NBC DELIVERS TWO NIGHTS OF NON-STOP LAUGHS WHEN THE 12 FUNNIEST COMEDIANS IN THE WORLD ARE CHOSEN AS FINALISTS ON THE "LAST COMIC STANDING" SEMI-FINAL EPISODES AIRING JUNE 26 AND JULY 3 (8:00-10:00 P.M.ET)

NBC DELIVERS TWO NIGHTS OF NON-STOP LAUGHS WHEN THE 12 FUNNIEST COMEDIANS IN THE WORLD ARE CHOSEN AS FINALISTS ON THE "LAST COMIC STANDING" SEMI-FINAL EPISODES AIRING JUNE 26 AND JULY 3 (8:00-10:00 P.M.ET)

Richard Belzer and Steve Schirripa Guest Star

BURBANK, CA � June 24, 2008 � The audition rounds are now over, and the best of the best are coming to the Paris Las Vegas to perform in the laugh-packed "Last Comic Standing" semi-final episodes airing Thursday, June 26 and Thursday, July 3 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET). Richard Belzer ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Homicide: Life on the Street") and Steve Schirripa ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Sopranos") are the celebrity talent scouts for the semi-finals, and Bill Bellamy hosts the Emmy-nominated series.

The international search for the world's funniest comedians � which spanned the United States and more than 20 countries from around the world � is over. Now the best of the best � the 32 semi-finalists � come to Las Vegas to perform in a night of non-stop laughs at the Paris Las Vegas. On Thursday, June 26, 16 semi-finalists will perform, and the first set of funny finalists will be revealed. Then on Thursday, July 3, the remaining 16 finalists will perform and the last set of finalists will be chosen! Special correspondent Fearne Cotton (NBC's "The Guinness Book of World Records � Live!," ITV2's "The Xtra Factor") will be on hand backstage to interview the comics after their performances.

Following the two semi-final episodes, the 12 finalists will move into a house together and begin competing in a comedy showdown week by week. In the end, America will vote to determine who will win the $250,000 grand prize including an exclusive talent deal with NBC, a brand new Honda Pilot, and a starring appearance in Jubilee! at Bally's Las Vegas.

"Last Comic Standing" is produced by Peter Engel Productions and Universal Media Studios. The executive producers are Peter Engel ("Saved By the Bell," "The Next Best Thing"), David Friedman (NBC's "Last Call with Carson Daly," "NBC's New Years Eve with Carson Daly") and Barry Katz ("Action," "Dane Cook's Tourgasm"). Javier Winnik (NBC's "The Singing Bee"), Page Hurwitz ("Last Comic Standing 4 & 5") and Noel Guerra (Bravo's "Project Runway") are co-executive producers.