Yuk, Yuk, Canucks: A History of Canadian Comedy

Guest speaker: actor/comedian Jack Newman 

Why are so many famous comedians Canadians? How did we become masters of sketch comedy? And why is so much of our homegrown talent exported to the United States? From the early days of The Dumbells, Wayne & Shuster and SCTV, to mega stars such as John Candy and Eugene Levy, discover why Canadians have the whole world laughing.

November 15 – the early days, including John Drainie, The Dumbells, Wayne and Shuster to the 1970s improv revolution
November 22 – SCTV, 1970s TV, including King of Kensington, Trouble with Tracey, Bizarre, and film industry successes
November 29 – the late, great John Candy
December 6 – Eugene Levy, plus other ‘expats’ including Martin Short, Michael J Fox, Jim Carrey and Michael Myers
December 13 – Kids in the Hall, This Hour has 22 Minutes, Rick Mercer Show and Baroness von Sketch

Jack Newman has been a writer and actor in Toronto for more than 40 years. He has appeared in 90 film and T.V. projects and 45 television commercials, including recent ads for Fallsview Casino and Go-Daddy. He has also won a few awards, The Clio, The Bessie and an ACTRA Writers Award nomination for “Anne Murray’s Ladies Night”, and a Berlin Silver Bear for the NFB’s; “Village of Idiots”. Recently, a short film where Jack was featured, Finding Harold, won awards and recognition in Short Film Festivals all over the world, from Portugal, to L.A. and Toronto. Jack has worked with interesting and creative performers and directors, such as Sydney Lumet, Tom Cruise, Ben Affleck and Al Waxman. At the Miles Nadal JCC, Jack is always a crowd favourite. Some of his lectures have included: From the Goldbergs to the Goldbergs: How Jews Helped Shape Television Comedy, The Yiddish Theatre of Moscow and 2nd Avenue, Make ‘Em Laugh: Legendary Jewish Comedians and Laughter is the Best Medicine: The Genius of Neil Simon. Last year, Jack brought us the virtual series Laughter on the 23rd Floor: The Writers’ Room of Your Show of Shows and we are very pleased to welcome him back to the virtual Miles Nadal JCC this fall!

Eli Newman – Jack’s son – has been the technical consultant for Jack Newman for 6 years, and currently produces Jack’s virtual broadcasts and in-person lectures. Eli graduated from University of Toronto in 2007, with distinction. He also finished course work in English as a Second Language, and Documentary Film-Making at Ryerson University. A dedicated environmentalist, Eli has worked in the film industry, both behind and in front of the cameras, as well as volunteered for a number of socially conscientious organizations such as “Out of the Cold”, and has worked for charities in the administrative area.