cover story
Summer of funny
Comedy acts compete in NBC’s ‘Bring the Funny’
By Kyla Brewer
TV Media
A
fter months of hard-hitting
dramas dominating the
airwaves, the sunny days of sum-
mer give way to lighthearted
prime-time fare, and one network
is about to bring a whole lot of
laughs to TV viewers with its new
comedy competition series.
Performers set out to prove
they’ve got what it takes to make
it in the cutthroat world of com-
edy in the premiere of “Bring the
Funny,” airing Tuesday, July 9, on
NBC. Comedian Amanda Seales
(“Insecure”) hosts as comedy
acts of all sorts take the stage
in the hopes of winning the life-
altering $250,000 grand prize
and the once-in-a-lifetime op-
portunity to perform at the iconic
Just for Laughs comedy festival.
While there have been other
comedy competition series fea-
turing standup comics, “Bring
the Funny” goes beyond standup
to feature a variety of comedy
styles. In addition to standup
comedy performers, the show
shines a spotlight on sketch
comedy troupes, musical comedy
acts, magicians, puppeteers,
vaudeville performers, YouTubers
and more.
In a February article by the Hol-
lywood Reporter, NBC executive
Meredith Ahr explained why the
new competition series includes
more than just standup comedy.
“Great comedians know how
to make us laugh while serving
as a reflection of the times, and
we are excited to embrace and
support the myriad of ways funny
people bring us levity and humor
today,” Ahr said.
Like many other reality TV
competition series, the show fea-
tures a panel of judges who will
weigh in on the acts after they’ve
performed. “Bring the Funny’s”
judges include “Saturday Night
Live’s” Kenan Thompson, who
holds the record as the legendary
sketch comedy show’s longest-
serving cast member, having
joined the cast back in 2003. His
2 | Screentime
extensive experience in sketch
comedy makes him an excellent
candidate to determine what’s
funny.
Standup comedian, author
and TV personality Jeff Foxworthy
(“The Jeff Foxworthy Show”) also
sits on the judging panel. Famous
for his “you might be a redneck
if” one-liners, he’s well versed
in how to get laughs out of an
audience. In fact, as a former Just
for Laughs performer, he has first-
hand insight into what it takes to
keep audiences engaged.
The third member of the judg-
ing panel is model, author and
activist Chrissy Teigen (“Lip Sync
Battle”). Described as a “cultural
tastemaker” in an official news
release about the new show,
Teigan has her finger on the pulse
of pop culture.
Each of the judges brings a
unique perspective to the panel,
but their job won’t be easy. Pro-
ducers have lined up an eclectic
mix of 40 different comedy acts
to vie for the coveted prize.
These hopefuls, along with
many more, will compete in four
rounds of competition in the
summer series. The fun kicks off
with an Open Mic round, fol-
lowed by a Comedy Clash and
then a Showcase. In the end,
American TV viewers will get to
vote for their favorite act in the
live Finale. The winner will walk
away with the $250,000 prize
package and a gig at the 2020
Just for Laughs Festival. The
world-renowned festival has fea-
tured some of the biggest names
in comedy since its inception in
1983, and could lead to even
more success for the “Bring the
Funny” champ.
NBC is no stranger to comedy
competitions. The network was
the home of the standup comedy
talent search competition “Last
Comic Standing,” which spanned
nine seasons off and on between
2003 and 2015. Over the course
of its run, the show featured
then up-and-coming comedians
such as Amy Schumer (“Inside
Amy Schumer”), Tig Notaro (“Tig
July 3, 2019 | East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald
Kenan Thompson is a judge in “Bring the Funny”
Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted”), day, July 11. Jane Lynch (“Glee”)
Gabriel Iglesias (“Gabriel Igle-
returns to host this hilarious
sias: I’m Not Fat, I’m Fluffy”) and
game show in which two contes-
Nikki Glaser (“Not Safe with Nik- tants play party games alongside
ki Glaser”). Interestingly, none of
celebrities.
these now prominent comedians
Each of the contestants teams
won their seasons.
up with three stars as they go
The peacock network is known head to head in a series of goofy
for keeping things light in the
games to score points. The games
summer, and viewers looking for
vary widely in scope, from pop
more laughs can tune in to the
culture questions and wordplay
season premiere of “Hollywood
to physical challenges and timed
Game Night,” which airs Thurs-
tasks. After five rounds of play,
the contestant whose team has
amassed the most points chooses
a celebrity to tackle the bonus
round in the hopes of winning
$25,000. Meanwhile, the chosen
celeb competes to win $10,000
for the charity of their choice.
Since its premiere in the sum-
mer of 2013, “Hollywood Game
Night” has been a hit with game
show fans and critics, and it has
garnered respectable ratings for
a summer series. The show has
won the Writers Guild of America
Award for Quiz and Audience
Participation three consecutive
times, and Lynch has won two
Emmys for Outstanding Host for
a Reality or Reality-Competition
Program.
Viewers looking for laughs
this summer may want to check
out “Bring the Funny” and “Hol-
lywood Game Night,” airing
Tuesday, July 9, and Thursday, July
11, on NBC.