The Just for Laughs comedy festival is the largest event of its kind in the world held each year in Montreal, Canada.  This is my first trip to the festival as a member of the "industry" (I'm the publicist to my fianc√© Christian Finnegan) and during the short plane ride from New York I got a vibe that this week will be exciting.  The same way a Native American puts his ear to the ground and warns of 100 soldiers or my kidney throbs when I get a whiff of vodka mixed with Rose's lime juice, I can't prove anything yet but I know it's time to strap in.

My spidey sense is rewarded immediately when the in flight programming turns on and a "Just For Laughs" television show is a viewing choice, and in line at customs the welcome to Canada b-roll loop includes three separate ads for the festival.  This is big.  When greeted by a representative for my shuttle to the hotel, she informed me that the entire city of Montreal gets a two week vacation every July.  No wonder the 2,000-plus seat theaters are packed for every show, every night. Brilliant.

The Delta Hotel is festival central with radio stations conducting live broadcasts and most industry and talent occupying every room.  Within five minutes of check in Dom Irrera and Craig Ferguson sauntered in casually.

First on our agenda was a show at Club Soda called ‚ÄúBubbling with Laughter‚Äù hosted by Alex Borstein of MadTV.  The lineup included a mix of European, Canadian and American comics including Christian and Demetri Martin both of whom kicked of their weeks with outstanding performances. 

After the show, I learned the breaking news that Todd Barry and Laurie Kilmartin (former associate producer / staff writer of Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn) have been invited to perform in The Masters series and Jimmy Pardo and Drew Carey will host the Talk of the Fest shows which features “the festival's biggest breakout performances”.

Throughout the week Christian will be followed by a camera crew for television show on the CBC.  They will drive us around and film our every move.  This has the earmarks of disaster all over it.  Just how am I supposed to bust Christian‚Äôs balls when it‚Äôs all being recorded?

(More tomorrow!)