Terminally ill stand-up comedian Quincy Jones really wants to do a one-hour TV special, like any comic. Thanks to his team, Ellen DeGeneres, and HBO, he’s now got one set for the premium channel.
Ellen surprised Jones with the big news during her show on Monday, when Shutterfly also handed over a $15,000 check to help him produce it. The moment was one of pure joy for the dying man.
And it’s all on the up-and-up, as HBO issued a press release this morning announcing the upcoming televised event, which will tape at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on April 4 and debut this spring.
Watch the video above while cuddling with a box of Kleenex.
Originally from Seattle, the 32-year-old Jones moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. At the time of his cancer diagnosis in July 2015, he was doing an estimated 1,000 sets per year. Jones continues to perform today, despite ongoing chemotherapy.
The special will be written by Jones, with friend Mickey Blaine directing. Both will executive produce, as will Blaine’s wife, Nicole. The couple originally launched a Kickstarter campaign to help Jones achieve his dream. The effort received more than $50,000.
Other executive producers for the 60-minute set include Link Entertainment’s Andy Coleman Mosaic’s Lisa Shapiro and Olivia Doud.