Ali Al Sayed will host of the new stand-up show Comedy Central presents. Pawan Singh / The National
Ali Al Sayed will host of the new stand-up show Comedy Central presents. Pawan Singh / The National

Comedy Central set to launch first Middle East-produced stand-up show



Comedy Central, which launched its Middle East channel (available on OSN) last January, is about to launch is first regionally produced show.

Comedy Central Presents will follow in the footsteps of its namesake on the US channel by making (or breaking) the careers of the finest stand up comics in the region.

The show, which was filmed in Stereo Arcade, Dubai, will be hosted by Emirati comic Ali Al Sayed and Arab-American stand-up pioneer Mo Amer, who has supported Dave Chappelle, among others.

Al Sayed says he hopes it will be more than simply a TV show, that it will also prove to be a catalyst for the development of the region’s burgeoning stand-up scene.

“I can honestly say the show is going to exceed everybody’s expectations,” he says. “It is a dream to work with Comedy Central and 35 comedians will have their dream come true this February.

“Everybody is exchanging numbers and inviting each other to perform in their cities. A new community is being built off the back of this show. The experience has been a blast. This is what Comedy Central does, they make comedy work.”

Comedy Central Presents is the first stand-up comedy programme filmed in the GCC. The 10 half-hour shows will gather more 30 of the region's most promising Arab comedians. The diverse group includes professionals and first-timers who will perform in Arabic and English, blending international and regional tastes.

Raffaelle Annechinno, head of Comedy Central parent company Viacom, said the new show reflects the channel’s commitment to regional production.

“One of our main objectives for Comedy Central in the region is to discover and showcase new talent who will become points of reference for the comedy scene, both locally as well as in other territories,” he says.

“This local production is a great step towards achieving that goal, and we look forward to continued success for the channel and the brand in the Middle East.”

Comedy Central Presents begins on February 5. Comedy Central is available on OSN

cnewbould@thenational.ae

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

List of alleged parties

 

May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff 

May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'

Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff 

Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 

Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party

Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters 

Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz 

Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 

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Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality  within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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