Kathleen McGee, Gavin Matts, and Kyle Bottom named in final eight of Sirius XM Top Comic competition

by Holly McKenzie-Sutter on August 24th, 2017 at 12:48 PM

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SiriusXM has announced the final eight names in the Top Comic competition, with a list that includes three Vancouver-based talents. Kathleen McGee, Gavin Matts, and Kyle Bottom will travel to Toronto perform at JFL42 on September 28, in a final showcase featuring headliner Todd Barry.

A panel of judges will determine the winnder of the $25,000 grand prize, as well as guaranteed spots at JFL42 in Toronto, JFL Northwest in Vancouver, and Just for Laughs in Montreal. Two runners-up will also receive spots at Just for Laughs in Montreal and coheadlining spots at JFL42 in Toronto—where Vancouver comedian Sophie Buddle and last year's runner-up will be performing this year.

McGee, Matts, and Bottom nabbed their spots in the final eight after auditioning with 60 other comedians in Vancouver and Toronto. Eventually narrowed down to a pool of eighteen semi-finalists, a Canada-wide vote determined the top six, and industry judges selected the final two.

McGee is a veteran performer of over 10 years, recognizable from shows around the city. She also hosts a podcast Kathleen McGee is a Hot Mess, where she chats with an eclectic, rotating cast of Vancouver talent.

Matts, who started performing in Vancouver three years ago. He performs weekly shows around Vancouver and hosts the popular show Barely Legal with friend Sophie Buddle. He spoke to the Straight last month about using the cash prize to lighten his student debt, and his steadfast belief that he's "all in" for pursuing a career in comedy.

Bottom is another long-time staple act in the Vancouver scene, who started performing in the early 2000s. If he's named the winner, Bottom has pledged to give the prize money to up-and-coming Canadian comedians with underfunded ideas.

The top eight also includes Graham Chittenden, Sterling Scott, Michelle Shaughnessy, Ana-Marija Stojic, and Kelly Taylor. The finale will be streamed live on siriusxm.ca for those outside of Toronto, so hometown fans of Vancouver's delegates can cheer them on from home.

Watch the semifinalists sets below.