NBC‘s comedy competition is back tonight, Thursday, May 22 (9-11 p.m. ET) with “Last Comic Standing” returning with three new celebrity judges — comedy icons Roseanne Barr and Keenen Ivory Wayans, along with international comic sensation Russell Peters — as well as dynamic new host JB Smoove.
The series will air Thursdays (10-11 p.m.) following the premiere.
Emmy Award winner Wanda Sykes and Page Hurwitz (“Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious,”), who are producing partners at Push It Productions, will executive produce the season’s 13 one-hour episodes, along with Javier Winnik (“The Marriage Ref”).
“We are ready to bring back the funny with this relaunch of ‘Last Comic Standing,’ and can’t wait to discover the next great stand-up,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. “With Keenen, Roseanne and Russell set as our new judges, JB as host and Wanda, Page and Javier at the helm, there will be plenty of laughter all summer.”
“Last Comic Standing” resumes its search for the funniest comic in the country with innovative format changes, surprise celebrity guests and unexpected twists. The season will open up with hilarious auditions, this time by invitation only.
The top 100 comics in America will vie for 20 spots. These 20 will then compete in a semifinal round and the best of the best will emerge, with the top 10 moving into the compelling challenge rounds. In this phase, they will compete in different comedy disciplines, such as sketch, improv and stand-up, proving themselves both individually and in teams.
