Yamaneika, Chris Redd Lead Off Slate of Comedy Central Half Hour Specials Debuting in September

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For comedians, there are few stepping stones as efficient at elevating one’s stand up career than getting a Comedy Central Half-Hour, which is why this new announcement from the network is so exciting for a particular roster of comics. Today, Comedy Central announced the new slate of comics to get their own Half-Hour specials on Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents…, and the lineup is both diverse and incredibly hilarious. The specials, which will premiere on a weekly basis starting on September 15th with back-to-back specials airing, starting at midnight and 12:30 a.m., were filmed at the New Orleans’ Civic Theatre and feature some of the most promising young comics in stand up right now.

You can check out a sneak peak of the various sets coming this season on September 8th at 1:30 a.m. ET/PT, when a preview episode of the show is set to air on Comedy Central.

Who are they, you ask? Let’s get into it.

The comics set to star in the season, in order of the air dates of their episodes, are:

September 15th:

Yamaneika Saunders: Saunders is a former panelist for The Meredith Vieira Show who has also made various other appearances on TV, from The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and Last Comic Standing to Comedy Knockout and Jeff Ross’s Roast Battle. She’s a frequent guest on podcasts like Race Wars and Legion of Skanks, and currently hosts her own podcast called Rantin’ and Ravin’ with Yamaneika and Chloe. You can follow her on Twitter @yamaneika.

Chris Redd: Chicago-born Redd is a comedian, writer and actor best known for his roles in Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Love, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later and the popular weed comedy Disjointed. He’s also made appearances on popular comic-centric TV shows like @midnight and Comedy Bang! Bang!. Check him out on Twitter  @reddsaidit.

September 22nd:

Shane Torres: This New York-based comic and writer is a veteran of Seeso shows like Wyatt Cenac’s Night Train and The Guest List, and is one of a few Last Comic Standing vets to appear on this list. A staple of festivals like Bridgetown and Bumbershoot, Torres is also the host of the podcast Help Wanted. Other podcast appearances of his include episodes of Comedy Bang! Bang! and Savage Love. You can check out his criminally under-followed Twitter account by following him @SyrupMountain.

Jenny Zigrino: A “New Face” at JFL 2016, Zigrino is a veteran of festivals like Moontower, Bridgetown, The New York Comedy Festival and more. She is perhaps best known as the co-star of Fifty Shades of Black alongside Marlon Wayans, and as Gina De Luca in Bad Santa 2. She’s also been seen on the TV game show circuit, having made multiple appearances on @midnight and the upcoming Punchline. Check her out on Twitter @jennyzigrino.

September 29th:

Jo Firestone: The Brooklyn-based Firestone is a comedic force in NYC, hosting multiple popular alt shows like Punderdome 3000 and Friends of Single People. She was a contributor and consulting producer for The Chris Gethard Show during its Fusion run, and recently joined The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon as a staff writer. You can follow her on Twitter @kingfirestorm.

Casey James Salengo: Another JFL 2016 “New Face,” This NYC-based comedian is one of the hosts of the hilarious podcast The Good, The Dad and The Ugly, and recently performed his first late night TV sets with a double dose of Jimmy Kimmel Live! He’s next set to appear on Fuse’s upcoming stand-up show Uproarious, and his mom is very proud of him. Check him out on Twitter @caseyjsalengo.

October 6th:

Anthony DeVito: A well-known face in NYC, DeVito is a cast member on the recently launched People Talking Sports* (*And Other Stuff) on MSG. He’s a regular guest on the popular SiriusXM talk show Bennington, is one half of the hilarious podcast Rad Dudecast alongside fellow comic Greg Stone, and recently made his late night TV debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He just recently dropped his debut comedy album, Dream Occupation, via Comedy Central Records. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDeVito_.

Julio Torres: This Brooklyn-based comedian and writer recently hit it big, landing himself a writing job on Saturday Night Live. Other writing credentials include Billy on the Street and The Chris Gethard Show, and as if that wasn’t enough, he also managed to land a part in Louis C.K.’s uber-popular Horace and Pete. Do yourself a favor and check him out on Twitter @juliothesquare.

October 13th:

Josh Johnson: Another “New Face” at JFL 2016, this comedian and writer has made a name for himself at festivals such as SF Sketchfest, RIOT LA, Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Moontower, and The New York Comedy Festival, just to name a few. Last year, he joined the writing team at The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon full time, and recently released his debut album I Like You via Comedy Central Records. Check out his Twitter by following him @JoshJohnson.

Sam Jay: One of this year’s “New Faces” at JFL, this up-and-comer has opened for the likes of Dave Attell and Hannibal Buress. She’s an alum of festivals like The New York Comedy Festival, Bridgetown Comedy Festival and Laugh Your Asheville Off. She’s had various TV roles, including appearances on Vice’s Party Legends and The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. Check her out on Twitter @SamJayComic.

October 20th:

Joel Kim Booster: Brooklyn-by-way-of-Chicago comic and writer Joel Kim Booster is a staple of the alt comedy scene in New York, and for good reason. Booster has written for shows like Problematic with Moshe Kasher and Billy on the Street, and has appeared on shows like @midnight, Conan, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail and Funemployed. Last year, his pilot Birthright was picked up by Fox Comedy. Check out his hilarious Twitter @ihatejoelkim.

Solomon Georgio: Georgio is a powerhouse writer and comedian, having written for shows like Adam Ruins Everything and SpongeBob SquarePants. He’s appeared on Vice’s comic docu-show Flophouse, as well as on late night shows Conan and Last Call with Carson Daly as a performer. A regular at festivals like Bumbershoot and Bridgetown, Georgio can be followed on Twitter @solomongeorgio.

October 27th:

Adam Cayton-Holland: Founding member of The Grawlix and creator of the High Plains Comedy Festival, Cayton-Holland has made a name for himself as a successful comic and actor. He’s appeared on everything from @midnight and The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail to Happy Endings, Flophouse and The Pete Holmes Show. Along with his fellow Grawlix members, he stars in the truTV comedy Those Who Can’t, which was picked up for a third season earlier this year and is finishing up shooting this week. Check him out on Twitter @CaytonHolland.

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Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler
Bill Tressler
Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.