December | Ha-Ha-Happy Holidays

It may be the darkest part of the year, but we’re keeping it bright with this collection of Canadian comedy! Whether it’s holiday high jinks or sketches and stand-up, it’s time to curl up with some joy and leave the tough stuff for the new year. 

BITCHES LOVE BRUNCH

Directors/Writers: Sasha Leigh Henry, Maame Boateng

Chantelle is meeting her three friends who she has promised to buy brunch… except she’s broke. Understandably unimpressed with the makeshift meal that becomes breakfast, her besties turn their let down into a catch-up on life’s highs and lows. While swapping stories of dating trials and triumphs, they take a look at Chantelle’s most recent attempt at finding love: an online dating app.

CAUTION: MAY CONTAIN NUTS

CAUTION: MAY CONTAIN NUTS

Creators: Camille Beaudoin, Eric Rebalkin, James Higuchi, Aimée Beaudoin, Jeff Halaby, Mark Meer, Matt Alden, Howie Miller, Sheldon Elter, Joleen Ballendine

CAUTION: May Contain Nuts is a sketch comedy series with a little something extra in the bag. Written and performed by a world-class, multi-ethnic cast of improv masters, entertainers and stand-up comics, CAUTION roasts pop culture and skewers social trends and politics in the most delicious ways. Told as a series of stand-alone and intersecting stories, music videos and improvisation.

THE CHRISTMAS SETUP

THE CHRISTMAS SETUP

Director: Pat Mills

Corporate lawyer Hugo heads home to Milwaukie with his best friend, Madelyn, to spend time with his mom, Kate, while he waits to hear about a promotion. Kate “arranges” for Hugo to run into Patrick, his former secret crush from high school.

HOT FLASH

HOT FLASH

Director/Writer: Thea Hollatz

Ace is having a hot flash, and she’s about to go live on local television. How one woman tries to keep her cool when one type of flash leads to another.

FIVE STAR CHRISTMAS

FIVE STAR CHRISTMAS

Director: Christie Will Wolf

When a travel writer shows up unexpectedly at their dad’s Bed and Breakfast, the Ralston family all pretend to be guests in hopes of a good review. Lucy falls for guest Jake, but can’t share her secret.

MIDNIGHT AT THE MAGNOLIA

Director: Max McGuire

Maggie and Jack are childhood friends and now as adults give dating advice together on their popular local radio show. When they find out their show is being shopped around for national syndication, their boss encourages them to introduce their significant others to their families for a live, on-air New Year’s Eve special. When Maggie and Jack are both dumped before the big event, Jack suggests they pretend to be a couple. As the two friends masquerade as a pair of lovebirds, they begin to wonder if there might be real feelings between them after all.

THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP

THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP

Director: Trish Neufeld

A dozen of Canada’s hottest new comics gathered for one hilarious night of standup as part of the JFL NorthWest Festival in Vancouver. These rising stars each headline their own 10-minute episode exclusively for CBC Gem. Including Cassie Cao, Salma Hindy, Ola Dada, Paul Rabliauskas and Yumi Nagashima, among others, The New Wave of Standup is as diverse as it is funny.

NIRVANA THE BAND THE SHOW

NIRVANA THE BAND THE SHOW

Creators: Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol

Two lifelong best friends and roommates are planning the greatest musical act in the history of the modern world. Without ever playing a note, Nirvanna the Band plan to take Toronto by storm, one scheme at time.

STAY TOONED

STAY TOONED

Director: Andy Bush

Eric Bauza – the Canadian who voices legendary characters from Bugs Bunny to Luke Skywalker – takes us on a deep dive through our favourite cartoons to see how they shaped us into who we are today. Each episode he meets with friends and experts to explore villains, race, sexuality, and so much more.

ZARQA

ZARQA

Creator/Writer: Zarqa Nawaz

Zarqa – a divorced, middle-aged Muslim woman – strives to reinvent herself… until her impulsive and vindictive personality gets in the way.