In the early years of Just for Laughs, one of the unquestionable highlights for locals was the annual showcase of Montreal comedians. The Montreal Show, hosted for a period by Terry DiMonte and Ted Bird, was one of the fest’s hottest tickets, up there with the Nasty Show.

But in later years, the Montreal Show got lost in the shuffle, often relegated to a single show at an ungodly hour in an unfamiliar venue toward the end of the fest.

As the 44th Just for Laughs fest officially opens Wednesday with the launch of the Nasty Show and Culture Show series at Club Soda, it’s worth noting that the Montréal Series will now be getting its due up front. There are four shows Thursday and Friday, featuring 24 local standups — the majority of them up-and-comers — at the Comedy Nest, the mecca of anglo comedy in town for five decades.

“We have a duty and responsibility to support and celebrate our local comedians, who can hold their own with comics anywhere,” JFL head of programming and talent Nick Brazao has declared. He should know: He was a standup here before moving to the fest’s exec side.

The hosts of the four shows — John Cotrocois, Rachelle Elie, Mike Paterson and Tranna Wintour — are in an ebullient state at the Comedy Nest.

“I am always Team Montreal,” beams Wintour, a longtime staple on the local scene who will be hosting JFL’s first-ever all-queer Montréal Series showcase, Thursday at 9 p.m. “I love this city. There is so much incredible talent here. I’ve........

© Montreal Gazette