Comedy Central pilots Joke Thieves’ transatlantic version – News
Comedy Central is piloting a transatlantic TV version of the Joke Thieves stand-up show, in which British and American comics perform their routines, the British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.
Hosted by American comedian Ron Funches (pictured), the format was created by British comedian Will Mars.
It was originally flown for television in 2014 by BBC Two with production company The Comedy Unit and hosted by Hal Cruttenden. The company also ran its sister show Sketch thieves, however, neither was chosen for the series.
Now Comedy Central is giving Joke Thieves an international twist with comics on both sides of the Atlantic, with a pilot produced by Hat Trick Productions (Have I Got News For You, Derry Girls).
The live format sees four or six actors introduced and then split into pairs. In the first half of every show, the comics have to interpret their own material. Then in the second, they must recreate the act of their opponent.
First presented at London’s Downstairs at the King’s Head comedy club in 2013, the live show debuted at Edinburgh Fringe two months later and has been a regular festival fixture ever since, with the arrival of the spin-off Sketch Thieves in 2015.
Joke Thieves has been featured in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Norway and Iceland, and Mars will this year host a race at the Edinburgh Fringe, August 7-29 at Laughing Horse @ The Location of the Counting House.
The Independent described the appeal of the live show as “obvious,” saying it “gives audiences a glimpse of how it works behind the mic stand. as they step up a second time around with unfamiliar setups and punchlines.
“The best part is that it really brings out the competitive side of the comedians. Determined that someone else doesn’t make more laughs than them, comedians often perform their most difficult to imitate in the first half. “
The Scotsman said, “Despite the obvious clash of styles, as the dry, one-line comics attempt to channel the humor of the flamboyant musical tricks, the original performer will often choose to deliver his most idiosyncratic sets. observation which plays its heavy social awkwardness is suddenly daring to become a cartoon of props manipulating playing cards with nimble fingers.
However, the basic premise of the series is so solid that there is a license to recreate, exaggerate, parody, deconstruct or just ruthlessly shatter into pieces whatever aspect of their entire opponent they choose. . “
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