ITV1 to launch hunt for new stand-up comedy star
ITV has commissioned a new comedy series which aims to discover a new stand-up comedy star.
Show Me The Funny (a working title), will be a seven-part series for the network's main channel, ITV1. The format will see 10 new comedians travelling to different parts of the country and immersing themselves in a section of local life (from rugby players one week, to a hen party the next).
Each of the episodes, which will be an hour-long and broadcast in prime-time, will follow the comedians as they write and perform a new stand-up set based on their experiences that week. By the end of the series, one comedian will be crowned 'The Next Big Stand-Up'. They will win a tour, their own DVD and a cash prize.
Show Me The Funny is being made by Big Talk Productions, the production company behind BBC sitcoms Him & Her and Rev, and Channel 4's forthcoming series, Friday Night Dinner.
The producers are currently looking for comedians to take part. Most of the acts selected will likely to have been performing on the comedy circuit for at least a couple of years, but there is space for people with less or no experience. Big Talk says: "We're looking for unknown and relatively new comedians that might not necessarily have even done a gig before but might just have what it takes. You might have played at your local open mic night or have people rolling in the aisles when you give a speech at your yearly conference. Or maybe you write sketches that have never seen the light of day? Whatever your experience is, if you would like the opportunity to see if you really do have what it takes to make it as professional stand-up then we want to hear from you."
The company will be holding casting sessions in March 2011. For more information, or to apply to be on the show email funny@bigtalkproductions.com or call Danni on 020 7612 3245 or Freddie on 020 7612 3047.
ITV4 recently broadcast FHM's Stand Up Hero, a studio-based show in which comedians competed for a £10,000 prize. Up-and-coming comedian Josh Widdicombe was crowned the winner.