New Brunswick – Organizers with a New Brunswick comedy festival say poor planning – and a comic with a notorious past – are the reasons the festival won’t go ahead this year.

Launched just last year, the Fredericton Comedy Festival was going to feature about 30 performers from Canada, the United States and Europe.

However, festival chairman Robb Hartlen said some of the sponsors pulled out of the event when they learned actor Ron Jeremy – known for his many appearances in porn films – would be among the international comedians on the bill.

“He’s a porn star, for lack of a better term. A lot of people get a little uneasy and they don’t want to be part of that,” said Hartlen.

Some sponsors were uncomfortable with the idea of having Jeremy in the festival, so they backed out and took their money with them.

Hartlen said rather than provide mediocre entertainment on a small budget, organizers decided to cancel the festival. He said they’ve learned a lesson.

“We have to approach our sponsors differently, we have to let them know the whole gamut of the show. And maybe just approach some sponsors for the dirty shows.”

Hartlen said another problem was that the committee waited too long to begin planning for the event. He said this January they’ll start working on the 2005 Fredericton Comedy Festival.