“This is by far the most stressful show I’ve done in my life. Quebec comedian Jean-Michel Martel, known for his absurd visual gags, managed to reach the semi-finals of France has an unbelievable talent, where it received rave reviews from judges Sugar Sammy and Éric Antoine. His adventure, however, ended last night.
Nothing predestined Jean-Michel Martel to be a hit in Europe. The 30-year-old up-and-coming comedian, who obtained a bachelor’s degree in plastic arts education before graduating from the National School of Humor in 2019, has stood out in several ComediHa and Just for Laughs galas. However, we did not see his very offbeat numbers crossing borders. We were royally mistaken.
It was at the request of its manager, Jeff Bathurst, that Martel sent three videos to the France has an unbelievable talent, earlier this year. “I thought it was going to be an absurd experience,” he told the Journal.
Photo courtesy Teddy Attia / M6
He got a positive response from production fairly quickly and by the end of October he was flying to France. There, he first participated in the television auditions in front of the four judges (Sugar Sammy, Éric Antoine, Hélène Segara, Marianne James) and the public.
The comedian delivered his number of the drawing course which has worked very well in Quebec in recent years. He spoke with his Quebec accent and only changed two words (“vest” for “suit” and “pinotte” for “peanut”). The judges loved it. “It’s a number I did during the Tournée des graduants [de l’École de l’humour], he said. He was super polished. »
“It was mission accomplished”
He then returned to Quebec and it was only a few weeks later that he learned that he was going to the semi-finals. The show, also recorded last month, was broadcast yesterday on M6.
Still opting for a visual number, Jean-Michel Martel decided to present a PowerPoint “training” on… “how to speak in public without using a PowerPoint”. The three humorous judges (Sugar Sammy, Éric Antoine and Alex Reed Kyan Khojandi) were all very complimentary
“I thought it was wonderful,” said Sammy. It feels good to see a comedian in the semi-finals with a great number. “Sincerely, well done. It was super thin, super well written,” Kyan said. “I think I would fight for you, because I think you have your place in the final, added Éric. It was excellently written, excellently acted. »
Despite these comments, it was not enough to make it through to the final. “Honestly, for me at that time, it was mission accomplished,” says Jean-Michel. “All I wanted was not to screw up, whether I made it to the final or not. I just didn’t want to humiliate myself, for no one to understand the level and for the number to be awkward. »
Switzerland and web series
Since the broadcast of the semi-final, Jean-Michel has received several messages on social networks from people asking him to go and play in Paris. “I would like to go there for a residency of a week or two next year,” he says. But the game plan is not yet done at this level. »
At the end of the week, the comedian will make a return trip to Switzerland where he will take part in the closing gala of the Montreux Comedy festival. Since the event has a very popular YouTube channel, he hopes to gain more fans in the Francophonie.
Photo courtesy Teddy Attia / M6
As for Quebec, Jean-Michel Martel will take part in the filming, in January, of a new web series that he wrote himself. He will be featured there in five or six short episodes. The comedian also hopes to be able to present a solo show next summer at various festivals in the province.
