Montréal comedian Emile Khoury brings exaggerated, ironic takes on life to the stage, blending sharp cultural observations with unexpected turns that keep audiences off-balance in the best way. Influenced by the unpredictability of Action Bronson and shaped by icons like Gad El Maleh, Louis CK, and Dave Chappelle, Khoury’s comedy is deeply personal, unapologetically bold, and rooted in his heritage. A regular presence at Bordel Comédie Club, he thrives in high-energy rooms where each laugh builds toward something slightly unhinged—and entirely intentional.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Exaggerated takes on life. Ironic.
Who are some of your influences?
Action Bronson is currently one of my biggest influences, given that no sentence that comes out of his mouth is predictable.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
My ethnic background, being Lebanese and French being my first language, I was a big Gad El Maleh fan, since he was representing the Arab community internationally, and his stories were the ones that hit closest to home. But, upon dabbling more into stand-up, I became a huge Louis CK fan. Honourable mention to OG Dave Chappelle.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Tim Dillon
What is your pre-show ritual?
Before my headlining sets, I’ll do some deep stretches and have a couple sips of Negroni.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
Bordel Comédie Club. Hands down the best comedy club in Quebec. The energy in the room is unmatched. On good nights, when each joke is landing, you feel like you’re levitating.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
Asking my grandfather what love is and him telling me that love is a construct created by the jews to take over Lebanon. It hits all the notes: it’s silly, it’s personal, it’s about my heritage, it definitely catches you by surprise, it always gets a strong reaction.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I always love discovering comedians on stage. Stand-up clips have been an amazing medium to promote careers and get people to buy tickets, but they can sometimes be deceiving. A 12-second clip that gets you 1 million views is not representative of what you can do on stage. Doing shows around town, booking yourself on open mic, seeing what’s done outside of the clubs is definitely the best way to find new comedians.
Tell us a joke about your city.
Let me just upload a picture of the brand new tires I had to change last week.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Go check out Lunch Sérieux on YouTube.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Jacob Ospian
