After 23 shows in 26 days in 19 venues, the 35th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition has a winner. Portland-based comedian Nathan Brannon was awarded the championship at the conclusion of the “Final-Final” show last night at Seattle’s Comedy Underground. His grand prize includes $5000 cash, a recording contract with Uproar Entertainment, and a series of forthcoming comedy club bookings.
Finishing in second place, and winning $2000, was Kyle Bottom from Vancouver BC. Third prize of $1700 went to Boston’s Matt Donaher, fourth to Edmonton comic Sterling Scott ($1500), and $1300 and fifth place to local favorite Cory Michaelis of Everett WA.
They were the survivors of a grueling contest that began November 5 with 33 comedians from the US, Canada, Australia and Japan, selected from over 700 world-wide submissions. That group was narrowed to ten semi-finalists, and further whittled down to these five. All ten semi-finalists also won cash ranging from $500-$900, for a total of $15,000 in prize money.