COMEDY CENTRAL U is in session! In this school, laughter is required, humor is a prerequisite and the desire to be on the road is a must. Today, comedycentral.com is opening up registration to "Crash Course In Comedy" -- the first-ever interactive online comedy school for wannabe stand-up comedians.
The unique curriculum of "Crash Course In Comedy" features 10 broadband video classes designed by a professional stand-up comedy coach that are presented to the students by comedian Ted Alexandro ("COMEDY CENTRAL Presents," "The Late Show with David Letterman"). Weekly video classes will cover a wide range of topics including developing jokes, stage presence and writing material. To add to the students' learning experience and overall entertainment, "Crash Course In Comedy" will offer "how to" examples with video from comedycentral.com's stand-up vault. Hyundai is the sponsor of "Crash Course In Comedy."
"COMEDY CENTRAL is thrilled to join the online educational community," said Lou Wallach, senior vice president, original programming and development, COMEDY CENTRAL. "Unlike traditional curriculums, 'Crash Course In Comedy' was created to give our students the tools to perform, act up and cause mass hysteria."
"Crash Course In Comedy" (www.comedycentral.com/shows/crash_course) is a truly interactive online experience. Not only can students watch two to three minute video classes online, but they can also build their own online comedian avatar. As part of the curriculum, comedycentral.com will introduce the Comedian Constructor -- a virtual interactive character feature created by Oddcast. This animated avatar technology tool will allow students to build their own virtual comedian and customize their acts by selecting their comedian's voice, clothes and accessories. In addition, registered students can type, call-in or record their original jokes and their online comedian avatar will read them aloud. The Comedian Constructor will also include a send-to-friend feature and a gallery, so students can post their sets to comedycentral.com for other visitors to view and rate.
For those COMEDY CENTRAL viewers who feel like blowing off class and grabbing the crib notes, the "Crash Course In Comedy" Sweepstakes provides a chance to win a comedy weekend trip to New York City to meet with the "Crash Course in Comedy" coach and checkout a professional comedy show. The prize package also includes economy class airfare from a major U.S. gateway for the winner and one guest, round trip airport transfers and two nights hotel accommodations (double occupancy).
Named one of the top comedians on the circuit by Time Out New York, Ted Alexandro (www.tedalexandro.com) is a fixture in the New York comedy scene and headlines clubs around the country. Alexandro has two half-hour "COMEDY CENTRAL Presents" specials to his credit and has performed on "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn," "Last Call with Carson Daly" and "The View." He has also appeared on HBO's critically-acclaimed series, "Oz."
