“Last Comic Standing” is the reality show equivalent of a hands on a hardbody contest. The last person with a hand on the truck wins a balloon shower and, in the reality show’s case, a giant check for $250,000 before taxes.
By the time you read this, Marcus (no last name) may or may not be on this season of NBC’s hit reality show, “Last Comic Standing.”
Marcus couldn’t really say. The pre-recorded show stays pretty hush, hush until the ink on the check is dry.
For all we know, he could be the winner.
Marcus performs two stand up routines at Xian Wei Restaurant at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, July 18.
His performances are part of a celebration week at the restaurant in honor of its new menu and upcoming entertainment offerings.
The just Marcus, no last name persona, was a “happy accident” for him, Marcus said.
When you think of some great entertainers through the years, such as Sammy, Frank, Dean and Elvis, they’re remembered for one name, he said.
“I felt, if my material and my presence was strong enough, then Marcus would be enough,” he said.
“Last Comic Standing” was a turning point in his career, despite other victories such as being a semi-finalist in the 2007 HBO Lucky 21 Competition or his win at the 2007 Rocky Mountain Laugh-Off, Marcus said.
His full length comedy DVD “Taking Aim” will be available for purchase after his show at Xian Wei.
“I could do Leno and have a fraction of the people (watch),” Marcus said.
As he spoke, he was going through his MySpace mail and had messages from people wanting to book him at their venues and host events, he said.
When he does live stand up, he incorporates pop culture, variety show and musical elements, Marcus said.
Marcus is from Salt Lake City. He started doing impressions of cartoon characters when he was about 9 years old.
It was his work in radio where his comedic talent was realized. He embraced stand up, and Salt Lake City embraced him, he said.
“Salt Lake has been really good to me,” Marcus said. “Kind of like a town like Grand Junction. These towns where it was easy to be a big fish in a small pond.”
On “Last Comic Standing,” Marcus is considered a “character,” a role he has accepted, he said. He frequently does impressions and rehashes childhood experiences.
Last week, he dressed up as a dishevelled Wonder Woman, a TV moment he’s a bit embarrassed by, he said.
But on TV, “You’re doing maybe two minutes of comedy,” he said. “You have to be able to get a good enough cross section of your act out there.”
“Last Comic Standing” season six airs on Thursday nights on NBC.
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E-mail Samantha Stiles at Samantha. Stiles@gjsentinel.com.
What: Marcus from “Last Comic Standing.”
When: Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Where: Xian Wei Restaurant, 1530 North Ave.
Tickets: $30. Marcus’ stand up routine is PG-13.
Info: 242-8131, www.myspace.com/xian_wei.
