Comedy Central throws down the gauntlet to SA comedians

Premiering on Comedy Central in June 2016, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle is a seven-part TV series in which South Africa’s top comedians will joust against each other in a series of quick-fire comedic combats – their only weapons: original one-liners, abominable insults, jokes, and more. No physical contact is allowed. Their quest? To out-joke, out-do and ultimately defeat their comedy comrades ...

Roast Battle will be hosted by a top South African comedian and star well known stand-up comedians as the contestants, and a celebrity judging panel. In each Roast Battle, six top comedians go head-to-head, with three pairs of comedians armed with an arsenal of five jokes each with which to “burn” their opponents. The Roast Battle host, guest judges and studio audience then decide who will proceed to the next round. Six monthly heats will be followed by a grand final event at the end of the year at which Comedy Central will crown the Roast Battle champion.

Chris Forrest and Mo Mothebe will be among the six comedians battling it out in the first outing of the franchise (Thursday, 26 May), while former “Roastee” and “sushi king” Kenny Kunene will be among the celebrity judges.

Commented Evert van der Veer, vice president, Comedy Central, Africa, “Roast Battle is the perfect way of updating and rejuvenating our local stand up content, Comedy Central Presents… Live at Parker’s. This popular stand up showcase has highlighted the brilliance of many South African comedians over the last 4 years, but we felt the time was ripe for an exciting new series with a fun ‘spin’ that would spice up the South African comedy scene.”

The first episode of Comedy Central Roast Battle will be recorded in front of a live audience at Parker’s Comedy & Jive, Montecasino on Thursday, 26 May. To attend the taping, tickets are available now from Computicket, or buy them on the door at Parker’s on Thursday, 26 May. Tickets are R150. Doors open at 18:00. Over 18s only.

The first episode of Comedy Central Roast Battle premieres on Comedy Central, channel 122 on DStv on Monday, 13 June at 21:00.

For more information, visit www.comedycentralafrica.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram using the #CCRoastBattle hashtag.