HIT THE ROAD, RUSS – RUSSELL HOWARD AND MUM: GLOBETROTTERS RETURNS TO ASIA ON COMEDY CENTRAL UK 9th OCTOBER AT 10PM

 “Forget bank of mum and dad: parents must now be prepared for the fact that one day their adult comedian offspring might demand they act as comic foil on a TV travelogue. Russell Howard’s mother, Ninette, is remarkably laid back, though, as she accompanies her boy for a week on the Thai island Koh Pha-Ngan.” Critic’s Choice, The Sunday Times 

★★★★ Mark Wareham, The Mail on Sunday

★★★★  Boyd Hilton, Heat Magazine

Russell Howard and his mum Ninette are off on brand new and unusual adventures in India, South Korea, Thailand and Japan. The highly anticipated fourth series of Russell Howard and Mum: Globetrotters (6 x 60 minute series) premieres on Comedy Central UK on the 9th of October at 10pm. The first three series reached 4.2M individuals, with the first series being the highest rated new commission on the channel the year it launched. After achieving as much as +241% on the 16-34s slot average and +172% on the adults slot average, series three and four were commissioned with extended episodes.

Russell and Ninette’s funny, warm and engaging relationship is once again put under the microscope across as they travel across Asia. They go on a journey to enlightenment in India, experiencing spiritual head massages from the Cosmic Barber and the Hindu festival of Holi. The duo travel to South Korea to become the first ever ‘mum & son’ K-Pop group, with help from everyone from K-Pop superstars and singing teachers to plastic surgeons. In Tokyo they are granted eternal youth in a Maid Café, before renting some friends to take to a parasite museum. Ninette gets to lead the Chinese New Year parade (in Thailand, of course) while Russell tries kickboxing, before receiving a fire massage from a zealous monk. They return to India to get stuck in playing kabaddi in Kerala, and they learn the storytelling art of Kathakali, donning the traditional make up and dress to re-enact Star Wars. Finally, Ninette turns 60 in Tokyo, which in Japanese culture is known as Kanreki, the rebirth. Russell marks the occasion by setting his mum the challenge of making a bucket list. Ninette chooses to milk a cow, eat a deep-fried Mars Bar, go cheerleading and see the Northern Lights. In Japan.

As well as a regular face on TV, Russell is a globally successful stand-up comedian and is currently on his third and largest world tour Respite, which begins with a UK arena tour before taking him to 51 cities in 24 countries across 5 continents. Russell broke Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow’s record for the most consecutive nights at the Royal Albert Hall and performing the largest ever stand-up show in China on 2017’s Round The World tour. Russell has a social media following of over 3.4 million Facebook fans around the world with more followers than any other British comedian.

The shows launch underlines Comedy Central UK’s ongoing push to ramp up its offering of UK commissions. Since 2015, the channel has continued its explosive growth – including its highest ever UK commission Roast Battle which, along with Joel and Nish Vs The World, Takeshi’s Castle, Stand Up Central, Drunk History and Your Face or Mine have all been brought back for brand new seasons. Comedy Central UK also recently announced that it has commissioned a comedy reboot of the cult quiz gameshow format Blockbusters with household name Dara O’Briain as host, which is set to air in 2019.

 

Russell Howard & Mum: Globetrotters will premiere on Comedy Central UK on 9th October at 10pm – 6 x 60 min

What the press have said about Russell Howard

“Hilarious and heartfelt” ★★★★ Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard

“Intimate and raw” ★★★★ Mark Wareham, The Mail On Sunday

★★★★★ Sharon Lougher, Metro

“one of the world’s top comedians” Martin Hemming, The Sunday Times

 

For more information please contact: Victoria Wedderburn on 0207 598 7222 or VWedderburn@avalonuk.com, Ben Baruch on 0207 598 7222 or bbaruch@avalonuk.com or Emily Holmes Emily.Holmes@vimn.com on 0203 580 3119 at Comedy Central

 

Episode 1: The Road to Enlightenment in Pushkar

Russell and Ninette are getting spiritual in the Holy City of Pushkar in India. Their Cosmic guide is a Barber who is out of this world. He’s taking them on a journey of enlightenment via a rat temple, the festival of Holi and one hell of a massage that teaches them the true meaning of ‘RELAX!’.

Episode 2: Conquering K-Pop in South Korea

Forget Gangnan Style, Russell and Ninette are in South Korea and are doing it Oppan Howard style. They are in Seoul and getting fully involved in the music phenomenon of K-pop and transforming themselves into the first and possibly last mother and son K-Pop duo…

Episode 3: Going Underground in Tokyo

Russell and Ninette are in Tokyo but ignoring the usual tourist traps, they’re heading underground and embracing the truly weird and wonderful side of this metropolis. They’re meeting some magical maids, renting some mates and Russell’s having a go at being a gigolo at one of Tokyo’s infamous Host Clubs.

