Nick Guerra wins NBC’s 11th annual Stand-Up For Diversity contest, network holding deal

Nick Guerra may have made an even better first impression with NBC than he thought.

Last summer, you saw Guerra shine in his early auditions for Last Comic Standing. Last night, NBC announced he’d won the network’s separate contest, called StandUp NBC (formerly Stand-Up For Diversity). His prize is a one-year talent holding deal with NBCUniversal.

With the win, Guerra was signed to a one-year talent holding deal with NBCUniversal.

“There are two things every comedian needs for his career to stay alive — recognition of talent and car repair money,” said Guerra. “I’d like to thank NBC for continuing to show me support and for the new transmission.”

Other quotes from the network’s press release:

“There were so many talented standups in NBCUniversal’s ‘StandUp NBC’ Showcase, and we are excited to have a talent hold deal with the hilarious Nick Guerra,” said Grace Wu, Executive Vice President, Casting, NBC Entertainment.

“It gives us pride to be recognized in the industry as a genuine launching pad to help propel comics to new heights in their careers,” said Karen Horne, Vice President, Programming Talent Development & Inclusion, NBC Universal. “Whether a comedian wants to pursue acting, writing or become a headliner, “StandUp NBC” provides the exposure needed to fulfill that pursuit.”

The 11th annual contest showcase took place at the Hollywood Improv following talent searches in Chicago, Vancouver, San Francisco and New York City seeking out comedians from diverse backgrounds.

Guerra, repped by Levity Entertainment Group, previously wrote/acted/assisted directing on Mun2’s Pitbull’s La Esquina and also performed on Comedy Central’s Gabriel Iglesias Stand Up Revolution and Nuvo TV’s Stand Up & Deliver and the Stand Up & Deliver Cabo Relief Special.

Here’s a look at his showcase clip from the regional talent search in San Francisco.

NICK GUERRA – 2014 Stand Up NBC San Francisco from NBCU Talent Infusion Programs on Vimeo.

Other finalists this year were: Aisha Alfa, Darcy Michael, John Nguyen, Langston Kerman, Katrina Braxton, Lavar Walker and Ricarlo Flanagan. Some of them will join Guerra this year on a NACA college tour.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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