Exclusive: This Joka, a stand-up comedy series exec produced by Will Smith, will not be returning for a second season on Roku.
The streaming service launched the series, which came via its acquisition of short-form service Quibi, in March.
The series features a raft of stand ups including Punkie Johnson and Chris Estrada.
Deadline understands that the decision had nothing to do with the Oscars incident, where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage, but a somewhat unusual issue with timing.
Roku is believed to never really have had the option to renew the series, which is produced by Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Topgolf Entertainment Group. The option to renew lapsed before Roku launched the show, and certainly before the streamer had the chance to analyse its viewing data, meaning that it was unlikely to return for a second season on the platform.
The show...
The streaming service launched the series, which came via its acquisition of short-form service Quibi, in March.
The series features a raft of stand ups including Punkie Johnson and Chris Estrada.
Deadline understands that the decision had nothing to do with the Oscars incident, where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage, but a somewhat unusual issue with timing.
Roku is believed to never really have had the option to renew the series, which is produced by Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Topgolf Entertainment Group. The option to renew lapsed before Roku launched the show, and certainly before the streamer had the chance to analyse its viewing data, meaning that it was unlikely to return for a second season on the platform.
The show...
- 5/2/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Will Smith is joining the ever-growing sheaf of Hollywood talent in Quibi’s quiver.
The Jeffrey Katzenberg-founded mobile subscription service announced the acquisition of “This Joka,” a 16-episode stand-up comedy series hosted and executive produced by Smith. Quibi is set to debut next Monday, April 6, with 50-odd shows. For now, there’s no premiere date for Smith’s series.
There’s a golf tie-in: “This Joka” is a co-production of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media and Topgolf Studios, a unit of golf-venue chain Topgolf Entertainment Group. The show is shot on location at Topgolf’s Las Vegas driving-range venue and other spots across Sin City.
In the show, Smith plays host to a diverse guest list of comedians, ranging from up-and-comers to legendary performers. “This Joka” showcases their stand-up sets and will feature one-on-one conversations between Smith and the comedians plus docu-style moments shot backstage and around Vegas.
The Jeffrey Katzenberg-founded mobile subscription service announced the acquisition of “This Joka,” a 16-episode stand-up comedy series hosted and executive produced by Smith. Quibi is set to debut next Monday, April 6, with 50-odd shows. For now, there’s no premiere date for Smith’s series.
There’s a golf tie-in: “This Joka” is a co-production of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media and Topgolf Studios, a unit of golf-venue chain Topgolf Entertainment Group. The show is shot on location at Topgolf’s Las Vegas driving-range venue and other spots across Sin City.
In the show, Smith plays host to a diverse guest list of comedians, ranging from up-and-comers to legendary performers. “This Joka” showcases their stand-up sets and will feature one-on-one conversations between Smith and the comedians plus docu-style moments shot backstage and around Vegas.
- 4/2/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Quibi has acquired This Joka, a 16-episode stand-up comedy series hosted and executive produced by Will Smith. The series hails from Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Topgolf Entertainment Group.
Westbrook and Topgolf had been developing This Joka since last October as part of their partnership to create original entertainment. It marks the first series pickup for Westbrook since Terence Carter joined the company last fall as Co-President, Head Of Television.
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In This Joka, Smith invites a diverse lineup of up-and-coming, established, and legendary comedians to explore the nature of comedy and its unique ability to bring people together. Shot on location at Topgolf and other popular venues across Las Vegas,...
Westbrook and Topgolf had been developing This Joka since last October as part of their partnership to create original entertainment. It marks the first series pickup for Westbrook since Terence Carter joined the company last fall as Co-President, Head Of Television.
More from DeadlineT-Mobile Us To Offer One Year Of Quibi FreeQuibi Threatened With Injunction By Eko Days Before Launch Of Jeffrey Katzenberg's Mobile ServiceQuibi Unveils Presenters & Further Details Of Daily News Show 'Around The World By BBC News'
In This Joka, Smith invites a diverse lineup of up-and-coming, established, and legendary comedians to explore the nature of comedy and its unique ability to bring people together. Shot on location at Topgolf and other popular venues across Las Vegas,...
