NBC SUMMER HIT "LAST COMIC STANDING" REDUCES FIELD TO 41 AS COMPETITION HEATS UP

Stand-Up Performers Vie to Impress Celebrity Judges for Grand Prize Package Worth $250,000

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Aug. 12, 2015 - NBC's hit summer comedy competition series "Last Comic Standing" is down to its final 41 contestants, all competing for an incredible prize package worth $250,000, including a development deal for their own television show.

These 41 will now compete in two semifinal rounds (Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 telecasts) and the best of the best will emerge, with the top 10 moving into the compelling new head-to-head round (Sept.2). In this phase, they will be paired in a high stakes single-elimination round of stand-up stand-offs.

The season finale, where the final five comics will compete for the grand prize, airs Sept. 9.

Each comedian performs their routine in front of the "Last Comic Standing" celebrity judges - Norm Macdonald, Roseanne Barr and Keenen Ivory Wayans. Comedy Central roast veteran Anthony Jeselnik serves as host.

Below is a list of each remaining contestant and their hometown:
Name Hometown
Ian Bagg Terrace, Canada
Tony Baker Las Cruces, NM
Kevin Bozeman Downers Grove, IL
Melanie Comarcho Los Angeles, CA
Ryan Conner Woodbridge, VA
Alycia Cooper Temple Hills, MD
Dominique Washington, D.C.
Clayton English Atlanta, GA
Andy Erikson Ham Lake, MN
DC Ervin Vallejo, CA
Jackie Fabulous Bronx, NY
Ricarlo Flanagan Cleveland, OH
Noah Gardenswartz Denver, CO
Amir Gollan Glenside, PA
Harrison Greenbaum Woodmere, NY
Mia Jackson Atlanta, GA
Ambrose James Memphis, TN
Amir K Orange, CA
K-Von Las Vegas, NV
Bryan Kellen Denver, CO
Mehran Khaghani Lexington, MA
Joe List Whitman, MA
Brad Loekle Slate Hill, NY
Cyrus McQueen Boston, MA
Amy Miller Oakland, CA
Sammy Obeid Fremont, CA
Michael Palascak Wabash, IN
Ms. Pat Atlanta, GA
Esther Povitsky Skokie, IL
Crystian Ramirez Brooklyn, NY
Francisco Ramos Rockville, MD
Mike Siegel Chicago, IL
Andi Smith Janesville, WI
Shakir Standley Chicago, IL
Moses Storm Kalamazoo, MI
KT Tatara Woodbridge, VA
Drew Thomas Atlanta, GA
Angelo Tsarouchas Ottawa, Canada
Lavar Walker Chicago, IL
Sheng Wang Houston, TX
Greg Warren St. Louis, MO

"Last Comic Standing" has a history of showcasing aspiring comics who go on to highly successful careers. Previous "LCS" contestants include Amy Schumer, who currently has her own series on Comedy Central and the box office hit "Trainwreck"; Cristela Alonzo, who recently had a self-titled sitcom at ABC; Iliza Shlesinger, whose "Freezing Hot" Netflix special recently premiered; Gabriel Iglesias, who consistently sells out venues across the country; "Late Show with David Letterman" favorite Tommy Johnagin, who will write and star in his own CBS pilot; and Fortune Feimster, a longtime writer for "Chelsea Lately" who will star in the ABC pilot "Family Fortune" from executive producer Tina Fey.

So far this summer, "Last Comic Standing" is averaging a 1.5 rating, 5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.7 million viewers overall, to lead its Wednesday 10-11 p.m. ET slot among ABC, CBS and NBC in every key ratings measure, with a margin in adults 18-49 of +67%. The 5.7 million viewers average is a +15% increase versus the 5.0 million the show was delivering through its first three weeks last summer.

"Last Comic Standing" is executive produced by Wanda Sykes, Page Hurwitz and Javier Winnik. The series is produced by Universal Television and Push It Productions.