SiriusXM Canada, the country’s leading audio entertainment company, today announced the eight finalists who, determined by popular Canadian vote, have earned a spot to perform at SiriusXM’s Top Comic Finale. The Finale will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on September 29 at 7 p.m. as part of the Just For Laughs JFL42 Comedy Festival.
From 72 contestants down to eight, the finalists will battle it out mic-to-mic, bringing their best comedic material in hopes of winning the coveted title of SiriusXM’s Top Comic and the biggest grand prize to date – $25,000. Auditions were held in Toronto andVancouver across six nights in June where judges selected 18 semi-finalists from the 72 comics chosen to audition. From there, aCanada-wide online vote was held and the eight comics with the most votes advanced to the Finale.
SiriusXM’s Top Comic 2016 finalists are:
Kevin Banner, Vancouver, BC (hometown is Sooke, BC)
Sophie Buddle, Vancouver, BC (hometown is Ottawa, ON)
Graham Clark, Vancouver, BC
Mike Delamont, Victoria, BC
Che Durena, Toronto, ON (hometown is Port Coquitlam, BC)
Mayce Galoni, Hamilton, ON
Julia Hladkowicz, Toronto, ON (hometown is Ottawa, ON)
Chris Robinson, Toronto, ON (hometown is Brampton, ON)
The Finale will feature a headlining performance by Canadian comic Tom Green and will be hosted by Ben Miner, Canadian comic and host of SiriusXM’s Canada Laughs. A panel of industry judges will select the winner of SiriusXM’s Top Comic who will receive the grand prize of $25,000. The winner will also receive guaranteed spots at three of Canada’s biggest comedy festivals in 2017: JFL42 inToronto, JFL NorthWest in Vancouver, and the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal as well as be included in a televised JFL: All Access special airing on The Comedy Network. Two runners up will receive TV spots at the 2017 Just For Laughs Festival in Montrealplus a double-threat show at JFL42 2017.
Tickets for the SiriusXM Top Comic Finale can be purchased online at: jfl42.com/act/siriusxm-top-comic. JFL42 passholders have access to the Finale by using one of their credits to reserve their seat at the show. Passes and tickets to JFL42 are on sale now at jfl42.com.
For those outside of Toronto, Canada Laughs (channel 168) will air the Finale live, starting with a pre-show at 6 p.m. ET. Satellite radio subscribers who have access to SiriusXM Streaming can listen to the Finale on Canada Laughs on the SiriusXM App and online.
Top Comic is part of SiriusXM Canada’s ongoing initiative to provide exposure to Canadian talent. Last year, Montreal’s Derek Seguintook home the title and grand prize, with Matt Billon of Vancouver and Jordan Welwood of Winnipeg placing as runners-up. Previous winners include Faisal Butt, Pete Zedlacher, Eric Andrews, Matt O’Brien and Brian Stollery.
Canada Laughs (channel 168) features uncensored Canadian comedy 24/7 including stand-up, sketch and more, putting the spotlight on the rich pool of extraordinary talent from Canada. Canada Laughs is available to all SiriusXM subscribers in Canada and across the U.S. and joins SiriusXM’s hilarious comedy lineup, including Comedy Central Radio, Raw Dog Comedy, The Foxxhole, Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup, Laugh USA and more.
