Breakthrough for Daily Show star

John Oliver has landed his own stand-up show in the States.

Comedy Central has ordered a six-part series of John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, which will air early next year.

The commission follows Oliver’s success as a correspondent on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, which also airs on Comedy Central.

In each hour-long episode, filmed in Manhattan, Oliver will introduce four guest stand-ups, including Janeane Garofalo, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman and Maria Bamford.

Comedy Central’s Elizabeth Porter said: ‘When John Oliver said he wanted to host a stand-up series featuring his favorite comics, the only real question we had for him was “How soon can we do it?’

He's a staple on The Daily Show and is such an exceptional stand-up comic. It's awesome to know our audience is going to get more of him this way.’

Oliver added: ‘It’s the most worthwhile way you could spend an hour each week that doesn’t involve getting Mount Rushmore gradually tattooed across your stomach.’

The series is being made by Avalon Television – the company’s first commission for Comedy Central.

The first episode goes out in America at 11pm on January 8.

Published: 18 Nov 2009