Jesse Wanagas
CTV – CTV Life Channel – CTV Comedy Channel – CTV Drama Channel – CTV Sci-Fi Channel
CTV Comedy Channel, Just For Laughs, and Counterfeit Pictures Partner for All-New Original Series, ROAST BATTLE CANADA
– Homegrown comedy superstars Russell Peters, Sabrina Jalees, and K. Trevor Wilson tapped as judges for the series, and actor/comedian Ennis Esmer serves a host –
– Produced in partnership with Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures –
– Produced in partnership with Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures –
Tags: @CTV_PR @CTVComedy, @JustForLaughs
TORONTO (April 12, 2021) – CTV Comedy Channel and Just For Laughs are stepping into the ring together to bring Canadians the all-new original series, ROAST BATTLE CANADA. Based on the format from ViacomCBS International Studios Distribution, the eight, half-hour episode series builds on the success of Bell Media’s French-language version, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL, which is consistently a top-ranking series for Z. The English-language adaption, ROAST BATTLE CANADA, is produced in partnership with Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures and will film later this year. ROAST BATTLE CANADA sees two pairs of Canadian comics faceoff in each episode, hurling ruthless jokes at each other in hopes of coming out unscathed and crowned the victor by a distinguished panel of judges. Presiding over each episode are megastar comedian Russell Peters; writer, producer, actor, and all-around funny person, Sabrina Jalees (CAROL’S SECOND ACT); and Season 1 ROAST BATTLE semi-finalist, LETTERKENNY’s own K. Trevor Wilson. Actor and comedian Ennis Esmer, slated to appear in the upcoming CTV original series, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, serves as host. “We had great success with ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL in Quebec, and are happy to be expanding the ROAST BATTLE format with our long-time partners at Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures,” said Karine Moses is Senior Vice-President, Content Development & News, Bell Media. “With Russell, K.Trevor, Sabrina, and Ennis at the helm, ROAST BATTLE CANADA will have audiences laughing and highly entertained when it debuts on CTV Comedy Channel later this year.” “The Just For Laughs Festival proudly launched Roast Battle at Just For Laughs Montreal years ago and could not be more thrilled to partner with Bell Media in bringing this internationally-recognized comedy series to screens across the country, featuring some of the most quick-witted and hilarious comics as roasters, judges, and hosts,” said Bruce Hills, President of Just For Laughs. “Counterfeit Pictures is delighted to be partnering with Bell Media, Viacom International Studios Distribution, and Just For Laughs on the production of Roast Battle Canada, an iconic comedy franchise that will help dispel the myth that Canadians are nice,” said Anton Leo, Partner at Counterfeit Pictures. Based on ROAST BATTLE, the U.S. television series created by comedians Jeff Ross and Brian Moses, the original format has also been adapted in Germany, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, and the UK. Each original airing of Bell Media’s successful French-language adaptation, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL has been the most-watched series of the broadcast season for Z. Click here for Judges and Host Bios ROAST BATTLE CANADA is produced by CTV Comedy, in association with Just For Laughs Television and Counterfeit Pictures. Bruce Hills is Executive Producer and also President, Just For Laughs. Anton Leo serves as Executive Producer, along with Dan Bennett and Shane Corkery of Counterfeit Pictures. Comedian Russell Peters also executive produces. The series was directed by Shelagh O’Brien. For Bell Media, Chris Kelley is Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production, Original Programming; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; Sarah Weaver is Director of Programming; Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, CTV and Specialty Programming. Justin Stockman is Vice-President, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. Karine Moses is Senior Vice-President, Content Development & News, Bell Media.About Bell Media Original Productions
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada’s most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit series commissioned by CTV include #1 Canadian drama TRANSPLANT; record-breaking Canadian formats THE AMAZING RACE CANADA and MASTERCHEF CANADA; #1 Canadian comedy series in all key adult demos JANN; culinary series MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH; inspirational series HOLMES FAMILY EFFECT starring Mike Holmes, his son Michael, and daughter Sherry. Upcoming new series include CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING from the producers of LETTERKENNY. Among the original series on Bell Media specialty and streaming platforms are CTV Sci-Fi Channel’s WYNONNA EARP and the upcoming SURREALESTATE, as well as CTV Comedy Channel’s CORNER GAS ANIMATED, as well as CTV Comedy Channel’s CORNER GAS ANIMATED. Crave Originals include hit series LETTERKENNY, CANADA’S DRAG RACE, and POUR TOUJOURS, PLUS UN JOUR; docuseries DARK SIDE OF THE RING; acclaimed documentaries ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND, and THE NEW CORPORATION: THE UNFORTUNATELY NECESSARY SEQUEL. Discovery is home to Bell Media’s hit factual series and franchises HIGHWAY THRU HELL, HEAVY RESCUE: 401, and MUD MOUNTAIN HAULERS, in addition to MAKE IT TO THE MOON and others. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. Learn more at www.BellMedia.ca.
About CTV Comedy Channel
The #1 Canadian Entertainment Specialty channel among Adults 18-49 and 25-54, CTV Comedy Channel delivers every flavour of funny with A-list stand-up, hilarious late-night talk shows, favourite sitcoms, and hit movies. The home of original comedy CORNER GAS ANIMATED and fresh stand-up captured every year at Montréal’s Just For Laughs Festival, CTV Comedy Channel also boasts some of the best late-night talk series from THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH and FULL FRONTAL WITH SAMANTHA BEE, to CONAN, and new series DOING THE MOST WITH PHOEBE ROBINSON. In addition to sitcoms like TACOMA FD and MIRACLE WORKERS, CTV Comedy hosts the upcoming cringe comedy CHAD, the revival of WIPEOUT, and more. From CTV, Canada’s most-watched network, CTV Comedy Channel is part of a powerful suite of specialty channels that also includes CTV Drama Channel, CTV Life Channel, and CTV Sci-Fi Channel, streaming on demand from CTV.ca and the CTV app.
About Just For Laughs Television
Just For Laughs Television is one of the world’s leading producers of stand-up comedy and variety programming. JFL’s television productions have been seen in Canada on CBC and an array of Bell networks and platforms (CTV Comedy, CTV, CTV 2, The Movie Network, HBO Canada, Crave and Snackable), and internationally on Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, FOX, ABC, MTV, Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, TBS, IFC, The CW, TF1, Comedy Central. Showtime, Hulu, BBC America and TEN Australia. Beyond stand-up, the TV franchise Just For Laughs Gags has also become a household name worldwide, being seen in 150 countries and on 100 airlines, in addition to its own JFL YouTube channel which has over 9 billion views; and Just For Laughs Canada on SiriusXM Canada, putting a spotlight on Canada’s rich pool of extraordinary stand-up comedy. Just For Laughs Television is part of Just For Laughs Group, with growth concentrated on four major focal points: festivals (in Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney); television production; and live tours.
About Counterfeit Pictures
Counterfeit Pictures was established in 2013 by industry veterans Anton Leo, Shane Corkery, and Dan Bennett. Amongst them the partners have extensive experience in television production, broadcast and digital media. Counterfeit’s credits include the award-winning Sunnyside (CityTV/FX Canada), Dark Cargo (YouTube Premium), and most recently, the mockumentary Decoys (CBC Gem). They have also produced, in association with Just For Laughs, six stand-up comedy specials including Mark Forward Wins All the Awards, Debra DiGiovanni: Here’s the Thing and Robby Hoffman: I’m Nervous (Crave), and most recently season 2 of The Standup Show With Jon Dore.
About ViacomCBS International Studios
Introduced in 2018, ViacomCBS International Studios is a division of ViacomCBS Networks International that includes production of content for ViacomCBS brands and platforms, including Paramount+, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Smithsonian Channel, Channel 5, Network 10, VIS, Telefe, Ananey and Porta Dos Fundos and for third parties, as well as sales and distribution of original productions, co-productions, formats sold for local adaptations and ready-made content. In 2020, VIS KIDS launched to further the expansion of the studio’s global kids content pipeline. The content that ViacomCBS International Studios produces covers all genres, from pre-school to young adult and live action and animation, as well as soap operas, dramas, short and long-form comedy formats and feature film productions.
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