TBS orders late-night stand-up series

TBS is tapping its upcoming Chicago comedy festival to provide fodder for a new stand-up series, the network announced Thursday.

The cable network has ordered 10 episodes of “The Very Funny Show,” a late-night program that will be shot during the network’s reassuringly titled July event “TBS Presents a Very Funny Festival: Just For Laughs.” The festival includes 30 comedians performing at the Windy City's Zanies Comedy Club that TBS will feature during the  half-hour series.

Tim Meadows (“The Bill Engvall Show,” “Saturday Night Live”) will host the series, which airs in November.

“This series demonstrates how our comedy festivals are more than just first-rate showcases through which we can extend the TBS brand,” said Dennis Adamovich, the network's senior vp and general manager of comedy festivals*. “They are also an outstanding opportunity to mine fresh talent for the network’s comedy lineup.”

“With 'The Very Funny Show,' we’ll be introducing our viewers to some of the best up and coming comedians in the industry,” said Michael Wright, executive vp and head of programming for TBS.  “We’re especially thrilled to have the talented Tim Meadows as host.”

Other shows being mined during the festival for TBS programming include Ellen DeGeneres third variety special for the network, and other specials featuring Martin Short and David Alan Grier.

* Yes, a real title!