EXCLUSIVE: AMC Networks-operated streaming service ALLBLK has commissioned Sitcho Ass Down, a new comedy special from comic Gary “G-Thang” Johnson, which will tape at the El Portal theatre in Los Angeles on January 26 and debut exclusively on the platform this spring.
Directing the hour, in his first time out in the stand-up world, is Bentley Kyle Evans, showrunner of The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin and more, who exec produces alongside Johnson and Valarie Benning Thompson (My Name is Mo’Nique).
Currently touring and headlining The Improv and Laugh Factory clubs worldwide, Johnson launched his stand-up career at The Funny Bones Comedy Club in 1994. Over the course of his decades in the business, he’s featured for some of the biggest names in comedy, including Mike Epps, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, and Chris Rock.
Most recently on the road with Epps for his “Don’t Take It Personal” Tour and wrapping up the first season of BET’s Happily Ever After, Johnson has also been seen on shows like Grown Folks, Girlfriends, Half & Half, All of Us, The Shield, Punk’d, In Case of Emergency, Uncle Buck, Black-ish and more.
Johnson has also hosted BET’s The Game and co-hosted the NAACP Image Awards and The Soul Train Music Awards. On the theatre stage, he has starred in Cheaper to Keep Her opposite Vivica A. Fox and Brian McKnight.
“The timing could not be more perfect for this comedy special. I’ve been working on new materials for about eight months and I’m ready to let the world hear what I have to say, from my point of view,” Johnson told Deadline. “I’ve been a part of the ALLBLK family for some time now, with multiple projects currently streaming on their platform, so doing this special with them wasn’t even a question. They’ve always been supportive of me, and I’m excited about this new chapter in my life and the new direction in which I’m taking my career.”
Brett Dismuke, Head of Content for WE tv and ALLBLK, stated: “ALLBLK is incredibly excited to return to producing live comedy with the incomparable Gary “G-Thang” Johnson. We’ve worked with him for years across our original programming and special events slate…and I’ve been laughing nonstop since day one. Now, it’s our audience’s turn to see just how talented he is.”
Added director-EP Evans: “I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to direct my very first comedy special. It only makes sense that I add a comedy special to my resume since I’ve built my career working with some of the top comedians in the game. Gary has proven to be a great talent that possesses super star qualities and I’m very happy to be a part of his evolution.”
Previously, ALLBLK has produced comedy specials including Kevin Hart’s I’m a Grown Little Man, Charlie Murphy’s I Will NOT Apologize, Nephew Tommy’s Just My Thoughts, Donnell Rawlings’s From Ashy to Classy, Lil Duval’s Living My Best Life and many others. In addition to Hart, the streamer will soon debut new hours from Erica Nicole Clark, Lil Rel Howery and more.