Just for Laughs gets in on comedy-special game with Vancouver's Darcy Michael

Toronto's marquee comedy festival, JFL42, is a star-studded event that will bring names like Bill Burr, Ali Wong, John Mulaney, and Brian Posehn to Hogtown from September 21 to 30.

The event is a stepping stone in the comedy world for many up-and-coming comedians, including local acts Gavin Matts, Kyle Bottom, and Kathleen McGee, all of whom will be performing in the final round of the Sirius XM Top Comic competition on September 28. Comedian Sophie Buddle will also be in Toronto co-headlining two nights with Che Durena as part of the fete.

Another really cool Vancouver-related happening at JFL42 is that Darcy Michael (Spun Out, CBC'sThe Debaters, Diary of a Wimpy Kid) will be taping a full-hour special on September 26 at Toronto's Berkeley Church. This is the first full-hour special that Just For Laughs is producing in Canada. Fellow Canadian comics Debra DiGiovanni and Graham Chittenden will also have their sets filmed at the venue.

Comedy specials are something that have been missing in the Candian comic scene since Comedy Now! stopped producing them in 2011. While there remain a few coveted television spots at Just For Laughs' festival galas, these are only seven-minute slots.

It's surprising that Netflix, which has become a sort of comedy-special factory in recent years, has yet to produce a special with a Canadian comedian in Canada. But luckily, Just For Laughs is stepping in and doing just that. Hopefully, there will be more to come since the country is filled with amazing comedic talent.

The specials will be airing on CraveTV. No dates have been set for release.