Actor and comedian Bill Bellamy proves that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas, as host of the highly-anticipated fourth season of the hit original comedy competition series, Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes? Produced on location from Las Vegas at the Luxor Hotel, the show makes its hilarious return to TV One on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Who's Got Jokes? wouldn't be complete without Bellamy's returning cohorts Rodney Perry and Tommy Ford. Perry is the "Man on the Street," performing hilarious sketches and interviewing contestants and Las Vegas visitors. The newly-dubbed "Croupier of Comedy," Ford decides whether contestants should lose points if their comedy routine veers into raunchy territory or exceeds the time limit.
The production design evokes a classic Vegas vibe, and it's the perfect setting for Bellamy and company to mine the famous strip's iconic history for unforgettable laughs. Bellamy keeps the show on track and the comics on their toes with his hilarious brand of in-your-face comedy, while Perry keeps the audience in stitches with skits tied to Vegas entertainment and legends. His impressions include hysterical twists on everyone from boxing titan Don King, to illusionist Criss Angel, Siegfried and Roy, the Blue Man Group, Elvis Presley, and many others. Even the controversial, self-proclaimed "King of R&B" Bobby Brown and celebrated UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian stop by to join in the fun.
"Season 4 is by far our best effort," said Bellamy, who serves as executive producer in addition to his hosting duties. "Amazing impromptu moments, celebrity judges, and Vegas baby! It's going to be crazy funny!!!!!! The best crop of talent mixed with the best host in the game! Let the laughs begin."
"We finally got it right," added executive producer Ralph Farquhar. "Season 4 is our biggest, baddest, classiest yet. If you're a comedy fan, you don't want to miss hanging out with the 'laugh pack,' Tommy, Rodney, and the leader, Bill Bellamy in fabulous Las Vegas."
And even in Sin City the Who's Got Jokes 'no cursing' rule is still in effect. As in previous seasons comics have to keep it clean or lose points for profanity and/or sexually suggestive routines. Contenders can also rack up additional points by a show of applause from audience members known as the "Who's Got Jokes 100." It's a gamble that Bellamy warns some performers to consider carefully; if "the 100" don't respond favorably, points will be deducted instead.
Despite the point power given to these special audience members, comics must also impress a panel of judges. The premiere episode features celebrity guest judges Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game), R&B singer and reality show star Ray J (For the Love of Ray J), and Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show). Subsequent episodes feature appearances by actresses Kym Whitley and LisaRaye McCoy, former NBA baller Eric Snow, and veteran comedian George Wallace -- the new Mr. Las Vegas -- who takes time out to trade "yo mama" jokes and mentor some of the contestants. A special "fight night" theme for the finals brings out former heavyweight champs Evander Holyfield and Lamon Brewster, as well as female boxing champ Mia St. John to serve on the judging panel.
Each episode features two rounds of competition -- in round one, comics perform their best 3 minutes of material to try to generate maximum laughs and a perfect score from the judges. In round two, a series of unpredictable challenges require performers to show and prove their improv skills with schemes designed to test each comic's mettle. Segments such as the "Wheel of Topics" call for them to create a 3-minute routine on the spot, based on randomly selected subjects. Without knowing what to expect, competitors have to think on their feet and showcase serious comedic chops to stay in the running for the Who's Got Jokes championship and their very own comedy special on TV One.
"We are the only show in town that throws the hardest curveballs at our comedians," explained Bellamy. "The challenges are tough and really divide the men from the boys!! You know it's coming, you just don't know what it will be. That's the fun of it!"
Since launching his career as a VJ on MTV Jams, Bellamy has been a mainstay in the comedy, film and television business for nearly two decades. Bellamy has starred in such feature films as Oliver Stone's acclaimed Any Given Sunday, How to Be a Player and The Brothers. His TV career includes a starring role on the FOX series Fastlane, and he served the past two seasons as host of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Bellamy continues to perform his unforgettable stand-up routines to sold-out crowds worldwide.
The ten-episode, one-hour series is produced for TV One by Farcor Productions, LLC. Executive producers are Ralph Farquhar, Dwayne Corbitt and Bill Bellamy. Co-executive producers are Carl Craig and Rikki Hughes, and the series is directed by Brian Campbell. The show was created by Ralph Farquhar.
Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvoneonline.com) serves more than 48.3 million households (Nielsen Aug. 2009 estimate), offering a broad range of entertainment, reality and lifestyle -oriented original programming, classic series, movies, and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult African American viewers. TV One's investors include Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK; www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets African American and urban listeners; Comcast Corporation [NASDAQ: CMCSA and CMCSK; www.comcast.com], the leading cable television company in the country; The DirecTV Group; Constellation Ventures; Syndicated Communications; and Opportunity Capital Partners.
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