NBC�S HIT SUMMER SERIES �LAST COMIC STANDING� GEARS UP FOR NEXT SEASON WITH OPEN CALLS IN LOS ANGELES, TEMPE, AUSTIN, CHICAGO, NEW YORK AND MIAMI

NBC'S HIT SUMMER SERIES 'LAST COMIC STANDING' GEARS UP FOR NEXT SEASON WITH OPEN CALLS IN LOS ANGELES, TEMPE, AUSTIN, CHICAGO, NEW YORK AND MIAMI

Aspiring and Professional Comedians Can Also Apply for Emmy-nominated Series at NBC.com

BURBANK � February 1, 2006 � NBC's Emmy-nominated series "Last Comic Standing" will again search the country for the funniest people in America for a new edition slated to air this summer. Talent scouts Bob Read and Ross Mark will return to the show to find the best comic in America, with open calls starting February 21 in Los Angeles and continuing in Tempe, Austin, Chicago, New York and Miami.

Through a special online component, aspiring and professional comedians can also submit an audition tape to NBC.com, where online voters will choose one comedian to join those found on the nationwide search.

Read and Mark, who serve as talent executives for NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," will determine the best comedians from the regional searches beginning February 21 in Los Angeles and concluding March 12 in Miami.

The following is the schedule for casting calls, which begin in each city at 10:00 a.m.:

February 21 � Los Angeles, CA � Hollywood Improv (8162 Melrose Ave., LA 90046)

February 27 � Tempe, AZ � Tempe Improv (930 University Dr., Tempe 85281)

March 2 � Austin, TX � Capital City Comedy Club (8120 Research Blvd., Austin 78758)

March 5 � Chicago, IL � Zanies (1548 N. Wells St., Chicago 60610)

March 7 � New York, NY � Caroline's (1626 Broadway, New York 10009)

March 12 � Miami, FL � Miami Improv (3390 Mary #182, Coconut Grove 33133)

"Last Comic Standing" is produced by Peter Engel Productions, The Magical Elves and NBC Universal Television Studio. Peter Engel ("Saved By the Bell," "City Guys"), who was executive producer on the first three editions of "Last Comic Standing," returns as executive producer, along with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz of Magical Elves (Bravo's "Project Runway" and NBC's "Treasure Hunters"), who were executive producers on seasons two and three.