NBC to bring back Last Comic Standing
One of my all-time favorite reality shows has to be
the second season of Last Comic Standing. Not only did it improve on the first season by bringing in more
seasoned comedians, but the audience actually picked a winner that deserved it (John Heffron). It was a perfect show to
watch during the slow summer months. Then NBC decided to turn around and do a "Season 1 vs. Season 2"
competition just a few weeks after Season 2 ended. Big mistake. Why? Well, Season 2 fans were burned out from seeing
the acts of that season's comics again, and the Season 1 comics -- except for a couple -- weren't all that good.
Ratings sank and NBC farmed out the
last episode to Comedy Central.So, over a year after that debacle, NBC has decided to bring back LCS as a summer show again, which I think is a good move. They've given the concept a rest and have also returned the show to where it gained it's best ratings, when there is little on but bottom-drawer reality shows and scripted reruns. The format, according to this press release, will be the same as before, with recruiters scouring the country for stand-up talent. Winners from each city's competition will then compete for the right to stay in "the house" (my least favorite part of the show) where the reality-show conventions take over (interpersonal strife, vote-offs, etc.). I'm assuming that Jay Mohr is returning to host, since he is one of the show's creators. Looking forward to seeing it again.
[via The Futon Critic]

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