OVERALL BILL BROWNSTEIN

The Montreal Gazette columnist has been covering comedy fest since Mr. Methane let it rip all those eons ago.

Wow! Not a weak act around. OK, maybe the redneck porn enthusiast, but otherwise no miss — from host Rick Mercer to hilarious high-energy neurotic Jessica Kirson to femme fatale deadpan Laura Kightlinger to cerebral Aussie Carl Barron to transplanted, weather-obsessed Canuck Arthur Simeon to acerbic political commentator W. Kamau Bell to killer closer Tom Papa, still one of the most under-appreciated comics on the continent.

Last time he hosted, Mercer came in by Canadarm. More understated this time: a horseless calèche pulled by six Mounties. But there was nothing understated about his act: “Has it ever dawned on you that your mayor hates you?” This in reference to Montreal traffic gridlock, etc. And, yes, it has dawned on us. On the origins of the word Canada: “It means these white people are planning on staying.”

Kirson on being asked who the man is in her gay partnership: “I guess it’s me. Because I don’t listen and I’m dead inside.” Barron on uncaring shrinks, and on monogamous penguins: “Why would they cheat? They all look the same.” Bell on Trump: “Completely blunting the myth of white supremacy!” Papa on everything from the joys of fat to the agony of ocean cruises: “Like floating around on a giant white toilet.”

Can’t overestimate the importance of a host who comes prepared and stays on fire. Come back any time, Rick. Same for Kirson, finally being discovered after 20 years in the trenches. And Papa, who never fails to slay and draw standing Os. And watch out for Simeon and his observations on the Canadian psyche: it’s all about the weather all the time. But it beats the psyches of some nations all to heck.