For several years, veteran comedy talent scout and entertainment TV producer Bob Sumner has discovered and brought to the stage several of the world’s top comedians, from Bernie Mac and Dave Chappelle to Cedric the Entertainer and Oscar winner Mo’Nique.

While serving as a label executive for Def Jam Records, Sumner created with company co-founder Russell Simmons the now legendary HBO’s hit series “Def Comedy Jam” in 1990. For the next 20 plus years, Sumner worked behind the scenes recruiting the best then-unrecognized comedians in the world for the cable TV series.

During his last two years working on “Def Comedy Jam,” Sumner partnered with entertainment executive Arthur Spivak and launched Laff Mobb Enterprises, LLC.  Sumner also served as Executive Producer on truTV’s comedy series, “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks,” featuring some of the newest class of comedy icons.

In addition, Sumner launched two platforms spotlighting today’s comedians on a monthly basis – the Apollo Comedy Club (with the Apollo Theater) and the New Jersey-based Jazz & Jokes series – the latter mixing the top musical art form created by Black Americans here in the states with the works of rising comedians from across the country.

Today, Bob Sumner brings his talent scout skills to Our Nation’s Capital City, Washington D.C. In partnership with D.C. based television producer Russell Webster of Union District Films, Sumner and Webster will unveil their new series, “Union Time To Laugh,” on December 5^th, 2023.

Filmed weekly at the D.C. based restaurant, the Union District Oyster Bar, this live comedy show “Union Time To Laugh” will feature some of the most talented, side-splitting, up-and-coming comedians from around the DMV (District, Maryland and Virginia) and beyond, with surprising cameos by some of the superstars in comedy.

I interviewed Bob for my “Calculations Talk Show” podcast.  We covered a lot of ground and had a lot fun listening to Bob share stories about his formula for finding unknown talent who later became star comedians such as  Bill Bellamy, Earthquake, Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Bernie Mac, Martin Lawrence, Cedric The Entertainer, Robin Harris and more.

“Union Time To Laugh” co-creators Russell Webster (left) and Bob Sumner (right)

Comedy has always been central to the entertainment business in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia areas known collectively as the DMV. Now, it’s about to be bigger and better, thanks to “Union Time to Laugh.”

Coming on the heels of the biggest laugh fest in the city in years, “Because They’re Funny,” the new “Union Time to Laugh” is a weekly, live comedy show that will feature some of the most talented, side-splitting, up-and-coming comedians from around the DMV and beyond, with surprising cameos by some of the superstars in comedy.

“Union Time to Laugh” is the brainchild of Russell Webster, founder and executive producer of Union District Films and comedy kingmaker, Bob Sumner. The series launch date is Tuesday, December 5th, 2023.

“We’re getting ready to make some magic here in the DC area,” Sumner states. “The city is the mecca for live comedy. So, this effort is a great opportunity to not only showcase veteran standup comedians but the new up-and-coming talent as well.”

Russell Webster is also no stranger to the world of comedy, having conceived and executive produced the first sitcom produced entirely on location in the heart of Washington, DC, “Union.” With a mix of well-known talent and those whose stars are on the rise, “Union”, is the story of a multi-generational family whose issues and antics are told with comedic flair. Shot on location at Webster’s popular DC restaurant, Union District Oyster Bar, which will also be the home for “Union Time to Laugh.” “Bob and I have been colleagues and collaborators for several years,” says Webster. “This new platform for comedians is a great opportunity in terms of exposure and bringing excellence to the world of standup comedy.”

Get ready DMV and the world, for “Union Time to Laugh.”