New auditons for US talent show

Unlike last year, the NBC show’s scouts will not be travelling the globe hosting auditions. Instead, there will be eight heats in North America inviting all-comers.

However, producers will be flying a number of international acts who have caught their eye to Miami, for a separate audition at the beginning of February, not open to anyone.

The first casting call, in which hopefuls will have to perform two minutes of material, will be in Los Angeles on January 28. Further events take place in New York, Toronto, Minneapolis, Houston, Tempe (Arizona), San Francisco and Nashville.

Last year, hundreds of hopefuls queued overnight to be seen at each of the American auditions, with the many not even getting the chance to perform for the judges. However, when the doors opened at the Comedy Store for the London audition, just a handful of comics had gathered outside.

The new season of Last Comic Standing, the sixth, will again be hosted by Bill Bellamy.

The US heats take place at the following locations, with doors opening at 9am.

January 28: Los Angeles - Hollywood Improv, 8162 Melrose Avenue

February 7: New York - Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street

February 14: Toronto – Yuk Yuk’s, 224 Richmond Street

February 19: Minneapolis - Acme Comedy Club, 708 N First Street

February 22: Houston - Houston Improv, 7620 Katy Freeway

February 26: Tempe, AZ - Tempe Improv, 930 East University Avenue

February 29: San Francisco – Venue to be announced

March 3: Nashville – Zanies, 2025 8th Avenue South

Published: 16 Jan 2008