Episode 4: Chinese New Year in Thailand

It’s Chinese New Year so obviously Russell and his mum Ninette are in… Thailand. Chinese New Year is massive in Thailand and the Howards are getting fully involved in the celebrations of the Year of the Dog. Along the way they’re sampling some of the more unusual activities Thailand has to offer before literally chasing the dragon in the New Year parade.

Episode 5: Getting Cultural in Kerala

Russell and Ninette are in Kerala in India, they’re embracing the Southern states’ traditions, both old and new. From climbing trees to get their hands on some booze, pouring oil on their heads to raise their IQ’s and trying out the ancient performance artform of Kathakali to tell the story of Star Wars.

Episode 6: Turning 60 in Japan

The Howards are in Japan for Ninette’s 60th Birthday and in this amazing country Russell has set her a challenge: come up with a birthday bucket list including all the incredible things she would love to do. Ninette’s beautiful mind has not quite delivered a list tailored for the land of the rising sun so they’re off to break a world record with her arse, find the northern lights in the far east and milk a cow…

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

About Russell Howard:

 

  • Russell is currently on his third and largest world tour Respite which will take him to 51 cities across 24 countries in 5 continents, starting with a UK Arena leg in autumn 2019.

 

  • Russell launched The Russell Howard Hour on Sky One in Autumn 2017. The show was the most successful new entertainment series to launch on the channel since 2010 and had over 100 million views across social media. The third, fourteen-part series (14 x 60’) will air Autumn 2019, with series four already commissioned.

 

  • A Netflix special of Russell’s latest critically acclaimed world tour titled Recalibrate launched worldwide in December 2017.

 

  • After 2016’s adventure in the USA, Russell and his “twinkly eyed smasher of a mum” Ninette Howard returned to our screens with a second supersized American trip on Comedy Central. Russell Howard & Mum: Globetrotters was the highest rating new commission on the channel when it launched in 2016, achieving as much as +119% on the 16-34s slot average and +72% on the adults slot average. The show reached a total of 2.4 million individuals resulting in series 3 and 4 in Asia being commissioned and with episodes increasing in length from 30 to 60 minutes.

 

  • During Round the World, his largest international tour to date, RUSSELL performed 87 major dates with runs in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, China, New Zealand and Australia.  This tour also saw a record-breaking 10-night run at the Royal Albert Hall, overtaking eight in a row jointly held by Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow, and performing the biggest ever stand-up show in China.

 

  • Whilst Russell was touring Round The World in 2017, his last stand-up show Wonderbox (2014) went viral with 15 million views in China (with Mandarin subtitles) and 55 million views worldwide.  Russell Crowe and Stephen Fry are amongst some of the Twitterati who have shared the heart-warming story of Russell and a sick fan’s triumph over adversity.

 

 

  • Russell Howard’s Good News is available around the world via a YouTube channel launched in 2014 – allowing fans to watch full episodes of the show (without piracy) in countries where the show wasn’t already broadcast – and has had over 48 million views and been watched in 180 countries (including North Korea and Vatican City).

 

  • Christmas 2015 saw Russell’s first comedy-drama with the premiere of, A Gert Lush Christmas (BBC Two).   As well as co-writing the special, Russell starred for the first time along-side his sister Kerry Howard (Him & Her, BBC Three), Greg Davies (The Inbetweeners, Man Down, Channel 4), Neil Morrissey (Men Behaving Badly, Waterloo Road, BBC1), and Sophie Thompson (EastEnders, BBC1).

 

  • Russell’s stand-up series, Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, which aired from April 2015 on Comedy Central (UK) achieved viewing figures of 159% above the slot average for its first episode.

 

  • Episodes of Russell Howard’s Good News have even been subtitled and uploaded to Chinese video site AcFun, where the show has also been watched over 4 million times.

 

  • Russell is the most popular British comedian on Facebook with over 3.4 million fans and over 1.3 million followers on Twitter.

 

  • 10 series of Russell Howard’s Good News has seen Russell write and star in 96 episodes.

 

  • Russell Howard’s Good News is regularly the most watched show on iPlayer across all BBC Channels.

 

  • Russell’s tour, Wonderbox (2014) – saw him perform to over 285,000 fans at 40 shows across the UK and Ireland, including four consecutive nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

 

  • Russell extended his 2014 Wonderbox tour across the world following over 17,000 suggestions from his fans after he asked them via Facebook where they’d most like to see him perform. The extra sold out dates saw Russell travel to New York, LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, Denver, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Auckland.

 

  • Russell’s tour in 2011, Right Here, Right Now saw him perform to over 240,000 fans across the country, including three sold out dates at London’s O2 arena.

