Bob Crestani is out as CEO of HBO's comedy festival operation, a likely prelude to the network exiting the comedy festival circuit.
Crestani will depart as of the end of next week's third annual edition of the Comedy Festival in Las Vegas, co-organized by AEG Live, which is a 50-50 partner with HBO in the extravaganza. His exit, announced Tuesday, comes as HBO has pretty much put on ice its February/March festival, previously held in Aspen.
TBS, a former TCF title sponsor, is expected to take over the rights to the Vegas festival as of 2008 and build it into its own programming and marketing platform.
HBO officials weren't available for comment by press time.
Said a TBS executive, "Our stance is we are in talks with all parties and very interested in keeping and growing this great festival. Hopefully, we will have something to announce in the very near future."
HBO has had a big comedy festival presence for more than a decade.
Crestani will depart as of the end of next week's third annual edition of the Comedy Festival in Las Vegas, co-organized by AEG Live, which is a 50-50 partner with HBO in the extravaganza. His exit, announced Tuesday, comes as HBO has pretty much put on ice its February/March festival, previously held in Aspen.
TBS, a former TCF title sponsor, is expected to take over the rights to the Vegas festival as of 2008 and build it into its own programming and marketing platform.
HBO officials weren't available for comment by press time.
Said a TBS executive, "Our stance is we are in talks with all parties and very interested in keeping and growing this great festival. Hopefully, we will have something to announce in the very near future."
HBO has had a big comedy festival presence for more than a decade.
- 11/7/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- The third annual edition of HBO's and AEG Live's the Comedy Festival in Las Vegas in November will feature Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld headlining back-to-back shows at the Colosseum, organizers said Tuesday.
The festival is set to take place Nov. 14-17 at Caesars Palace, with TBS returning as title sponsor.
The organizers said in a statement that TCF will continue its tradition of presenting comedy's biggest stars and cutting-edge talent. Multiartist performances, tributes, stand-up and sketch comedy as well as televised specials will all be part of the program lineup again.
Further talent and show announcements will come in the next month.
"With the support of our partners, the enthusiasm of the comedy community and a little bit of 'Lady Luck,' the Comedy Festival has found a great long-term home at Caesars Palace," TCF CEO Bob Crestani said. "Chris and Jerry's stand-up performances capture the energy and standard of excellence that our audiences demand and we are thrilled to present."
In its first two years, more than 100,000 people attended TCF, according to the organizers.
The festival is set to take place Nov. 14-17 at Caesars Palace, with TBS returning as title sponsor.
The organizers said in a statement that TCF will continue its tradition of presenting comedy's biggest stars and cutting-edge talent. Multiartist performances, tributes, stand-up and sketch comedy as well as televised specials will all be part of the program lineup again.
Further talent and show announcements will come in the next month.
"With the support of our partners, the enthusiasm of the comedy community and a little bit of 'Lady Luck,' the Comedy Festival has found a great long-term home at Caesars Palace," TCF CEO Bob Crestani said. "Chris and Jerry's stand-up performances capture the energy and standard of excellence that our audiences demand and we are thrilled to present."
In its first two years, more than 100,000 people attended TCF, according to the organizers.
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