Highlights From JFL’s First Virtual Fest. Andy Kindler’s State of the Industry Address: Shots Fired 2020
In a time when people need comedy more than ever, the Just for Laughs comedy festival found a way to keep the world laughing. The JFL team partnered up with Kevin Harts’s on-line network, LOL and streamed two days of nonstop comedy with their first ever digital festival. This year, I’m going to focus on three shows in my annual Just for Laughs write up; one of which highlights the history and tradition of the Just for Laughs comedy festival and reminds us of what keeps us coming back year after year, the second grounds us in the here and now and verifies the magical partnership that exists between comedy and tragedy and the third celebrates the future and spotlights comedians who are making their way up the ranks and into our hearts.
Andy Kindler’s State of the Industry Address: Finally, I’m Alone!
Andy Kindler’s State of the Industry address is a Just for Laughs tradition that lets you know exactly where you’re at. Even though I was watching it from my living room, as soon as Andy Kindler came onto the screen, the distance didn’t matter; I knew I was officially at Just for Laughs! This is Andy’s 25th year of bringing his roast style rants to the festival and he was as funny and savage as ever. He started out by breaking the ice with a few jokes that were aimed at himself and this year’s digital format before turning the tables on the industry and his fellow comedians. Andy joked that performing without inserting a laugh track helps him feel more at home and that he was only using a microphone so his wife would know he wasn’t talking to her. He then then pointed out that since the pandemic began, being on Cameo has helped him find his worth as a comedian… And it’s $35! These were great openers that got big reactions from the audience in the live chat.
Right about then, Andy’s gloves came off! For his first swing of the night, he went BIG! He went straight for Joe Rogan’s abilities as a stand-up and the content of his act. Andy even said, “If it wasn’t for Trump, Joe Rogan might be the dumbest person to have ever made $100 million dollars.” Kindler then called out Adam Carolla for doing comedy in the “lowest possible denominator” and joked that aside from his personal life, what Chris Delia was doing on stage was a crime.
Andy’s shit list didn’t end there. He went on to take hilarious shots at The Comedy Store documentary that were aimed at Ari Shaffir and Byron Allen. He also took issue with Bill Maher’s habit of laughing at himself, Steve Colbert’s Trump impression and the latest season of Curb Your Enthusiasm for being “overrated.” He had jokes about Jimmy Kimmel being the co-creator of The Man Show and speculated that The Man Show might have caused more long-term damage than when Jimmy wore black face. Andy Kindler didn’t stop there. He kept the hits coming and added his disdain for Mindy Kaling’s tweeting habits and William Shatner’s endorsement deals. Andy’s address was only 30 minutes as opposed to his usual hour because as he so cleverly pointed out, thanks to the pandemic, he was doing, “half the amount of time, because there was half the amount of show business.” But, no matter the length and no matter the venue, no one was safe and nothing was sacred and that is exactly why we love Andy Kindler and his annual State of the Industry Address!
Just for Laughs’s first digital comedy festival is a wrap but I’d like to thank everyone involved for being completely dedicated to comedy, working with what they had to find a way to make it happen and for sharing the joy of laughter with the world at a time when comedy has never been more essential. On behalf of comedy fans everywhere, we appreciate you and we thank you. See you next year!
Read more JFL Highlights from Sara Dahms:
Andy Kindler’s State of Comedy Address 2020
Sit Down Comedy Sessions: Howie Mandel with Bob Saget, Ms. Pat and Bobby Lee
Variety’s Top 10 Comics of 2020
Read more comedy news.
Sarah Dahms is a comedy superfan hails from Chicago and travels all over the country checking out the best comedy everywhere.
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