 

  • Russell performed to over one million people on his UK and international tours from 2006-2014.

 

  • Russell Howard has four bestselling stand-up DVDs, 2014’s Wonderbox Live, 2011’s Right Here, Right Now, 2008’s Russell Howard Live and 2009’s Russell Howard Live – Dingledodies, which have sold over 619,000 DVDs and all been in the top 5 DVD comedy chart.

 

  • Russell was voted Heat Magazine‘s “Weird Crush of the Year 2013″

 

  • Russell made 58 appearances on Mock The Week between 2006 and 2010.

 

  • In addition to being a regular on Mock The Week, Russell was twice featured on Live At The Apollo and appeared on Would I Lie To You (BBC One), Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC Two), and 8 Out 10 Cats (Channel 4).

 

  • In 2010 Russell took part in the Sport Relief Million Pound Bike Ride with David Walliams, Jimmy Carr, Fearne Cotton, Miranda Hart, Patrick Kielty and Davina McCall – cycling 874 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 4 days and raising over ￡1,337.099.

 

  • In 2010 Russell ran the London Marathon, raising money for the National Society for Epilepsy – a condition from which his brother suffers. He completed the 26 mile course in 4 hours and 15 minutes and raised over ￡7,000.

 

  • Russell Howard’s fifth ever stand-up gig got him to the final of Channel 4’s So You Think You’re Funny.

 

  • In 2006 Russell Howard was nominated for the Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Award for his show Wandering, which followed with a nationwide sell-out tour.

 

  • From November 2006 to July 2008, Russell co-hosted The Russell Howard Show (BBC 6 Music) with fellow comedian Jon Richardson in a Sunday morning slot previously hosted by Russell Brand.

 

Comedy Central UK

Comedy Central is a leading Pay TV General Entertainment channel and is part of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). A joint venture between VIMN (75%) and BSkyB (25%), Comedy Central airs on the Sky and Virgin Media platforms. Comedy Central launched in the UK in April 2009 and is one the fastest growing channels in the marketplace.

The channel broadcasts a mix of hit US acquisitions and original UK productions targeting a 16-54s-year old audience. In 2019, the channel triumphed at the Broadcast Digital awards, winning Best Entertainment Channel.

Comedy Central UK’s hit original commissions include Roast Battle, the channels highest rated UK commission, Your Face or Mine, Russell Howard and Mum: Globetrotters and Takeshi’s Castle, all of which are returning later in 2019 for brand new seasons. Comedy Central UK continues to add to its roster of home grown commissions with additions such as The Comedy Bus featuring top comedic talent and also saw great success with its new comedy re-boot of the iconic quiz show Blockbusters reaching 232.7K 16-54s, continuing to prove we are the home of comedy in the UK.

Off air, the channel continues to build its brand experience offering, with award winning Friendsfest entering its 5th year and most recently Comedy Central Live, a stand up and experiential festival featuring over 100 of the biggest names in Comedy.

US titles Impractical Jokers, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, The US Office, and South Park also continue to draw in massive numbers. Plus popular nostalgic titles are still a ratings hit with shows such as Friends, Fresh Prince and Two Guys and a Girl, all of which make Comedy Central UK a place where anyone and everyone can come to for daily laughs!

In addition to the main Comedy Central channel are Comedy Central +1, Comedy Central Extra and Comedy Central Extra +1 providing audiences with more viewing opportunities and more fantastic content.

Avalon

Avalon is a multi-award-winning talent management, television production and live promotion group with offices in London, New York and Los Angeles.  Avalon and ARG, the talent management arm, has discovered and represents many artists that are household names, both in the UK, the USA, and around the world.

Avalon is the number one true independent television production company in the UK and produces numerous ground-breaking television shows including: multi-Emmy and Peabody award winner Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO); multi-award winning and Emmy-nominated Catastrophe (Channel 4/Amazon Prime Video); RTS and Rose d’Or winning Not Going Out (the BBC’s longest running sitcom currently on air); BAFTA and RTS-nominated Taskmaster (DAVE/UKTV); Sky’s most successful new entertainment launch since 2010, The Russell Howard Hour (Sky); the forthcoming Breeders, co-created by Martin Freeman, Chris Addison and Simon Blackwell (Sky/FX); and two seasons of Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas (HBO). As well as iconic shows including: Fantasy Football League(BBC/ITV); the multi-BAFTA award-winning TV Burp (ITV); and seven seasons of Workaholics (Comedy Central USA).

Live, Avalon produced Newman and Baddiel: Live at Wembley, the UK’s first arena comedy show; Jerry Springer: The Opera, the first West End show to win all four UK ‘Best New Musical’ awards; and has continued to produce live shows globally, as well as promoting more winners and nominees of the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award than any other company.

 

For Avalon news visit: www.avalonuk.com/press or follow @avalonent

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