ISO the Funniest Person in South Texas

Back in late February, 15 comics were given five minutes each to wow the crowd at Laugh Out Loud. Of course, they had to wow the judges, too, a small group that included reps from Santikos Theatres, Univision Radio, and Mother's Window Tint. I was in the huddle, too, ready to be wowed alongside Current staffer Bryan Rindfuss. With Alex "Kool-Aid" Ansel emceeing the opening round of the annual Funniest Person in South Texas competition, we tracked crowd reactions, quality of the material, stage presence, timing, appearance, technique, and delivery. Todd Larson's sex-life material made him an easy crowd favorite, but Marlena's boisterous personality (not to mention a bit about an "electric husband" and other life-after-divorce jokes) also made a solid impression. Both advanced straight to finals, but fellow contestants Edward Hernandez, and George Anthony have to battle a bit yet at the playoff round level, this time at Rivercenter Comedy Club.

With a mixture of newcomers and seasoned comedians, this annual competition is exciting, unpredictable, and full of good laughs. And there's still time to catch the remaining preliminary rounds (8pm Mon, Mar 19, and 8pm Mon, Mar 26) at Rivercenter Comedy Club ($10 each night). Catch the finals, which determine which three will move on to the World Series of Comedy Regional Finals in May, at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Laugh Out Loud ($15). While the first place winner takes home the title as well as $500 in cash and week-long runs at Rivercenter and Laugh Out Loud as an emcee or feature act, second place wins a week as emcee or feature act at Rivercenter, and third scores $100 cash and an order of chips and salsa (no joke). LOL, 618 NW Loop 410, (210) 541-8805, lolsanantonio.com; River Center Comedy Club, 849 E Commerce, Ste 893, (210) 229-1420, rivercentercomedyclub.com.