An Oral History Of Just For Laughs Gags

Question: what is Canada's greatest contribution to the world of comedy? Is it Lorne Michaels and Saturday Night Live, which launched the careers of comedians like Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, and Norm MacDonald? What about Samantha Bee, who broke into the boys club of late night political satire? Nathan Fielder who may have redrawn the lines of reality itself, exposing the absurdity of modern life with his bizarre, intricate pranks? Professor Stephen Leacock, the Mark Twain of Canada?

Or is it a hidden-camera, prank comedy show that has been seen by millions and millions of people from all over the world?

Just For Laughs Gags has been running for almost 25 years, and it had no reason to stop, except that its parent company filed for creditor protection under Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act on March 5, 2024. What was Gags and what will be missed if it never gets produced again?

Today on the show, we hear from the people that made it, and from people that were pranked by them.

To learn more:

Just for Laughs: Gags – 15 years growing around the world — Radio Canada InternationalJust For Laughs Gags YouTube Channel — YouTubeJoke's on us: Just for Laughs Gags is a heinous Canadian cultural export — National PostThe cost of cringe: Does Just for Laughs: Gags go too far? — National Post

Host: Jesse Brown  Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Reporter, Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Jonathan Goldsbie (News Editor), André Proulx (Production Coordinator), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief) Special thanks: Tamara Wise

Additional music by Audio Network Sponsors: Article, Squarespace, AG1

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