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Whose show is it anyway?
Wayne Brady’s.
The improv comedian, actor, host and recent season two winner of "The Masked Singer" is making his own debut on BYUtv’s newest comedy show. The new comedy competition series, "Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ" will premiere on the family entertainment network on April 6.
Created and hosted by the Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated comedian and his producing partner, Mandie Taketa, this one-of-a-kind show will feature talented teens from around the United States. They compete in a performers’ boot camp to demonstrate the highest "Comedy IQ."
Each challenge teaches them to be multifaceted in writing, directing, performing and creating comedic and musical content. Along the way, the contestants learn universal skills that can bring them success in the real world.
The 10-episode series begins with Brady auditioning hundreds of young people to choose whom he will mentor in the boot camp. The result is a group of 11 teens gifted in drama, music, dance, improv, standup comedy and content creation. They hail from California, Florida and New York, as well as Texas, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
By the end of the first episode, the field will be narrowed down to six contestants. That’s when the fun begins.
Brady and special guests will test the teens’ performing and creating skills to see who can produce the best comedic content. They will participate in challenges such as an improvised news broadcast with Colin Mochrie, a co-star of Brady’s on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?." They will get the chance to flex their standup skills with comedian veteran Sinbad. They’ll battle it out in a Comedy Sportz duel featuring Brady and "Whose Line" alum Jonathan Mangum. Finally, they get to take the stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade in their own "Saturday Night Live" inspired show.
In the end, only one talented performer will be crowned the champion, winning prizes including a special guest appearance on "Studio C"; a chance to perform with Brady on one of his tour dates; camera, lighting, audio and computer equipment that can help the winner create content in the future; and $10,000 in seed money to help kick-start their career.
"I’m so grateful to BYUtv for giving me the chance to pass on my 30 years-plus of comedy and performing knowledge," said Brady. "It means so much to me to help the next generation of funny along. I get to give the comedy guidance I never had at that age!"
Brady’s producing partner, Taketa, who has worked with Brady for two decades, is a huge part of the show’s charm and vision.
"The brilliant Wayne Brady and his producing partner, Mandie Taketa, came to us with a passion and plan for finding and nurturing young artists that we were delighted to make a reality," said Michael Dunn, managing director of BYUtv. "What’s special about ‘Wayne Brady's Comedy IQ’ is that it guides the contestants in navigating achievement, rejection and resiliency both in the entertainment industry and in everyday life. It’s a positive show about the human side of humor and reaching our own potential."
Tune in to BYUtv on Monday, April 6 to laugh and enjoy the talents of performers both seasoned and up-and-coming.
