1/15-16: CMT Comedy Stage tv taping @ Belcourt

[Chad Riden]

If you're subscribed to the N'Sup email list, you already know about the new "CMT Comedy Stage" tv show that is taping episodes last night and tonight at the Belcourt..

an older press release:

CMT Comedic actress Melissa Peterman (“Reba”) has been tapped to host the first four episodes of the new half-hour stand-up comedy series, CMT COMEDY STAGE, premiering in February 2007. This series features rising stars, as well as popular comedic favorites, including Etta May, Jon Reep, Vic Henley and Killer Beaz. CMT COMEDY STAGE will tape before a live audience at the historic Belcourt Theatre in Nashville in January 2007.

“CMT has been looking to dive into the stand-up world for quite some time,” said John C. Feld, executive producer, CMT. “Our audience loves comedy, as evidenced by the success of our series FOXWORTHY'S BIG NIGHT OUT and CMT COMEDY CLUB. And now, with Melissa and our great roster of comics onboard, CMT COMEDY STAGE promises to be the next exciting piece of our comedy franchise."

Peterman, who currently stars in the CW comedy, “Reba”, is from Minneapolis, Minn. After graduating from Minnesota State University, she was cast as Madeline Monroe in Hey City Theater's production of "Tony & Tina's Wedding". After more than 600 performances, she went on to work as a writer and performer at the improvisational comedy theater, The Brave New Workshop. While with The Brave New Workshop, she also performed at the Chicago Improv Festival and the Big Stink Comedy Festival in Austin, Texas. She made her film debut as Hooker #2 in the Coen brothers' Oscar-winning movie Fargo (1996). On television, she appeared in the Oxygen sketch comedy show “Running With Scissors” and guest-starred on “Just Shoot Me.”

CMT COMEDY STAGE is produced by Tom Forrest and Ben Tyson of Taillight TV. John C. Feld serves as executive in charge of production for CMT.

CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 83 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at http://www.cmt.com.

They're producing 4 episodes and the first premieres Friday 2/2, then the next 3 consecutive Fridays on CMT-- 2/9, 2/16, 2/23.

14 comics will be performing on these first four shows:

Trish Suhr
Gary Mule Deer
Kelly Terranova
Etta May
Killer Beaz
Tom Mabe
Vic Henley
Jon Reep
Robert Hawkins
Nate Bargatze
Greg Warren
Greg Hahn
John Wesley Austin
Mike Armstrong

Among the comics listed, you'll notice Nashville native Nate Bargatze.. the producers of the show contacted NashvilleStandUp last year looking to spotlight new / southern / local talent in the show and expect to work with more as additional shows are produced in the future.. so that's good news for Nashville-based comedians and fans!

I know several Nashville comics submitted dvds for consideration.. but don't be disappointed if you didn't get picked. Yesterday, one of the producers told me, "We do hope to spotlight new / southern / local talent in the show and have looked at hundreds of incredibly talented comics to book these 14."

Even better news, I just got this email today:

Chad -- Ben Tyson here, hey, we shot our first 2 episodes last night and I
gotta tell you, it was one hell of a show. Vic Henley, Etta May, Killer
Beaz, Trish Suhr, Tom Mabe and a few others -- they all KILLED IT and it
was hilarious. The reason I'm emailing is that I slept on it and thought...
You know, it would be great to have you and the rest of the Nashville comedy
scene down at the show so you can see what we're up to. We ended up having
more seats than we thought avail last night due to different camera
placements and I would personally like to extend the invite to anyone in
your group who would like to come tonight. Here's how to do it -- if you
can email me a list of names by 5pm or so of those who'd like to come, I'll
take care of it. Or call me on my cell before then, leave a message and
I'll get you back if we're in rehearsal.

The lineup tonight is AMAZING: Mike Armstrong, Greg Warren, Nate Bargatze,
Gary Mule Deer, Greg Hahn, John Wesley Austin, Jon Reep.

Here's the details: Belcourt Theater in Hillsboro Village
Be there no later than 6:15 or 6:30pm.
Show starts promptly at 7pm.
Belcourt sells beer and snacks in the lobby

THANKS and Best,
Ben

SO, if you want to see the show tonight and support Nate, just give me a yell.

[Joelisbad]

i'd like to go.

unless mark's going. then forget it.

[Chris Loyd]

Someone will need to do the time keeping at the Bar Car tonight.

[Mark]

If Joel isn't going to be there I think we will be OK

[Chad Riden]

This is the last time I'll be online for the rest of the night, so anyone else should call my cell if'n you wanna go.

[Joelisbad]

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Chad Riden]

These shows are gonna be good. Everybody was funny, and Nate rocked it. You should all be proud, 'cause he represented well.

[Chad Riden]

On Friday, February 2nd, at 8:30 p.m. (Central), CMT premiers "CMT Comedy Stage" - its new stand-up comedy series that was taped right here in Nashville at the historic and beautiful Bellcourt Theatre. NashvilleStandUp was there for the taping of the first four episodes in January, so look for several Nashville-based comedians in the audience AND on-stage. We also gave away tickets to the taping to members of our mailing list. Lee Campbell wrote to thank us saying, "The show was awesome!!!" ..and it was.

[perryredd]

Wow! Nate was great and I can't wait to see him again.