Los Angeles, 18 July, 2011 - Banijay Group company Angel City Factory (ACF) has signed renowned presenter Howie Mandel to host the US version of the Banijay Group comedy format Celebrity Stand-Up. The announcement comes on the day of the show’s eagerly anticipated launch on primary broadcaster TV2 Denmark on 11 July.

Celebrity Stand-Up is distributed by Banijay International, the distribution arm of the global production Group, and will headline the company’s slate at MIPCOM in October.

Howie, a regular judge on America’s Got Talent as well as host of Deal or No Deal and the ACF-produced Mobbed, is throwing his weight behind the unique Celebrity Stand-Up format. Drawn in by the concept which sees celebrities reveal their personal experiences in order to create an original stand-up act and then battle each other, Howie is looking forward to working with a US broadcast partner, giving him the opportunity to return to his stand-up roots.

Howie Mandel said “There really isn’t anything like Celebrity Stand-Up on air in the US right now. I see it as a unique and clever spin on the immersive celebrity interview. The contestants must examine their own lives to write sketches based on their personal experiences, and challenge themselves to go outside their comfort zones. The result is celebrities exposing themselves in a very honest and raw way, giving viewers a really intimate insight. I am very much looking forward to working with ACF again and bringing this show to US viewers.”

Chris Cowan, Co-CEO of Angel City Factory said “We’re delighted to be working with Howie once more on Celebrity Stand-Up. We couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect US host for the show. Howie is still a prolific stand-up comedian himself as well as a well-known and experienced TV host, so he will really be able to get the most out of this format which can be an emotional rollercoaster of tears and laughter. This is a trulye pairing of a great idea with great talent.”

Created by Banijay Group company Respirator, Celebrity Stand-Up is an original entertainment format where four celebrities face possible public humiliation as they write and perform a stand up act, in just five days! In each episode viewers follow one celebrity, watching as they scrutinise their homes and lives to find funny topics and test their jokes on unsuspecting members of the public - all the while ensuring they fulfill the show's mandatory tasks.

Finally the four celebs - not known for their humorous side - go head to head on the stand-up stage, performing their routine in front of a live audience, which will ultimately decide their fate…Meanwhile at home viewers can experience the tension as a heart monitor gauges the celebrity’s stress levels.