Eh Material: Canadian comedy and country music news roundup
Steph Tolev - Filth Queen
You may have noticed that the output of Parton and Pearl in recent years has been irregular at best. We go hard for Toronto Fringe, and post waves of album and tour announcements in ways that logic cannot predict. But we want to do more, more often, so welcome to Eh Material - a semi regular industry update similar to Playback, Billboard Canada, or Broadcast Dialogue - but with a focus on Canadian comedy and country music. Got a news tip? Tell us about it, stud.
This one’s going to be long. Let’s start with some old news we’re still excited about and work our way forward.
East York original Steph Tolev dropped her first Netflix special “FILTH QUEEN” on June 24 - the fourth Canadian to ever have a full hour on Netflix. Filmed in Boston, Tolev touches on topics ranging from cohabitating with her new boyfriend, the kinks of her cat, and a connection to Danny Devito. See her live November 6-8 in Winnipeg, November 14-15 in Calgary, November 16 in Saskatoon, December 19 in Toronto, and December 20 in Montreal.
Comedian and TikTok star Tom Hearn released his debut sketch comedy album Gay Garbage on June 20 with Howl & Roar Records. Gay Garbage features ten tracks of Tom Hearn’s award-winning sketch comedy, cheeky innuendos, over top characters, iconic impressions, and musical numbers. Just a few weeks later Tom was selected for New Faces: Characters at Just For Laughs. See his iconic show Lipsynced on October 25 at Cake Cabaret.
Laura Piccinin brings her 90-min comedy solo show GO to Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace from October 15-19. GO is a new comedic tale of outdoorsy adventure as she dares to walk 336km along the East Coast of Newfoundland. While on her journey of trying not to get killed in the woods, she recounts the stories of her life, and the decisions she’s made in the face of danger (real or perceived) along the way. This sentimental and hilarious show reminds audiences to get out of their own way and GO do that thing that they really, really want to do.
In September Taylor Hreljac and Gabe Meacher launched Spotlight at The Second City, a new monthly show featuring two celebrated troupes performing polished 30 minute sets for a two show run at The Second City’s Theatre ‘73. The debut show featured Potato Potato and Small Friend Tall Friend in September, followed by Sarah Bennett and $20 Sandwich on October 14 and 15. Talent for the November, December, and January showcases will be announced soon. "We're so excited to be supporting Spotlight at The Second City. Last month, they brought in two sold out audiences to see some hilarious comedy! This new initiative is exactly what the Toronto comedy scene needs: a platform for fresh new sketch comedy to come to life," said Susan Waycik, Managing Producer, The Second City Toronto.
In August Alex Kolanko, Andy Assaf, and Jon Blair started Monster Island, a bi-monthly character comedy show at Comedy Bar Bloor in Toronto. For years comedians have complained that Toronto needs its own Characters Welcome-style show, and it seems Monster Island is finally doing something about it. With sold out shows already, and thoughtful video content with proper captions on YouTube and reels, Monster Island is doing it exactly right. The next show is TONIGHT and October 29.
Bright Star, the Toronto premiere of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s acclaimed Broadway musical, is on now until November 2 at CAA Theatre. For the Toronto Star, Glenn Sumi said this "musical set in the American South boasts an engaging story of love, loss and redemption, underscored by the distinctive, banjo-plucking sounds of bluegrass music."
Award-winning Canadian country artists Devin Cooper and Mariya Stokes announced they are joining forces this fall for a co-headlined acoustic tour hitting stages across Western Canada. Kicking off October 17 in Nanaimo, BC the Stripped Down *But Fully Clothed* tour will make stops throughout British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, running through mid-November with additional dates to be announced. Each performance will take place in intimate venues, giving fans the opportunity to experience the songs and stories behind them up close, in a personal setting.
The Theatre Centre has announced year six of its Comedy is Art festival, with three nights of can’t-miss comedy with over 20 acts from October 23-25. Shows include Andrew Phung and Friends, Not Hamilton Improvised, Nkasi Ogbonnah’s Afronaut, and more. New this year, Comedy is Art will also host Our Cities On Our Stages on October 25, Bad Dog Theatre’s free groundbreaking symposium on inclusion and diversity. Passes and single tickets are on sale now at theatrecentre.org.
Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas returns to the W Network with Christmas Above the Clouds (November 8), a comedic, modern retelling of A Christmas Carol set on a long-haul holiday flight starring new Canadian Saturday Night Live cast member Veronika Slowikowska. Celebrating the centennial of the Grand Ole Opry, the show that made country music famous, A Grand Ole Opry Christmas (November 29) is a magical trip across time filled with music, hope and healing.
Now in its 27th year, Canadian Pacific Kansas City has announced the schedule and artist line up for the 2025 Holiday Train, a festive celebration combining musical performances and holiday cheer kicking off with its first show on November 19 in Montreal. Performers throughout the tour include Tyler Shaw, Brittany Kennell, Jade Eagleson, JJ Wilde, Pynk Beard, Teigen Gayse, and Tiera Kennedy. Brittany Kennell released two new songs, Life’s Waiting on Me and Give Up Girl, on October 10.
