Scott Thompson’s “Buddy Cole” will be coming out of the closet once again, for two exclusive appearances in Toronto this month.

Lounge lizard Buddy Cole from Kids in the Hall makes a return to the limelight in an evening of humorous monologues from the period the show went off the air in 1995 to the present day. Empire Comedy Live presents Scott Thompson: Aprés Le Déluge – The Buddy Cole Monologues, featuring Sara Benincasa.

Well known to fans as a member of the sketch comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, Scott Thompson is anything but your average comedic talent. After Lorne Michaels discovered them in the late eighties, The Kids in the Hall created a groundbreaking television series which ran from 1989 to 1995 on CBC in Canada and on HBO and CBS in the United States. After the Kids left television in 1995, Scott and the boys went on to write and star in their own feature film, the cult favorite Brain Candy. Thompson appeared as a regular for three years on Garry Shandling’s revolutionary comedy series The Larry Sanders Show as Brian, the assistant to Hank Kingsley. In this period and afterwards, he made numerous guest appearances on various talk shows such as Politically Incorrect, The Late Show with David Letterman and was a regular fixture on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Thompson along with theBUZZ columnist Paul Bellini, is the author of Buddy Babylon: The Autobiography of Buddy Cole, a hilarious memoir of one of Thompson’s most famous characters, bon vivant Buddy Cole. He has appeared in such feature films as Ron Ronnie Run, The Pacifier and Mickey Blue Eyes and such television series as Hannibal, Reno 911!, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Carpoolers, The Odd Squad, Man Seeking Woman, Touched by an Angel and Degrassi High. He has also worked on various animation projects, as the titular character in the popular children’s television series Roboroach, and in Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Simpsons and American Dad.

Scott Thompson: Aprés Le Déluge – The Buddy Cole Monologues
Live at the Royal Cinema – 608 College Street W

May 26, 2018 – Doors at 7pm, Showtime at 8pm
Tickets are $25 + HST for General Admission, $35 + HST For VIP Seats in the front 2 rows

Buddy will also be making an appearance the night before at Glad Day Bookshop (499 Church Street) on May 25th. Scott Thompson is reviving his beloved Buddy Cole character for a one night only free performance at the Glad Day Bookshop. Join Scott, along with surprise special guests, to celebrate the re-release of his classic fictional memoir, Buddy Babylon: The Autobiography of Buddy ColeSigned books will be available for purchase at the event, and signature Buddy Cole cocktails will be served.

Also, be sure to catch Sam Jay,  for five shows at Comedy Bar in Toronto from May 24 to May 26. Jay is a stand-up comedian and current writer for Saturday Night Live. In her material Sam Jay talks about her experiences as a black lesbian in America, which is perspective she is excited to bring to the SNL writers room. She has performed stand-up on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Meltdown with Jonah & Kumail, VICELAND’s Flophouse and her own Comedy Central half hour special. She will also release a comedy album this year. She made her Toronto debut at the We’re Funny That Way Festival in 2017.

These shows kick of the United Comedy Festival, five days full of funny folks performing from May 23 – 27, 2018. Along with Scott Thompson, other performers include Saturday Night Live’s Sam Jay, author Sara Benincasa, Doug Benson’s hit podcast Doug Loves Movies and a selection of stellar comedy showcases.
Sam Jay, stand-up and current writer for Saturday Night Live, will return to Toronto with five performances at Comedy Bar. Sam Jay has performed stand-up on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Meltdown with Jonah & Kumail, VICELAND’s Flophouse and her own Comedy Central half hour special.

Screenwriter, author and comic Sara Benincasa will have multiple appearances at United Comedy Festival with stand up performances, a spot on Bedroom Antics – A Sex & Dating Comedy Event, and her Storytelling Workshop for Women. Sara Benincasa recent roles include Corporate on Comedy Central, The Jim Gaffigan Show on TVLand, and the critically acclaimed short film The Focus Group, which she also wrote.

Doug Benson returns to Toronto with a live recording of his hit podcast Doug Loves Movies. A modern cult classic, Doug Loves Movies always includes audience participation and hilarious surprise guests talking about his first love…movies!

United Comedy Festival will also host: the CBC Radio Laugh Out Loud showcase, for CBC’s hit stand-up comedy radio show; After Hours Comedy, a late night stand-up ensemble show; and Bedroom Antics, a fun and lighthearted stand up show about dating, sex, and everything in between at Second City’s John Candy Box Theatre.

United Comedy Festival
May 23 – 27, 2018 – Various Venues
Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St West
The Royal Cinema, 608 College Street West
John Candy Box Theatre, The Second City Training Centre, 99 Blue Jays Way, 3rd Floor
Tickets $10 – $35 (additional fees may apply)
United Comedy Festival Schedule
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
CBC Radio LOL Showcase
8pm – Comedy Bar – $10
THURSDAY, MAY 24
Sam Jay, with Sara Benincasa
8pm – Comedy Bar – $25
FRIDAY, MAY 25
Sam Jay, with Sara Benincasa
8pm & 10pm – Comedy Bar – $25
After Hours Comedy
11:30pm – Comedy Bar – $10
SATURDAY MAY 26
Scott Thompson: Apres Le Deluge – The Buddy Cole Monologues
8pm – The Royal Cinema
$25 General Admission, $35 VIP
Stand Up Spotlight
8pm – John Candy Box Theatre – $10
Bedroom Antics – A Sex & Dating Comedy Event
Featuring Sara Benincasa
9:30pm – John Candy Box Theatre – $20
Sam Jay
9pm & 11pm – Comedy Bar – $25
After Hours Comedy
11:30pm – Comedy Bar – $10
SUNDAY, MAY 27
Doug Loves Movies Live Podcast Taping
Hosted by Doug Benson
4:20pm – The Royal Cinema – $30
Sara Benincasa – Storytelling Workshop for Women
4pm – Comedy Bar – $225
Empire Comedy Live has been presenting exceptional local and international performers since 2008, booking shows built for fans and lovers of great comedy. The United Comedy Fest is built on the principle of bringing people together to celebrate fun and positive comedy performers and to drive better revenue for performers here in Toronto.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca