Laugh Out Loud, the comedy brand and multi-platform network founded by the world's top comedian Kevin Hart in partnership with global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), announced today an expanded slate of original programming that builds on the network's rapid growth since launching last summer.
Hart's undercover prank series Kevin Hart: Lyft Legend returns for season two today. Made in partnership with Lyft Entertainment, the series was the top branded content launch on the Internet the week of its premiere and has reached more than 50 million views across Laugh Out Loud's network and over 1.4M social engagements.
After taking the Internet by storm with 60 million+ views since its February debut, Hart's viral series Cold As Balls will return for two more seasons. Sponsored by Old Spice, in season one Hart welcomed Draymond Green, LaVar Ball, Candace Parker, Gabby Douglas, Blake Griffin and more celebrities to the show, where he interviews his guests from a bone-chilling ice bath.
"The massive success of Cold as Balls and Lyft Legend proves how hungry audiences are for bold, hilarious new show formats," said Kevin Hart. "Laugh Out Loud is dedicated to elevating comedy with original ideas and shining a light on emerging comedians. I can't wait for audiences to check out this dope slate of shows we're unveiling this summer.
"We're excited to kick off a summer of laughs with a strong slate of new and returning comedies," said Laugh Out Loud's President, Jeff Clanagan. "We are always listening to our audience and leveraging these insights to inform new and exciting content. We're also very proud of the audience reception to our original content and the rapid growth of the network."
Laugh Out Loud will debut season two of its Just for Laughs comedy showcase in August, which is showcased at the world's largest comedy festival. Hosted by Tony Rock and featuring more than 80 emerging and established comedians, the returning series adds to Laugh Out Loud's already robust stand up comedy catalog of more than 50 hours. Joining the expanded slate are multiple female-led comedies including the unscripted mockumentary Unmasked and Donors, which is set in a technology hedge fund and stars Sarah Davenport ("Stitchers"), Skye Townsend ("Lucifer"), and Carlie Craig ("MADtv").
Other programs coming to Laugh Out Loud this summer include In the Zone, a comedic companion to Hart's CBS series TKO, and the outrageous prank show Rahat's Terror Traps, starring Youtube prank king Rahat Hossian.
Laugh Out Loud's new summer slate and roll out:
June 2018
Lyft Legend - season 2
Join Kevin Hart as he goes undercover as Lyft driver Donald Mac and leaves unsuspecting passengers speechless. Wanda Sykes makes a special appearance in the premiere episode. Produced in partnership with Lyft entertainment, Hartbeat Productions, Free Period Productions, and Pygmy WOLF Productions in association with Lionsgate
Unmasked
From the very strange mind of Michael Anthony Snowden ("In Living Color," "South Park," "The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show"), and veteran TV producer Josh Bingham (Relativity Media, BBC Worldwide) comes Unmasked, a mockumentary ensemble comedy that investigates the bizarre world of costumed street performers on Hollywood Boulevard and the strange series of murders that slowly begin to infiltrate their community.
July 2018
In the Zone
In partnership with the Kevin Hart-hosted competition TV show TKO, In the Zone matches brain with funny. Comedians are used to being heckled on stage, but can they still bring the funny when they are navigating a challenging course? Episodes will premiere on the Laugh Out Loud network each week after "TKO" airs on CBS. The show features Hart's tour mates Plastic Cup Boyz, as well as a variety of notable comedians.
Rahat's Terror Traps
With the help of Hollywood's top creature effects artist Anatomorphex and Character Shop Inc., Youtube prank king Rahat Hossian (5.6M subscribers) disguises himself as life-like and terrifying creatures to capture epic reactions from the unsuspecting victims he encounters.
August - September 2018
Just for Laughs - season 2
Kevin Hart presents the best and funniest stand-up comedians from the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Quebec, hosted by famed comedian Tony Rock! Comics include Zainab Johnson, Alice Wetterlund, Loyiso Gola, Todd Barry, Seann Walsh, B Phlat, Tony Hinchcliffe, Brent Morin, Sherrod Small, Adam Ray, Donnell Rawlings, Christi Chiello, Myq Kaplan, PREACHER Lawson, Annie Lederman, Andrew Santino, Dave Smith, Rick Gassman, Dwayne Perkins, Matt Okine and more!
Donors
In this new comedy where SILICON VALLEY meets Broad City, a start-up company is developing
brilliant iPhone app for women with financial help from an enthusiastic tech hedge fund. Cara,
the charismatic face of the company, calls to drop a bomb: the hedge fund is bailing. The money
is gone. Party's over. Starring Sarah Davenport, Skye Townsend, and Carlie Craig.
Cold As Balls - season 2
"Cold as Balls" is even more icy for season 2! Join Kevin Hart and his special athlete and
celebrity guests as he plunges into icy waters for even more awkward interviews.
New series will roll out on LaughOutLoud.com, the Laugh Out Loud mobile app, and across Laugh Out Loud's social channels. To sign up, visit LaughOutLoud.com.
About Laugh Out Loud
Laugh Out Loud is a comedy brand and multi-platform network founded by the world's top comedian Kevin Hart, in partnership with Lionsgate. Through his network, Hart delivers his vision for the future of comedy: social, mobile, multicultural and seriously funny. From stand-up legends to globally-recognized digital influencers, Hart and LOL curate comedy's boldest voices to produce original scripted and unscripted series, stand-up specials, live broadcasts and special events. Hart brings the groundbreaking social-first strategy that earned him 100 million+ followers to Laugh Out Loud, with one core mission: keep the world laughing. Dope Comedy. Delivered Daily. Always On. Always Loud. Directly from Kevin Hart and his hand-picked crew of comedic rockstars.
About Lionsgate
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global licensing infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's worldwide consumer base.
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