COMEDY CENTRAL and Twitter #ComedyFest; Online Comedy Festival

COMEDY CENTRAL and Twitter announced today the launch of #ComedyFest, the first-ever celebration of comedy and comedians to be programmed on Twitter. The five day festival, which runs from April 29-May 3, kicks off with comedic icon Mel Brooks setting up a Twitter account at an event at LA's Paley Center featuring comedy legend Carl Reiner and moderator Judd Apatow. The event will be live-streamed in Mr. Brooks' first tweet, and can also be viewed on CC.com.#ComedyFest will feature an all-star roster of comedic talent including 16 programmed events with more than 50 comedians. #ComedyFest will bring the COMEDY CENTRAL audience and everyone who likes to laugh closer to the biggest comedic talents across genres and generations.

"Twitter has become an essential medium for comedy and comedians," said Michele Ganeless, President, COMEDY CENTRAL. "#ComedyFest will exist in the twittersphere creating comedy that lives on social media. It's a great extension for our brand; it's where our audience lives."

Using only 124 characters, Fred Graver, Head of TV at Twitter, said, "Awesome to have @ComedyCentral on-air and on Twitter celebrating comedians and the rise of 140 character comedy. Please RT."

#ComedyFest events will live on Twitter, and fans can follow at @ComedyCentral and #ComedyFest for up-to-the-minute event coverage. Additional information including festival lineup can be viewed at CC.com, CC Tumblr, and on the CC Facebook page.

#COMEDYFEST EVENT LINEUP
#ComedyFest lineup subject to change - additional talent and events to be announced.

Monday, April 29

5:00 p.m.Mel Brooks Joins Twitter

11:00 p.m. Ben Hoffman Tweets on Ambien

Tuesday, April 30

1:00 p.m.I Figured Out the Internet: Secrets of My Twitter Success

6:00 p.m. Vine Dining with Steve Agee

9:00 p.m.What's Newsing?

10:30 p.m. Tweeting All Up Inside Amy Schumer

Wednesday, May 1

12:30 p.m.The Comedy Directors of Comedy: A Panel

2:45 p.m. Reno 911! Movie! Reunion!

4:00 p.m. The Comedy Central "Half Hour" Daytime Drinking Game

Thursday, May 2

2:00 p.m. Encino Man Livetweet with Doug Benson

6:00 p.m.Writers' Room: A Panel

9:00 p.m. What's Newsing?

10:00 p.m.Roast Me with Jeffrey Ross

Friday, May 3

11:00 a.m.Al Madrigal: Behind the Stand-Up

5:30 p.m.Road Warriors

12:00 a.m.Nikki & Dan: Behind the Stand-Up