New stand-up show for Dave

A new comedy documentary is to track Phill Jupitus as he performs stand-up in front of a New York audience.

And, in return, quirky American comic Eugene Mirman will be seen entertaining a London audience.

The hour-long show, Comedy Exchange, is being made as a pilot for broadcast on digital channel Dave early next year.

The two comics will swap lifestyles for a week, spending time with each other’s friends, in a bid to tailor their material to the local audience.

Flight Of The Conchords star Mirman has performed in Britain before, having been at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe and returning in 2007 for a one-off London showcase hosted by David Cross.

But Jupitus is no longer a regular performer on the stand-up circuit, other than guest improv appearances with the Comedy Store Players.

Christian Drobnyk, UKTV's director of entertainment, said: 'Despite speaking the same language Brits don't get jokes about Altoids or Mickey Mantle and gags about chavs or the WI are lost on us Americans.'

The commission, from producers Tiger Aspect, is part of Dave’s strategy to order more original comedy series following the success of the Red Dwarf revival and panel show Argumental.

Published: 15 Oct 2009