Funny Money: Last Comic Ups the Stakes

NBC's Last Comic Standing on June 13 uncorks its fifth season with a number of tweaks. Last year's zombie-like Anthony Clark has been replaced as host with Bill Bellamy, while LCS talent scouts Kathleen Madigan, Alonzo Bodden and Ant will scour the entire English-speaking world - not just the U.S. - to find the winner.

Other adjustments include a $250,000 grand prize (up from the previous $50K pittance), viewers being able to vote during the head-to-head competitions, and the absence of 24-hour surveillance. Still, executive producer Peter Engel reserves the right to pop up now and again with a camera crew. "And whenever I [do]," he says, "you know it's not good." Too true: the last time he appeared on screen was a cameo in USA High. - Reporting by Raven Snook