A lot of terrible things went down this year, so is it any wonder it was a good year for comedy? Here are some terrific shows that made us laugh even when we wanted to cry.
1. Dana Gould, Empire Comedy Live/Comedy Bar, February 18
Gould’s been doing comedy in one form or another stand-up, podcast, The Simpsons for decades. That experience showed in this effortless set in which he riffed on pop culture, his recent divorce and a grab bag of bizarre situations, never missing a punchline even when it seemed he would never get there.
2. Come What Mayhem!, Second City, from August 30
Second City‘s strongest revue in ages got a big boost from first-time director/SC alum Carly Heffernan and some new cast members. Ann Pornel‘s “fat” sketch and booty call scene are destined for classic status, while Roger Bainbridge didn’t pull his punches as the snide host of a current events quiz show called You Oughta Know. And Pornel and Becky Johnson‘s scene set in a kindergarten classroom is the sharpest, and most cutting, response to the Ghomeshi verdict I’ve seen.
3. Jo-Anna Downey Wake, Spirits, December 7
It’s fitting that much of the same comedy community that Downey nurtured when she was alive came out for this event at the room she helped establish, sharing stories and getting laughs in a way that she couldn’t in her last years with ALS. After host Cal Post put down the mic, Boyd Banks yanked off his clothes and streaked, providing a ridiculous gag that would have earned Downey’s distinctive laugh from the back of the room.
4. Mark Forward, JFL42, Revival, September 29
On a miserable, rainy night near the end of JFL42, Forward commanded the Revival stage like some demented prophet, berating us for our social media habits, hauling out ridiculous props and even faking a fall (complete with ketchup blood) to shock. Somewhere, Andy Kaufman was smiling.
5. Jim Jefferies, JFL42, Sony Centre, September 24
One of the comedy world’s most divisive stand-ups killed at his JFL42 headlining spot, joking about race, gun control in the U.S. and his sexual shortcomings before launching some inspired Canadian material (thanks to touring with his opening act, Canuck Tommy Campbell) and then taking down one drunk heckler without missing a beat.
6. Ten Years Of Laugh Sabbath, Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival/Theatre Centre, March 12
The centrepiece of SketchFest was this variety show featuring alumni from the influential alternative comedy night. Who could top Tim Gilbert‘s dance sequence? Or a very pregnant Kathleen Phillips-Locke‘s description of a placenta? Or Tim Polley‘s jingoism? Obviously only a video sequence featuring Nathan Fielder, Katie Crown and James Hartnett and an impromptu urological inspection.
7. Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King, JFL42, Royal Cinema, September 24
Daily Show correspondent Minhaj delivered one of the sharpest and funniest takes on growing up as a hyphenated American and wanting to be white. He also proved that revenge is best served up in a sold-out comedy show, complete with Facebook posts.
8. Josh Gondelman, Empire Comedy Live/Comedy Bar, November 18
The week after Trump was elected, no one was in the mood for snark or cynicism. Who knew that Gondelman’s sweet, optimistic and hopeful act – while also very smart – was just what we needed?
9. Tony Ho, Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival/Theatre Centre, March 5
I’d been hot and cold on this troupe until this breakthrough show, in which the trio (Roger Bainbridge, Adam Niebergall and Miguel Rivas) dug deep into dark material, not always going for the obvious laugh but taking us on a ride full of uncomfortable, relatable truths.
10. Tonight’s Cancelled, Fringe Festival, July 1 to 10
Second City alums Jason DeRosse and Stacey McGunnigle explored getting older and dealing with the fickle entertainment industry in this standout Fringe show. Whether they were chronicling their career crashes or dealing with despair in a sketch set in a Subway restaurant, they always dug deep. May this be the first of many collaborations.
COMIC COUPS
DIVERSE DRAWS
JFL42’s lineup was the most diverse yet, with lots of women and non-white comics.
DEANNE DESTROYS
DeAnne Smith has been on this list several times, and this year she released her first album. I didn’t see her headline this year, but saw her host or open half a dozen times. She’s a machine.
ELECTORAL LAUGHS
I didn’t see it, but I’ve been told by reliable sources that James Adomian and Anthony Atamanuik‘s Trump vs. Bernie debates were hilarious. This was way before Trump won, of course.
COMIC CRAP
AWFUL ASIANSPLOITATION
The all-Asian sketch troupe Asiansploitation celebrated its 10th anniversary with a Fringe show that lacked energy, internal logic or humour.
PALTRY PLAYERS
Billed by the Toronto Sketch Comedy Fest as “part keg party, part rock concert and part sketch comedy,” the March 6 show by PLAYERS (formerly Queen’s Players Toronto) was full of bad wigs and silly premises. At least the performers seemed to be enjoying themselves.
