BBC Presents: Stand Up For Live Comedy will start filming on 1 September in six different cities across the UK, with a mission to kick start live stand-up comedy again.
Coming soon to BBC Three, the shows will air weekly with a repeat on BBC One the following week. Each show will feature a comedian local to the area as host, together with up to three other comics. The series will showcase the talents of Jamali Maddix (Live at the Apollo), Fern Brady (Live from the BBC), Paddy Raff (The Paddy Raff Show) and Jayde Adams (Crazy Delicious), with further names to be announced very soon.
The first show was recorded in South East London on 1st September at Vinegar Yard, hosted by Jamali Maddix. Five further shows will be recorded throughout September - in Scotland the show will be hosted by Fern Brady; in Belfast at CARGO by Vertigo, Paddy Raff will MC and Jayde Adams will take care of proceedings at Bristol’s Lakota Gardens. Darren Harriott hosted the Birmingham gig. Details of the final recording will be announced soon.
Stand-up comedy is a vital part of our British culture, and BBC Comedy, BBC Three and BBC Studios have joined forces to support grassroots comedy talent in light of the significant impact Covid-19 has had on the stand-up comedy industry.
The six-part series is co-produced by Phil McIntyre Television and BBC Studios who will distribute the series globally. It has been commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy, and Fiona Campbell, Controller of BBC Three, and continues the BBC’s commitment to nurturing new talent and showcasing the best diverse regional comedy in the UK.
Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy, says: “It’s been the roughest time for live comedy on record and finally we can be the first broadcaster to bring audiences and comedians together in the same place again as nothing beats the magic of shared laughter. The UK comedy circuit is the best in the world and it’s vital that we continue to support emerging comedy talent and help launch those stars of tomorrow. Our national shared sense of humour is a crucial way to deal with adversity and remind everyone there is solidarity and much needed cheer coming to your screens soon.”
Fiona Campbell, Controller of BBC Three, says: “BBC Three has been involved in the careers of so many comedians that cut their teeth on the live circuit. It’s the lifeblood of the industry and we’re really pleased that we can play our part bringing live comedy and laughter back to the audience.”
Lucy Ansbro, Executive Producer, Phil McIntyre Television says: “We are delighted that the BBC have moved swiftly to support live comedy now that the government have relaxed their guidelines. We are excited to work with them to bring live entertainment back to peoples screens and back in to their lives.”
Jonathan Blyth, Director of Comedy, BBC Studios says: “British comedy is increasingly in vogue around the World with many of our gifted comics becoming global household names. I’m therefore excited to be helping to support, nurture and champion the next generation of comedy talent in these difficult times.”
The BBC Presents: Stand Up For Live Comedy production team are following the latest government guidelines on Covid-19 to ensure that the series is made safely and responsibility. Further details about the series will be announced in due course.
BBC Presents: Stand Up For Live Comedy (6x30’) is a Phil McIntyre Television and BBC Studios co-production for BBC Three. It will be executive produced by Lucy Ansbro for Phil McIntyre Television and Jonathan Blyth for BBC Studios. Kate Daughton is the BBC Comedy Commissioning Editor.
Update: more info on the acts appearing here.
Biogs
Jamali Maddix
Critically acclaimed comedian and host of Vice's 'Hate Thy Neighbour' and C4's 'Adventures in Futureland', Jamali's completely unique voice and style make him one of the most sought after comedians working today. With an assured stage presence and considered material that comes from a sharp perspective, he already has the aura of a comic well beyond his years. As seen on 'Live at the Apollo' (BBC Two), Frankie Boyle's 'New World Order' (BBC Two), '8 Out of 10 Cats' (More4), Dara O'Briain's 'Go 8-Bit' (Dave).
Fern Brady
Known for being totally unique and completely fearless, her caustic wit, exceptional writing and electric stage craft has made Fern one of the UK’s hottest comedy stars. As seen on Live from the BBC (BBC Three), Live from the Comedy Store (Comedy Central), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), and Live at the Apollo (BBC Two). Featured in Vogue as one of the Top 5 Female Comedians as well as the Telegraph’s top 5 young comedians to watch, Fern’s career has gone stratospheric in the last 18 months. She’s had viral success with her BBC Life Lessons, stormed the Australian comedy scene and supported Frankie Boyle and Katherine Ryan on tour.
Jayde Adams
Award-winning comedian and proud Bristolian Jayde Adams is an uncut gem; a force of nature; dangerous and unafraid; the future.. it’s safe to say that when Dawn French says Jayde Adams is the 3rd funniest woman in the world, she might just be onto something. Jayde’s debut Edinburgh Fringe hour, Jayde 31, was nominated for Best Newcomer in 2016, whilst her hugely successful and critically acclaimed 5 star Edinburgh Fringe show The Ballad of Kylie Jenner’s Old Face was filmed and released worldwide on Amazon Prime, renamed Serious Black Jumper. A regular on our screens, Jayde is the host of Channel 4’s brand new, high-concept food show Crazy Delicious, and the co-host of the channel’s culinary entertainment series Snackmasters. She also brought her cult live musical comedy show Amusical to the screen for the very first time on Comedy Central in 2019.
Paddy Raff
Paddy tried stand-up comedy for the first time at an open-mic night in March 2018. He quickly became a local sensation in Northern Ireland both on the stand-up circuit and further afield online creating countless viral observational and character-based sketches on his PaddyRaffComedy social media platforms, racking up millions of views. His unprecedented level of success in Belfast saw him become the biggest selling comedian in Northern Ireland within two years of taking to the stage, selling out dozens of shows with his latest stand-up show selling out five nights at the SSE Arena, Belfast. More viral content during the pandemic saw Paddy's reputation spread further to the rest of the UK and beyond, which led to BBC Northern Ireland commissioning him to create 'The Paddy Raff Show', which was broadcast on BBC One NI in July 2020.
