Variety Honors 10 Comics To Watch at Just For Laughs Festival

The highly anticipated Just For Laughs Comedy Festival made its grand return to Montreal after a year-long hiatus, bringing with it a star-studded lineup of the biggest names in the comedy industry. Variety, a renowned entertainment publication, hosted their annual 10 Comics To Watch event on July 24, sponsored by Cohen Gardner Law. This partnership has been going strong for the past 20 years, showcasing emerging comedic talents who are destined for greatness.

All 10 honored comics were present at the cocktail party, including the likes of recent Emmy nominee Robby Hoffman from “Hacks”, breakout star Mary Beth Barone from “Overcompensating”, and social media sensation Dyon ‘Mojo’ Brooks. The event was a celebration of diversity and talent, with other honorees such as Joe Dombrowski, Nate Jackson, Morgan Jay, Gianmarco Soresi, Jiaoying Summers, Steph Tolev, and Tacarra Williams also in attendance.

Jeff B. Cohen, a partner at Cohen Gardner, expressed his pride in sponsoring the 10 Comics event with Variety for nearly two decades. He commended Variety for its keen eye in identifying comedy’s next big stars and applauded Just For Laughs for reviving the iconic Montreal Comedy Festival. Cohen humorously added, “It’s my one chance a year to eat poutine!”

On July 25, the honored comics took to the stage for a showcase event, performing to a packed and enthusiastic audience. Earlier that day, the Just For Laughs Awards show honored some of the most influential figures in comedy. Actor Ryan Reynolds presented the Generation Award to his collaborator Rob Mac, praising not only his talent but also his amiable personality.

Hosted by stand-up comic Matthew Broussard, the awards show also paid tribute to comedy legend George Wallace with a lifetime achievement award, presented by Roy Wood Jr., a previous honoree of the 10 Comics To Watch list. The event recognized other comedy luminaries such as Benito Skinner, Hannah Berner, and Fortune Feimster for their outstanding contributions to the industry.

The awards ceremony was a night of laughter, recognition, and celebration, highlighting the diverse talents and comedic genius that make Just For Laughs a must-attend event for comedy aficionados worldwide. The festival continues to be a platform for emerging comedians to showcase their skills and connect with industry insiders, ensuring that the future of comedy remains bright and full of laughter.