Comedy Central to make new version of Impractical Jokers
The UK branch of international TV channel Comedy Central has announced it has commissioned a pilot episode for a new version of Impractical Jokers.
The format sees comedians setting each other "the most outrageous dares and uproarious stunts". The show was originally developed in America, with the US series recently proving a ratings hit on Comedy Central in the UK during repeat runs.
This is not the first time that a version of Impractical Jokers has been made for the UK though. Between 2012 and 2014, BBC Three aired two series of the format starring stand-ups Roisin Conaty, Joel Dommett, Marek Larwood and Paul McCaffrey.
The new pilot will feature Paul Biggin, Lee Griffiths, David Moon and Matt Ralph. The four comedians already know each other well, as they perform together as part of the sketch group Late Night Gimp Fight.
Comedy Central explain: "In the show, the real-life best friends challenge each other to some of the most outrageous dares and uproarious stunts ever to be caught on hidden camera. During each prank, the joker must do whatever daring deeds his three friends tell him via a secret earpiece and if he refuses, he loses.
"Filmed in various locations around London and Essex, each prank makes a mockery of one of the four friends as he attempts to pull off unbelievably awkward scenarios with members of the public, while the remaining three are watching behind the scenes in fits of laughter at their friend's expense."
The pilot is being created by Yalli Productions, the company that also produced the BBC Three version. Talking about why they've commissioned a new pilot, the channel explains: "The decision follows the ratings success of the original US Impractical Jokers on Comedy Central UK, where currently it is the channel's most popular show."
Comedy Central's Lourdes Diaz adds: "Impractical Jokers taps into the mischievous child inside many of us and we hope this new UK pilot brings our audience as many laugh out loud moments as developing the pilot brought us. We're very pleased to be in production on the new UK pilot for this hugely popular and very funny show."
Robert Gray from Yalli Productions adds: "We are thrilled to be making Impractical Jokers UK with Comedy Central UK. Lee, Matt, David and Paul have known each other for 12 years. During all this time they have performed award winning comedy on stage, as well as constantly pranking each other off it - something which makes them the perfect choice for Impractical Jokers UK."
The new pilot forms part of Comedy Central's increased investment in UK comedy. Other projects in the pipeline include new sitcoms Brotherhood and I Live With Models. Meanwhile the UK version of another American format, Drunk History, launches on the channel this month.