Jarred Christmas to star in new CBBC jokes show
Jarred Christmas has been named as the host and star of a new childrens' comedy series for CBBC.
The Joke Machine will see Christmas star as the Joke Master, in search of the UK's best jokes across the nation's playgrounds.
A 50-part series of five-minute episodes has been produced by the Scottish arm of Liberty Bell, the factual and entertainment arm of comedy management and production company Avalon. Liberty Bell's previous credits include Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish.
Producers describe the series as follows: "The Joke Machine is an interplanetary craft manned by the Joke Master, played by Jarred Christmas, who is in search of the UK's best jokes. Where better to look than the school playground?
"In each episode, children from two schools are beamed up into the Joke Machine and compete to tell the best jokes. However, if they fail to amuse the Joke Master they get a comedy punishment."
CBBC Controller Cheryl Taylor says: "Kids really love laughing and sharing jokes and this series captures all the fun of playground punchlines. The short, snappy comedy is great entertainment for our young audience and viewers will love seeing a favourite pastime reflected on TV."
Jamie Isaacs, executive producer for Liberty Bell, added: "It's a really simple and funny format that all children can take part in. It's really exciting to be working with Jarred and he brings a special touch of madness and unpredictability to the project."
The series is begins broadcasting on Monday 26th May, at various times.
The Joke Machine is also the title of another childrens' comedy series, which ran on ITV for three series from 1985. Hosted in its first series by The Krankies, in its second by Andrew O'Connor and in its third and final run by Jimmy Cricket, The Joke Machine mixed stand-up and sketch comedy, and featured a mechanical joke-teller. It was produced by England/Scotland border region franchise holder Border Television.
Here is a clip of Jarred Christmas performing a stand-up routine on BBC Three's Russell Howard's Good News, a production of Liberty Bell parent company Avalon Television: