by When I launched this site, oh so many days ago, people in the comedy festival business wondered if there’d be much of an American comedy festival business in 2008. Or at least, not the same comedy confabs that we’d become accustomed to. When last we left Las Vegas in November, though, more than a few people suspected that TBS might take over where HBO left off. And this press release from TBS confirms that, and more.
TBS not only will continue The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas this November, but also join forces with Montreal’s Just For Laughs for a summer event in Chicago.
Ellen DeGeneres will present variety shows at both fests. Why? I was at her "Really Big Show" in Vegas last November, and found it to be, well, more than a bit lacking.
At any rate. What else is in store for this summer’s Very Funny Festival? From the release: In addition to DeGeneres, there’ll be "a series of stand-up concerts by top-name comedians; the very best in improv and sketch, including a collaboration with the famed Second City comedy troupe; Latino and urban comedy extravaganzas; various other events at local comedy clubs; and a film component." There you have it. For now.
