Leading audio-first media company Salt and Bipoc-focused podcast company SomeFriends, today unveiled a new slate of podcasts with the goal of entertaining broad audiences while tackling the lack of diversity in podcasting and entertainment. The initial slate includes five new original podcasts covering narrative, fiction and unscripted genres with writers James Kim and Abdullah Saeed (High Maintenance) and features guests Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin (The Unofficial Expert), Ramy Youssef (Hulu’s Ramy), Nimesh Patel (Saturday Night Live) and Martin Urbano (Hulu’s This Fool).
The slate announcement comes on the heels of Lemonada Media partnering with Salt and SomeFriends to launch First, an unscripted, comedy podcast premiering November 1st. Creator and host Kareem Rahma sits down with a fellow comedian to share the story of a groundbreaking ‘first,’ a trailblazing person who was the first to break down a racial barrier in their respective field. With ‘firsts’ across business,...
The slate announcement comes on the heels of Lemonada Media partnering with Salt and SomeFriends to launch First, an unscripted, comedy podcast premiering November 1st. Creator and host Kareem Rahma sits down with a fellow comedian to share the story of a groundbreaking ‘first,’ a trailblazing person who was the first to break down a racial barrier in their respective field. With ‘firsts’ across business,...
- 9/13/2022
- Podnews.net
Exclusive: This Joka, a stand-up comedy series exec produced by Will Smith, will not be returning for a second season on Roku.
The streaming service launched the series, which came via its acquisition of short-form service Quibi, in March.
The series features a raft of stand ups including Punkie Johnson and Chris Estrada.
Deadline understands that the decision had nothing to do with the Oscars incident, where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage, but a somewhat unusual issue with timing.
Roku is believed to never really have had the option to renew the series, which is produced by Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Topgolf Entertainment Group. The option to renew lapsed before Roku launched the show, and certainly before the streamer had the chance to analyse its viewing data, meaning that it was unlikely to return for a second season on the platform.
The show...
The streaming service launched the series, which came via its acquisition of short-form service Quibi, in March.
The series features a raft of stand ups including Punkie Johnson and Chris Estrada.
Deadline understands that the decision had nothing to do with the Oscars incident, where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage, but a somewhat unusual issue with timing.
Roku is believed to never really have had the option to renew the series, which is produced by Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Topgolf Entertainment Group. The option to renew lapsed before Roku launched the show, and certainly before the streamer had the chance to analyse its viewing data, meaning that it was unlikely to return for a second season on the platform.
The show...
- 5/2/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Will Smith is joining the ever-growing sheaf of Hollywood talent in Quibi’s quiver.
The Jeffrey Katzenberg-founded mobile subscription service announced the acquisition of “This Joka,” a 16-episode stand-up comedy series hosted and executive produced by Smith. Quibi is set to debut next Monday, April 6, with 50-odd shows. For now, there’s no premiere date for Smith’s series.
There’s a golf tie-in: “This Joka” is a co-production of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media and Topgolf Studios, a unit of golf-venue chain Topgolf Entertainment Group. The show is shot on location at Topgolf’s Las Vegas driving-range venue and other spots across Sin City.
In the show, Smith plays host to a diverse guest list of comedians, ranging from up-and-comers to legendary performers. “This Joka” showcases their stand-up sets and will feature one-on-one conversations between Smith and the comedians plus docu-style moments shot backstage and around Vegas.
The Jeffrey Katzenberg-founded mobile subscription service announced the acquisition of “This Joka,” a 16-episode stand-up comedy series hosted and executive produced by Smith. Quibi is set to debut next Monday, April 6, with 50-odd shows. For now, there’s no premiere date for Smith’s series.
There’s a golf tie-in: “This Joka” is a co-production of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media and Topgolf Studios, a unit of golf-venue chain Topgolf Entertainment Group. The show is shot on location at Topgolf’s Las Vegas driving-range venue and other spots across Sin City.
In the show, Smith plays host to a diverse guest list of comedians, ranging from up-and-comers to legendary performers. “This Joka” showcases their stand-up sets and will feature one-on-one conversations between Smith and the comedians plus docu-style moments shot backstage and around Vegas.
- 4/2/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Quibi has acquired This Joka, a 16-episode stand-up comedy series hosted and executive produced by Will Smith. The series hails from Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Topgolf Entertainment Group.
Westbrook and Topgolf had been developing This Joka since last October as part of their partnership to create original entertainment. It marks the first series pickup for Westbrook since Terence Carter joined the company last fall as Co-President, Head Of Television.
More from DeadlineT-Mobile Us To Offer One Year Of Quibi FreeQuibi Threatened With Injunction By Eko Days Before Launch Of Jeffrey Katzenberg's Mobile ServiceQuibi Unveils Presenters & Further Details Of Daily News Show 'Around The World By BBC News'
In This Joka, Smith invites a diverse lineup of up-and-coming, established, and legendary comedians to explore the nature of comedy and its unique ability to bring people together. Shot on location at Topgolf and other popular venues across Las Vegas,...
