But it's cancelled on American TV

Cult comedy podcast Comedy Bang! Bang! has announced its first UK tour – just as the TV version has been cancelled.

The show was created by comedian Scott Aukerman as an audio podcast in May 2009, and was picked up by American broadcaster IFC in 2012. That TV version is now coming to an end after 110 episodes, but will continue as a podcast.

The four UK shows, taking place next month, will be taped for the podcast and feature Paul F. Tompkins and character comedian Lauren Lapkus, who played Susan Fischer on Orange is the New Black, as guests.

Producers promise a ‘totally improvised programme, with plenty of character drop-ins’ on the dates, which are Manchester Dancehouse on September 25; Nottingham Glee Club on September 26; Leeds Hyde Park Picture House on September 27 and London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on September 28 .

On IFC, the last ten-episode run of the fifth season will start on October 28 and end on December 10.

Channel president Jennifer Caserta said: ‘Comedy Bang! Bang! has been an incredibly important show for IFC. Over five seasons and more than 100 episodes, Scott Aukerman has been a comedic force who has meant so much to us, Comedy Bang! Bang! had a unique sensibility in the comedy space, and delivered an amazing array of A-list guest stars.’

They have included Aziz Ansari, Patton Oswalt, Seth Rogen, Zach Galifianakis, Ben Stiller, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Silverman and Amy Poehler. Reggie Watts was originally the musical co-host and was replaced by ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic when he went on to be the band leader on James Corden’s Late Late Show.

Although the surreal late-night chat show was a cult hit, it attracted tiny audiences – occasionally even falling so low that no viewers in the key 18-49 demographic could be measured at all – but was seen as attracting kudos to the channel.

The first three seasons are available on Netflix in the UK – and tickets for the tour dates go on sale at 10am on Monday.

Published: 19 Aug 2016