Stars to Head to Montreal for Laughs

Tim Allen, William Shatner, ``King of Queens'' star Kevin James, Monty Python's Eric Idle and ``Family Feud's'' Louie Anderson are among the stars heading to Montreal for the 18th edition of the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival July 13-23.

The lineup for the event was unveiled at a press conference Monday in Montreal. The event drew more than 1 million people to its indoor and outdoor shows last summer and remains one of the key laugh festivals on the continent.

James, former Montrealer Shatner, Idle, Allen, and Anderson will each be hosting galas at the St. Denis Theater, which are the main comedy showcases at the festival. Other performers slated to appear at the festival include D.L. Hughley from ``The Hughleys,'' ``Saturday Night Live'' alumni Jim Breuer and Rich Hall, Bob Saget, Kathy Kinney from ``The Drew Carey Show,'' U.K. comic Harry Hill, former ``Conan O'Brien'' regular Andy Richter, Pauly Shore, pop star Kim Stockwood, Bobby Slayton, Dom Irrera, Andy Kindler, Jeff Rothpan and Suzanne Westenhoeffer.

Christopher Titus will perform his solo show ``Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding,'' which inspired his hit midseason Fox sitcom ``Titus.'' In addition, San Francisco puppeteer Basil Twist will bring his underwater puppet/music/dance show, ''Symphonie Fantastique,'' for a 20-day run at the Monument National. The festival will also host the North American premiere of ``Gumboots!,'' a South African-flavored song-and-dance show featuring a cappella singing and contemporary percussion.

The festival has an expanded film section this year following its recent merger with Montreal genre-film festival Fantasia.

The film programs include short-picture section ``Eat My Shorts''; a showcase of nine features, ``Comedia''; and ``Comedy Classics,'' which will this year pay tribute to Buster Keaton.

There is also a parallel French-language festival, Juste Pour Rire, with performances by Franco funnymen Anthony Kavanagh, Michel Boujenah, Normand Brathwaite, Martin Petit, Mario Jean, and Maxim Martin.