NY Comedy Fest, People's Choice Join Forces

NEW YORK -- The New York Comedy Festival on Monday unveiled a partnership with the People's Choice Awards that includes the presentation of a People's Choice Award to the winner of the "New York's Funniest Stand-Up" competition at the festival.

The winner will also be recognized during the 2010 People's Choice Award broadcast on CBS.

The partnership also offers aspiring comedians a chance to perform as opening act at the NYCF for one of the following headliners: Tracy Morgan, Artie Lange, Mike Epps, Bill Burr, Patton Oswalt or Mike Birbiglia. To be eligible, comics can submit a three-minute routine between Sept. 21 and Oct. 7 at the People's Choice website.

A panel will pick the top three performers, leaving fans to vote for the ultimate winner.

NYCF organizers Monday also unveiled three new events that have been added to the program lineup. They are a discussion with the writers from Comedy Central's Emmy-winning "Colbert Report," a panel with the writers from NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and one event that will examine the challenges and opportunities of writing for comedic TV shows in the Internet age. The latter will include Rory Albanese of "The Daily Show," Jim Downey of "Saturday Night Live," John Riggi of "30 Rock" and Al Jean of "The Simpsons."

– Nielsen Business Media