Six more comics move on to Friday Night Finals

Now it's time for some serious comedy.

With the completion of Thursday evening's final two preliminary rounds of stand-up competition, the Great American Comedy Festival has its final field of eight comics.

They're scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Friday at the Johnny Carson Theatre at a show hosted by Eddie Brill, executive producer of the festival and talent coordinator for "Late Night with David Letterman."

At stake is a $5,000 first prize for the comedian who most impresses the competitions three judges - veteran comedian David Brenner, who will headline the festival's Saturday gala at 7 p.m.; comedian, entertainer, writer and producer Bill Dana, who will receive the festival's Comedy Legend award Saturday; and Wende Curtis, owner of Denver's two top comedy clubs.

Kermet Apio of Seattle and Joe Larson of New York City were the first two comics to advance from Wednesday night's early show.

They will be joined by Mike Palascak of Orland Park, Ill., Jon Fisch of New York City, Troy Baxley of Denver, Sam Adams of Denver, Tommy Johnigan of Chicago and Mike Vecchione of New York City.

Fisch was the comedian who wasn't able to take the stage Wednesday evening because of the tornado warning that sounded. Adams was the winner of Tuesday evening's amateur competition, which qualified him for the professional competition Wednesday and Thursday.