'The Funny Spot' comedy series with Tony Rock debuts on TV One this week

(January 14, 2008) TV One brings the hottest, freshest comics to television with a new original series, The Funny Spot, hosted by Tony Rock, also known to viewers as Dirk Black in the hit sitcom "All of Us." Offering a spotlight for comedians with a unique perspective of the world, The Funny Spot is a weekly comedy destination featuring keen and hilarious observances of everyday life - both on and off stage.

The series, which premieres Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 10-11 PM ET, also includes glimpses of the action behind-the-scenes, as well as a regular segment, "On the Spot," where the performers answer tough questions from Tony and the audience.

"The opportunity to host The Funny Spot and showcase such undeniable talent is very exciting," said Rock. "We’re also doing something a little different by providing viewers with a glimpse of the total comedy experience, not just what they normally see on stage. The backstage moments give viewers an authentic perspective of how comics interact, what challenges we face before going on, and how we feel after appearing on stage."

The series is executive produced for TV One by Tony Rock and the Comedy Union owner Enss Mitchell, along with Jamie Balthazar and Gina Holland of Ruby Red Media, Inc., the top comedy programming duo responsible for the development of hits including BET's "Comic View" hosted by Sheryl Underwood, "The Comedy Awards," "Coming to the Stage," and most recently, the internet comedic reality show, Kym Whitley's "Hollywood Hustle."

"The Funny Spot presents standup comedy with topics that will resonate with our grownup audience," said TV One Executive Vice President of Programming and Production Rose Catherine Pinkney. "The comics talk about relationships, the challenges of parenting, marriage, divorce, working and much more. These are comics with hilarious perspectives on the realities of adult life. In addition, the reality segments from behind-the-scenes give viewers the chance to really get to know the comedians."

Comics set to perform on the show include, "Last Comic Standing" finalists Geoff Brown, Corey Holcomb and Retha Jones, who also appeared in the smash hit movie "Beauty Shop," as well as Joe Clair, Rudy Rush, Alex Thomas, Franklyn Ajaye, Chris Spencer, Michael Colyar, Esau McGraw, David Arnold, and Rodney Perry. Old friends like Damon Wayans and Kevin Hart will also drop by to visit.

As host, Tony will open the show each week with his own brand of standup that draws from his rich personal experiences, beginning with the instinct to stay alive in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood where he grew up in a household with seven brothers and one sister. An up-and-coming star, Tony was picked as one of the hot young talents to come out of New York in 2001 by The Hollywood Reporter. He is a headliner at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles and performs regularly at The Comedy Store, The Improv and Icehouse as well as Comic Strip, Caroline’s and Stand-Up New York.

No stranger to television, Tony has hosted shows such as Comedy Central’s "Battle Botts" and Oxygen’s "Can You Tell," in addition to his regular role in "All of Us" from 2003-2007, which now airs on TV One weeknights at 7 PM and midnight ET. Rock is also featured in the to-be-released movie, "Three Can Play That Game" with Vivica A. Fox, and Jason Winston George and has appeared in films like "Life Support," starring Queen Latifah, and "Homie Spumoni" with Donald Faison, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Whoopie Goldberg. Filmed at the Comedy Union, a top, black-owned comedy club in Los Angeles, The Funny Spot brings the atmosphere of an intimate club to the living room.

 The Funny Spot will also repeat at 1 AM on Saturday nights, with additional airings on Wednesdays at 10 PM and 1 AM, and Fridays at 10 AM and 2 AM (all times ET).


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