New York Comedy Festival Announces Additional Performances to Lineup

The 2008 New York Comedy Festival, taking place November 5-9 at various venues throughout New York City, announces the addition of several events to its line-up, including the second annual search for "New York's Funniest Stand-Up" —a competition open to any and all comedians who think they have what it takes to be called "New York's Funniest."    Celebrating its fifth anniversary, this year's New York Comedy Festival features headlining performances (previously announced) from Frank Caliendo, Louis C.K., Craig Ferguson, Carlos Mencia, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, B.J. Novak, Brian Regan, Sarah Silverman, and Katt Williams. 

Other recent additions to the Festival line-up include performances by The View's Sherri Shepherd, Susie Essman, New York morning radio personality Luis Jimenez, John Pinette, Paul Mooney, plus special events such as the "MySpace Secret Stand-Up Show," "The Best Sketch in New York Showcase," "TONY Approved," a stand-up show hosted by Time Out New York's Comedy Editor Jane Borden, "The Web Video Cram-Off," and "Funny Business" hosted by David Moore. Monica Crowley ("The McLaughlin Group," Fox News Channel), New York Post editorial writer Robert A. George, and comic and author Baratunde Thurston will join moderator Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show) for the "We Have a Winner" panel, which will a look back and forward at the 2008 election and State of the Union.

For the 2008 "New York's Funniest Stand-Up" event, there will be an open call on Tuesday, October 21, and on Wednesday, October 22, at Carolines on Broadway, where participating comedians will be asked to perform two minutes of stand-up before a panel of judges for material, originality and stage presence.

Thirty comedians will be selected to move on to perform five minutes of stand-up at two semi-final rounds that will take place on Tuesday, October 28 and on Wednesday, October 29, at Stand-Up NY comedy club.  Five finalists from each of the semi-final rounds will be selected to perform eight minutes of stand-up at the competition finals, which will be held at Carolines on Broadway as part of the 2008 New York Comedy Festival on Wednesday, November 5, in front of a panel of industry judges. The winner will receive a cash prize, a week of performances at Carolines on Broadway, and a guest spot on one of the major festival shows.

Presented in a record number of prestigious New York City venues -- including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, The Apollo Theater, Town Hall, Hammerstein Ballroom, Carolines on Broadway, the Paley Center for Media, The UCB Theatre, and the 92nd Street Y -- this year's Festival boasts stand-out stand-up performances and panel discussions with writers from  the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and the Emmy Award-winning writers from "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

Comedy Central has signed a multi-year national partnership with the New York Comedy Festival, providing the Festival for the first-time, a national television partner to showcase its prestigious comedy line-up.  The partnership will include producing an on-air special shot at the Festival which will premiere in early 2009, as well as digital media support and other content opportunities.

The 2008 New York Comedy Festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway and United Entertainment Group.  The Festival is presented by myspace.com, New York Post, Time Out New York, WNYW/Fox 5 and WWOR/My9.  The Festival is supported by The Alliance for Climate Protection and Energizer.

For more information on each event and to purchase tickets, please visit www.nycomedyfestival.com