Russell Simmons is returning to his comedy roots with a new stand-up show on HBO. The man behind the 90s hit series Def Comedy Jam will debut the first of six episodes of his new show All Def Comedy on the network next month.
According to HBO, All Def Comedy will feature “stand-up performances in a variety of styles from known and up-and-coming comics discovered at All Def Digital’s live weekly showcase and covers a wide range of topics.”
Among the well-known comedians appearing in Simmons’ new series are Deon Cole (Blackish, Angie Tribeca), DeRay Davis (21 Jump Street, Barbershop: The Next Cut), Gary Owen (Meet The Blacks, Ride Along) and JJ Williamson. Up-and-comers slated to performa include Alex Babbitt, Sydney Castillo, Ryan Davis, Tony Baker, D’Lai, Henry Coleman, Jess Hilarious, Nate Jackson, Kareem Green, Na’im Lynn, Karlous Miller, Kelly Kellz, Leonard Ouzts, Just Nesh, Robert Powell, Teddy Ray, Daphnique Springs, Jordan Rock, Clayton Thomas and Mark Viera.
All Def Comedy was taped on Oct. 10-11 at the Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles. The series is hosted by Tony Rock (All of Us, The Tony Rock Project) with DJ Mustard onboard as music supervisor. Simmons, Chris Conti, Jeru Tillman and Stan Lathan produced the show with the lattermost also sitting in the director’s chair.
Mark your calendars for the Dec. 1 series premiere of All Def Comedy on HBO. Subsequent episodes will air on each Friday throughout December.