Evergreen grad now a finalist to be 'Last Comic Standing'

2001 Evergreen alumnus and stand up comic Josh Blue is now one of only three comics that America will select as NBC's Last Comic Standing. The program airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Pacific, and viewers can vote for their favorite comic online or by phone. The competition was narrowed to the three comedians after the August 1 broadcast.

"Just the overnight fame is ridiculous," Blue told NBC on July 31. The winner of the series - the Last Comic Standing - receives an exclusive contract from the network as well as a comedy series on the Bravo network.

Blue got his start in comedy while pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in creative writing from The Evergreen State College. At the 2004 Las Vegas Comedy Festival, he won the $10,000 Grand Prize at the Royal Flush Comedy Competition. In 2005, he earned rave reviews on the college circuit and a nomination for "Best Diversity Event of 2006."

A gifted stand-up comedian and U.S. Paralympic soccer player, Blue takes on the challenges that come from living with cerebral palsy with a smile. He jokes, "I realize that people are going to stare so I want to give them something to stare at." His self-deprecating sense of humor defies stereotypes and encourages others to overcome their pre-conceived notions about disabled people.

Blue was featured twice on Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia in fall 2005, and also released his first CD, "Good Josh Bad Arm."

Blue has opened for nationally known comics including Robert Schimmel, Kathleen Madigan, Richard Lewis, Tommy Davidson and Jake Johannsen.

Despite his hectic career, Josh continues to be a member of the U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team. In September 2004 he competed at the Paralympic Games held in Athens, Greece. Blue is a resident of Denver, Colo.

On the web:
Josh Blue home page: www.joshblue.com