Shekhar back on Laughter Challenge!

The Great Indian Laughter Challenge III is going on air this month. The show will come on air twice a week, Friday and Saturday.

Deepak Dhar, Head of Endemol says, "We are very happy that Shekhar is coming back on the show. After the second series, he left the show. We didn't have any problem with him. We asked him for the third season and he was more than happy to get back. His pairing with Sidhu was excellent. They are like Tom and Jerry. Both the audience and the channel were eager to see that pair again."

He adds further, "The new attraction of the show is that two female contestants are participating for the first time. While we were taking auditions for the second season, some females came for auditions. However, we were not impressed with anyone of them. But this time, both females are good and I'm hoping that this new trick will work for the show."

On the search for a co-host, Dhar says, "Having two hosts is always an added advantage. Parizad is good but we want to give a different look to the show and format. So we are hunting for second female host. Shonali Nagrani is one option. Nothing has been finalised yet but now we'll get chance to explore."

When quizzed further about the new series, Dhar revealed, "More contestants are coming from Pakistan. We are also planning to bring earlier Champions on the platform and many new tricks.

The celebrity judges will start coming on the show from semi-final or final round. During auditions, we got huge response, so now the show will come on air twice a week. Further, the channel was also pushing us for increasing the time slot and amount of days. This is like a demand and supply relationship."

Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has been a judge in both the earlier series', says, "It is good that Shekhar is coming back on the show. He is always nice to have as company. Star has experimented with the show by bringing celebrity judges but their TRPs went down. So now they are bringing us together again. I missed Shekhar's company for all these two months. Mine and Shekhar's formula worked well and I think it is always good to have such a nice personality like him on the show."

"Bringing two women contestants will be an added attraction. However, there are very few stand up female comedians. I don't think women will fit as comedians. But let's sees how it will work out. Further, another female host will add more colour to show," feels Sidhu.

Sunil Pal won the Laughter Challenge I, while Pakistan's Rauf Lala clinched the second.