Part scripted theatre, part improvised mayhem, Invasion: Christmas Carol is equal parts Dickens and disaster—a fast, funny, and heartfelt spin on a holiday classic. Invasion: Christmas Carol runs December 2–14 at The Assembly Theatre featuring Jamie Cavanagh, Tim Blair, Lucy Hill, Liz Johnston, Richard Lam, and Paloma Nuñez.
One liners
Canadian comedians scooped awards at Denver Sketchfest this past weekend. Cam Wyllie took home Best of the Fest - Solo, while Andy Assaf & Vivek Srikanthan won Dumbest of the Fest - which is the highest honour in sketch comedy land.
Season 6 of CBC's The New Wave of Stand Up was released August 29 featuring Wassim El-Mounzer, Isabel Zaw-Tun, Callum O'Neil, K.C. Novak, Randee Niemeyer, Alain Williams, Olivia Stadler, Bree Parsons, Nathan Hare, Adrienne Fish, Raajiee Chelliah, Tim Blair, Henry Sir, and Hassan Phills.
Mary Walsh released her first ever comedy album A One Night Stand With Mary Walsh on September 5 on Howl & Roar. With a little bit of East Coast storytelling, some piping hot takes, and visits from a few familiar characters - this album has everything a Mary Walsh fan could ask for.
After a successful run at Hamilton Fringe, Paul Hutcheson released his debut stand-up album Call Me Hutch on September 12 on Howl & Roar. Paul brings his storytelling chops to lively material about personal identity, societal norms, and the pop culture that shaped who he is today.
Montreal-born troubadour Bobby Dove released "Not Much of an Outlaw" on September 12, the first single from their new album Fortune Teller which is due in 2026.
Juno nominated Charlie Demers released his third stand-up comedy album Fish From the Jar on September 12 with Comedy Here Often?. Fish From the Jar covers everything from weird questions about his kids, how French Canadian nuns get around, to the diversity of his family's relationships, plus the dark truth international cuisines and Anchovies.
JUNO-nominated country/roots singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion released of her first-ever self-produced single “Let Them” on September 12 in anticipation of her eighth studio album set for release in early 2026.
Mayce Galoni released his new special Live At The Blue Grotto with Comedy Records on September 18. This brand new hour was recorded under the indigo concrete stalactites of La Grotta Blue in Mayce's hometown of Hamilton.
In anticipation of her debut album Montréal Romantic on October 17, bilingual, award-winning singer and comedian Lou Laurence released the lead single “Montréal on a Dating App” on September 19.
Toronto-based musical director and musician Jordan Armstrong released her second album This Engine on September 19.
Laura Leibow released her album Sidelined on September 22 with Counterfeit Comedy. It’s an ode to non-participation and the many ways in which sobriety, depression, bizarre acts of god, and "sleeping weird on my neck have sidelined me over the last few years".
Chris Robinson released his stand up special Unruly with Macaw Studios on September 26, the follow up to his last special “Panning For Gold” streaming on Crave.
Toronto-born artist Hayden Ryann released her new country-pop single No Room for Bitchin’ on September 26 in advance of her debut album in early 2026.
Folk-rock singer-songwriter Mike Bern from Tobique First Nation released of his single Into The River on September 27. This song carries stories of resilience, healing, and flow—like the river itself.
Deborah Kimmett released Smoke Show her third album with Howl & Roar Records on September 29. Smoke Show reflects on life in The Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto. Through past memories and present oddities, Deborah makes sense of her new reality.
Calgary’s Dream Angel Cowboy Robert Adam released their debut album Governed By The Seasons on October 3. On Instagram they said "I pray this album brings all you folks peace, serenity, joy and reflection, and a glowing hope for the future."
Adam Christie released his second comedy album Dragonflies on October 3, which was recorded live at Assembly Theatre.
Canadian country risers Antonio Larosa and Taylor-Rae released a captivating new duet “Hearts Don’t Break” on October 10.
Comedian, motivational speaker, and podcaster Dena Jackson released her debut publication Self Help Me: The Book on October 10.
The Second City’s Tourco in Toronto now features Ghazal Ghiami, Tyra Banda, Brennan Asbridge, Rhys Naylor, Jon Blair and Nicky Nasrallah. The new show The Pitch started October 12 and is directed Kris Siddiqi.
Caroline Parks will release her new single Harvest Is Long, featuring Molly Mason and Jay Ungar, on October 17.
Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Emmett Jerome returns with his highly anticipated EP It Ain’t Me on October 22.
Collingwood folk singer-songwriter Jolie Anastasia has announced her debut full-length album 'Guiding Light' will be released November 7.
Bee Bertrand will record his first comedy album with Howl & Roar on November 8 at the John Candy Box Theatre.