Show Me the Funny
Ten comedians, ten cities, one winner.
Show Me the Funny is a British reality competition series that aired on ITV, featuring ten comedians who traveled to ten UK cities to develop and perform new material. The show culminated in a live final at the Hammersmith Apollo on 25 August 2011, where the winner earned a nationwide tour and a DVD release.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- 60mins (inc. adverts)
- Director
- Michael Cumming
- Presenter
- Jason Manford
- Producer
- Kenton Allen; Matthew Justice
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Network
- ITV
- Company
- Big Talk Productions
Facts from the source article.
Contestants
Ignacio Lopez, a 24-year-old Spanish barman, was eliminated in week one. He later appeared on Live at the Apollo in 2023. Prince Abdi, a 28-year-old Somalian-born former primary school teacher and ex-Millwall FC player, won the Your Comedy Star competition at the Edinburgh Festival in 2007 and had been on the circuit for four years; he was eliminated in week two. Cole Parker, 41, began stand-up at age six after a talent contest in Norfolk and was a regular on the circuit; he was eliminated in week three.
Rudi Lickwood, a 49-year-old grandfather, started as an Eddie Murphy impersonator in 1989 and had been on the circuit for two decades; he was eliminated in week four. Alfie Moore, 47, a serving police sergeant who took up comedy as a hobby three years prior, had performed over 250 gigs and 50 after-dinner speeches; he was eliminated in week five. Ellie Taylor, a 27-year-old former model from Essex, studied at York University and left her corporate events job for comedy; she was eliminated in week six alongside Stuart Goldsmith.
Stuart Goldsmith, 33, ran away to join the circus as a child, then moved to street performance and acting before stand-up; he was eliminated in week six and now hosts the podcast 'The Comedian's Comedian'.
Episodes
The first episode took place in Liverpool, where the ten contenders performed new material for an all-female audience before a panel of Alan Davies, Kate Copstick, and guest judge Jimmy Tarbuck; Ignacio was eliminated. The nine remaining comics went to Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, trained with the Army, and performed for the Scots Guards regiment; Davies, Copstick, and guest judge Bob Mortimer eliminated Prince. The eight remaining comics performed at The Streetly Academy in Birmingham; Davies, Copstick, and guest judge Ross Noble sent Cole home.
The seven remaining comics tried hospital radio in Watford, performing for medical staff; Davies, Copstick, and guest judge Jo Brand eliminated Rudi. The six remaining contenders organized entertainment at a pub in Pontypridd, South Wales, and performed for rugby players; Davies, Copstick, and guest judge Johnny Vegas eliminated Alfie. The five remaining comics performed in Blackpool with guest judges Cannon and Ball; Ellie and Stuart were eliminated.
The final three performed live at the Hammersmith Apollo on 25 August, where Patrick Monahan won, with Dan Mitchell and Tiffany Stevenson finishing second and third.
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