Comedy Central Announces Mid-Season Schedule for 2012

The weather may be getting chilly, but things are once again heating up at Comedy Central! The network will premiere hot new series and specials as well as new seasons of network favorites throughout the cool months to come including: Comedy Central's "Indecision 2012" revs up with the return of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" (January 3); the series premiere of the sketch comedy "Key & Peele" (January 31); brand-new seasons of network hits "Tosh.0" (season four premieres January 31) and "South Park" (season 16 premieres March 14); Russell Simmons and JB Smoove reunite for the stand-up series "Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus" (January 26); Stand-Up Month returns in January and features stand-up premieres from Tom Papa, Kevin Hart, JB Smoove and John Mulaney, plus much more. Viewers are advised to stay indoors, hit the couch and turn to the all-comedy network for everything that's to come this viewing season.

Following are descriptions of new series, specials and returning series premiering this season:

Original Series and Specials

"Indecision 2012" "Indecision 2012" kicks in to high gear starting this January shining light on all things political from the primaries through the elections. Don't miss all new episodes of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" when they return with all-new episodes on January 3, 2012 at 11:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., respectively. Also, make sure to head over to www.indecisionforever.com for all the fun of a regular political website, but with only half the insight.

"Tosh.0" (Season Four Premiere) Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00 p.m. Daniel Tosh is back to break down that vast field of twarties, vlogs, hashtags and deluded YouTube sensations for your viewing pleasure. Tune in for a brand new season of Tosh's takes on the online Universe.

"Key & Peele" (Series Premiere) Tuesday, January 31 at 10:30 p.m. Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele present "Key & Peele," an original sketch-comedy show coming to Comedy Central in 2012. In this new series, these fresh, relevant comedic actor-writers, used to being on the outside looking in, will examine life in a provocative and irreverent way, through a combination of filmed sketches and live stage segments. Whether it's satirizing the President, spoofing Nazis, or ordering up some soul food, "Key & Peele" will showcase their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world.

"Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus" (Premiere) Thursday, January 26 at 10:00 p.m. JB Smoove brings the Ruckus to the stage as he reunites with Russell Simmons to host "Russell Simmons Presents The Ruckus." Executive produced by Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan, the series showcases stand-up sets from Smoove and a roster of some of the best comics working today. Each episode will feature the ever-talented Smoove and new material from a mix of rising stars and long time favorite comedians with beats from DJ Cassidy. And as a new added bonus, viewers will also see Smoove giving his fans what they love most - performing in filmed sketches woven into each episode. The series begins with a two-episode premiere on Thursday, January 26 at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., followed by new episodes every Thursday night at 10:00 p.m.

"South Park" (Season 16 Premiere) Wednesday, March 14 at 10:00 p.m. Don't miss the newest escapades of everyone's favorite foul-mouthed fourth graders when Cartman, Kyle, Stan and Kenny return for a brand-new season of the Emmy(R) and Peabody(R) Award-winning, animated series, "South Park." The 16th season kicks-off with all-new episodes on Wednesday, March 14 at 10:00 p.m.

"The Comedy Awards" Sunday, May 6 (time TBD) Comedy Central returns to New York City to host the second annual "The Comedy Awards." The television event to honor the best comedy films, actors, television series, stand-up and digital content will air on Comedy Central on Sunday, May 6, 2012. The event celebrates the talented writers, directors and performers who have literally changed the laugh track of our lives: the pioneering legends who pushed boundaries; the TV shows that we rushed home to watch; the movies that are indelibly etched into our collective pop culture memory and the stand-up comedians that make us think while we laugh. "The Comedy Awards" will be taped at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, April 28, 2012.

Stand-Up Specials

Stand-Up Month Monday, January 2 through Saturday, January 28 Celebrate the New Year in style! January is Stand-Up Month on Comedy Central. This year, the network puts the choice straight into the hands of the fans with the launch of a brand-new CC Stand-Up Facebook App! By using the Facebook App, fans will be able to view the featured comics' playlists comprised of their favorite comedians, as well as "Like" them on Facebook and/or "Follow" them on Twitter. Each week, the network will reveal the fans top choices and will air programming from those comedians every Friday night at 9:00 p.m. In turn, viewers can get pumped for that weekend's premiere stand-up special from Stand-Up Month's featured comedians, Tom Papa, Kevin Hart, JB Smoove, and John Mulaney.

"Tom Papa: Live From New York City" (World Premiere) Sunday, January 8 at 10:00 p.m. Tom Papa ("The Marriage Ref") is live from New York City in this World Premiere stand-up special, directed by Rob Zombie. Papa discusses his life, the worst roommates in the world (his kids), navigating Facebook, the learning curve with technology, and losing one's sex drive.

"Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain" (World Television Premiere) Sunday, January 15 at 9:00 p.m. ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! In this World Television Premiere of his hit feature film, Kevin Hart takes viewers on a hysterical journey through his life. Whether it's explaining how his bank account is set up or teaching fans his safe word (pineapples), Hart knows that no matter what's going on in life, you just have to laugh. Never before seen on television, "Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain" airs on Sunday, January 15 at 9:00 p.m. on Comedy Central.

"JB Smoove: That's How I Dooz It" (World Premiere) Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 p.m. JB Smoove is showing viewers how he dooz it with the premiere of his first-ever one-hour Comedy Central Original Stand-Up Special. In "JB Smoove: That's How I Dooz It" a stage, a microphone and stool are used like never before, as the highly expressive Smoove gives fans a glimpse into his ridiculously creative mind. Random thoughts and everyday observations are transformed into hilarity when seen through the eyes of Smoove. From police chases to flip flops to King Kong find out just how he dooz. "JB Smoove: That's How I Dooz It" premieres on Saturday, January 21 at 10:00 p.m. on Comedy Central.

"John Mulaney: New in Town" (World Premiere) Saturday, January 28 at 10:00 p.m. In this debut, first-ever one-hour Comedy Central Original World Premiere Stand-Up Special, viewers will find the thoughts and feelings of writer ("Saturday Night Live") and stand-up comedian ("Comedy Central Presents" and "Human Giant") John Mulaney: a pleasant, nearly 30-year-old man who enjoys making fun of himself and others. In "New In Town," Mulaney tackles such red-hot topics as french fries, "Law & Order," and his bygone partying days. Through his stories viewers will watch Mulaney age from a nervous and dishonest child to a still nervous and dishonest adult. "John Mulaney: New in Town" debuts Saturday, January 28 at 10:00 p.m. on Comedy Central.

"StEve Harvey: Still Trippin'" (Network Television Premiere) February TBD StEve Harvey once again commands the stage in the Network Television Premiere of "Still Trippin'," taking viewers on a trip where no topic is off limits. From tattoos and family weddings to polygamous compounds and diaper wearing astronauts, Harvey keeps it real and never misses a beat. One of the "Original Kings of Comedy," Harvey's energy and comedic timing are second to none.

"'I Ain't Scared of You': A Tribute to Bernie Mac" (World Premiere) February TBD The World Premiere of this stand-up special paying tribute to the great Bernie Mac.

"Nick Cannon: Mr. Showbiz" (Network Television Premiere) Saturday, February 25 (time TBD) In his first-ever comedy special, the popular comic, actor and musician reveals surprisingly edgy, hysterically honest tales of his failed attempts at being a gangster, his humble roots, marriage, fatherhood and his thoughts about the rapper Eminem.

"Ralphie May: Too Big to Ignore" (World Premiere) March TBD Ralphie May returns to Comedy Central with the World Premiere of his latest stand-up special, his first on Comedy Central since 2008's "Austin-tatious."

"Reggie Watts Live in Central Park" (World Premiere) March/April TBD Hilarious, brilliant, unpredictable - comedian/musician Reggie Watts, who opened for Conan O'Brien on "The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour," is a staple of the international performance scene. Reggie's improvised musical sets are created on-the-spot using only his formidable voice and a looping machine. No two songs and no two sets are ever the same. An avowed "disinformationist," Reggie loves to disorientate his audiences in the most entertaining way. Viewers may not know what Reggie is going to do, but that's okay - he doesn't either.

Hannibal Buress Stand-Up Special (title TBD) May TBD A rising star in the comedy scene, Hannibal Buress, has written for "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" and currently has a sitcom in the works that co-created with Jonah Hill in which he'll star. With a dedicated following for his impressive stand-up all over the country, Hannibal's talent has been previously highlighted on Comedy Central in sets for "Live at Gotham" and "John Oliver's New York Stand-up Show." Now he's ready to headline and viewers can see what comedy insiders have been talking about in the World Premiere of his first Comedy Central Original Stand-Up special.

Acquired Series

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (Comedy Central Premiere of Season Seven) Monday, January 16 at 10:00 p.m., followed by Mondays from 10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Spend an hour every Monday with episodes from season seven of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" on Comedy Central. Frank organizes a child's beauty pageant, the gang fist pumps at the Jersey Shore, and we find out why Mac got fat. It's sure to be one crazy escalation after another with Dennis, Charlie, Mac, Sweet Dee and of course, Frank!

*All Times ET/PT

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