Go to main content

FROM THE STAGE TO THE SCREEN, CBC PRESENTS JUST FOR LAUGHS GALAS

Trio of comedy specials featuring Eddie Izzard, Kathy Griffin and Joan Rivers to air Fridays at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) August through September on CBC-TV

CBC brings the best in Canadian and international comedy to homes across Canada late this summer with the Just For Laughs Galas, featuring renowned comedians Eddie Izzard, Kathy Griffin and Joan Rivers, along with an impressive lineup of comedians from around the world.

British comedy legend Eddie Izzard presents The United Nations of Comedy, featuring some of the hottest stand-up comedians from around the globe, including American Colin Quinn, Malaysian-Australian Ronny Chieng, South African sensation Trevor Noah, French superstar Gad Elmaleh (performing in English for the first time ever), and Trinidadian-Canadian Jean Paul. The United Nations of Comedy airs Friday, August 22 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT).

*VIDEO: Click here for a sneak peek of The United Nations of Comedy

She’s the diva of the D-list, the she-wolf of show business, and one of the funniest women around. Straight from Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival comes Kathy Griffin and some of her very best frenemies. This one-hour special, airing Friday, August 29 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT), features celebrity trash-talk from Kathy herself, with stand-up performances from comedy pros Jon Reep, Sebastian Maniscalco, Alex Nussbaum, Kitty Flanagan and Scottish superstar Danny Bhoy.

A trail-blazer and bridge-burner, the ageless Joan Rivers is sure to deliver the laughs in this one-hour special, airing Friday, September 12 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT). Audiences can look forward to a star-studded line-up of comedians including Tom Papa, Laurie Elliott, Lynne Koplitz and improv superstars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood.

-30-

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

For more information including series synopses, press releases, hi-res images, video clips and bios, please visit the CBC Media Centre at cbc.ca/mediacentre. Follow CBC’s publicity team on Twitter @CBC_Publicity.

For more information, please contact:
Kylie McGregor
Entertainment publicist, CBC
416 205 8638 (office) / 416 948 6181 (mobile)

Related content

just for laughs galas

Discover

October 27th at 15:49

CBC Announces New Ad-Free CBC Kids Streaming Channel, Now Available on CBC Gem and CBC Kids YouTube

CBC today announced the launch of a new 24/7 commercial-free CBC Kids streaming channel, available now to stream on CBC Gem and the CBC Kids YouTube channel. 
October 27th at 9:00

New to CBC Gem in November 2025

CBC’s fall premieres continue with THE ASSEMBLY (Nov. 6, also on CBC TV), featuring authentic conversations between autistic interviewers and Canadian celebrities, and Season 2 of POV documentary series FOR THE CULTURE WITH AMANDA PARRIS (Nov. 28 on CBC Gem)
October 23rd at 11:59

Nothing Is Off the Table in CBC’s New Unscripted Series The Assembly, Premiering November 6 on CBC and CBC Gem

CBC today announced the six celebrities who will be in the hot seat in the new unscripted series THE ASSEMBLY.
October 20th at 11:41

CBC Expands FAST Portfolio with New Schitt’s Creek Channel, Now Streaming on CBC Gem in Canada

CBC today announced the expansion of its free ad-supported streaming portfolio with the launch of a new Schitt’s Creek channel, featuring all six seasons of the multiple Emmy Award-winning CBC original comedy series plus one-hour finale special Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt’s Creek Farewell. 
September 24th at 12:43

New to CBC Gem in October 2025

CBC’s fall premieres continue with new factual series LOCALS WELCOME (Oct. 5) hosted by food writer Suresh Doss, and new seasons of HEARTLAND (Oct. 5), THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Oct. 5), MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Oct. 6), FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Oct. 6), and THE FIFTH ESTATE (Oct. 10)