by A decade ago, I recall sending in a VHS tape to Comedy Central HQ for what they called “Laugh Riots.” Oh, VHS. Oh, my own stand-up aspirations.
Anyhow. Moving on, we all did.
Comedy Central then presided over a similar contest called Open Mic Fights, which had comedians from different regions competing then converging in NYC to declare a winner before a live audience.
In 2013, we have the new new thing for stand-up comedians looking to make a name for themselves in the show business — Comedy Central’s Up Next.
The details:
- More than 200 comedians will be selected for preliminary rounds at 26 participating “CC: Certified Clubs” across America.
- More than 30 comedians will advance to four regional semifinal rounds in October.
- Two winners from each regional — eight comedians total — will make it to the finals, which is how you’ll know if you’re among those in this year’s New York Comedy Festival’s “Comics To Watch” on Nov. 6, 2013
- Jonah Ray will host the semis and the finals
- Highlights from the finals at “Comics To Watch” will air on Comedy Central Radio on SiriusXM channel 95 and on cc.com/upnext from Nov. 11-15, during which voters online decide a “Fan’s Choice.”
- The grand prize winner will receive gigs on a Comedy Central college tour, a guest DJ slot on Comedy Central’s SiriusXM channel, inclusion on the Comedy Central stand-up page and mobile app, a Comedy Central Records digital release, appearance on a future TV showcase, and $2,500 cash.
So how and where do you enter? Good question.
UPDATED! Here is how the official press release from Comedy Central describes the selection process: “The selection process for the comedians in the 26 preliminary local showcases and the four regional semi-final showcases is a collaborative effort between COMEDY CENTRAL and the club management who will work closely together to identify the best new stand-up comedians.” (EMPHASIS MINE)
Here are the dates and locations for the inaugural contest in 2013.
PRELIMINARY ROUNDS
|
VENUE |
CITY |
DATE |
|
Addison Improv |
Addison, TX |
9/22 |
|
Brea Improv |
Brea, CA |
9/4 |
|
Cap City |
Austin, TX |
9/15 |
|
Carolines on Broadway |
New York, NY |
9/11; 9/18 |
|
Chicago Improv |
Chicago, IL |
9/11; 9/18 |
|
Cleveland Improv |
Cleveland, OH |
9/18 |
|
Cobb’s Comedy Club |
San Francisco, CA |
9/15 |
|
Denver Improv |
Denver, CO |
9/18 |
|
Ft. Lauderdale Improv |
Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
9/11 |
|
Hartford Funny Bone |
Hartford, CT |
9/4 |
|
Hollywood Improv |
Hollywood, CA |
9/3; 9/12 |
|
Houston Improv |
Houston, TX |
9/4 |
|
Irvine Improv |
Irvine, CA |
9/11 |
|
Johnny D’s (in conjunction with The Wilbur Theatre) |
Boston, MA |
9/6 |
|
Kansas City Improv |
Kansas City, MO |
9/18 |
|
Levity Live |
West Nyack, NY |
9/10 |
|
Ontario Improv |
Ontario, CA |
9/9 |
|
Orlando Improv |
Orlando, FL |
9/12 |
|
Palm Beach Improv |
West Palm Beach, FL |
9/18 |
|
Pittsburgh Improv |
Pittsburgh, PA |
9/11 |
|
Punch Line Sacramento |
Sacramento, CA |
9/11 |
|
San Jose Improv |
San Jose, CA |
9/3 |
|
Tampa Improv |
Tampa, FL |
9/19 |
|
Tempe Improv |
Tempe, AZ |
9/18 |
|
Virginia Beach Funny Bone |
Virginia Beach, VA |
9/12 |
|
Zanie’s Comedy Showplace |
Nashville, TN |
9/18 |
REGIONALS
|
VENUE |
CITY |
DATE |
|
Chicago Improv |
Chicago, IL |
10/9 |
|
Cobb’s Comedy Club |
San Francisco, CA |
10/16 |
|
Ft. Lauderdale Improv |
Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
10/23 |
|
The Wilbur Theatre |
Boston, MA |
10/21 |
FINALS
|
VENUE |
CITY |
DATE |
|
Carolines on Broadway |
New York, NY |
11/6 |
Any info on how to enter? is it a wait in line outside the venue/luck of the draw type thing or will the venue select comics?
how do we sign up?
I repeat the question of the first comment. How does one submit themselves as a comic? If it’s a cattle call or club politics, deal me out. If you’ll look at my E Press Kit, or will book me for a slot, please let me know how, where, or both.
I agree with Russ. Where do I send in stuff for a submission? Thanks for posting this much.
Hey comedians and comedy fans! I understand the confusion, but that’s the information I had, and now I’ve updated it with what little more the network gave out in the official press release. Looks as though it’s not being done by open call (unless one of the participating clubs decides to open it up), but rather, by each comedy club working with Comedy Central to put the showcase showdowns together. If I find out more, I’ll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, good luck!
how do you sign up and does anybody need a comedy writer as i have performed but enjoy writing comedy better
That means that the comedy clubs who manage comedians will be submitting only those people.
again …Is that fair? not cool.
That’s exactly what happened too
Keep posted.
After calling 3 comedy clubs and trying to enter with no luck and seeing comedians that only have “open mics” on their resume get in it pisses me off that Comedy Central doesn’t have more control over this. These comedy club owners are so arrogant these days. I would have rather it been a registration fee to enter than the club bias picks.