LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Comedian Arsenio Hall has signed with Lions Gate Television to make a documentary on the black standup comedy circuit, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.
The former TV talk show host will direct and executive produce the project, tentatively titled "The Other 23 Hours." Hall said the film would focus on the behind-the-scenes lives of relatively unknown, up-and-coming urban comedians.
"These guys make you laugh for an hour," said Hall, "but I want to also document the other 23 hours of their lives that I find to be compelling and entertaining and interesting."
Hall said he got the idea for the film in 2000, when he returned to standup comedy after 10 years of doing talk shows and feature films. As he performed with such younger comics as Mike Epps, Tracy Morgan, Mo'Nique and Bruce Bruce, he said he decided he wanted to showcase them in a documentary.
"I was realizing that they're funny onstage, but in the (other) 23 hours, they are just as funny," Hall said.
