NBC announced that it has revived Last Comic Standing and will air it as part of the its programming lineup next summer.
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In addition, the network announced that it has tapped The Office star Craig Robinson to serve as host of the reality competition series' seventh season.
"I am so excited about season seven of Last Comic Standing. We are looking for lucky seven being the best year ever," said executive producer Peter Engel.
"I am confident that Craig Robinson and the creative team will take the comedy to a new level of laughs."
Earlier this year, it was reported that NBC reality programming chief Paul Telegdy was interested in relaunching Last Comic Standing with a few format changes -- including a new host to replace Bill Bellamy, who helmed its fifth and sixth seasons.
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"Last Comic Standing has been a consistent success with both viewers and critics and we can't wait to bring it back," said Telegdy in the network's renewal annoucnement.
"The addition of a versatile comedic talent like Craig will only enhance what has proved to be a winning formula."
Telegdy also told TheWrap.com in a Friday report that Last Comic Standing's revival will try to bring "credibility" back to the show's selection process.
"Stand-ups will figure heavily in the judging panel," he told TheWrap.com, adding the panel will likely consist of two male and one female stand-up.
Last Comic Standing seventh-season open casting calls will begin in Los Angeles on March 6 and continue in New York City on March 21.
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Talent scouts will watch the performances of the aspiring comedians before deciding which will move onto the actual competition. The show's seventh-season winner will receive a $250,000 prize and an exclusive NBC talent deal.
Last Comic Standing's new revival represents the second time it has been resurrected.
Last Comic Standing's Summer 2006 fourth season aired after a two-year layoff that followed the network's decision to premiere a third, hastily-assembled Fall 2004 edition only weeks after its second season had ended.
The sixth season -- which aired in Summer 2008 and was won by Iliza Shlesinger, its first ever female champ -- averaged 5.2 million viewers during its broadcast run.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio