About the Competition
The San Francisco Comedy Competition is one of the most prestigious comedy events in North America, launching the careers of people like Patton Oswalt, Robin Williams and Ellen DeGeneres. It’s an outrageously funny evening, where you will see the comedy stars of tomorrow competing for their chance at fame and fortune. Hundreds of comedians audition each year to compete. Only 32 are chosen.
The San Francisco Comedy Competition is an annual, multi-week, judged, stand-up comedy contest. Over thirty comedians, out of hundreds who apply, perform in shows held in comedy clubs, bars, restaurants, casinos and theaters in San Francisco and around the Bay Area.
Contestants perform 3-7 minute long sets in one of two preliminary weeks. The top five from each preliminary week will meet in the semi-finals week, which requires them to perform 8-12 minute long sets for another six shows. The top five from the semi-finals move on to the finals. In the finals, they will perform 12-15 minute long sets in five more shows…and, a winner is crowned.
This is a judged contest. Each contestant will perform for a unique group of judges for every show they do. Judges score each contestant in seven categories.
No other festival or TV show can claim to have discovered as many future comedy superstars as the annual San Francisco Comedy Competition. The list begins with the likes of Louis C.K., Dana Carvey, Ellen DeGeneres and Robin Williams.
The San Francisco Comedy Comedy Competition shares the same basic format and structure as the Seattle International Comedy Competition — and both competitions share the same Executive Producer, Jon Fox.