people you may not be that familiar with.
French comedy is a real industry in Canada, the talent gets treated well and butts are in seats. Theatre seats. Quebec does comedy right. From Yvon Deschamps to Lise Dion, there is a legit star system in place for French comedy talent. Amazing.
Canadian-born Leslie Nielsen was the star of Police Squad and the Naked Gun movies, he was also a member of the Royal Canadian Airfarce at 17 years old. And his brother was deputy prime minister of Canada in the 80’s. So cool.
Jo-Anna Downey is a comic we lost far too soon. Funny, talented, warm and caring. She was a huge member of the community and built something truly special with her weekly show at Spirits in Toronto, the longest-running such show in Canadian comedy history. Lewis Black, Seth Meyers, Robin Williams – they all made it a point to drop by Spirits to do Jo-Anna’s show. She made some really special things happen.
Selma Diamond was born in London, Ontario in 1920 and moved to New York city with her family in the 1930’s. Selma is probably most familiar to people as the elderly bailiff on the 80’s sitcom Nightcourt, but before that she was a comedy writer. A comedy writer for GROUCHO MARX!!!!! C’mon!
We’ve all seen Gerry Bednob in movies such as The 40 Year Old Virgin, but how many people know his career started in Toronto? He was rocking rooms when this stand-up thing was just starting.
Speaking of comics who helped build this scene, Evan Carter was one of the first headliners in Canadian stand-up. He still gigs regularly and has even taught stand-up over the years, he’s a respected comic and someone who’s contributed to comedy on and off stage.
Compiling this list wasn’t easy, now I know how the GM for Canada’s hockey team feels. I coulda made 3 lists and they all would have featured amazing people and fantastic moments, we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Canadian comedy. Now go check out a show and support some of the great talent still calling Canada home!
Happy 150th birthday, Canada!!!
Michel Barrette
La Ligue Nationale De L’Improvisation
Laugh Sabbath
SCTV – 1970’s
Laugh Shop
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Today's Pop Hits
Today's Pop Hits with The Morning Mash Up, Mack & Jen Middays, Tony & Symon Afternoons & Mikey Piff Evenings
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Daddy's Unwell soundtrack
Alex Cooper's Unwell soundtrack - where her middle school iPod and recent obsessions collide.
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Trending sounds from TikTok
Trending sounds and songs from the FYP presented by TikTok Creators.
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Today’s Adult Hits
Songs you may know the words to even if you don't have time to keep up. It's YOUR pop on The Pulse.
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'70s Pop Hits
Pop tunes and pop DJs from the wild and funky decade of mood rings, disco and bell bottoms! The Super 70s!
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‘80s Pop Hits
The defining hit music of the '80s. Featuring the original MTV VJs Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter and Martha Quinn.
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2000s pop hits
Hear the hits from the 2000s that hit you right in the memories. It's all the songs you have a story about.
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Pop hits from the 2010s!
Your 2010s spot! From Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy & more! We’re not stuck in the 10s, we like it here!
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The music of Kelly Clarkson
Make yourself comfortable in Kelly’s world with personal picks and stories behind the music plus special features!
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Worldwide Rhythmic Hits
Open format club DJs dropping the biggest hits from all genres around the world. From POP, to Hip-Hop, to Latin & Dance.
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Life With John Mayer
Music for the moment hand-selected by John Mayer featuring exclusive songs, commentary and tracks from his collection.
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Music hand-picked by Lady Gaga
Join Lady Gaga as she takes over with songs & exclusive stories from MAYHEM plus her personal favourites across decades & genres.
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Bright Pop Hits
Nice & easy pop from superstars like Lionel Richie, Elton John & Whitney Houston!
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The Fab Four, 24/8
John, Paul, George, and Ringo changed music forever. The songs, stories, influences and legacy of the Beatles - 24/8!
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Bob's Music/Family Recordings
Now hear Bob’s music in one place- including rare gems, his family’s recordings, and music from Tuff Gong.
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Little Steven's Garage Rock
The coolest rock 'n' roll records. Channel produced by Little Steven.
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'70s/'80s Classic Rock
Classic Rock's second generation, with songs from the late '70s onward.
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The Phish Universe On SiriusXM
Concerts, live tracks, and commentary from the band. The entire Phish multi-verse, including 'Ask Trey' with Trey Anastasio.
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24/7 Dave Matthews Band
DMB hits, fan favorites, rarities, live trax, complete concerts, and music from other artists they love.
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Music From Rock Icon Tom Petty
Music from Tom Petty's entire Rock & Roll Hall of Fame career, plus Tom's critically acclaimed Buried Treasure radio show.
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The Whole World of U2
Music and more from the Northside of Dublin and beyond. Inspiration, conversation, meditation. This is U2.
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'90s Alternative/Grunge
90s alternative & grunge rock. You'll hear Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Weezer, Oasis & more.
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New Alternative Rock
Connect with the latest & greatest from the biggest artists in modern alternative & discover what's next in alternative, first!
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New Hard Rock
High-powered new hard rock that's loud, uncensored, and connected to the people who love it!
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Ozzy's Classic Hard Rock
Hard & heavy classic rock under the influence of Ozzy Osbourne.
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Heavy Metal
The heaviest metal on or off the planet, from the ones that created it all the way to the ones that are perfecting it today.
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'90s/2000s Hard Rock
90s and 2000s Hard Rock from Metallica, KoRn, Godsmack and more!
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LL Cool J's Classic Hip-Hop
LL COOL J's Rock The Bells Radio is a channel dedicated exclusively to Hip-Hop fans who want that classic Hip-Hop sound.
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Hip-Hop Hits
Hip-Hop Nation is the sound of the culture with hits from Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, 21 Savage, Drake, Cardi B. and more.
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Eminem's Hip-Hop Channel
Shade 45, the uncensored hip-hop channel created by Eminem.
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R&B Hits from the 2000's
Hear R&B vibes from the 2000's and 2010's. From Usher to SZA, it's all the R&B hits since the turn of the millennium!
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Hip-Hop Hits from the 2000’s
Hip-Hop hits from the 2000’s and 2010’s 24/7, featuring some of the biggest names in rap.
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'70s/'80s R&B
Dance and Party grooves with Old School R&B from the '70s and '80s jams.
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Electronic Dance Music Hits
BPM plays the biggest artists in Dance/Electronic music like ILLENIUM, Marshmello, Alison Wonderland, Joel Corry and more.
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