LAST COMIC STANDING Challenge Rounds Begin Tonight

"Last Comic Standing"'s exciting challenge rounds, in which comics will be tested in a variety of comedy disciplines ranging from sketch comedy to improv, kick off tonight, June 26 (10-11 p.m. ET) on NBC with guest mentor Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Suburgatory").

Future episodes will feature contestants being mentored by special guests like Howie Mandel, Wanda Sykes and Jeff Ross. They will guide the comics through fun comedy challenges, including one at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and classic "Last Comic Standing" challenges like a comedy roast and the finalists' hilarious try at Tour Guide comedy.

The top 10 finalists in the competition are:

D.C. Benny (Brooklyn, NY), hometown: Washington, D.C.

Nikki Carr (Bronx, NY), hometown: Bronx, NY

Rocky LaPorte (Chicago, IL), hometown: Chicago, IL

Joe Machi (New York, NY), hometown: State College, PA

Monroe Martin (Brooklyn, NY), hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Karlous Miller (Atlanta, GA), hometown: Oxford, MS

Lachlan Patterson (Venice Beach, CA), hometown: Vancouver, B.C.

Rod Man (Los Angeles, CA), hometown: Villa Rica, GA

Aida Rodriguez (Los Angeles, CA), hometown: Miami, FL

Jimmy Shubert (Los Angeles, CA), hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Bios on all of the top 10 comics are available at http://www.nbc.com/last-comic-standing/comics/season-8. They are competing for a prize package worth $250,000, including a cash prize, a talent deal and a development deal for a television show.

The 10 finalists have come a long way in the competition, starting from a group of the top 100 comics in the country, who auditioned by invitation only. Now they are advancing to the compelling challenge rounds, which begin June 26. Host JB Smoove explains that their first challenge is a group challenge, in which the comedians are divided into two teams and given the same sketch comedy script. The teams have 90 minutes to cast, rehearse and prepare to perform the sketch that evening in front of a live audience. Helping them will be guest mentor Cheryl Hines, giving them valuable advice and feedback, as the comedians work together as a team for the first time.

After their performance, Hines choses the winning team, whose members are all granted immunity from elimination. Then three members of the losing team Face Off in a stand-up challenge at the Hollywood Improv, and judges Roseanne Barr, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Russell Peters chose which comic gives the best performance - and which two players are heading home.

Page Hurwitz, Wanda Sykes and Javier Winnik are the executive producers of "Last Comic Standing," produced by Universal Television and Push It Productions.

For more information on "Last Comic Standing" visit: http://www.nbc.com/last-comic-standing. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/NBC | https://twitter.com/NBC #NBC.

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