Carlos Mencia goes wide with Comedy Central pact

By Kimberly Speight

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – It’s Mencia mania at
Comedy Central.

The network is throwing its support behind comedian Carlos
Mencia through a multifaceted deal that will see his comedy
series “Mind of Mencia” officially renewed for a second season.
Also as part of the deal, Mencia will shoot a one-hour stand-up
special for the cable network and host a live-performance tour
in more than 30 U.S. markets next year under the Comedy Central
Live banner.

In addition, Comedy Central Home Entertainment is planning
to release an uncensored DVD of the show’s first season that
will include bonus material such as deleted scenes, outtakes
and never-before-seen backstage “diary” footage. The DVD will
be released in conjunction with the show’s second season, set
to premiere in March with a 13-episode order.

Lauren Corrao, executive vp original programming and
development at Comedy Central, said it was an easy decision to
renew the series, which averaged 1.4 million total viewers for
its 13-episode first season.

“Carlos really struck a chord with the audience this
summer, which was very competitive in terms of launching
comedies,” she said.

Corrao said this is the first time that Comedy Central has
given its support to one of its talent with “such a
comprehensive plan,” though the network has supported other
on-air talent through tours, including Dave Chappelle, and with
concert films, like Dave Attell.

“This was premeditated,” Corrao said. “It’s part of what
we’re calling multiplatform mania. The idea is to attack
viewers from a number of different platforms so we can get
behind the talent in a 360-degree way. People get their media
and entertainment now from so many different places — for us,
this is a great way to market and build awareness for someone.”

“Mencia” — featuring Mencia opining on such topics as
ethnic stereotypes, race relations, immigration, war and
capitalism — premiered July 6, taking over the slot previously
occupied by “Chappelle’s Show.”

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter