From FOS Randy Masters comes the following dispatch:

It was a fun night last night at Gotham Comedy Club. There were 33 comedians, and they each had only 3 minutes. After exactly 3 minutes, the microphone was mercilessly cut off (this happened at least 4 or 5 times throughout the night).

The show was sold out, but a nice chunk of seats had been removed to make room for 4 or 5 large cameras and cameramen, including a huge rotating camera on a rolling, weighted “seesaw dolly” (this camera came within inches of audience members’ heads several times).

Kathleen Madigan, Alonzo Bodden, and a very slimmed down Ant were there moderating the proceedings (he later announced that he lost over 40 pounds on a celebrity fitness show). Before the show, Kathleen and Alonzo were milling about and were very approachable and friendly. They stopped, shook hands, and chatted with audience members who said hello (myself included). Ant popped out right before the show began and went directly to the judge’s table.

Bill Bellamy opened, and he was very relaxed and funny. It’s already clear that he will be 1000 times better than Count Shake-ula.

Also, during the show the producer would “halt” the judges periodically when they were about to introduce the next comedian. So at one point the exasperated Ant yelled, “Can we get some direction here??” The producer replied into the headset (he was right behind me), “We’re having a pause before the next comedian– just like we always do it.”

Twice Ant yelled out for someone to brings him a plate of wings. But nobody ever brought him anything.

During the judge’s deliberations Jessica Kirson came out and did a set. I have seen her several times and she never fails to get a great crowd reaction, but last night the audience members must have been tired, because a great number of people talked loudly and nonstop through her set. Jessica responded by saying: “I don’t give a shit. I’m getting my check anyway.”

She made the best of a bad situation, because people just wouldn’t shut the hell up. I can’t remember the last time I heard that much chatter (and loud chatter at that) during a professional comedian’s set. Kudos to her for plugging away. Another time she said: “I’ve got 4 great things happening in my career right now, so you really don’t realize how much I don’t give a shit if you talk!”

During her set, the production crew lugged large pieces of equipment around her, and set up a 4-tiered stage behind her back while she talked. But she was a trouper throughout.

Bill Bellamy came back on and did a short set (the audience quieted down by then). After the judge’s deliberations, Bellamy got “scolded” by Alonzo because he read off his list of “personal picks” as to who should win (after someone from the audience prompted him). Alonzo stopped him by saying: “Um, Bill, we really aren’t allowed to do that. Sorry.” Bill replied: “Well, this is just my personal opinion. We all have our American Idol picks, don’t we?”

The comics were then brought out in groups of two.

And so…..the winners of the New York auditions are: Joe Devito, Arj Barker, Bob Smith, Dwayne Kennedy, Lois Bromfield, Pete Dominic, Jane Condon, Lori Chase, Amy Schumer and Chuck Nice.

Condon won the Capital One audience choice award, which was great since she had my vote, too! She is from Connecticut and was very, very funny.

All in all, a very fun night of comedy!!