AMERICA WILL CHOOSE THE "LAST COMIC STANDING" WHEN NBC'S EMMY-NOMINATED SERIES KICKS OFF A NEW SEASON OF LAUGHS AND SURPRISES ON MAY 30

Live-in Laughs on the Queen Mary -- and Celebrity Judges Kathy Griffin, Garry Marshall and Tim Meadows -- Add to the Fun As America's Funniest Comics Compete

BURBANK, Calif. -- April 13, 2006 -- America will choose who ultimately wins the title of "Last Comic Standing" when NBC's Emmy-nominated series returns for a new season of laughs and surprises on Tuesday, May 30 (8-10 p.m. ET). Following the special two-hour premiere, the series will air in its regular timeslot of 9-10 p.m. ET on Tuesdays.

Anthony Clark ("Yes, Dear") is the host.

The lively laughfest begins with a nationwide talent search for professional and aspiring comedians. Then celebrity judges Kathy Griffin (Bravo's "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List," NBC's "Suddenly Susan"), Garry Marshall ("Chicken Little," "The Princess Diaries I & II") and Tim Meadows ("The Benchwarmers," NBC's "Saturday Night Live") will appear on two special "semi-finals" episodes to help choose the top comedians who ultimately make it into the "house." Only this time, the "house" is actually the Queen Mary -- the famous luxury ocean liner docked in Long Beach, CA that will be home to the comedians during the competition.

Outrageous contests, surprise guests and unexpected twists and turns make the competition even livelier as more contestants are eliminated and only the top finalists are left. Then America gets to choose the winner -- voting by phone and online -- and the "Last Comic Standing" gets an exclusive talent contract with NBC and their own comedy special on Bravo.

"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").