Westbrook and Topgolf had been developing This Joka since last October as part of their partnership to create original entertainment. It marks the first series pickup for Westbrook since Terence Carter joined the company last fall as Co-President, Head Of Television.
More from DeadlineT-Mobile Us To Offer One Year Of Quibi FreeQuibi Threatened With Injunction By Eko Days Before Launch Of Jeffrey Katzenberg's Mobile ServiceQuibi Unveils Presenters & Further Details Of Daily News Show 'Around The World By BBC News'
In This Joka, Smith invites a diverse lineup of up-and-coming, established, and legendary comedians to explore the nature of comedy and its unique ability to bring people together. Shot on location at Topgolf and other popular venues across Las Vegas,...
- 4/2/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Sokol Jan 28, 2020
National Lampoon finds corporate sponsors for its Downfall Festival in Lemmings: 21st Century.
National Lampoon flayed the peace and love generation when a million Lemmings showed up to off themselves at a free concert. The National Lampoon franchise, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will send a new wave over the cliff. The iconic comedy brand is rebooting their legendary Off-Broadway Show with Lemmings: 21st Century.
Lemmings was a take-off of Woodstock, promising three days of peace, love and death. John Belushi was the master of ceremonies, bassist, and suicidal cheerleader for the “Woodshuck" festival. The new original musical picks up where the original left off by spoofing the corporate festival culture which has taken over musical gatherings ever since. Lemmings: 21st Century takes on modern Millennial fests like Coachella, Burning Man, Bonnaroo, and Fyre. Their fictional music gathering is called the "Downfall Festival," and it is...
National Lampoon finds corporate sponsors for its Downfall Festival in Lemmings: 21st Century.
National Lampoon flayed the peace and love generation when a million Lemmings showed up to off themselves at a free concert. The National Lampoon franchise, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will send a new wave over the cliff. The iconic comedy brand is rebooting their legendary Off-Broadway Show with Lemmings: 21st Century.
Lemmings was a take-off of Woodstock, promising three days of peace, love and death. John Belushi was the master of ceremonies, bassist, and suicidal cheerleader for the “Woodshuck" festival. The new original musical picks up where the original left off by spoofing the corporate festival culture which has taken over musical gatherings ever since. Lemmings: 21st Century takes on modern Millennial fests like Coachella, Burning Man, Bonnaroo, and Fyre. Their fictional music gathering is called the "Downfall Festival," and it is...
- 1/28/2020
- Den of Geek
Don’t laugh at him (with him is fine), but Evan Shapiro believes his new class of the “National Lampoon Radio Hour” is as talented as the original one.
“We legitimately have what I would call ‘the next class’ of the ‘Radio Hour,'” Shapiro, the former head of Seeso who now leads The National Lampoon’s rebranding, told TheWrap. “The level of talent that was represented originally, at a different stage in their careers today, reflective of their time.”
In making that big comparison, Shapiro is talking about “where they are as artists, and their voices, and where their backgrounds are from, but also in their ability to take on mainstream culture in a very subversive way,” to be as clear for readers and fair to him as possible.
Also Read: 'National Lampoon Radio Hour' Relaunches as a Podcast, Teams With Spotify to Stream Clips (Exclusive)
Names back when...
“We legitimately have what I would call ‘the next class’ of the ‘Radio Hour,'” Shapiro, the former head of Seeso who now leads The National Lampoon’s rebranding, told TheWrap. “The level of talent that was represented originally, at a different stage in their careers today, reflective of their time.”
In making that big comparison, Shapiro is talking about “where they are as artists, and their voices, and where their backgrounds are from, but also in their ability to take on mainstream culture in a very subversive way,” to be as clear for readers and fair to him as possible.
Also Read: 'National Lampoon Radio Hour' Relaunches as a Podcast, Teams With Spotify to Stream Clips (Exclusive)
Names back when...
- 12/18/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Tony Sokol Dec 17, 2019
National Lampoon Radio Hour version 2.0 will recreate the relevance of irreverence, promises Evan Shapiro.
National Lampoon magazine will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020, and its sonic counterpart, the National Lampoon Radio Hour is being rebooted for the 21st century. Starting on Dec. 19, the iconic sketch comedy troupe which introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Christopher Guest, and Gilda Radner will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast.
The new National Lampoon Radio Hour is being shaped by head writer Cole Escola and senior writer Jo Firestone. It will be performed by a new generation of groundbreaking comedians coming from the New York alt-comedy scene. The podcast will also feature guest comedians Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
The cast includes Andy Kaufman Comedy winner Brett Davis (Podcast For Laundry), Rachel Pegram, Alex English, Maeve Higgins, Aaron Jackson,...
National Lampoon Radio Hour version 2.0 will recreate the relevance of irreverence, promises Evan Shapiro.