- 4/2/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin Hart and Lionsgate’s digital network Laugh Out Loud has unveiled its summer slate, featuring four new original series and sophomore seasons of three others. The rookie shows star the likes of Rahat Hossian, Sarah Davenport, Skye Townsend and Carlie Craig.
Read details of all seven series below, and check out a teaser trailer for Lyft Legend Season 2 above.
The June-to-September months will see the returns of prank series Kevin Hart: Lyft Legend, which launches today, along with stand-up showcase Just for Laughs and Cold as Balls, which features athlete interviews that take place in an ice bath.
Debuting this summer will be In the Zone, a comedic companion to Hart’s new CBS series Tko: Total Knock Out; prank show Rahat’s Terror Traps, starring YouTube prank king Rahat Hossian; Unmasked, a mockumentary comedy about the bizarre world of costumed street performers on Hollywood Boulevard; and Donors, a...
Read details of all seven series below, and check out a teaser trailer for Lyft Legend Season 2 above.
The June-to-September months will see the returns of prank series Kevin Hart: Lyft Legend, which launches today, along with stand-up showcase Just for Laughs and Cold as Balls, which features athlete interviews that take place in an ice bath.
Debuting this summer will be In the Zone, a comedic companion to Hart’s new CBS series Tko: Total Knock Out; prank show Rahat’s Terror Traps, starring YouTube prank king Rahat Hossian; Unmasked, a mockumentary comedy about the bizarre world of costumed street performers on Hollywood Boulevard; and Donors, a...
- 6/19/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Just because fall is here doesn’t mean comedy goes into hibernation mode—New York is rife with comedic opportunities this month! With so much happening, though, it’s not always easy to pick and choose what’s worth your time. To help you out, here are Backstage’s picks for comedy performances and castings to explore in October for anyone looking to get their monthly dose of funny. Performances Christi Chiello and Giulia Rozzi team up to host Stand-Up With Planned Parenthood, a comedy show to do good. Featured comedians include Janeane Garofalo, Josh Gondelman, Jo Firestone, Rebecca Vigil, Nore Davis, and Yamaneika Saunders, with proceeds going to support Planned Parenthood. The show is being held at Littlefield on Oct. 4. (Tickets: $20) Rhett and Link are YouTube stars known for their wacky games and segments on their podcast, “Good Mythical Morning.” Now, the duo brings their unique comedy to the stage,...
- 10/4/2017
- backstage.com
The concept of this project was to create a comedy mixtape that was full of sketches. Any example that I've seen of a comedy Mixtape has essentially been someone's stand-up album, perhaps with a sketch or two. As a huge fan of Adam Sandler older albums, I recall listening to those sketches repeatedly and laughing hysterically each time. Mixtapes have millions of people downloading them on a daily basis.
Artists featured on the mixtape are: Amber Nelson (TruTv), Nick Turner (Comedy Central), Anthony DeVito (Comedy Central), Peggy O' Leary (Just For Laughs), Sam Evans (Just For Laughs), Nathan Macintosh (Gotham Comedy Live), James L. Mattern (WWE Network), Mike Brown (MTV), Sharron Paul (CollegeHumor), Ross Parsons (MTV), Evan Williams, Sara Armour (Last Comic Standing), Lindsay Boling, Ayanna Dookie (Fox's Laughs), Christi Chiello (Comedy Central), Petey DeAbreau, Tim Warner, Jose Sanchez and Ryan Schutt.
You may have noticed this video being tagged...
Artists featured on the mixtape are: Amber Nelson (TruTv), Nick Turner (Comedy Central), Anthony DeVito (Comedy Central), Peggy O' Leary (Just For Laughs), Sam Evans (Just For Laughs), Nathan Macintosh (Gotham Comedy Live), James L. Mattern (WWE Network), Mike Brown (MTV), Sharron Paul (CollegeHumor), Ross Parsons (MTV), Evan Williams, Sara Armour (Last Comic Standing), Lindsay Boling, Ayanna Dookie (Fox's Laughs), Christi Chiello (Comedy Central), Petey DeAbreau, Tim Warner, Jose Sanchez and Ryan Schutt.
You may have noticed this video being tagged...
- 8/22/2016
- by Tyler Richardson
- LRMonline.com
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