Variation has selected her 10 Comics to Watch for 2020.
This year’s honors will be profiled in the September 29 issue of Variation and take part in a live virtual panel at this year’s Just for Laughs Digital Festival. Traditionally held every year in Montreal, the festival will go digital this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and held October 9-10. The 10 Comics to Watch panel will be presented by Cohen Gardner LLP.
Says Paul Ronca, Senior Director of Creative Development and Market Partnerships, Just for Laughs: “The Variation 10 Comics to Watch has been a revered part of the Just for Laughs festival for many years. It’s great to see the unveiling of a talented new group of Amazing comics and makers who will be attending the first ever Just for Laughs Digital Festival. A lot of things have changed since the beginning of 2020, but the spirit of creating entertaining content to make people laugh remains the same. ”
Variation launched the 2000 Comics to Watch list in 2000 with names like Zach Galifianakis and Patton Oswalt. Over the years, other honorees have included Tiffany Haddish, Amy Schumer and Kumail Nanjiani.
The list consists of stand-up comedians, writers and content creators and selected by a panel that includes Variation editors and critics with feedback from those in the comedy community who shuffle, book, cast and represent comics.
Steven Gaydos, Variationthe executive VP of content, “In these unusual times, people are turning more and more to comedy to help keep spirits high. And comics find new and creative ways to keep people entertained. We are excited about our ongoing partnership with Just To keep Laughs alive and honor these comedy voices in digital format at this year’s festival. “
The 10 Comics selected this year:
Sarah Cooper – Cooper became a sensation with her videos lip-syncing speeches by Donald Trump. She is the author of the bestselling books “100 Tricks to Look Bad in Meetings” and “How to Be Successful Without Feelings for Men”, both of which are in development as a series. Her upcoming Netflix special was just announced.
Chad Goes Deep – The comedy duo of Tom Allen (aka “Chad Kroeger”) and JT Parr have enjoyed viral success with their videos attending town council meetings and spreading masks to Huntington Beach residents and recently appeared on the Howard Stern show. They host the podcast and web series “Chad Goes Deep” and have developed an animated series with Hulu.
Franqi French – The 2019 winner of NBC’s National Stand-Up Comedy Competition, French is the creator and host of the virtual shows “#debatableAF,” where comics debate current affairs, and “French Roast”, where ‘ t comics roasted guests in their own home. Her stand-up special “Pardon My French” is due next year.
Ziwe Fumudoh – A writer on Showtime’s “Desus & Mero,” Fumudoh is known for her popular weekly Instagram Live show and her musical comedy album “Generation Seven.” She is currently working on a book entitled ‘The Book of Ziwe.’
Caleb Hearon – Known for his popular Twitter and Instagram videos, Hearon has appeared on Showtime’s “Work in Progress” and will be appearing in the new season of FX’s “Fargo.” He is a writer on the upcoming animated series “Human Resources,” by Netflix, a spinoff of “Big Mouth.”
Janelle James – After touring with Chris Rock and Amy Schumer, James took over the giant from the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival (now The Janelle James Comedy Festival) in Brooklyn. She has just finished a second season as a staff writer on Showtime’s “Black Monday” and is currently a writer and voice actor on ‘Apple Park Plus” Central Park. ‘
Dewayne Perkins – A co-producer on NBC’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and a consulting producer on the upcoming Peacock reboot of “Saved by the Bell,” Perkins is currently writing the feature film “The Blackening” with Tracy Oliver (“Girls Trip”). “”), Based on the viral short of the same name written by Perkins and performed with his improvisation group 3Peat.
Megan Stalter – Stalter, writer and performer on National Lampoon Radio Hour, can also be heard on “Tooning Out the News” on CBS All Access. She created and hosted the self-produced YouTube show “The Megan Stalter Show” and the podcast “Confronting Demons with Megan Stalter.”
Brent Terhune – Terhune has become a popular social media presence with his satirical rants about politics and currently hosts “The Cafeteria” podcast featuring Ryan Niemiller and Jonny Loquasto. He is developing a clip-based game show with EP Scott Zabielski and Arsonhouse Entertainment and his second album “Bluff Creek” will be released on October 2, 2020 with On Tour Records.
Jenny Yang – An executive story editor on Fox’s “Last Man Standing,” Yang is the creator and host of “Comedy Crossing,” a popular stand-up comedy show held within the video game “Animal Crossing” and viewed live via Zoom. She is currently working on the competitive comedy show “Everything’s Fine” about the industrial complex of self-care.
