First Aussie for US network

Jim Jeffries is to star in his own HBO special in the States, becoming possibly the first Australian comedian ever to land the honour.

He will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Eddie Izzard when he tapes his hour-long show in New York next month. The gig will air on the premium cable network later in the spring.

Jeffries, who lives in the UK, was spotted by HBO executives at the Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival last year, who asked him to appear on the late-night series Down And Dirty With Jim Norton. It was his performance on that show which secured him the special.

The as-yet untitled showwill be recorded at New York University’s Skirball Center on March 7.

Jeffries will be touring in the US and Australia until mid-July, returning to the UK to perform a few dates at the Edinburgh Fringe, ahead of an autumn tour. He also has a sitcom pilot with Paramount Comedy – soon to be retitled Comedy Central.

Here is Jeffries’ appearance on the Jim Norton show:

Published: 23 Feb 2009