August 5, 2021 British Comedy Guide
Joke Thieves gets a UK and US TV Pilot
Comedy Central is piloting a transatlantic TV version of hit stand-up show Joke Thieves, in which British and American comics perform each others' routines, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.Hosted by American comic Ron Funches (pictured), the format was created by British comedian Will Mars.It was originally piloted for television in 2014 by BBC Two with production company The Comedy Unit and hosted by Hal Cruttenden. The corporation also piloted its sister show Sketch Thieves, however neither was picked up for series.Now, Comedy Central is is giving Joke Thieves an international twist with comics from 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 comedians introduced and then split into pairs. In the first half of each show, comics must perform their own material. Then in the second, they must recreate the act of their opponent.First staged at London comedy club Downstairs at the King's Head in 2013, the live show made its Edinburgh Fringe debut two months later and has been a regular fixture at the festival since, with the Sketch Thieves spin-off arriving in 2015.Joke Thieves has been staged in the US, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Norway and Iceland, and Mars will be hosting a run at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, from the 7th of August to the 29th at the Laughing Horse @ The Counting House venue. Click Here For Article