Comedy Central to Launch Nationwide Stand-Up Comedian Search, Begin. 9/3

This fall, Comedy Central is looking for the best new stand-up talent in the country by holding"Up Next" A CC: Certified Talent Search through the network's Certified Clubs program. "Up Next" A CC: Certified Talent Search will consist of comedians performing in preliminary local showcases hosted by 26 participating Certified Clubs from September 3-23. Jonah Ray will be the MC for the four regional showcases with 30+ semi-finalists from October 9-23 as well as the finals featuring eight comedians to appear at The New York Comedy Festival's annual "Comics to Watch" show on Wednesday, November 6 at Carolines on Broadway. The final round will be recorded to air on Comedy Central Radio on SiriusXM channel 95 and on cc.com/upnext (full list of participating Certified Clubs on last page).

"By empowering the 'COMEDY CENTRAL Certified Clubs' initiative on a local level with a national talent search, the results yield a forging relationship with the venues and an exclusive pipeline of new, emerging talent to the network," said Mitch Fried, Executive Vice President, Comedy Central Enterprises.