dat phan

Maybe it's because NBC needs programming, especially during the summer. Maybe it's because the network needed a companion to 'America's Got Talent.' But it does seem like 'Last Comic Standing' has become the 'According to Jim' of reality shows, doesn't it? The show just doesn't die, no matter how much NBC and its producers have tried to kill it.

The folks who brought us the genius idea of Jay Leno at 10PM has decided to resurrect 'Last Comic,' which they canned in 2008, for a summer run, according to Joe Adalian at The Wrap. Craig Robinson of 'The Office' and the forthcoming comedy flick 'Hot Tub Time Machine' has been tabbed to host.

At least the new host gives me hope for this new version. Robinson has a great comic presence, whether he's intimidating Michael Scott as warehouse foreman Darryl Philbin, or just doing his stand-up at a local club. He'll be funnier than Bill Bellamy and more confident than Anthony Clark, two of the show's previous hosts (Jay Mohr was the original host... and quite good).

(S04E11) Let's get the details of the first 88 minutes of the finale out of the way right now: Dat Phan stunk. Alonzo Bodden and John Heffron both showed why Season Two is considered to be the best LCS season. Jay Mohr is a funny guy, even though he is, as his boss Peter Engel said, "a big pain in the ass." Anthony Clark must have needed a lot of help during the six years of Yes, Dear, because the man can't even read off a cue card properly. Oh, and for some reason, the producers showed us a seance that wasn't good enough to make the initial cut during the Queen Mary phase.

Then we had sets by the two finalists, Josh Blue and Ty Barnett. Here's my question to Ty: where the hell was that material yesterday? The question becomes more relevant after jump, so keep reading.

Most fans of Last Comic Standing (I think there are one or two left) are aware that, while Jay Mohr is labeled as the show's "executive producer," the ex-host hasn't been involved with the show this year. He had a falling out with NBC over how Season Three was handled; NBC rushed a "Season 1 vs. Season 2" contest on the air, then cancelled the show right before the finale and never showed it, eventually shuttling that episode off to Comedy Central. So, because of the rift, LCS fans have had to put up with the shaky hands and zombie-like stare of host Anthony Clark all season.

But it looks like there has been a thaw in the frigid relations. According to Zap2It.com, Mohr will perform a stand-up set during the season finale on Wednesday, Aug. 9 (Now I realize how they're going to do this: They'll go from three to two on Tuesday, then announce the winner on Wednesday). The filler-tastic 90-minute finale will not only feature Mohr, but also sets by previous LCS winners Alonzo Bodden, John Heffron, and (gulp) Dat Phan. Hopefully, this will be a sign that Mohr will replace Clark for next summer's edition. That alone will improve upon what has turned out to be a sub-par season for the show.