The show began with John returning to the house from the last head to head competition. As soon as he came back into the house, he broke down emotionally. John felt guilty for going against his friend Bonnie. John told the other comics he would be the lone wolf and no longer participate in alliances. The next day, the Comics met with a yoga instructor for 1 hour of yoga and meditation. Todd and Ant weren't the least bit interested. Ant puffed on a cigarette and Todd snored through part of the class. Next it was time for the first exemption contest in which the winner would get exemption from the head to head and also receive a photo shoot. Each comic had to perform on a Tour Bus and the bus patrons would decide which comic was the funniest. The first two contestants were Ant and Corey. Ant won the votes unanimously, then one by one each of the other comics went against him. Ant was unstoppable, he dazzled the crowd and easily won immunity. Ant provided many smiles and laughter on the tour bus but the bus ride back to the house was no laughing matter. Todd made a comment to Ant about homosexuals then Ant used a reference and said the dreaded "N" word. That word caused Corey to erupt and he and Ant exchanged a few words. Corey had a very strong reaction and was very hard on Ant. Ant was very hurt and upset. Later Ant realized he should not have used "that" word and apologized to Corey. All was forgiven. Now it was time to place votes. Who said they were funnier than who? Voting: Ant, Jay, and Alonzo chose Todd. Corey, Todd and Gary chose Tammy. Tammy chose Corey, Bonnie chose, Gary, and John chose Alonzo. It was a tie between Tammy and Todd. Tammy went against Todd in the Head to Head. Tammy barely won with 55% of the votes. Next week, one more comic goes home.

The 10 Comics finally moved into their new temporary home and each comic was assigned to a specific room with pre-determined roomates. It didn't take long for some of the comics to start discussions about alliances and voting possibilities. One comic said "The House is divided into two Groups - Gossipers and People Who Don't Care" After everyone got settled into the house, the comics were then faced with their first challenge. All of the comics were required to perform before a small audience at Lucys 24 hour Laundry Mart. Laundry wasn't the only thing that stunk at Lucys, most of the comedians received blank stares and disinterest from the laundry patrons. After all the comics finished their lukewarm attempt at comedy, Jay Mohr had the last laugh. One of the "patrons" in the laundry mart was really there to choose the funniest comic to fly to Aspen, Colorado and perform at the Comedy Arts Festival. The chosen one was Corey Holcomb. Corey was given the opportunity to choose another comic to come along for the ride. He chose Kathleen because she had always been nice to him. After Cory and Kathleen returned from Aspen, it was time for the Head to Head Elimination Nominations. 6 of the comics chose Bonnie (Ant, Alonzo, Jay, Kathleen, Tammy and John), Todd chose Tammy, Gary chose Jay, Corey chose Ant, and Bonnie chose Corey. Since Bonnie recieved the most votes, she had to choose one of the 6 who nominated her and they would battle it out on the stage...she chose John. Unfortunately for Bonnie that was a bad decision, she lost. John Heffron received over 90% of the audience vote. Next Week, the comics perform on a Tour Bus and another Comic will leave the house.

The final 10 comics were chosen and received keys to the Hollywood Mansion they will call home until they get evicted or become the Last Comic Standing. The process to choose the final 10 did not come without controversy. The show began when all 20 comics arrived at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. The Comics were immediately disappointed when they discovered everyone would have a roomate and not have their own room. Naturally, a few of them were not happy with the person selected to be their roomate. The following night, everyone attended a cocktail party filled with food, mingling, and plenty of jokes. Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for; it was time for the comics to take the stage. The comics were divided into two groups of 10, then 5 would be chosen from each group. The "Judges " aka Talent Scouts who would be making the decision were Brett Butler, Anthony Clark, Drew Carey, and Tess. The first 10 comics performed and the first 5 comics chosen to move into the house were annouced. Next, the final 10 comics had a chance to impress the "Judges". After the last comic performed, Jay Mohr annouced the final five. The annoucement of the final five caused some major drama. Drew Carey and Brett Butler were not Happy when they heard the annoucement. Brett Butler stormed off and Drew Carey stated 3 of the 4 judges (He, Brett and Anthony) did not vote for the people who were chosen. All of the Comics were aware of the unexpected drama that was unfolding and didn't quite know what to make of the commotion. Executive Producer Peter Engel attempted to calm everyone by explaining the decion making process. Peter Engal said the selection of Comics were not soley determined by the Talent Scouts but also by NBC and Producers. The final 10 Comics are: Alonzo Bodden, ANT, Todd Glass, Gary Gulman, John Heffron, Corey Holcomb, Jay London, Kathleen Madigan, Bonnie McFarlane, and Tammy Pascatelli.

The Last Comic Standing is back and looking for the funniest Comic in America. In the first episode Bob Read and Ross Mark decided who would be good enough to become a semi-finalist. They traveled to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, New York City, Boston, Nashville, Chicago, and Tampa. After seeing thousands of comics, only 40 were chosen to compete in New York. Jay Mohr hosted the second episode which took place at the Hudson Theatre in New York. The 40 semi-finalists had three minutes to compete in front of an audience and impress three celebrity \"Talent Scouts\" Colin Quinn, Kim Coles and Rich Vos. Bob Read and Ross Mark were also there to provide their opinion about the comics. Many jokes later, only 20 comics were chosen to move on to the next round. In the next two episodes scheduled to air June 15th and 16th, the comics will compete in Las Vegas and only 10 of the 20 will be chosen. The final 10 will live together and compete each week for the title of the Last Comic Standing. The winner will receive an NBC contract and a stand-up special on Comedy Central.

Two celebrity judges on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" cry foul. Comedians Drew Carey and Brett Butler said their input as judges was discounted during the semifinal round that took place last month in favor of NBC executives and the show's producers. One of "Last Comic's" executive producers, Barry Katz, also is the manager of two of the performers who made the final 10, the one-name comic Ant and Gary Gulman. "I thought it was crooked and dishonest," Carey said. "It was like somebody at NBC cast the show ahead of the event in Vegas." Sources close to the show indicated that the final decision is made by the show's producers and NBC executives, not by the judges. The casting decisions were made by NBC and NBC Studios in consultation with talent scouts and we appreciate their valuable input," NBC said in a statement. "Now that the 10 participants have been selected, the program will begin."

• Reuters Hollywood Reporter Article