Comedy Central Announces Nationwide Search for Next Stand-Up Comedian

Comedy Central is on a nationwide search for the next great stand-up comedian. "UP NEXT" starts at 26 participating CC: Certified Clubs around the country with over 200 stand up-comedians showcasing their best material -- all part of a three-round talent showcase. Selected comedians representing each club will advance to one of four regional semi-finals between October 9-23, with eight comedians earning slots on the New York Comedy Festival's "Comics to Watch" annual show on Wednesday, November 6. Both the regionals and "Comics to Watch" final round will be hosted by Jonah Ray (The Half Hour, Mash Up). Highlights from the finals will be posted on cc.com, and based on online voting a "Comics to Watch: Fan's Pick" will be awarded $2500, a Comedy Central Records digital release, an appearance on a future Comedy Central series, and more.

The 26 clubs participating in the Preliminaries include:

VENUE CITY DATE
Addison Improv Addison, TX 9/22
Brea Improv Brea, CA 9/4
Cap City Austin, TX 9/15
Carolines on Broadway New York, NY 9/11; 9/18
Chicago Improv Chicago, IL 9/11; 9/18
Cleveland Improv Cleveland, OH 9/18
Cobb's Comedy Club San Francisco, CA 9/15
Denver Improv Denver, C

· 9/18
Ft. Lauderdale Improv Ft. Lauderdale, FL 9/11
Hartford Funny Bone Hartford, CT 9/4
Hollywood Improv Hollywood, CA 9/3; 9/12
Houston Improv Houston, TX 9/4
Irvine Improv Irvine, CA 9/11
Johnny D's (in conjunction with The Wilbur Theatre) Boston, MA 9/6
Kansas City Improv Kansas City, MO 9/18
Levity Live West Nyack, NY 9/10
Ontario Improv Ontario, CA 9/9
Orlando Improv Orlando, FL 9/12
Palm Beach Improv West Palm Beach, FL 9/18
Pittsburgh Improv Pittsburgh, PA 9/11
Punch Line Sacramento Sacramento, CA 9/11
San Jose Improv San Jose, CA 9/3
Tampa Improv Tampa, FL 9/19
Tempe Improv Tempe, AZ 9/18
Virginia Beach Funny Bone Virginia Beach, VA 9/12
Zanie's Comedy Showplace Nashville, TN 9/18

The 4 clubs participating in the Regionals include:

VENUE CITY DATE
Chicago Improv Chicago, IL 10/9
Cobb's Comedy Club San Francisco, CA 10/16
Ft. Lauderdale Improv Ft. Lauderdale, FL 10/23
The Wilbur Theatre Boston, MA 10/21

Carolines on Broadway to host the finals at the "Comics to Watch" Showcase:

VENUE CITY DATE
Carolines on Broadway New York, NY 11/6

For more information, visit: http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/comedy-central-s-up-next