Last Comic Standing 2, Episode 10: Battle of the Second-Tier Guys (and Gal)

A few quick updates to start off:

For those of you who may have missed it, we received some news about what to expect in the next two and a half weeks of the show. Seems we won't be seeing a "Final Five" head-to-head, but rather a semi-final to return the final six to three, and then the following week we'll have the "Final Three" head-to-head to determine a winner. There are more details about this final twist that NBC gave away to be found here.

Jumping ahead a bit, Jay mentions at one point near the end of the show that people can still get tickets to the remaining shows out in Glendale, CA. If you click on the internet link Jay gives, it'll take you over to here. It should be pointed out that as of July 27, the only shows that still had tickets available are the half-hour "reveal" shows to be done on July 29 and August 5, and that's only to reveal the wildcard winner and the semi-final winners. However, if you want to attend one of the shows, keep checking the site out as there's always a chance that more tickets will come available in the future. Speaking of which, it appears that the July 29 program being filmed in the afternoon has been moved to 2:30 instead of 3:00. This one will be the semi-finals, so you may want to check it out if you can.

Surprisingly, Episode Nine had its worst rating of the summer with a 4.6 and an 8 share - still strong enough to help lift NBC to the second place slot for the night, however. The 18-49 demographics are also still very strong for the program, so things are still looking good for the show.

Hopefully it was not the return of the voted-off comics that affected the ratings last week, as they are all back again this week to compete in a wildcard contest. This will be done in much the same manner as the original "Final Five" head-to-head last year, with the five comics performing for the audience and home viewers. Home viewers will then get a chance to vote via the phone or internet for one of the five that they believe should be allowed to return for the semi-finals. The five competing in this episode are (in order of being voted off):

• Bonnie Franklin (lost to John Heffron)
• Todd Glass (lost to Tammy Pescatelli)
• ANT (lost to Gary Gulman)
• Jay London (lost to Gary Gulman)
• Corey Holcomb (lost to John Heffron and Alonzo Bodden)

Our analysis of the comics competing:

DALE: Before seeing the episode, I would suspect that either Todd Glass or Jay London would win the wildcard. Bonnie was out the first week, which makes her long forgotten in television terms. She also did not help herself with last week's episode where she flat-out said that she did not like anyone in the house, while also seen trying to hassle some of the comics with some shenanigans that appeared less in fun than in malice. She also seems easily rattled in her sets - at least from what we've seen - and that may cost her here as well.

Corey had some good material, and if he doesn't repeat too much in his set this episode, he may have a long-shot chance. Same with ANT. Todd Glass is a funny guy, but we know that he shot himself in the foot at the Vegas show and nearly didn't make the house. Todd also bounces between funnily annoying to just annoying at times and that might hurt him in the voting as well.

Jay London is a real hit-or-miss situation. People either love him or hate him. He did appear as the quiet, easy-going one of the group, however, and that may pay off with some positive voting for him against all the others, each of whom at one time or another went off on someone else in the house.

MIKE: In situations like these, it's incredibly difficult to predict what will happen. One thing is certain, in my mind: unless someone absolutely bombs, the performances tonight won't do anything to change the votes. I've already made up my mind who I'm going to vote for, and barring a meltdown, watching the show tonight is only a formality. From what I hear, I'm not the only one.

I said it the week the episode aired, and I still believe it, that Gary was the better comedian in their head-to-head. And although it sounds contradictory, I still also believe that Jay London deserves to be in the finals. He's got the strong material and, from what I understand, the strong following that will get him into the finals.

As for the others, I just don't see ANT, Bonnie, or Todd having a chance. As I said, I think the majority of the voting minds were made up before the show. Last season, voters felt sorry for Dat Phan, and gave him votes over the "mean comics" like Ralphie. Assuming that the same, or similar viewers will be voting, how will this terrible trio's antics play? Not very well, I think. ANT will be hurt from the "alliance" nonsense, Todd is just annoying to some people, and Bonnie didn't exactly make any friends with her stunt with the flowers.