For Immediate Release
February 03, 2014
Contact Information

Chelsye J. Burrows
770.692.4559
CBURROWS@UPTV.COM

David Gardner
770.692.9939
DGARDNER@UPTV.COM

(BPRW) ASPiRE BRINGS THE FUNNY WITH A NEW, ORIGINAL CLEAN STAND-UP COMEDY/REALITY SERIES "LAFF MOBB'S WE GOT NEXT" FEATURING "STAR MAKER," CO-CREATOR AND CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF "DEF COMEDY JAM" BOB SUMNER

- 32 FRESH, FUNNY AND UP-AND-COMING AFRICAN AMERICAN COMEDIANS PERFORM PREMIERING EXCLUSIVELY ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH AT 10 P.M. EST "¢ With Bob's Celebrity Casting Assistants Red Grant, Brély Evans, Carlos Koustas and DJ Mike Smoove -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – ATLANTA – February 3, 2014 – ASPiRE (@tvASPiRE) today announced the exclusive premiere of its new, original weekly “clean stand-up” comedy/reality series, “Laff Mobb’s We Got Next” (#WeGotNext), hosted by “Star Maker,” Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer of “Def Comedy Jam” Bob Sumner. Filmed before live audiences at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, CA, “Laff Mobb’s We Got Next” delivers a new twist on stand-up, featuring over 32 fresh, funny African American comedians across eight hour-long episodes. Produced by Laff Mobb and New Wave Entertainment, “Laff Mobb’s We Got Next” will premiere on Tuesday, February 18th at 10:00 p.m. EST.

“Laff Mobb’s We Got Next” is an entertaining hour where reality meets clean comedy via performances and profiles of the next generation of great African American comics. The weekly series will take viewers into the “Clean Comedy Lab” casting room of Bob Sumner (co-creator/co-executive producer of HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” with Russell Simmons) as he sets out to answer the question, “Who’s next?” Off stage and in the Lab with Sumner, celebrity casting assistants “The Turn-Up King” Red Grant (First Sunday, “Laugh Out Loud Comedy Festival”) and “Boss Lady Be” Brély Evans (Sparkle, “Being Mary Jane”), along with “Bob’s Right Hand Man” Carlos Koustas will help Sumner debate which of the 32 comedians is ready to be in the spotlight on stage. When selected, DJ Mike Smoove introduces each comic to the stage. No differently than the NBA draft, viewers will see clips and Sumner’s interviews with the comedians talking about why doing clean comedy is so important and how it affects their lives.

“We are proud to partner with Laff Mobb and New Wave Entertainment to identify and spotlight a new generation of clean urban comics,” said Paul Butler, general manager, ASPIRE. “Beginning February 18th, over 32 fresh, funny and up-and-coming comedians will be introduced to ASPiRE viewers over eight weeks. We expect ‘Star Maker’ Bob Sumner and producer Arthur Spivak will take “Laff Mobb’s We Got Next” to the next level while entertaining and keeping ASPiRE viewers laughing each week. ”

“After helping to discover stars such as Bernie Mac, Dave Chapelle, Chris Tucker, Bill Bellamy, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, Mo'Nique and others, I’m stepping in front of the cameras for the first time to help bring the ‘Next’ generation of comedians to the world,” said “Star Maker,” Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer of “Def Comedy Jam” Bob Sumner. “I can’t wait for ASPiRE viewers to meet and laugh with these 32 fresh, talented and funny men and women.”

“Laff Mobb’s We Got Next” promises to deliver a game-changing comedic experience at a time when clean Black comedy is poised to fill the void of young Black comedians on television in the groundbreaking mode of Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby and Sinbad to name a few. Finally…clean, wholesome, positive and most of all funny comedy that the whole family can enjoy!

SERIES PREMIERE– AIRS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 10 P.M. EST

In the first episode, cameras follow “Star Maker,” Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer of “Def Comedy Jam” Bob Sumner as he -- with help from celebrity casting assistants “The Turn-Up King” Red Grant and “Boss Lady Be” Brély Evans and “Bob’s Right Hand Man” Carlos Koustas – decides who’s “Next” from Bob’s distinguished pool of clean urban comics. Introduced by DJ Mike Smoove, the first four performers to hit the stage before a live audience at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, CA are:

