If you like laughing, and you like local people making you laugh, then this one’s for you…

Can we get a drum roll please?

Homegrown comedy fans, rejoice! Comedy Central is about to launch its first regionally produced show.

The finest stand-up comics in the region will be lending their comedy chops to Comedy Central Presents – a Middle Eastern spin on its American namesake, The National reported.

The show was filmed in Stereo Arcade, Dubai, and will be hosted by Emirati comedian Ali Al Sayed and Arab-American stand-up pioneer Mo Amer, who has supported a raft of well-known faces, including Dave Chappelle.

You may also remember Mo Amer as the comedian that bumped into Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, on board a plane.

When the show launches, it will be almost exactly a year after Comedy Central unveiled its Middle East channel.

Al Sayed told The National he wanted it to be more than just a TV show, and hoped it would be a catalyst for the development of the region’s burgeoning stand-up scene.

“I can honestly say the show is going to exceed everybody’s expectations,” he said. “It is a dream to work with Comedy Central and 35 comedians will have their dream come true this February.

“Everybody is exchanging numbers and inviting each other to perform in their cities. A new community is being built off the back of this show. The experience has been a blast. This is what Comedy Central does, they make comedy work.”

Comedy Central Presents will be the first stand-up comedy programme filmed in the GCC.

The 10 30-minute shows will feature 30 of our region’s best on the stand-up circuit. There will be professionals and first-timers alike, who will be performing in both Arabic and English.

Raffaelle Annechinno, head of Comedy Central parent company Viacom, told The National the show reflects the channel’s commitment to regional production.

“One of our main objectives for Comedy Central in the region is to discover and showcase new talent who will become points of reference for the comedy scene, both locally as well as in other territories,” he said.

Comedy Central Presents begins on February 5, and is available on OSN.

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WHO ARE THE HOSTS?

Ali Al Sayed

-Al Sayed started writing and performing stand-up comedy in 2008, and has since performed at venues across the world, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Theatre of Change Festival in Greece.

-He’s been dubbed “one of the most influential comedians in the world” by US-based Toastmasters magazine.

-He founded local entertainment company Viva Arts and is the co-director of Dubomedy Arts, the first and only Comedy and Urban Arts School in the MENA region.

Mo Amer

– Mohammed “Mo” Amer is a 35-year-old Arab-American comic of Palestinian descent.

– He emigrated to Houston, United States, at the age of nine after fleeing Kuwait with his family during the Gulf War.

– He made the finals of Houston’s Funniest Person Contest when he was 18.

– At 19, he became the first and only Arab-American refugee to perform for US and coalition troops overseas.

– He has now performed in over 27 countries, including at the Comedy Festival in Las Vegas.

– In 2015, Amer began touring with and opening for Dave Chapelle.

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