Rohan Gunter - File photos

After creating a barrel-full of laughter for two years, the 'Comedy Buss' Competition' may have taken its final trip on air with the show feeling the burden of the economic recession.

The current economic recession that began in 2007 has been taking a severe toll on the world, having been dubbed the worst global recession in decades. Some fans may have noticed the absence of the show this year, which is usually aired from September to December.

When The Gleaner contacted Colleen Lewis, 'Comedy Buss' executive producer, she confirmed that the show was not staged for this year and might not return for 2010 either.

Big loss

Lewis explained, "we suffered a big loss last season, financial loss,. The economic concerns came into play and sponsors became more cautious. Plus one of our major sponsors MiPhone went through a big change to Claro as well. So it was challenging to build up momentum and secure sponsorship."

'Comedy Buss' began in 2007 with a physical bus that travelled around the island, holding auditions for the most talented stand-up comedians. As 'Comedy Buss' went around the island, it went into homes through a television show hosted by Christopher 'Johnny' Daley on TVJ. The show has since unearthed talents such as the popular actor Keith 'Shebada' Ramsay, 2007 Comedy Bus winner Rohan Gunter, 2008 winner Dwight Samuels as well as contestant Leighton Smith who have all made careers in stand-up comedy since the show.

Incredibly popular

Lewis said, "the show was incredibly popular, especially in the second year. I would say it gave the general populace of Jamaica a better idea of what stand up comedy is greater insight into this genre of entertainment. We unearthed great talent like Shebada who is a phenomenon right up there with Oliver Samuels in terms of drawing crowds. Other comedians like Gunter are household names."

As to what the future for the show holds, Lewis said the 'Comedy Buss' team would have to revisit the drawing board and see whether it would be sustainable to keep the show. "If we do it again we want to continue to be able to widen the scope of what we can do for persons in the genre. So we have to go back to the drawing board and see if the sponsors have become more comfortable in the economic climate," Lewis said.

Contestants in the 'Comedy Buss' competition roll out at a show held at the TVJ studios, Lyndhurst Road, on Sunday, October 7, 2007.