'SNL' Jim Breuer Joins AXs TV's GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE as Consulting Producer

Stand-up comedian and actor Jim Breuer has joined AXS TV's weekly uncensored comedy series Gotham Comedy Live as the show's consulting producer. The former "Saturday Night Live" alum is joining the network as the series begins its third season on Jan. 9 after receiving a 24-episode order and he will host the season premiere.

Breuer will work alongside the show's producers, Chris and Steven Mazzilli, Dave Goldberg and Rob Cea, to continue to bring many of today's top comedic entertainers to the only live, uncensored and unedited stand-up show on network television. Breuer will also assist in broadening the show's content and will bring his music-infused comedy to the network for marketing campaigns, while also serving as the spokesperson for the show.

"Jim Breuer is one of the most charismatic and trusted comedians on the circuit. Not only does he have a clear grasp of what resonates with audiences today, but he represents our channel's brand with his love and knowledge of rock music," stated Michele M. Dix, AXS TV's senior Vice president of programming and development, on making the announcement. "We're looking forward to Jim's contributions on the show that we've just renewed for a third season."

Having starred in front of the camera and performed live on stage his entire career, Breuer has produced music videos and TV specials, but has never served as part of an executive team for a series until now. "There's no other comedy series on TV that I feel more passionate about than 'GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE.' The freedom that the show provides entertainers is unmatched in the industry and I can't wait to start to infuse ideas and suggest new talent for the series' third season," said Breuer. "That, and of course, being able to host the premiere well, it just doesn't get much better than that for me."

GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE's new season begins Thurs., Jan. 9 at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT), the show's regular date and time. The comedy showcase will continue to be a part of AXS TV's "Seriously. Funny. Thursdays." programming block following episodes of Tom Green Live at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT). Tom Green Live starts its second season as well on Jan. 9 with new episodes.

Gotham Comedy Live is filmed in front of a live audience from New York City's famed Gotham Comedy Club. Each episode features a host who performs a stand-up set along with four other comedians. The atmosphere of the show is a no-holds-barred format where the TV viewers see and hear exactly what is being performed at the venue. This intimate setting provides the perfect backdrop for the performers to feel the emotions in the room and play off the audience's energy. Gotham Comedy Live has showcased the talents of such comedic heavy-weights in the past as JB Smoove; David Alan Grier; Gilbert Gottfried; and Artie Lange.

"We have been successful in booking such A-list talent as Frank Caliendo, D.L. Hughley and Michael Ian Black due to the freedom in which the show is shot and aired," said Gotham Comedy Club Owner Chris Mazzilli. "The comedians thrive under the pressure of performing live and flourish with not having restrictions placed upon them. We knew that this show would be a hit with AXS TV's audience as comedy not only plays well on multiple platforms and attracts a younger demographic, but it also holds up well with encore broadcasts. We're thrilled with this announcement adding Jim to our team and we can hardly wait to start booking our next 24 episodes."

Breuer brings over 20 years of comedy experience to GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE. Named one of the '100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time,' Breuer is one of the most recognizable comedians in the business, known for his charismatic stage antics, dead-on impressions, and Youtube page Breuniverse. Among his film and television credits, he was a featured player on TV's "Saturday Night Live" for four years and starred in the cult favorite film HALF BAKED as well as ZOOKEEPER; DICK and BEER LEAGUE. He authored an autobiography, I'm Not High: (But I've Got a Lot of Crazy Stories about Life as a Goat Boy; A Dad, and a Spiritual Warrior,) and his 2009 special "Let's Clear The Air" was one of the highest-rated programs on Comedy Central. Also, his newest comedy special, "Jim Breuer: And Laughter For All," was one the most watched programs on Netflix in 2013.

Gotham Comedy Live is produced by Killer Bunny Entertainment and Sugar Hit Entertainment in association with Gotham Comedy Club.

ABOUT GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE
Each Thursday the audience is given a front-row seat at the legendary Gotham Comedy Club in the heart of Manhattan for the only live, unedited, uncensored standup comedy available on television. The series features the biggest names working the circuit, along with up-and-comers sure to be the next big thing.

ABOUT AXS TV
Bringing music back to television, AXS TV, launched in July of 2012 by visionary entrepreneur MARK CUBAN, has created a one-of-a-kind, live television environment for entertainment and other cutting-edge trends. AXS TV delivers relevant, unpredictable and irreverent programming offering an unparalleled experience to a nationwide audience by presenting unfiltered, uncensored and uncut access to entertainers and their performances. "AXS TV Concerts," indicative of the network's dedication to music programming, crosses genres and international waters to deliver everything from stadium tours to club acts to tribute bands to some of the most anticipated festivals on the calendar, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Stagecoach Festival in California and the British Summer Time at Hyde Park Festival. A roster of diverse and unique talent is also a hallmark of the network with shows hosted by Dan Rather, Tom Green and Art Mann; performances by artists such as Carrie Underwood, Maroon 5 and Billy Joel as well as the top comics working the circuit on the signature "Gotham Comedy Live." Sports programming is led by "AXS TV Fights" which produces over 40 live mixed martial arts broadcasts a year in addition to the longest running weekly MMA news show on television, "Inside MMA." The network is available in the United States via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other TV providers. It is also distributed in Canada and the Caribbean. The network is spearheaded by a partnership including MARK CUBAN, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CBS. For more information, visit the website,www.axs.tv; go to the Facebook page here and follow the company on Twitter, @axstv; on Instagram; Tumblr and YouTube.

ABOUT JIM BREUER
Named Comedy Central's "100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time," Jim Breuer is currently one of the top touring comedians in the country. After his renowned four year runon "Saturday Night Live" and starring role in the cult classic movie HALF BAKED alongside Dave Chappelle, Breuer was propelled into comedy stardom. Now all grown up and married with three daughters, Breuer continues to win over audiences with his charismatic stage antics, dead-on impressions, and signature family-friendly stand-up. His latest one-hour comedy special "Jim Breuer: And Laughter for All" (released on DVD November 2013) grapples with the absurdities and annoyances of finding himself a middle aged father of three in suburban New Jersey.

SOURCE AXS TV