Franco Taddeo celebrates 25 years in comedy

This coming September, peers, friends and fans will gather together at Le Cabaret C in Laval to celebrate Franco Taddeo’s 25 years in comedy.
 
“The anniversary show was not my idea. I’m embarrassed actually. It’s humbling,” Taddeo admits.
 
But, Taddeo adds, he is honoured that some of his comedy pals have agreed to come on board to mark the occasion.
 
Taddeo is no stranger to Montreal comedy lovers. Over the years he has done his fair share of shows, including countless fundraising shows for local organizations and causes. His material examines the ups and downs of being a child of Italian immigrants in Canada.
 
“I’m unmistakably Italian, but not embarrassing. I’m truthful without being hurtful. It has to be funny first. Comedy is about punching up, not punching down,” Taddeo explains.
 
“There is a universality to ethnic comedy. We are a country of immigrants. We navigate the two cultures. We try to find the middle ground. It’s why ethnic shows do so well in Canada.”
 
How did it all start? Flashback to 1999. Taddeo was contemplating his life after divorce. He had always wanted to do comedy, but got an education and a “day job” instead. He decided it was now or never. 
 
“The nights I didn’t have the kids, I did comedy,” Taddeo explains.  “But, I kept my day job.”
 
Taddeo has headlined three national tours. He’s performed at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, the Boston Comedy Festival and the Laval Laughs Comedy Festival. He’s been featured on CBC Radio’s “The Debaters” and CBC Television’s “Whose Canada Is It?”
 
“I love being on stage, it’s instinct gratification. It’s great for the ego. No one tells you how to be, which is why most comics fail. No producer, no director telling you what to do. It’s the best job in the world! People tell me comedy is hard. No. Our immigrant parents did the hard work. What I do is not hard. But, if my kids become comics, I’ll kill them!”
 
Taddeo is the father of two adult sons and a 10-year-old son.
 
Raising two generations of kids has helped him stay topical.
 
“The comedy world changed during COVID. Social media became the outlet for new comedians. Today, there are two different styles of comedy. It’s more competitive now. Old school guys like me only do stand up. The young comics are selling shows, but… they can’t do what we do.”
 
Taddeo is spending his August touring parts of Canada. He just returned from Ottawa after headlining two shows at Yuk Yuk’s. On Thursday, August 8, Taddeo returns to ItalfestMTL for the second edition of The Italian All-stars of Comedy. 
 
On Saturday, September 21 at Le Cabaret C in Laval, Taddeo’s 25 years in comedy will be celebrated with a special toast and roast show. Produced by Kings of Little Italy, “Franco Taddeo and Friends” will be hosted by Virgin Radio’s Shannon King with guests Ben Cardilli, Wassim El-Mounzer, Pino Pirillo and Amer Rez.