Dec 30 2009 03:25 PM ET

EXCLUSIVE: NBC in talks to bring back 'Last Comic Standing'

Tags: News, Television

A network insider confirms that NBC is in talks to bring back Last Comic Standing, a talent show that ran for six seasons on the peacock network. NBC’s reality guru Paul Telegdy is looking to re-launch the franchise with a new host (so long, Bill Bellamy!) and some format changes so it can air as part of the network’s summer lineup, which includes America’s Got Talent and (possibly) the new Losing it with Jillian, featuring The Biggest Loser’s Jillian Michaels.

Comic pits comedians against each other in a competition for a development contract with NBC. It last aired during the summer of 2008, when it averaged 5.2 million viewers and a 7 share among adults 18-49. Though it doesn’t necessarily blow the roof off Nielsen, the show performs particularly well among adults 18-49 living in homes with $75K-plus and $100k-plus incomes.


Comments (47 total) Add your comment
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  • Mary

    It would be nice if they stopped with all the fixing of this show. If it were formatted like Idol and people got to call in to vote, I might watch again. Until that happens, not a chance.

    • Rob

      Agreed. Great concept that is executed extremely poorly.

    • eqkedri

      I hope they don’t do that. America sucks at voting. Especially when all these stupid teens get involved. The judges always have the best opinion. Letting America vote makes reality shows get so crappy, but I understand they need those votes to pay for the show.

  • jim

    Oh no … one of the worst TV reality shows… back. Blech.

    • tallpeopledate

      I think it was very funny

    • rob

      I agree . the worst reality show. Hire writers and do something worth watching

  • Kud

    Good! Really missed that show, although the hosts always become the almost dull parts of the show. Maybe a woman host? Since most of the contestants are male.

  • Tom Brazelton

    I used to really like Last Comic Standing – at least when Jay Mohr was host. But in the latter years, it became a bloated mess. There were too many comedians and we never got to know any of them personally. Plus, the audition process was drawn out and boring. They tried to mimic American Idol by giving airtime to people who had no business being on stage, from which they milked awkward moments. I don’t care about those people. Put people on the show that have their act together! Skip the audition process, put them in the house and let America decide! Keep it simple and the audience will come back!

    • Melinda65

      I enjoyed the first three seasons of the show (even though the third was just pitting the S1 and S2 contestants against each other) but when they changed the format, I dumped the show. Dave Mordal and Rich Voss were my favorite bromance ever. :-)

      • Denise

        Melinda65- I agree with you 100%. They need to bring back Mohr AND the house.

    • Rob Grizzly

      Agreed. The first few seasons were very good, but then it got crappy with all the changes. I would be happy to see the show return- if it got back to it’s roots

  • Dwyer

    Ralphie May and Dat Phan playing hide and seek is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. No hating bring it back.

    • allie

      remember Dat Phan’s notes? That was a great season…the rest, not so much.

  • wendy

    If Dave and Rich are in the bubble bath again I’ll watch that was a really funny season. All the other ones stunk.

    • Christine

      Dave was so robbed that season. If you watched carefully, whomever went first always went home. I don’t think they had any warm up comedians at all, so the 1st one to go was like the warm up and hence was seen as less funny. Dat should have never won. As evidenced by his tv show that never actually appeared.

  • robert

    talent show – more like no talent – who paid the producers the most money and who also needs to look good on tv show – yuck, yuck – NBC you are lame – first Leno in prime time and now this – go away staged prepaid talent show – I’ll take my chances in the comedy clubs around the country

    • Em

      Let me guess – you auditioned but didn’t get on the show?

  • Samantha Delynne

    I like to have submarine sandwiches on Tuesdays/sundays.I like to know what date is Dancing with the stars coming back?That would be great.Please try to make the Tv Guide better.I like to see Celebrity-Lookalikes on Family feud.That would be great.10 celebritie lookalikes.

    • marcy

      drinking much today dear samantha…

    • snarkalicious

      Oh dear God Samantha, the voices in your head are starting again……

  • Samantha Delynne

    I like to have submarine sandwiches on Tuesdays/sundays.I like to know what date is Dancing with the stars coming back?That would be great.Please try to make the Tv Guide better.I like to see 10 Celebrity-Lookalikes on Family feud.That would be great.

  • LaTisha

    I thought Last Comic Standing was another name for the Jay Leno Show?

    • B

      Well put!

  • Stephanie T.

    1. They should stop fixing the show because it was fine the way it was.

    2. It should be done on Comedy Central not the Nothing But Corny Channel which it has become (sad to say). I mean look not all comics have to cuss but there is a lot more that they can do and they can’t do it on network television.

    3. QUIT WITH THE HAS BEEN COMICS!! Thea Vidal?! When I saw her audition for season three, I was scratching my head because she once had a television show. I also saw some comics who were widely known. Not hugely popular, but known. Why should they be given a second chance? Two words Comedy Central. The producers should give those who are not known a fair break. Oh and by the way if Colin Quinn auditions, it’s clear that the show’s rigged. Seriously.

    3. Bring back Jay Mohr for the love of God!

  • erin

    I enjoyed this show. It’s nice, fun viewing in the summer when there’s nothing else on. I abhor most reality shows, so as long as it doesn’t re-format to be more like American Idol or something, I’ll watch.

  • Stephanie T.

    That’s 4, sorry.

  • deheor

    If they went back to the one on one challange format instead of three at a time they may win me back. Also let the fans have more say and don’t rely on a studio audience who has not been watching them perform the same material over and over.

  • danuff1

    Hmmm….It looks like NBC is bringing back its old shows (i.e. Chuck and LCS) maybe because the network is finally going to ax Jay Leno next year??? Na, that would be too much common sense.

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