You know what goes well with paint chips? Gellato. Just something I felt I should share as we continue along this wondrous journey of annexed pools and ruined BBQ’s. Ah, summer.
So something pretty cool is happening in Toronto right now, and since No Reason HQ is located in this pristine city, I got to partake in a little bit of it. The Just For Laughs Comedy Festival has been long renowned in its Montreal incarnation, but for the first time this year, they have started a Toronto version. Sure, it’s a little smaller than it’s francophone counterpart, but the laughs, just as plentiful.
The gala I attended Thursday night was hosted by none other than Toronto’s own Howie Mandel, in a rare hometown appearance. Now, I’m not a huge fan of that “Greed or No Greed” show that he hosts, but I have to give credit where credit was due: The man was hilarious. His interplay with the audience was great, and he kept the show moving in an entertaining and engaging manner.
Other comics on the bill included Bill Burr, Frank Skinner, John Mendoza, Kathleen Madigan, and Alonzo Bodden. Bodden, who was last year’s winner on “Last Comic Standing” was a crowd favourite, but to me the man who stole the show was special guest John Pinette. He came out and did an act that had me not only in tears, but doubled over with laughter most of the time (much to the chagrin of the guy in front of me). It was a great night of stand up.
If you are in the Toronto area, you should try and get out to some of the other Galas. They are hosted by the likes of Lewis Black and Craig Ferguson, and feature names like Richard Lewis, Russell Peters, and Dom Irrera. It’s a great time, and I can’t wait to see who comes up for next year’s festival.
Any way, that’s what’s going on here, socially speaking anyways. Aside from that it’s just hot. Damn hot. The kind of hot where you don’t just undress at the end of the day, you kind of peel out of whatever you are wearing. I’m going to go dunk my head in a bathtub full of Ice. I assure you we have that for reasons that are not at all nefarious.
See ya at the Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole,
-MM