COMEDIANS FEATURED:
• ASPiRE’s “exhale” co-host Erin Jackson, originally from Somerset, NJ, (on Twitter @EJthecomic and online at erinjackson.net)
• Geoff Brown, from Hollywood, CA, (@thegeoffbrown)
• D.C. Ervin, originally from San Francisco, CA Bay Area, now in Los Angeles (@DCErvin)
• Yoursie Thomas, originally from Atlantic City, NJ, now in Los Angeles (@iYoursie)

EPISODE TWO – AIRS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 10 P.M. EST

In this episode, “Star Maker,” Co-Creator and Co-Executive Producer of “Def Comedy Jam” Bob Sumner, celebrity casting assistants “The Turn-Up King” Red Grant and “Boss Lady Be” Brély Evans, and “Bob’s Right Hand Man” Carlos Koustas debate who’s “Next” from Bob’s hand-picked pool of clean urban comics. Introduced by DJ Mike Smoove, the “Next” four performers to hit the stage before a live audience at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, CA are:

COMEDIANS FEATURED:
• Reyna Amaya, originally from Oakland, CA, now in Los Angeles, (@ReynaAComedy)
• Tony Baker, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and raised in Chicago, (@TonyBakercomedy)
• Austin Hall, originally from Washington, D.C., now in Los Angeles, (@austinthall)
• Kevin “Damn Fool” Simpson, originally from Chicago, now in Los Angeles, (@damnfoolisfunny)

ASPiRE presents a Laff Mobb and New Wave Entertainment production. Starring Bob Sumner, Red Grant, Brély Evans, Carlos Koustas and DJ Mike Smoove. Executive produced by Brian Volk-Weiss, Jack Vaughn, Arthur Spivak, Bob Sumner and Daniel Paul. Directed by Jay Chapman.

Follow talent from the show at:
• Bob Sumner on Twitter @bobsumner24 and online at www.laffmobb.com
• Red Grant on Twitter @redgrantlaughs and online at www.redgrant.com
• Brély Evans on Twitter @BrelyEvans and online at www.Brelyevans.com
• DJ Mike Smoove on Twitter @DJMIKESMOOVE

For more information, please go to www.aspire.tv and www.laffmobb.com.

About ASPiRE

ASPiRE is a television network targeted to African-Americans and celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of our past, our now and our next. ASPiRE offers a diverse programming mix of movies, series and specials featuring music, comedy, drama, faith/inspiration, theater/performing arts, lifestyle and news/information. The network was launched June 27, 2012 by Magic Johnson Enterprises, which acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. ASPiRE is available in more than 16 million homes in 21 of the top 25 African-American markets including New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Washington, D.C. through Comcast and Time Warner. For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/aspireTV and on Twitter @tvaspire.

About Magic Johnson Enterprises

Magic Johnson Enterprises acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. For more information, visit http://magicjohnson.com/enterprises.

ABOUT THE CAST

BOB SUMNER

Sumner, co-creator of HBO's “Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam” is a recognized force in the world of comedy, with over 20 years of experience discovering many of the top gifted comedians that grace the stage and big screen around the world.

Before joining Russell Simmons’ company, Rush Communications, Bob was an independent club promoter for musicians and comedians in the tri-state area. Originally from Roselle, New Jersey, Bob graduated from Seton Hall University leaving behind the college radio station of all stations after single handedly taking it to the number one spot.

As co-executive producer and talent scout for “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam,” Bob is definitely the man comedians want to know—he has made superstars out of many of today’s most sought-after comedians. He is the unseen force behind the comedians who appear on the critically-acclaimed “Def Comedy Jam” series. With more than 20 years of experience producing comedy, Sumner is one of the most adored producers in the world of comedy. During “Def Comedy Jam’s” first season in the 1990s, he traveled across the country in search of undeniably, talented comedians to shine on the show. Sumner has discovered such talent as Bernie Mac, Dave Chapelle, Chris Tucker, Bill Bellamy, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps, Mo'Nique and a multitude of other undiscovered comedians. He is often referred to as the black Lorne Michaels (creator of Saturday Night Live) of African American comedy because he has helped to launch the careers of many of today’s most successful comedians.

Bob also served as Vice-president of talent for Simmons Lathan Entertainment (A Subsidiary of Rush Communications) and Producer/Talent Scout “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam.” Currently, Bob is Executive Partner in his venture, Laff Mobb, with music and comedy management titan Arthur Spivak. In addition to “Laff Mobb’s We Got Next”, Laff Mobb has produced specials that have aired on Showtime.