Introducing SiriusXM's Top Comic Semi-Finalists… Canada's funniest vie for votes for a chance to win $25,000 and more

Voting opens today and continues to August 18

TORONTO, July 28, 2017 /CNW/ - SiriusXM Canada, the country's leading audio entertainment company, today announced the 18 semi-finalists in the 8^th annual SiriusXM Top Comic competition, a nationwide search for Canada's best comedian. SiriusXM is now giving Canadians the power to decide which comics will move on as finalists in the competition, where they'll battle it out mic-to-mic at the SiriusXM Top Comic Finale this September as part of JFL42 in Toronto.

Beginning at 10 a.m. ET today through to 11:59 pm ET on August 18, Canadians have the opportunity to view the semi-finalists' videos and vote for their favourite comedians once a day at siriusxm.ca/topcomic. At the end of the voting period, the six comics with the most votes will move on as finalists, as well as two additional comics as chosen by a panel of industry judges. The eight finalists will then compete live on stage at the Finale for the title of SiriusXM's Top Comic and a grand prize of $25,000.

The winner will also receive a guaranteed spot at three of Canada's biggest comedy festivals in 2018: JFL42 (Toronto), JFL NorthWest (Vancouver), and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, which includes a spot in the Montreal festival's televised special JFL: All Access, airing on The Comedy Network. Two runners up will also receive televised spots at the 2018 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, as well as a co-headlining show at JFL42 2018.

The Finale will feature a special performance by a headliner to be announced later this summer and will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on September 28, 2017.

SiriusXM recently selected 60 comics from across the country for public auditions held in Toronto and Vancouver over six nights. The comics each had six minutes to impress a panel of industry judges, who selected three comics from each audition night to move on as semi-finalists.

"Canada is known for producing some of the world's funniest people and this hilarious group of semi-finalists really highlights the continued strength of our homegrown comedic talent," said Ben Miner, Canadian comic and host of SiriusXM's Canada Laughs (ch. 168).  "We're thrilled to be able to shine the spotlight on the country's established and emerging comedy stars and help Canadians discover some incredible talent along the way."

The 2017 SiriusXM Top Comic semi-finalists are:

Myles Anderson (Hometown: Shawnigan Lake)
Kyle Bottom (Hometown: Vancouver)
Graham Chittenden (Hometown: Brantford)
D.J. Demers (Hometown: Kitchener)
Mayce Galoni (Hometown: Hamilton)
Nigel Grinstead (Hometown: Arnprior)
Pete Johansson (Hometown: Kelowna)
Simon King (Hometown: Vancouver)
Marito Lopez (Hometown: Calgary)
Gavin Matts (Hometown: New Westminster)
Kathleen McGee (Hometown: Edmonton)
Mike Rita (Hometown: Toronto)
Jacob Samuel (Hometown: Toronto)
Sterling Scott (Hometown: Edmonton)
Michelle Shaughnessy (Hometown: Toronto)
Jane Stanton (Hometown: North Vancouver)
Ana-Marija Stojic (Hometown: Toronto)
Kelly Taylor (Hometown: Prince Albert)

Finalists will be announced later this summer.

Top Comic is part of SiriusXM Canada's ongoing initiatives to provide exposure and opportunities for Canadian talent. Last year, Toronto's Chris Robinson took home the title and grand prize, with Sophie Buddle of Vancouver and Che Durena of Toronto placing as runners-up. Previous winners include Faisal Butt, Derek Seguin, Pete Zedlacher, Eric Andrews, Matt O'Brien and Brian Stollery.

Canada Laughs (ch. 168) features uncensored Canadian comedy 24/7 including stand-up, sketch and more, putting the spotlight on the rich pool of extraordinary talent from Canada. Canada Laughs is available to all Sirius and XM subscribers in Canada and across the U.S. and joins SiriusXM's hilarious comedy lineup, including Comedy Central Radio, SiriusXM Comedy Greats, Raw Dog Comedy, The Foxxhole, Jeff and Larry's Comedy Roundup, Laugh USA and more.

Those satellite radio subscribers who add SiriusXM Streaming access to their subscription can also listen to Canada Laughs on the SiriusXM App, On-Demand and online. 

To learn more and to vote, visit siriusxm.ca/topcomic

About SiriusXM Canada

Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. operates as SiriusXM Canada. SiriusXM Canada, is the country's leading audio entertainment company and broadcasts more than 130 satellite radio channels featuring premier sports, news, talk, entertainment and commercial-free music. SiriusXM Canada offers an array of content from the most recognized news, entertainment and major sports brands including the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR, CNN, CBC, FOX, BBC, Howard Stern, Disney, Comedy Central and more.

SiriusXM programming is available on a variety of devices including pre-installed and after-market radios in cars, trucks and boats, smartphones and mobile devices, and consumer electronics products for homes and offices. SiriusXM programming is also available online at www.siriusxm.ca and on Apple and Android-powered mobile devices.

SiriusXM Canada has partnerships with every major automaker and its radio products are available at more than 2,500 retail locations nationwide. To find out more about SiriusXM Canada, visit our website at www.siriusxm.ca.

SiriusXM Canada has been designated one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies eight years in a row and is currently a Platinum Club Member, in addition to 2013, 2014 and 2015 rankings in PROFIT 500's list of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies.

Join SiriusXM Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/siriusxmcanada, on Twitter at @siriusxmcanada, on Instagram at @siriusxmcanada and on Youtube at youtube.com/siriusxmcanada.

SOURCE Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc.

Media Contacts: Vanessa Andres, Holmes PR, 416-628-5612, [email protected]; Andrea McLoughlin, Holmes PR, 416-628-5609, [email protected]