LAST EDITED ON 06-09-04 AT 01:39 PM (EST)

It has always amazed me how well known comics think they can improve their standing by entering this contest.

My favorite comedian, Pablo Francisco, is in the top 20, and it actually annoys me.

Why does he need it?

Lets go down his career accomplishments

Tonight Show appearance? check
Comedy Central special? check
Special ranking in the top 10 of comedy central presents the last two years they've done the contest? check
Mad TV cast member? check
Nomination for Comedian of the year at American Comedy Awards? check
Currently hosting own tv show? check http://www.sitv.com/Public/ShowInfo.aspx?ShowId=8

And here's the clincher... after winning the first Last Comic Standing, Dat OPENED for him on a couple occasions!

I own all his cd's, and swear that his voice routines and impressions are as good as anyone in the business. I have spent many dollars to watch him headline. Yet I now have to watch him struggle to make it around comics with no experience.

Leave it to the amateurs Pablo...I am almost disgraced to be a fan of yours because of this...

• RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,Shereebie, 01:34 PM, 06-09-04
  • RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,RuffNeck, 06:27 PM, 06-09-04
    • RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,Spidey, 07:55 PM, 06-09-04
    • RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,Sbez, 03:21 PM, 06-10-04
• RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,Mistral, 11:16 PM, 06-09-04
• RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,cadfile, 03:02 AM, 06-11-04
• RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,PagongRatEater, 02:20 PM, 06-12-04
  • RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,seahag, 06:03 PM, 06-14-04
    • RE: Established Comics on the Show... Why??,Silvergirl1, 11:20 AM, 06-15-04

Welcome to the boards, laparka!

Pablo headlines here a lot at the comedy clubs, too. He's very talented. I was happy to see him on the show, because while he's fairly successful already, this show presents him (and the others) with an opportunity they would not have had before - their own TV show on NBC. That equals money, something comics don't see much of unless they're on the level of a Jerry Seinfeld.

That's what I thought too, but where is Dat's show??? It's going on a year and this guy is doing bit parts on other NBC shows.

I guess the producers' motto must be "if at first you don't succeed, have a sequel and stack the cast."

Dat has just finnished two movies and had a comedy central special. He wasn't promised a sitcom just a special. I would say he's doing pretty good.

Let's hope that someone with more experiance can take it even farther.

I didn't know about Pablo, but the same can be said for Will Durst, a well-known (at least locally) San Francisco comic. I can't list his credits, but I've heard of him for quite awhile.

Ant was also on last year, but didn't make the final cut. I see he's doing his same spiel as last year.

I think they made a mistake letting headliners enter.

The true amatures (if there are any) won't make it and the "B" level people are "B" level for a reason.

NBC and Comedy Central stacked the deck because they would rather have a known or semi-known name win because then they make back the money they are putting into it.

They don't want another Dat upset.
--
Doug

Cousin Eddie: Every time Catherine would turn on the microwave, I'd pee my pants and forget who I was for about half an hour.

I agree - Kathleen Madigan is another name comedianne who should not be on that show. The problem is HOW do you determine who is eligible and who isn't? Almost all of these people have been doing comedy in clubs for years. Obviously, it's like Jesse Helms said about porn - "I know it when I see it", but who gets to draw that line and allow certain people in while keeping others out.

Watching the Buck Starr show as we speak

Hi everyone -

With all of the publicity about how the contestants were cast rather than winners of fair competitions, it is too bad that they aren't clearer about what the requirements are, but having a certain amount of experience and material seems necessary to be deemd "ready". Last season, Rich Voss, Cory Kahany, Ralphie May, Dave Mordall all were seasoned pros. I'm guessing that the producers cast to create some sympathy for less experienced contestants, but they want the showdowns to be tight sets with new material so they're looking for experienced comics.

I don't hold it against a comic who wants to get more exposure with this show, take Kathleen Madigan, an early favorite of mine. I've seen her on Comedy Central and around, but she's not a household name. Even as a fan of hers I didn't immediately recognize her name until I saw her and thought "oh yeah, her - I like her, she's funny". I guess the prize they all have their eyes on is to get to the level of a Roseanne, Ray Romano, Jerry Seinfeld and George Lopez so they can front a sit com. I did think having Jim Norton compete in a competition where one of the judges (Collin Quinn)is the host of a show he appears on regularly was too much. But still, I'm glad that most of the comics seem to have a certain amount of experience because it just makes for more entertaining comedy.

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