NBC TO AWARD $250,000 TO WINNER OF ITS HIT LAUGHFEST "LAST COMIC STANDING"

NBC TO AWARD $250,000 TO WINNER OF ITS HIT LAUGHFEST "LAST COMIC STANDING"

BURBANK February 26, 2007 NBC will raise the stakes of its Emmy-nominated series "Last Comic Standing" and award $250,000 to the grand prize winner of the competition. In addition to the money and the coveted title of "Last Comic Standing," the winner will also receive an exclusive talent contract with NBC Universal and their own half-hour comedy special on Bravo.

"Last Comic Standing," which returns to the schedule this summer, is hosted by Bill Bellamy. Talent scouts and former LCS alumni Alonzo Bodden (season three winner), Ant and Kathleen Madigan will search for the funniest comedian in the world, going to eight cities including three international locations for the first time ever in the history of the show. Auditions kick off today in Los Angeles and conclude April 3 in Tempe, Arizona, with stops along the way in Sydney, Australia; London, Montreal, New York, Minneapolis and San Antonio. Information on the casting calls can be found at www.nbc.com.

"Last Comic Standing" is produced by Peter Engel Productions, Magical Elves and NBC Universal Television Studio. The executive producers are Peter Engel ("Saved By the Bell," "City Guys"), Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz (Bravo's "Project Runway" and NBC's "Treasure Hunters") and Barry Katz ("Action," "Dane Cook's Tourgasm"), and Javier Winnik ("Last Comic Standing," "Treasure Hunters") is the co-executive producer.