New Series Just for Laughs Debuts Next Week on ABC  7/12/07

PREMIERE - "LOL" WITH THE DEBUT OF ABC'S "JUST FOR LAUGHS"

Get set to laugh out loud as unsuspecting "victims" fall prey to hilarious hidden-camera tricks and practical jokes on ABC's hidden-camera comedy series, "Just for Laughs," premiering with back-to-back episodes, TUESDAY, JULY 17 (8:00-8:30 & 8:30-9:00 p.m., ET). The program's regular time period will be Tuesdays from 8:30-9:00 p.m., ET. Hosted by Rick Miller, "Just for Laughs" is based on the Canadian series "Just for Laughs Gags" and is the first ever made-for-Canada television series to be broadcast on a major U.S. network.

"Episode 103" (8:00-8:30 p.m.) - Laugh-out-loud gags include a "blind" guy "relieving" himself on people in a pool; a woman in an ice chest; an elderly lady asking for assistance with her groceries, only to drive away without them; a patient attached to an I.V. attempting to get into a taxi cab; elevator doors closing on the injured foot of a guy in a wheelchair; a delivery guy returning to his car, only to find a large, barking dog inside; and a Polaroid camera that zooms in too close on a woman's breast.

More laughs follow in "Episode 105" (8:30-9:00 p.m.) - Gags include a nun who "accidentally" drops photos of nude men from her bible, a "gorilla" entering a cage with a horrified bystander inside, a couple making out on an unknown civilian's car and a "blind" elderly lady's husband seemingly falling into a waterhole, sending shocked pedestrians into the hole after him.

Editors note: These episodes replace "Episodes 101 & 102" which were originally scheduled for the premiere and which now move to Aug. 14 & Aug. 7, respectively.

"Just for Laughs" television shows are seen in over 125 countries and on over 95 airlines around the world, and in the past have been seen in the U.S. on MTV, Showtime, HBO, BBC America and Fox. Its annual festival is the world's largest and most prestigious comedy event, welcoming over two million people each summer. Over the years, the festival has featured some of the top comics in the world, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle, Ray Romano and Tim Allen. This year it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Each year over 1,000 industry executives are drawn to what is considered the hottest breeding ground for new talent. The company successfully tours across the globe, bringing some of the festival's best talent to Canada, the U.S. and Asia, and has personal management offices in Los Angeles, Paris and Montreal.

"Just for Laughs" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

Source: ABC Press Release