Funny side of current affairs

Jeremy Corbett is set to host a new local comedy show.

Truth is often stranger than fiction - and hopefully funnier when discussed by some of the country's best known comedians.

Jeremy Corbett will host TV3's new local comedy series 7 Days, which premieres next week, alongside a panel of local jokers, who will discuss, debate and dissect the week's current affairs - in not-so-serious depth.

Each week, Corbett will play referee to two teams of guests as they embark on a series of games based on the week's events.

Dai Henwood, Ben Hurley, Paul Ego, Michele A'Court, Jeremy Elwood and Cori Gonzalez-Macuer have all been confirmed to appear on the show, which will screen after Pulp Sport on Friday night. Visitors from across the Ditch may recognise the premise, which sounds rather similar to the now-defunct Australian series The Panel.

The Panel first screened in Australia in 1998 and featured a line-up of local comics, discussing and joking about news and current affairs. The live series stopped broadcasting in 2004 but screens an annual Christmas special. It also has a similar ring to TV3's short-lived Firestone Direct Sugar Shack, said to be based on The Panel.

7 Days will be filmed the day before broadcast, and screen at 10pm on Fridays.