Comedy Central, C5 play pranks in UK

Comedy Central UK and Channel 5 (C5) have jointly ordered a local version of US prank show format Impractical Jokers.

Impractical Jokers is the first joint project
between C5 and Comedy Central

The deal marks the first joint project between the two channels following Comedy Central parent Viacom’s takeover of C5 last year.

The show was previously remade in the UK by youth-skewing public channel BBC3 for two seasons.

C5 and Comedy Central UK will now co-fund a 9×30’ series to premiere on C5, with further broadcasts on Comedy Central. The series is being produced by Warner Bros Television Production UK-owned Yalli Productions, following a pilot commission by Comedy Central earlier this year.

The UK version will follow the format of the US series and feature four British comedian friends – Lee Griffiths, Matt Ralph, Paul Biggin and David Moon – who will challenge each other to undertake outrageous dares and stunts.

“Impractical Jokers has been a huge hit for Comedy Central and it feels like the perfect project for Channel 5’s first foray back into funny with Comedy Central at our side,” said Ben Frow, C5’s director of programmes.

The two channels aim to co-fund more shared comedies, including a sketch show and a sitcom.