MySpace aims to do for comedy what it has done for music and film. Today, the News Corp. site is set to launch MySpace Comedy, which will post video clips of comedy-club performances by comedians
performing at the Improv comedy-club chain, reports
The Hollywood Reporter. The social network will also sponsor industry events, like this week's Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal,
which gives it exclusive rights to content. MySpace has been a major launch pad for music groups like The Ruse and aspiring filmmakers such as Matthew Nourse. With its 100 million users, MySpace is
unrivalled as a viral marketing vehicle. Company President and co-founder Tom Anderson says: "It's our hope MySpace Comedy will serve as a launch pad for up-and-coming comedians and as an attraction
for the biggest names in the industry." Prior to today's launch, MySpace reps said more than 7,500 comedians use the site, which makes it the largest online community for comics and comedy fans.
Comedian Jim Norton, who appears on "Opie & Anthony" and HBO's "Lucky Louie," created a MySpace page about six months ago and now has 33,000 friends. The Improv and MySpace will collaborate on special
nights at comedy clubs, as well as exclusive editorial content, footage, and online contests and promotions on MySpace.
Read the whole story at The Hollywood Reporter »
