Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122) will shine the spotlight on South African comedy by sponsoring talented South African comic Loyiso Gola to attend the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival 2012 in Canada in July. The comedy channel has secured an exclusive slot for Gola to perform two stand-up sessions on 27 and 28 July at the prestigious comedy festival as it builds up to its climax.
Comedy Central will also facilitate VIP access for the SA funnyman to the top comedy shows, galas, and events at the Festival. Gola will also share his observations about the comedy extravaganza by Tweeting regular updates from the festival using his Twitter handle @loyisogola (hashtag: #GolaJustForLaughs).
Gola joins an elite group of comedians to have performed at the festival – one of the biggest and most prestigious comedy festivals on the planet, which runs from 10 to 29 July. The festival, which this year celebrates 30 years of comedic excellence, boasts a glittering line up of international comedy greats including the likes of The Muppets, Kevin Hart, Jimmy Carr, Lewis Black, Jim Jefferies, Bob Saget, Aziz Ansari, Chelsea Handler and many more.
Commented Gola: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity to attend the biggest comedy festival in the world. I have always wanted to go at some point of my career and I’m very grateful that Comedy Central has chosen me to attend. It’s great that the channel is supporting local talent to this extent and I hope they continue to do so for a long time to come.’
Commented Evert van der Veer, Head of Comedy Central, Africa: “As one of South Africa’s premiere comedians, and a truly funny guy, Loyiso Gola will be a great ambassador for South African comedy. At Just for Laughs, Gola will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best artists in the comedy genre worldwide and in turn, show the world the calibre of African stand-up.’
Comedy Central is screening seven gala specials from the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival 2011 throughout the month of July 2012. Tune in from 20h55 CAT every Friday and Saturday from 6 July. Additionally, in December 2012, Comedy Central will premiere a series of Just for Laughs 2012 Gala specials, introduced by Loyiso Gola.
