Comedy Central Orders New Stand-Up Show

NEW YORK: Comedy Central has ordered six hour-long episodes of John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show from Avalon Television.

The series is hosted by John Oliver (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and features stand-up from some of his favorite comedians. Oliver opens each of the six episodes and introduces four stand-up guests over the hour. Paul F. Tompkins, Janeane Garofalo, Marc Maron, Brian Posehn, Kristen Schaal and Eugene Mirman close each of their episodes with extra-long sets. Other comics appearing on the series include Maria Bamford, Greg Fitzsimmons, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Nick Kroll, Matt Braunger, Hannibal Buress, Pete Holmes, Amy Schumer, Chris Hardwick, Matt McCarthy and Hari Kondabolu.

"When John Oliver said he wanted to host a stand-up series featuring his favorite comics, the only real question we had for him was ‘How soon can we do it?’” said Elizabeth Porter, the senior VP of specials and talent for Comedy Central. “He’s a staple on The Daily Show and is such an exceptional stand-up comic. It’s awesome to know our audience is going to get more of him this way."

“It’s the most worthwhile way you could spend an hour each week that doesn’t involve getting Mount Rushmore gradually tattooed across your stomach,” said Oliver.

“It’s a great pleasure to have the opportunity to produce Avalon’s first series for Comedy Central with such a brilliant comedian as John Oliver and so many other great stand-ups,” added Jon Thoday, the executive producer for Avalon Television and joint CEO of the Avalon Group.