BVTV makes comedy net 'Laugh'
The show was originally developed as a possible companion to Buena Vista's other cable gameshow, "Debt," which BVTV had considered selling in domestic syndication this fall. Those plans were placed on the back burner after the anticipated gameshow revival failed to materialize.
Michael Davies, senior vice president of programming at BVTV, said "Debt" could still be taken into syndication for 1998, but he expects "Make Me Laugh" to remain on Comedy Central for a number of years. The cable network will pay a license fee to BVTV that covers the show's production costs. While it's a break-even proposition domestically, the format also could be licensed overseas.
"For all of these shows, our eventual goal is syndication, but we need the chance to get this up and running," Davies said. "When 'Politically Incorrect' went from Comedy Central to ABC, it forever took the stigma off of a cable show's ability to later run on broadcast TV."
"Make Me Laugh" will be produced by Dove Four Point Entertainment and will air weekdays at 7 p.m. on Comedy Central. As an updated version of the game that aired in the 1950s and 1970s, contestants must try to avoid laughing at three different comedians.
The show will be taped in front of a live audience and will be hosted by Ken Ober of MTV's "Remote Control." Production begins March 4 at the Production Group in Hollywood. Executive producers are Ron Ziskin and Jim Mahoney. Andrew Golder, Mort Green and Reinette Heartstone-Foster are co-executive producers. Golder is Buena Vista TV's inhouse gameshow producer, and he will continue executive producing "Debt."
In addition to those two games, BVTV is developing three or four other games, Davies said, with another cable sale expected shortly.
