Comic relief: Award-winning ‘Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar’ is back!

Laughter truly is the best medicine and if there is one thing that all South Africans need right now, it’s a laugh. Comic relief is on its way with the third season of Comedy Central Live at the Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar premiering on Monday 17 May at 10pm on Comedy Central (channel 122 on DStv).

When South Africa first faced a hard lockdown in 2020, Savanna decided to think outside the box to support comedic talent and so the Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar was born during lockdown Level 5, originally living on Savanna’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

Award-winning comedy show

The show even got rewarded by the industry it supported at the 2020 South African Comedy Awards with two top awards: The Top Comedy Sponsor and Top Online Show.

Comedy Central Africa took note of this comedic initiative and picked up the show for its first season on TV in October last year. The show continued to bring audiences tuning in to watch a lineup of some of South Africa’s most beloved comedians, such as Lihle Msimang, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Ebenhaezer Dibakwane and Farieda Metsileng.

#SiyavannaSouthAfrica

No topic was off the table (and will ever be) – we understand each other here – #SiyavannaSouthAfrica. So, to be safe, rather put Gogo to bed before watching. This authenticity and audacity allowed the show to laugh it’s way to a nomination for a 2021 Saftas Best Variety Show award.

“The comedy industry is very close to our heart and our brand. The wellbeing, continuous growth and development of comedic talent is our priority. With limitations still in place when it comes to public event gatherings, international travelling and many annual events being cancelled, the Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar is a steady platform for comedic talent to continue to do what they love most and let’s face it, no store accepts punchlines at the tills,” said Savanna marketing manager Eugene Lenford.

Monday night slot for ‘Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar’

The renewed season moves away from the Sunday night slot to Monday evenings and fans can expect a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Tumi Morake, Nina Hastie, Trevor Gumbi, Tyson Ngubeni and an exclusive lineup of rising comedians handing out laughter in spades.

…Or catch it online

One thing that remains the same is digital versions every Thursday night on www.savanna.co.za for those who enjoy watching the show in their own time, on their own devices, where small animals and children won’t be scared by the ensuing raucous laughter.

Dillon Khan, vice-president for Comedy Central and creative services at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, commented: “The first season of Comedy Central Live at the Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar outperformed our expectations and has affirmed the love South Africans have for local comedic talent.

“We look forward to another season filled with the funniest comedians entertaining the local crowd in a way only they can, and we are proud to be associated with Savanna, a firm industry and comedic talent champion for nearly three decades.”