The Just For Laughs Comedy Tour rolls into town this week, and you might be surprised at the roster. Why? I'll tell you, but just don't shoot the messenger...

FRI NOV 8 / JUST FOR LAUGHS COMEDY TOUR / 178 VICTORIA / MASSEY HALL / 730PM / $48-68

JFL's touring ensemble rolls into town with more than a few familiar faces, namely Tom Papa, Alonzo Bodden, Orny Adams, Ben Seidman and host Darrin Rose. Now, one of these things is not like the other. Ben Seidman is a Comedy Magician. Yyyeeeep, a comedy magician. Ok, maybe I'm being too harsh. He does have some cool tricks.

OK no wait forget that - out of all of the people that JFL has to choose from, I mean Jesus Christ!?!? Deep breath, Mike. Some people don't like the same comedy that you do, you know. Alright, fine. Just...just don't say I didn't warn ya.

SAT NOV 9 / SONY CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS / 1 FRONT E / 730PM / $64-78

That clip is one of the most memorable performances from my childhood of watching Def Comedy Jam. Guys, let's face it: Chris Tucker doesn't have to do stand-up. Hell, in 2007 when he got $25M for Rush Hour III, that made him the highest paid actor in Hollywood. But they all come back. Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, hell, even Larry freakin' David is back on the mic. This might be me projecting, but I think it has a lot to do with the freedom stand-up brings with it. We all have that urge to be heard, and although television and movies can reach millions, there's nothing like the rush of connecting with people in the flesh.

FRI NOV 8 / BRODY STEVENS / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 8PM & 10PM / $

POSITIVE ENERGY. Brody's infectious cadence has taken him far and wide, performing on shows like Tosh.0 and the NFL on Fox. Watch one of his videos and you'll see why he's known as a comic's comic. His act is addicting, flowing like a battle rapper from New York but looking like Sharon, Lois, and Bram. This is one guy you just have to see.

About the Author: This is Michael Jagdeo, and I refuse to write about myself in the third-person. My blog, Diary of a Stand-up Comedian, walks you through the up's and down's (they're mostly down's, really) in my quest to become a killer comic in Toronto.