SiriusXM's Top Comic finalists are one step closer to $25,000 grand prize

- Todd Barry will headline the competition Finale on September 28

- Subscribers can listen to Finale live on SiriusXM's Canada Laughs

TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - SiriusXM Canada, the country's leading audio entertainment company, today announced the eight finalists who have earned a spot to perform at SiriusXM's Top Comic Finale, determined by popular Canadian vote and industry judges. The Finale, hosted by comic Ben Miner of SiriusXM's Canada Laughs (ch. 168), will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on September 28 at 7 pm as part of JFL42. Veteran stand-up comedian Todd Barry will also take the stage for a headlining performance.

Narrowed down from 60 contestants to eight, the finalists will bring their best material to the live competition in hopes of winning over the panel of judges to nab the Top Comic title and $25,000 grand prize. 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.

"I can always feel the energy and excitement at the Finale — it's my favourite event of the year," said Ben Miner. "The $25,000 prize and trio of festival gigs can be career-changing for these comics, and it's absolutely exhilarating to see a live performance with so much on the line."

The 2017 SiriusXM Top Comic finalists are:
Kyle Bottom (Hometown: Vancouver)
Graham Chittenden (Hometown: Brantford)
Gavin Matts (Hometown: New Westminster)
Kathleen McGee (Hometown: Edmonton)
Sterling Scott (Hometown: Edmonton)
Michelle Shaughnessy (Hometown: Toronto)
Ana-Marija Stojic (Hometown: Toronto)
Kelly Taylor (Hometown: Prince Albert)

Finale headliner Todd Barry is a stand-up comedian and actor dubbed by Vogue Magazine as "one of the funniest comics working today." Simon and Schuster released his first book, Thank You For Coming to Hattiesburg earlier this year, receiving praise from some of the industry's top comics. He's had three Comedy Central specials, and his fourth, The Crowd Work Tour, (produced by Louis C.K.) was released to rave reviews on Netflix. His popular podcast, The Todd Barry Podcast, has reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Podcast charts.

Tickets for the SiriusXM Top Comic Finale and JFL42 can be purchased online at: jfl42.com/act/siriusxm-top-comic. JFL42 passholders have access to the Finale by using one of their credits to reserve the show.

For those outside of Toronto, Canada Laughs (ch. 168) will air the Finale live, starting with a pre-show at 6 pm ET. Satellite radio subscribers who have access to SiriusXM Streaming can listen to the Finale on Canada Laughs on the SiriusXM App and online at siriusxm.ca.

The SiriusXM Top Comic competition began in June with auditions in Toronto and Vancouver across six nights. All 60 comics had six minutes each to impress a panel of judges who then selected 18 semi-finalists. From there, a Canada-wide online vote was held and the six comics with the most votes advanced to the Finale as well as two additional comics who were chosen by a panel of industry judges.

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. Previous winners include Derek Seguin, Faisal Butt, Pete Zedlacher, Eric Andrews, Matt O'Brien and Brian Stollery.

Canada Laughs 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 SiriusXM subscribers in Canada and across the U.S. and joins SiriusXM's hilarious comedy lineup, including Comedy Central Radio, Raw Dog Comedy, The Foxxhole, Jeff and Larry's Comedy Roundup, Laugh USA and more.

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]