George Stroumboulopoulos is set to stand up and host Just For Laughs Toronto — The All-Star Ethnic Show, a CBC special taping live on July 23 at Toronto’s Winter Garden Theatre during the five-day festival spun off from the popular Montreal event.

‘George is the perfect person to host this show,’ says Just For Laughs COO Bruce Hills. ‘He’s a massive, respectful fan of the stand-up comic.’

Just as big a bonus, in Hill’s eyes, is that Strombo’s pedigree as a Greek-Ukrainian-Egyptian-Canadian is ideal for a CBC-backed multiethnic show looking for global eyeballs.

Hills has a three-year deal with CBC, but is keen on going international with JFL specials. While this show is slated for a winter 2009 Canadian airing, he has his sights set on a broader horizon.

‘We want to create a special for international audiences,’ Hills says. ‘We want to gain exposure for our international artists… We’re shopping and negotiating this show in a number of territories. Nothing is confirmed, but Melbourne is looking very strong.’

According to Hills, laughs are marketable. Just For Laughs TV shows are seen in more than 125 countries and on more than 95 airlines around the world. Its stand-up shows air on MTV, Showtime, HBO, BBC America and Fox in the U.S.

‘We’ve just signed a deal with [Turner Broadcasting] to do a special in Chicago next summer, and Ellen DeGeneres is hosting it,’ he adds. JFL is partnering with TBS, Chicago-based Jam Productions, LTD and Outback Concerts.

Just For Laughs Toronto — The All-Star Ethnic Show will feature ethnic comics Jo Koy, Joe DeRosa, Sugar Sammy, KT Tatara, Al Madrigal and Gina Yashere, and musical duo The Doo-Wops.