Mark Normand Named Winner of 'Carolines Comedy Madness' Stand-Up Tournament

Comedian Mark Normand outlasted 63 other comedians to be crowned champion of the fourth annual "Carolines Comedy Madness" stand-up tournament last night at Carolines on Broadway (1626 Broadway).

Taking a page from the NCAA College Basketball Tournament's "March Madness," famed comedy venue Carolines on Broadway presented its fourth annual "Carolines Comedy Madness," a five-round comedy competition in which 64 comedians go head to head with a panel of industry judges deciding who advances to the next rounds and who will be crowned the tournament champion. Hosted by comedian Josh Spear, "Carolines Comedy Madness" events took place on February 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Sixty-four of New York's best comedians who passed an open call audition were randomly pitted against one another in a series of one-on-one competitions. The first round of "Carolines Final Four" took place on February 27 when all of the 64 competitors each performed one minute of stand-up. 32 comedians advanced to the second round on March 6 where each performed two minutes of stand-up. The third round, which took place on March 13, featured the "Sweet Sixteen," and fourth round on March 20 featured the "Elite Eight," who each performed three minutes of stand-up, with the "Final Four" advancing into the fifth and final round. "The Final Four" comedians - Normand, Chris Distefano, Pat Dixon and Pete Davidson - squared off last night, with each performing seven minutes of stand-up. The last two advancing comedians then squared off with each perform ten minutes of stand-up, with Normand, the eventual winner, being crowned.

"We're thrilled to have this exciting event at the club for a fourth consecutive year, and that it generates the same kind of thrills and cheers on the comedy stage as the college basketball tournament does on the basketball court," said Louis Faranda, talent producer for Carolines on Broadway and the New York Comedy Festival and the creator of "Carolines Final Four." "We're happy to see that the 'Carolines Comedy Madness' tournament has grown into one of the city's premier annual comedy events."

For winning the tournament, Normand will receive a cash prize and will also get to perform with a headlining comedian on a weekend at Carolines on Broadway and will perform in the 2013 New York Comedy Festival in New York.