Fox develops the talent hunt Funny People

A new comedy talent hunt could be coming to American network TV.

The Fox network is developing a reality competition called Funny People, which will be seeking a new star from the ranks of up-and-coming comics.

According to industry website Deadline, the contestants will be put through a series of challenges involving live stand-up, improv and sketches.

That expands on the format of Last Comic Standing, pictured above, which ran at rival NBC from 2003 to 2010, then again in 2014 and 2015, and concentrated only on stand-up.

Comics who got a break on the show included Amy Schumer, Jim Tavare and Iliza Shlesinger. Brits Paul Foot, Gina Yashere and Matt Kirshen also made the finals in 2007 and 2008.

Funny People is being made by  John Irwin, who has produced a raft of comedy specials with the likes of Kevin Hart,  Hannibal Buress, Tracy Morgan, Patton Oswalt, Trevor Noah, Jim Jefferies, Demetri Martin, Patrice O'Neil and Todd Barry.

Published: 12 Jan 2019