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JUST FOR LAUGHS - CANADA'S NO. 1 STAND-UP SERIES - RETURNS TO CBC TELEVISION WITH COMEDY'S BIGGEST STARS IN TOW

Don’t miss three ALL-NEW comedy specials hosted by John Oliver, Eric Stonestreet and Canada’s beloved Russell Peters

Just For Laughs, the comedy experts, have compiled the best performances of the 2011 Montreal Just For Laughs Festival and created three hilarious CBC Television specials, featuring international comedy stars John Oliver,  Russell Peters, and Eric Stonestreet.

The laughs start with John Oliver’s comedic take on the future, or lack thereof, of the USA with The Decline of the American Empire. The following week Eric Stonestreet will reflect on relationships alongside a hysterical line-up of comedians in the special Modern Love.  Concluding the series is Canada’s own Russell Peters, who hosts “the best night ever” with a personally selected line-up of his favourite and funniest comedian friends.

The Decline of the American Empire - Tuesday, March 20 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV
  What is the American Empire and is it falling? Why watch boring men in suits debate this on CNN? It’s time to dive head first into The Decline of the American Empire, hosted by the one and only John Oliver. The British comic you love from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart hosts a smart, opinionated and equally funny political special featuring wildly popular comedians Colin Quinn, WTF podcast host Marc Maron, and Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?).

Modern Love - Tuesday, March 27 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV
  Is your cat your best friend? Do you have a strange intimate relationship with Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Cookie Dough ice cream? Are you wondering how things are between you and your mother-in-law? There’s nothing like the feeling of love and a relationship, no matter who or what it’s with. Hosted by Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet and featuring a hysterical line-up of comedians including Canadian single gal, Debra DiGiovanni, Australian musical genius Tim Minchin, and late-night talk show favourite (and badgered husband), Bob Marley.

Russell Peters Best Night Ever - Tuesday, April 10 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC-TV
  Ever wish you could step into the mind of worldwide comedy star Russell Peters to see who he thinks is funny? Wouldn’t that be the “Best Night Ever?” Well, wish no more! Russell himself will host an epic show featuring a personally selected line-up of his favourite and funniest comedian friends including special guest Jeremy Hotz and starring Jimmy Carr, Sebastian Maniscalco and Nick Thune.

For more information about Just For Laughs,  including bios, exclusive video clips, backstage photos and games, visit www.hahaha.com or www.cbc.ca/justforlaughs
 
  Just For Laughs Television has produced shows that have been seen around the world on ABC, FOX, MTV, Showtime,  HBO, Versus, BBC America, CBC, The Comedy Network, BBC1, TF1 in France, CCTV3 in China, Ten Network in Australia, RTL in Germany and most recently on TBS with Cedric The Entertainer’s Urban Circus and Martin Short’s Let Freedom Hum. The company launched its expansion into scripted and non-variety programming with the critically acclaimed series The Tournament which was seen on the CBC and Versus and later adapted for the BBC in the UK. Recently Just For Laughs Television completed principal photography on their new scripted action-comedy series for IFC (US) called Bullet in the Face. Just For Laughs Television is part of the Just For Laughs Group, which is active in many areas of entertainment production including festivals, television, theatre and touring. For the past 29 years the company has produced the world’s largest comedy festival in Montreal and in recent years has launched festivals in Sydney (Australia) Toronto, Nantes (France) and has partnered with TBS to present a Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs in Chicago. The company also successfully tours across the globe bringing some of the Festivals’ best talent to Canada, the U.S., Bermuda and Asia and has personal management offices in Los Angeles, Paris, London and Montreal. To learn more about Just For Laughs Television, visit http://www.hahaha.com

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, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada is celebrating 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.

Media Contact:
Renee Weekes, Veritas Communications
  weekes@veritascanada.com
416-640-4155 / 416-894-7209

Vanessa Andres
  Holmes Creative Communications
  (416) 628-5612
  vandres@hccink.com
www.holmescreativecommunications.com

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