Kirshen off Last Comic Standing

British comic Matt Kirshen has been knocked out of American talent contest Last Comic Standing.

He had been the last remaining UK act in the prime-time NBC show following the departure of Gina Yashere earlier this month.

But in a three-way showdown aired last night, he lost out to Ralph Harris, after an audience vote.

In a challenge set on a beach, he joked about his British accent and his bad luck with women, saying he turned on the radio in a hotel to set the mood and got The Benny Hill Show theme.

Despite being eliminated, Kirshen’s profile has been raised in the US on the back of the show, which draws a weekly audience of about eight million viewers. And many comedy-savvy commentators in the States have noted his originality and smart material.

He had previously said that making it through to the reality show felt 'like getting a massage from a burly man. I know it's doing me good, but I still feel a bit dirty'.<.P>Kirshen will remain in America for a few weeks to play in club dates. He is playing the Hollywood Improv tonight, and the Atlanta Funny Farm next week.

The final five Last Comic Standing acts are LaVell Crawford, Gerry Dee, Ralph Harris, Amy Shumer, John Reep.

Kirshen’s last episode will air on Paramount Comedy in the UK on Friday at 10pm.

Published: 16 Aug 2007