National Lampoon magazine will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020, and its sonic counterpart, the National Lampoon Radio Hour is being rebooted for the 21st century. Starting on Dec. 19, the iconic sketch comedy troupe which introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Christopher Guest, and Gilda Radner will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast.
The new National Lampoon Radio Hour is being shaped by head writer Cole Escola and senior writer Jo Firestone. It will be performed by a new generation of groundbreaking comedians coming from the New York alt-comedy scene. The podcast will also feature guest comedians Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
The cast includes Andy Kaufman Comedy winner Brett Davis (Podcast For Laundry), Rachel Pegram, Alex English, Maeve Higgins, Aaron Jackson,...
- 12/16/2019
- Den of Geek
Tony Sokol Dec 5, 2019
Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris and Jordan Klepper will guest star on the new National Lampoon Radio Hour podcast.
While much of the comedy world circumnavigates around the perilous waters of microagressions, there is at least one laughter delivery system which sails straight into it. Coming from an irreverent tradition which included an album called That's Not Funny, That's Sick, National Lampoon provides gags for an audience who can take a joke. They promise that now, as much as ever, is "time for a good laugh, again."
Starting on Dec. 19, National Lampoon Radio Hour, the iconic comedy show that introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner returns to celebrate "the next generation of young, diverse comedic superstars," according to their press. They will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast featuring special guests like Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris and Jordan Klepper will guest star on the new National Lampoon Radio Hour podcast.
While much of the comedy world circumnavigates around the perilous waters of microagressions, there is at least one laughter delivery system which sails straight into it. Coming from an irreverent tradition which included an album called That's Not Funny, That's Sick, National Lampoon provides gags for an audience who can take a joke. They promise that now, as much as ever, is "time for a good laugh, again."
Starting on Dec. 19, National Lampoon Radio Hour, the iconic comedy show that introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner returns to celebrate "the next generation of young, diverse comedic superstars," according to their press. They will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast featuring special guests like Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
- 12/5/2019
- Den of Geek
In today’s TV news roundup, “Grey’s Anatomy” star T.R. Knight joins HBO Max’s “The Flight Attendant” and Bet renewed “Games People Play.”
Casting
T.R Knight has been cast in HBO Max‘s dark comedy “The Flight Attendant.“ Knight will play Cassie’s (Kaley Cuoco) older brother, Davey. When Cassie’s life starts to unravel, Davey deals with the fallout.
Daryl McCormack has been cast opposite Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl”) in “The Wheel of Time” series adaptation at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively. McCormack is said to be appearing in three episodes of the show in an undisclosed role. The Irish actor currently recurs on “Peaky Blinders” and is repped by Echo Lake Entertainment, Independent Talent Group in the U.K., and Lisa Richards Agency in Ireland.
Renewals
Bet has renewed “Games People Play” starring Lauren London, Sarunas J. Jackson, Parker McKenna Posey, Karen Obilom and Jackie Long for a second season.
Casting
T.R Knight has been cast in HBO Max‘s dark comedy “The Flight Attendant.“ Knight will play Cassie’s (Kaley Cuoco) older brother, Davey. When Cassie’s life starts to unravel, Davey deals with the fallout.
Daryl McCormack has been cast opposite Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl”) in “The Wheel of Time” series adaptation at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively. McCormack is said to be appearing in three episodes of the show in an undisclosed role. The Irish actor currently recurs on “Peaky Blinders” and is repped by Echo Lake Entertainment, Independent Talent Group in the U.K., and Lisa Richards Agency in Ireland.
Renewals
Bet has renewed “Games People Play” starring Lauren London, Sarunas J. Jackson, Parker McKenna Posey, Karen Obilom and Jackie Long for a second season.
- 11/12/2019
- by LaTesha Harris
- Variety Film + TV
Comedy Central has announced the lineups for its January Stand-Up Month, including four new one-hour specials, and talent for a new digital series of half-hour specials under two different banners.
The January Stand-Up Month will feature new specials from Ron Funches, James Davis (Hood Adjacent with James Davis), Chris Distefano and Roy Wood Jr.. The specials will air consecutive Fridays throughout the month at 11 Pm Et/Pt.
In addition, Comedy Central’s digital series Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring will premiere January 8 on YouTube, Facebook Watch, Twitter and Instagram. The series will spotlight a new up-and-coming comedian on Tuesday and Thursday each week.
In the spirit of Adam Devine’s House Party and Live at Gotham, the series will feature short sets from some young voices. The...
The January Stand-Up Month will feature new specials from Ron Funches, James Davis (Hood Adjacent with James Davis), Chris Distefano and Roy Wood Jr.. The specials will air consecutive Fridays throughout the month at 11 Pm Et/Pt.
In addition, Comedy Central’s digital series Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring will premiere January 8 on YouTube, Facebook Watch, Twitter and Instagram. The series will spotlight a new up-and-coming comedian on Tuesday and Thursday each week.
In the spirit of Adam Devine’s House Party and Live at Gotham, the series will feature short sets from some young voices. The...
- 12/3/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
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