What to know
- D.J. Demers has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show, and on Conan. Now, he’s set to perform with Just For Laughs Toronto at Comedy Bar on Oct. 3.
- The show features an ASL interpreter for accessibility and audience interaction.
- It’s Demers’ last performance before undergoing cochlear implant surgery, a milestone moment.
- Expect a mix of new material, fan-favourite jokes, and crowd work inspired by his unique perspective.
D.J. Demers doesn’t shy away from jokes about being deaf — or the hearing aids that come with it. The Canadian comedian is bringing his self-deprecating humour to Comedy Bar on Bloor for a sold-out show this weekend as part of Just For Laughs Toronto.
After appearing three times on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show, twice on America’s Got Talent, and three times on Conan, Demers has built a reputation that earned him a spot on Just For Laughs’ lineup at 9 p.m. on Oct. 3.
The stand-up comedian hailing from Kitchener, Ont. has always been passionate about making others laugh — from friends and parents to teachers — so he eventually turned that passion into a career.
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Demers says to expect “jokes, all killer, no filler, foot on the gas pedal” during his show.
An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will also be present for an accessible performance.
Demers says this is the last time comedy lovers can see him perform with his hearing aid, because he’ll soon have cochlear implant surgery.
“I’m excited about [the ASL interpreter]. That always adds a nice dynamic element to the show when I have the interpreter there, and I can play with them, and have fun with my deaf friends in the room too. Crowd work,” he told Now Toronto.
Demers will also include his favourite joke: one about shoe shiners at the airport — but you’ll have to see the show to hear it.
Demers’ comedy journey
Demers says the pandemic made him think his career might have been over shortly after it started, but his momentum picked up soon after and earned him multiple TV appearances.
“Jimmy Fallon was right after the pandemic, and I hadn’t worked in a little while. Nobody was really working stand up, and all of a sudden, you start to have these thoughts of like, ‘Is my career over? Will I be able to pick the momentum back up?’” Demers explained.
“And then I was fortunate enough to get on The Tonight Show, and that felt like kickstarting the career again as we kind of got back,” he said.
Performing on America’s Got Talent, The Tonight Show, and on Conan was a clear indicator that he’s on the right career path, Demers explained.
“Every time I get a cool new opportunity like that, it feels like I’m moving in the right direction, and it feels nice to achieve a new milestone in my career and prove to myself that I can do it,” he said.
After years as a stand-up comedian, Demers still has jokes. He says what keeps him going: the mortgage he has to pay and his children he has to support.
On a serious note, he says he just loves being funny.
“The internal drive to just be the funniest I’ve ever been, I really love stand-up comedy… The thing that just keeps me going is there’s always one more joke that I haven’t written yet,” Demers said.
