Actor/Comedian Bill Bellamy and Eight of Today’s Funniest Comics to Entertain Troops in Germany on “Who’s Got Jokes” USO Tour

May 14, 2008 download story

TV One’s Hit Comedy Competition Featuring Bill Bellamy, Tommy Ford and Rodney Perry To Bring Laughs and Film Special Episode, May 24, in Salute to U.S. Troops

ARLINGTON, Va. – The USO and TV One are gearing up to take the network’s top-rated original comedy competition series, “Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes?,” directly to U.S. troops in Germany, where it will
hit the streets and film a special ‘tribute to troops’ episode as part of
a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour May 24-28.  Traveling to
the region to show their support of America’s heroes, the show will tape two live television shows at the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s ROB-Rhine Ordnance Barracks Special Event Warehouse May 24 at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.  The show’s cast, actors/comedians
Bill Bellamy, Tommy Ford and Rodney Perry, will also visit wounded service members at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
(May 24), perform stand-up for troops stationed at U.S. Army Garrison Stuggart (May 26) and Spangdahlem Air Base (May 27), and sign autographs.

Dedicated to those serving both stateside and overseas, the show recently wrapped up filming in Birmingham, AL and Washington, DC, and will tape its semi-finals round for troops in Germany.  Closing in on the show’s 3rd seasons quest to find and showcase some of today’s hottest talent, only two of the eight up and coming comics will advance to the finals being held at the Wilshire Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. June 14.  Premiering in September 2008, the special episode will feature personal messages from the show’s stars, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of USO entertainment and shout-outs from service members stationed in Germany.  The segment will also feature a three-person panel composed of service members stationed in the region.

“There are two things I enjoy most in life - laughing and making people laugh,” says Bellamy.  “Laughter is important, it gets people through the best and worst of times, and today’s troops need it today more than ever.  They work so hard and sacrifice so much, and my goal is to give them a show that brings smiles to their faces, even if only for a couple of hours.”

Offering audiences worldwide the chance to tune in to “clean” comedy, the show is hosted by Bellamy and features a star-studded crew of comedians.  Known for employing his trademark antics and comedic chops, Perry serves as the show’s ‘Man on the Street’ co-host, interviewing and cutting up with contestants and audience members.  Adding to the celebrity lineup is Ford, who acts as the show’s ‘Pope of Comedy’ co-host, explaining the competition’s scoring system and deducting points from contestants for failing to abide by the show’s ground rules. 

Known for his undeniable humor and irresistible charm, Bellamy made his national television debut on “Showtime at the Apollo” in 1990.  Winning over audiences, he caught the attention of producers Russell Simmons and Bernie Brillstein, and was quickly signed to appear in HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.”  Following his appearances on HBO, Bellamy then enjoyed a five-year run as host of “MTV Jamz” and, in 1997, made his feature-film debut in “Love Jones” starring Nia Long and Lorenz Tate.  Among his many film credits are “Getting Played” with Vivica A. Fox, “Brothers” opposite D.L. Hughley, Shemar Moore and Morris Chestnut, and “Any Given Sunday” with Jamie Foxx.  Today, Bellamy serves as host of TV One’s “Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes” and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

Best known for his role as ‘Tommy’ in the hit Fox sitcom “Martin,” Ford landed his first television role in NBC’s “A Different World” in 1989 after graduating from the University of Southern California.  Shortly after his appearance, he was then cast in the motion picture “Harlem Nights” starring Eddie Murphy, along with a string of hit films including, “Mr. Jones” with Richard Gere, “The Butcher’s Wife” featuring Demi Moore and “Class Act” opposite Kid ‘n Play.  Among his many television credits are “The Proud Family,” “The Parkers” and “New York Undercover,” among others.

Born in Illinois and raised in Louisiana, Perry is fast becoming one of the next big comedians to take Hollywood by storm.  Inadvertently forcing audiences to laugh with his role as ‘Cousin Lumb’ in the 2004 film “Johnson Family Vacation” starring Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer, Perry followed up his performance with appearances on “The Tom Joyner Sky Show,” “Showtime at the Apollo” and “BET Comic View.”  He has also made appearances on Showtime’s “Laffapalooza” and HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.”  Coming up, Perry can be seen as co-host of “Who’s Got Jokes” and in such films as “Legacy,” “Redrum” and “ShowStoppers.”

In times of peace and war, the USO consistently delivers its special brand of entertainment and comfort to service men and women around the world.  USO entertainment tours are essential to fulfilling the USO's mission of boosting troop morale.  In 2007, the USO produced 74 tours and staged 453 special entertainment events, to include music and comedy concerts, autograph signings, hospital visits and movie screenings.

AT&T, Inc. is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours.  For a list of USO tours, visit www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/.  To learn more about the USO or to find out how to support the troops, visit www.uso.org.

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About the USO The USO (United Service Organizations) provides morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families.  The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services.  The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, S & K Sales Co., and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.  Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO.  For more information, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org.

Armed Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment.

Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.