WANDA SYKES, HOWIE MANDEL, AMY SCHUMER AND OTHER SURPRISE GUESTS TO MENTOR ON NEW SEASON OF "LAST COMIC STANDING," PREMIERING MAY 22 ON NBC

Contestants will be Mentored by Special Guests Through Fun Comedy Challenges, Including One at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - May 19, 2014 -- An all-star line-up of special guests adds to the fun when Emmy-nominated series "Last Comic Standing" returns to NBC on Thursday, May 22 (9-11 p.m. ET). Wanda Sykes ("Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious"), Howie Mandel ("America's Got Talent"), Amy Schumer ("Inside Amy Schumer"), Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Jeff Ross ("The Burn with Jeff Ross") will serve as comedy mentors to the contestants as they compete for the coveted title of "Last Comic Standing." Also appearing will be Gilbert Gottfried ("Aladdin"), plus other top comedians in surprise appearances.

As the players progress in the competition, they'll be mentored by the special guests through fun and innovative challenges designed to test them in different comedy disciplines, ranging from sketch to improve to stand-up. Highlighting the challenges will be a visit to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," where the comics will be put to the test by Ellen herself and mentored by favorite talk show guest Sykes on how to shine in interviews.

The lively laughfest, hosted by JB Smoove, kicks off with the invitationals airing May 22, 29 and June 5. For season eight, the top 100 comics in the country were hand-picked by producers to audition by invitation only, so the season starts off with great comedians already at the top of their game.

Each will perform their funniest set, with all hoping to be chosen by powerhouse judges Roseanne Barr, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Russell Peters to advance to the semi-final rounds. One by one, the funniest comics will emerge and vie for the title of "Last Comic Standing" and an incredible prize package worth $250,000, including a cash prize, a talent deal and a development deal for a television show.

Page Hurwitz, Wanda Sykes and Javier Winnik are the executive producers of "Last Comic Standing," produced by Universal Television and Push It Productions.

For more information on "Last Comic Standing" please visit: http://www.nbc.com/last-comic-standing

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