THE NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 50 SHOWS ADDED TO ITS 2015 LINE-UP

"COMEDY CENTRAL LIVE IN BROOKLYN" FEATURING HANNIBAL BURESS WITH PERFORMANCES BY NICK KROLL, NATASHA LEGGERO, JOHN MULANEY AND JEFF ROSS AT KINGS THEATRE ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 AT 8:00PM

ADDITIONAL EVENTS INCLUDE PANEL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE WRITERS FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW," THE CREATIVE TEAM OF "THE NIGHTLY SHOW WITH LARRY WILMORE," AND LEWIS BLACK IN CONVERSATION, AS WELL AS SHOWS FROM BRIDGET EVERETT, CRAIG ROBINSON, AND NEW YORK'S FUNNIEST STAND-UP COMPETITION FINALS

Tickets Available For Purchase on Thursday, October 1 at 10:00AM ET at nycomedyfestival.com

NEW YORK, NY (October 1, 2015) - Comedy Central, in association with The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), announced today the addition of more than 50 shows to its 2015 line-up, which includes compelling and engaging panel discussions, classic stand-up, musical comedy and podcasts. NYCF will present the first-ever Comedy Central Live show in Brooklyn which will feature stand-up from Hannibal Buress and performances by Nick Kroll, Natasha Leggero, John Mulaney and Jeff Ross with additional talent to be announced. "Comedy Central Live in Brooklyn" will take place at Kings Theatre on Friday, November 13 at 8:00 PM. Now in its 12th year, the NYCF runs from November 10 - 15, taking place at many of New York City's most prestigious venues.

In continuation of the NYCF's partnership with the Paley Center for Media, the festival will present "KEEPIN IT 100: AN EVENING WITH THE CREATIVE TEAM OF THE NIGHTLY SHOW WITH LARRY WILMORE" panel featuring Larry Wilmore, Executive Producer Rory Albanese, Co-Executive Producer Amy Ozols, Head Writer Robin Thede and "Nightly Show" Contributors Mike Yard, Ricky Velez, Jordan Carlos and Holly Walker. Comedy Central's "The Nightly Show" provides viewers with Larry Wilmore's deconstructive point of view and comedic take on current events and pop culture. The series also features a diverse panel of guests who offer a perspective largely missing in the late night television landscape. "KEEPIN IT 100: AN EVENING WITH THE CREATIVE TEAM OF THE NIGHTLY SHOW WITH LARRY WILMORE" panel will take place Saturday, November 14 at 4:00 PM at the Paley Center for Media. Tickets will go on sale for Paley Center members on Wednesday, October 7 and to the general public on Friday, October 9, and can be purchased at paleycenter.org or nycomedyfestival.com.

An American television institution for more than 60 years, "The Tonight Show" returned to its New York origins as "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on February 17, 2014 and is by far the most popular way Americans choose to end their day. A SIT-DOWN WITH THE TONIGHT SHOW WRITERS - a TimesTalks with the New York Times - will bring the show's writers together to discuss their technique and style of putting the show together. Moderated by New York Times' reporter Dave Itzkoff, this TimesTalk panel will take place on Saturday, November 14 at 2:00PM at The TimesCenter.

Known for his cantankerous style of humor, Lewis Black has become a household name in comedy. His stand-up often involves his trademark angry-comic act, which he has been able to create, nurture and maintain throughout his career. The festival partners with the 92nd Street Y for "LEWIS BLACK IN CONVERSATION" which will examine the veteran's approach to comedy and the persona he's created. The discussion will take place on Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30 PM at the 92nd St Y.

Also added to the line-up is BRIDGET EVERETT AND THE TENDER MOMENTS at the Gramercy Theatre on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30PM, CRAIG ROBINSON AND THE NASTY DELICIOUS at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday, November 15 at 7:30PM and NEW YORK'S FUNNIEST STAND-UP COMPETITION FINALS at Carolines on Broadway on Sunday, November 15 at 4:00PM. In the spirit of bringing a diverse take on comedy to the festival, Bridget Everett will showcase her vocal talent in her provocative and uproarious stand-up show that will be sure to push the boundaries. Craig Robinson, who has played some of TV and film's favorite characters, will draw from both his comedy and music backgrounds to deliver a unique stage performance. Launched in 2008, NEW YORK'S FUNNIEST STAND-UP is a competition open to New York comedians and comedic performers. Past winners of NEW YORK'S FUNNIEST STAND-UP have included "Saturday Night Live" star Michael Che and "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" contributor Ricky Velez.

"We are excited about the addition of these shows and panels to round out the lineup for the 2015 festival. We are extremely proud of this collective group that celebrates the different faces of comedy," says Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival and Carolines on Broadway. "It is important to acknowledge that comedy has evolved over the years and this esteemed group of artists will showcase this progression."

Tickets for additional shows will be available for purchase starting Thursday, October 1 at 10:00AM ET. For a complete list of all the newly announced shows and to purchase tickets to the festival, visit: www.nycomedyfestival.com.

The 2015 NYCF is presented in association with Comedy Central. Now in its 12th year, the festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway. Sponsors of the festival include Citi, Hyatt Regency, Taco Bell, the New York Post, Time Out New York, Variety and the Village Voice.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL

Now in its twelfth year, the New York Comedy Festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway in association with Comedy Central. The festival has featured the country's top comedians, including Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Buress, Louis C.K., Larry David, Ricky Gervais, Kevin Hart, Bill Maher, John Mulaney, Tig Notaro, Nick Offerman, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, and Wanda Sykes, to name a few. In 2007, the festival launched the "Stand Up for Heroes" event to benefit The Bob Woodruff Foundation, which has featured performances by Ricky Gervais, John Mayer, John Oliver, Conan O'Brien, Jerry Seinfeld, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, and Robin Williams, among others. To date, the "Stand Up for Heroes" events have raised over $27 million. For more information please visit the NYCF website, like the NYCF Facebook page, and follow the NYCF on Twitter, @NYComedyFest.

ABOUT COMEDY CENTRAL

Available on-air, online and on-the-go, Comedy Central (www.cc.com) is the #1 brand in comedy and is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB).