So you think stand-up is easy
Celebrity + comedian = Famous Last Words, a new ‘fun’ show from Comedy Central
Jeannie D
IT IS said laughter is the best medicine. That is why Comedy Central Africa has taken its dose of laughter a step further and is introducing a new show Famous Last Words, to air for the first time tomorrow at 9pm.
The show pairs local celebrities of different disciplines with South Africa’s most loved comedians for various challenges, while also preparing them for a grand charity ball to be held later this year for the Smile Foundation.
The celebrities include radio jock Khanyi Mbau, Idols SA presenter Proverb, Masterchef SA judge Benny Masekwameng; media personalities Kuli Roberts and John Robbie; Isidingo actor Robert Whitehead and former Bafana Bafana player Mark Williams.
They will team up with Jason Goliath, John Vlismas, Casper de Vries, Rob van Vuuren, Nina Hastie, Kagiso Lediga, Mpho Popps and Joey Rasdien.
The show also seeks to exhibit another side of the comedians away from the stage so viewers get a glimpse into their world.
“Anyone can tell a funny joke at Christmas dinner to the family, but would you be able to stand up to the pressure at a comedy club when it’s just you, a mic and a spotlight? Would you raise a laugh, silence or, worse, boos?
“During the show, the pair gets to know each other and bond while the comedian is also put through various tasks,” says Dillon Khan, vice-president of Comedy Central Africa and creative services VIMNA.
“From there, they go to the Comedy Central writing room to write their stand-up set that the celebrity will deliver live at a comedy club. We wanted to showcase the talent of South African comedians to a wider audience. What better way than to show well-known celebrities having a go – proving it is not as easy as it seems.”
The pairing is of totally opposite personalities brings jaw-dropping shock and cringeworthy moments; along with laughter and entertainment, says Dillon.
“Expect to see great pairings of celebrities and comedians who share different worlds but when they come together they make for must-see TV.”
Jeannie D, who is paired with funny-man Jason Goliath and will star in the first episode tomorrow, is excited at her involvement in the show saying, “What a show! What an experience.”
“It’s such a treat to spend the day with one of the funniest guys in the country… nonstop laughs. I haven’t felt challenged to do something crazy in a while and this certainly got my nerves scrambling,” she says.
The 35-year-old TV personality says the hardest thing for her was finding elements of comedy within herself.
“It’s one thing being able to tell stories and communicate with an audience on a variety of topics… it’s something totally different and extremely difficult when you have to do it about yourself.”
She also walked away from the show feeling empowered, had learnt how to calm her nerves for a better performance and also had “a fresh understanding on telling a story and understanding my own comedic timing”.
Jason, on the other hand, commends the concept that, in his opinion, came together beautifully. The comedian describes the show as being simply fun.
“Two people from similar yet completely different worlds who respect each other in their respective fields. It’s essentially a microwaved friendship that ends with a celebrity doing stand-up comedy for the first time in their lives. It’s a fun show.”
@Amandamaliba Jason Goliath