Image via sn4ke/Shutterstock
For five days starting next Monday, Comedy Central’s first ever Twitter-based comedy festival intends to take over your feed with the help of more than 50 comedians on the network.
There are 16 events scheduled for #ComedyFest, running from 29 April to 3 May. It will all start with a live-streamed event from the Paley Center in LA, where Carl Reiner and Judd Apatow will introduce director Mel Brooks to Twitter.
Throughout the week, Twitter users will be able to follow Ben Hoffman tweeting while on sedatives, a course of Vine dining featuring funny six-second videos hosted by Steve Agee, a daytime drinking game, and a tongue-in-cheek look at news trending on Twitter.
Some comedians will be live-tweeting during broadcasts on Comedy Central, putting a new spin on the DVD commentary of old, and ‘roastmaster’ Jeff Ross will bring his insulting wit to bear on Twitter users.
There will also be panel discussions on directing, writing and how comedians can use Twitter to further their careers.
All of this can be followed on the social network by tracking the hashtag #ComedyFest or following @ComedyCentral.
Looking at the line-up, it’s hard to tell whether this is a Twitter-based comedy event or a comedy-based Twitter event. These blurred lines could well be the intention of the event’s organisers, who seem to be attempting to harness the interaction between comedians and their fans that already happens organically on Twitter.
“Twitter has become an essential medium for comedy and comedians,” said Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless. “#ComedyFest will exist in the Twittersphere – creating comedy that lives on social media. It’s a great extension for our brand; it’s where our audience lives.”
Stage image via sn4ke/Shutterstock
