Electus ready to crack up US

US production house Electus has acquired the rights to Eccho Rights-repped show Crack Them Up and is working on a local version.

Barracuda Television Productions, a joint venture between Electus and former Zoo Productions exec Barry Poznick, which launched in September, is attached to the show, though no broadcaster has yet been disclosed.

The format takes contestants from the general public and challenges them to make two professional comedians laugh for cash prizes.

It was created by Studio Kvartal 95 in the Ukraine and already has successful local versions in Russia, Lithuania and Belarus.

A Chinese version, produced by 3C Media, is currently the number one rating show on satellite television there since it premiered on Jiangxi on February 17.

The format is also optioned in Germany by DEF and Finland by Nelonen Media.