Bounce TV plans to debut Uptown Comic, a half-hour series featuring standup performances and skits, on June 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET, following its new original sitcom Family Time. Uptown Comic is produced by Rainforest Films, founded by Rob Hardy and Will Packer, who will be executive producers.
“We envision Uptown Comic combining the best elements of Def Comedy Jam and In Living Color,” said Packer, producer with Hardy of the movies Stomp the Yard, Obsessed and Takers, as well as Think Like a Man. “We think the series is a great jumping-off point as we develop and produce more content for Bounce TV.”
Hardy and Packer were part of the original executive leadership team for Bounce TV, which launched in September.
“Uptown Comic is just the beginning. We have many ideas in development for Bounce TV’s original programming,” added Hardy. “The network’s programming is very quickly growing into appointment viewing for the African-American community. Will and I are truly excited to have a national television outlet for our creative vision and ideas.”
Uptown Comic is being hosted by actor and comedian Joe Torry, known from Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam. The series is in production in front of a live studio audience at the Uptown Comedy Corner in Atlanta. Uptown Comic plans to feature some of the hottest up-and-coming comics in the country, the network says.
“Uptown Comic is a fresh new showcase for the next generation of break-out stars, perfectly pairing with Family Time to build Monday nights as an original programming destination for Bounce TV,” Jonathan Katz, chief operating officer of Bounce TV said in a statement. “The speed of Bounce TV’s historic growth is only accelerated by the addition of more demo-specific original programming that entertains our viewers while driving value for our affiliates and advertising partners.”
Bounce TV launched in September and is carried on the digital signal of local broadcasters. It is already available in 75% of African-American households and 60 million homes.
SOURCE- Publicist for Rodney Perry
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