Jimmy Carr to present 'Science of Laughter' documentary
- Jimmy Carr is to present a TV documentary investigating comedy and laughter
- Some elements of the show have been recorded in front of a live audience
- Jimmy Carr And The Science Of Laughter: A Horizon Special will be shown on BBC Two later this year
Jimmy Carr is to present a TV documentary on the topic of "the science of laughter". The one-off programme will form part of the BBC's Horizon documentary strand and focus on the "revealing the fascinating science of laughter and comedy".
The programme, titled Jimmy Carr And The Science Of Laughter: A Horizon Special, will see the stand-up comedian investigate "What is laughter, why do we enjoy it so much and what has it got to do with comedy?", with some segments filmed in front of a studio audience.
The BBC says: "Jimmy Carr And The Science Of Laughter: A Horizon Special will be an evening of entertaining new science, exciting experiments and a whole new theory of funny. With the help of leading scientists along with Jimmy's own theories and ideas, together they will try and find answers to what laughter actually is, why we love doing it so much and why we associate laughter with being amused.
"Science contributors in the studio will include Professor Sophie Scott from University College London, who is breaking new ground in how the brain processes natural and social laughter; Professor Robin Dunbar from Oxford University, an evolutionary biologist and experimental psychologist who has a theory on why laughter was pivotal in our species development; and Professor Pete McGraw from University of Colorado, a psychologist who claims his controversial theory explains all comedy."
Speaking about the documentary, Jimmy Carr jokes: "Many Worlds Theory states that in an infinite universe there will be one planet on which I'm presenting Horizon. I can't believe your luck - it's this one."
Andrew Cohen, Head of BBC Science, labels the documentary "an unexpected but brilliant collaboration between BBC Science and Comedy." He adds: "Science and, of course, comedy are such a central part of British culture, it's great to see these two worlds collide with a project that will be as entertaining as it is informative."
The documentary will be broadcast as part of the BBC's forthcoming Landmark Sitcom Season. Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, says: "This Horizon special complements our sitcom season perfectly. Our national sense of humour defines and shapes us, so who better than Jimmy Carr to explore what tickles us and help to get under the skin of what is unique about British comedy."
Steve Crabtree, Horizon Series Editor, says: "For over 60 years, Horizon has communicated complex science in new and innovative ways; this special will explore what laughter is and why we enjoy it so much - with some of the foremost scientists in the field trying to help Jimmy, and our studio audience, find answers through conversation and experiment."
In 2006, Jimmy Carr collaborated with Lucy Greeves to publish The Naked Jape. The widely-praised book examined the history of humour and analysed what makes a good joke.
June is a busy month for Jimmy Carr. Not only does he continue to tour his 'Greatest Hits' stand-up show in the UK (Tickets), he is also performing his Funny Business show abroad. Last weekend he was in Belgium, the 23rd country he has performed in this year, causing him to remark on Twitter: "I have a carbon footprint like a Wookie."
Carr is also set to film more episodes of 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown later this month in Salford (tickets).