What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1139236
BY KYLA BREWER TV Media A fter months of hard- hitting dramas domi- nating the airwaves, the sunny days of summer give way to light- hearted 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 comedy in the premiere of "Bring the Funny," airing Tuesday, July 9, on NBC. Co- median Amanda Seales ("In- secure") hosts as comedy acts of all sorts take the stage in the hopes of winning the life-al- tering $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 featuring standup comics, "Bring the Funny" goes be- yond standup to feature a vari- ety of comedy styles. In addi- tion to standup comedy per- formers, the show shines a spotlight on sketch comedy troupes, musical comedy acts, magicians, puppeteers, vaude- ville performers, YouTubers and more. In a February article by the Hollywood Reporter, NBC ex- ecutive Meredith Ahr ex- plained why the new competi- tion 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 features a panel of judges who will weigh in on the acts after they've performed. "Bring the Funny's" judges include "Sat- urday Night Live's" Kenan Thompson, who holds the re- cord as the legendary sketch comedy show's longest-serv- ing cast member, having joined the cast back in 2003. His extensive experience in sketch comedy makes him an excellent candidate to deter- mine what's funny. Standup comedian, author and TV personality Jeff Fox- worthy ("The Jeff Foxworthy Show") also sits on the judg- ing panel. Famous for his "you might be a redneck if " one-lin- ers, 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. CR O SS W O R D S S UDO KU W O R D SE A RC H T V & M O V I ES A/Filler 5 x 3 Laugh it up IT'S EASY! Just go to nwaonline.com, click on "Photos" in the top menu bar and use the search to fi nd the photo you want. Then just click "Purchase" for sizing options. You can also have the image put on a co ee mug, mouse pad, key tag, holiday ornament and more! Check it out! Do you know someone featured in a photo in our newspaper or on our website? DID YOU KNOW those images are available for purchase?