Pan-African entertainment channel M-Net today announced plans for a brand-new 13-part stand-up comedy series, specifically dedicated to Zambian audiences. STAND UP ZAMBIA will mark the channel’s first Zambian series, shot on location in Lusaka.

In line with platform provider MultiChoice Africa’s aim to deliver top-class local content to DStv audiences, M-Net’s STAND UP ZAMBIA aims to provide a showcase of Zambian comedic talent.

“Zambia has long been part of the M-Net story, especially in regards to M-Net’s expansion into different African markets,” says M-Net Director of Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa Joseph Hundah.

“Zambia’s Cherise Makubale won the first ever Big Brother Africa, while Jeremiah Zulu was the runner-up in Survivor Africa. With STAND UP ZAMBIA we intend to focus even more closely on the country’s creative arts and I am confident that the show will deliver great entertainment for our audiences, both locally and elsewhere on the continent.”

Hosted by local Zambian TV personalities Kaliwa Lubasi and Monique Matipe, STAND UP ZAMBIA is searching for new funnymen and women to compete in the race to find Zambia’s top comedian. The show’s ultimate winner will take home a prize of USD 10 000.

So are you witty or hilarious? Can you make people laugh? Do you have a sense of humor? If so, then if you are Zambian and over the age of 18, you can enter STAND UP ZAMBIA.

All you have to do is bring yourself, proof of Zambian identity and your funniest one-liner or joke to The Playhouse in Lusaka on October 11 from 13:00. Here you will get one chance to make a big impression on the show’s preliminary judges!

If you are successful you will make into round two of the audition on October 12 where short-listed candidates will compete for a spot in the TOP 20. If you make the TOP 20, then be prepared to spend October 13 in a workshop with an already successful, established comedian to learn more about the tricks of stand-up comedy, from timing to punch-lines.

The TOP 20 finalists for STAND UP ZAMBIA will then go into a series of elimination rounds, running in stages from October 30 until December 7, where their talent will be tested in front of a live audience. On December 7, only the TOP 5 finalists will remain in STAND UP ZAMBIA.

At this stage, the show’s production takes a hiatus and all the action that had been taped thus far goes on-air on M-Net.

DStv audiences can tune in to M-Net from Monday 21January 2008 at 19:00 to see episodes 1 to 11. Find out just who had the live studio audience laughing and who had the judges in smiles!

Once episode 11 has been screened in March 2008, the show’s TV audience then gets their chance to make their opinions felt about who should stay in the show and who should go.

Ultimately the show’s audience will pick the STAND UP ZAMBIA winner and it will be their decision who takes home the big prize!

Meanwhile, while production on STAND UP ZAMBIA continues, M-Net will be making another contribution to the local art scene, investing USD 20 000 for the refurbishment of the show’s venue, the legendary Lusaka Playhouse. Part of this refurbishment includes a revamp of the Playhouse internal décor and stage.

With preparations for the show well underway and the show now ready for action, there’s only thing left to say. STAND UP ZAMBIA…it’s time to laugh with M-Net and that’s no joke!