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Posted on Tue, Dec. 16, 2008
Traveling comedy show to film first episode in Macon
BY PHILLIP RAMATI
Middle Georgia fans of live comedy will have the opportunity to have their funny bones tickled Monday when a new TBS series tapes its pilot episode in Macon.
The live taping of “The TBS Comedy Road Show,” hosted by comedian and actor Harland Williams, will feature eight comedy acts during the free show at The Grand Opera House in downtown Macon.
A variety of comedy acts will be featured in the series, including stand-up comics, musical comedians, sketch performers, novelty acts and video shorts, said Page Hurwitz, one of the pilot’s executive producers.
She said the half-hour series, if it is picked up by TBS, will be different from other comedy shows.
“For one thing, we’ll be traveling the country, going to different cities and featuring local comedy talent,” she said. “Secondly, we’ll be staging shows in historic theaters.”
The new series will showcase comedy talent from Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, she said.
The history of The Grand Opera House and Macon’s small-town feel and proximity to Atlanta were the reasons the city was picked as the site for the pilot, Hurwitz said.
“The theater is spectacular,” she said. “It’s close to Atlanta, which is good for the production. But there’s also a nice history there. (The theater) has had quite a few performers over the years, some great comedy names. ... We really like the town. It’s representative of the feeling we are going for. It feels like America to us.”
Williams, the show’s host, is a Canadian actor and comic who has appeared in feature films such as “The Whole Nine Yards,” “Employee of the Month” and “Sorority Boys,” the TV movie “The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning” and TV shows such as “My Name Is Earl” and “Las Vegas.”
His voice also has been used in animated movies such as “Robots” and “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.”
Gurwitz said performers for the Macon show include Tim Wilson, Drew Thomas, Heath Hyche, Taylor Mason, Sarah Colonna, Doyle and Debbie, Willie Brown and Woody, and Vic Henley.
Hurwitz said it’s still up in the air when and if TBS will air the pilot and pick up “The TBS Comedy Road Show” as a series, but said she hopes to learn the show’s fate by January.
“TBS is very excited about it, and so are we,” she said. “We hope people come to the taping.”
To contact Phillip Ramati, call 744-4334. - The Macon Telegraph
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After being fired from an Atlanta auto dealership after 5 1/2yrs of service, Drew decided at that point it was time to finally give his childhood dream of being a stand up comedian a shot. While pursuing a second degree in theatre, he convinced a student organization to let him open for a comedian they hired for a Valentines Day show, he then entered a local comedy competition held once a month and won 3 months in a row and as they say the rest is history. Since then Drew has been touring the country delivering his fresh style of comedy to audiences everywhere. He draws his audience in with his accounts of relationship follies and keen retorts on everyday life and current affairs. He has appeared on NBCs Last Comic Standing season 6, Comcast on Demand, Boston Comedy Festival, Drew has the privilege of performing in Canada, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bahmas and some of the top comedy clubs in the country, Hes worked with Bill Burr, Jon Reep, Jim Norton, Bill Bellamy, Ron White and many more of the top comics in the industry. Drews quick wit and smooth delivery are the perfect combination for laughing out loud. The kid from the Bronx is definitely one to watch.
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