New tie-up with Facebook owner Meta

A number of comedy shows are to be available in virtual reality, thanks to a new collaboration between the Just For Laughs festival and Facebook owner Meta.

The first show, is the unscripted format Surrounded, featuring comics Nicole Byer, Nikki Glaser, Pete Holmes, Fortune Feimster, Moshe Kasher, Natasha Leggero and Moses Storm. It was filmed in the round at the Montreal festival last month, with the stand-ups interacting with the audience around them.

Holmes, pictured,  said: ‘Surrounded was crazy, fun and not a little bit terrifying. A new way of doing stand-up fittingly on Meta’s platforms, a new way of watching stand-up.’

It will premiere at 2am on September 10 UK time for viewers with a Meta Quest 2 VR headset – and will also be available on Just for Laughs’ and the comedians' Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Owners of the headsets will also be able to watch five-part series filmed at Montreal’s New Faces showcases. 

Just For Laughs president Bruce Hills said: ‘It is an exciting opportunity to see a breakthrough artist before they are famous. We are delighted that such an institution within the comedy industry is now available to a new audience of comedy fans.’

The New Faces Comedy Showcase will air weekly in Horizon Worlds from October 4.

Published: 30 Aug 2022