Anjelah Johnson-Reyes was born and raised in San Jose, California and is of Mexican and Native American descent. She is one of five children and has a large extended family to which she remains close. In the beginning of her career, Johnson- Reyes was a professional cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. As an Oakland Raiderette, she was named Rookie of the Year and even performed in Super Bowl XXXVII. After that year she decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of acting.
She became an internet sensation with her viral video, "Nail Salon" which led to many stand up, television and film opportunities. That same year she joined the cast of, "MADtv" as a series regular, which spawned another internet sensation, "Bon Qui Qui." This original character, a disgruntled fast food employee with no filter, has been enjoyed, viewed and replicated by over 65 million people worldwide. After recording and releasing 3 songs and 2 music videos as Bon Qui Qui, Anjelah signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records to release a full album titled, "Gold Plated Dreams", which She's toured twice selling out both times. Bon Qui Qui teamed up with Benefit Cosmetics for her third music video "This Is How We Do It", and early in 2016 she released her newest video off the album, "Shut Us Down". All the songs are available on iTunes and the videos are currently on YouTube.
Anjelah has appeared in multiple ads & commercials including campaigns for Sprint, Visa, Snickers, Verizon, All-State, K-Swiss, Dryers Ice Cream and was the spokesperson for a Texas based restaurant chain, Taco Cabana. Anjelah has also guest starred on shows such as The Shield, Ugly Betty, Curb Your Enthausiasm, and others all while touring with her stand up comedy.
In June 2009 Anjelah recorded her first one-hour special for Comedy Central and Warner Bros. Records titled, That's How We Do It. Her second one-hour special, The Homecoming Show, aired on NUVOtv in July of 2013 and is currently available on DVD and Netflix. In 2014 Anjelah recorded her third hour special, Not Fancy, a Netflix original, and is currently available for streaming.
Johnson has starred in such films as OUR FAMILY WEDDING, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL, and ENOUGH SAID. The film MOM'S NIGHT OUT not only features Anjelah but also her husband, musician Manwell Reyes of the band Group 1 Crew.
Anjelah resides in Los Angeles with her husband and continues to act and tour the country with her sold out comedy shows.
Dwayne Kennedy
DWAYNE KENNEDY is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer whose TV writing credits include The Arsenio Hall Show (CBS), The Orlando Jones Show (FX), and the critically acclaimed FX/FXX original series, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell.
His debut stand-up comedy EP, "OH NO, IT'S DWAYNE KENNEDY!" is available now at Bandcamp, with a variable price point plan (Black Folks = $9, White Folks = It Depends).
Dwayne got his start in comedy in his native Chicago at Zanies Comedy Club, and has since evolved into one of the funniest and most thought-provoking comedians of our time. His satirical diversions and piercing perspective on social and world issues showcase a comedic genius heralded by the likes of Chris Rock and Marc Maron.
Described as a "world-class stand-up" by The Village Voice, Dwayne continues to challenge the norm and connect with audiences through his keen, incisive wit. Winner of the 2002 US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, Dwayne's stand-up has been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Premium Blend, Comedy Central Presents, and Talkin' Dirty after Dark.
Dwayne's acting credits include roles on Seinfeld, Martin, Amen, 227 and in the feature film How High. He's also had the distinction of appearing as a correspondent on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, where one of his popular segments was named the "The Most Intentionally Funny Video of the Day" at Nerdist.
Bruce Smith
​Omnipop Talent Group is a full service management company which continues to expand its talent base to include trained, experienced dramatic actors. They continue building upon its established reputation for representing strong comedic actors and stand-up comics crossing over into acting, hosting, writing and producing.
Some of the clients include Maria Bamford, Andy Kindler, Jonathan Katz, Doug Benson, and more!
Started in 1983 by Bruce Smith, Omnipop was solely a personal appearance agency for bands and comics with placement in clubs and colleges throughout the country. Smith was shortly joined by owners Tom Ingegno and Ralph Asquino who, by 1989, knew they wanted to work in television and had acquired talent ready to move on to the next level.
Tom Ingegno, who runs the New York office, is also president of the East Coast office's theatrical Division. Tom has a background in theater, has performed in bands and has written and produced three albums.
The Los Angeles office was opened in 1990 and is run by Bruce Smith, president of the West Coast Theatrical Division. He has a background in film, communications and has also performed in bands. Ralph Asquino joined Tom Ingegno in the East Coast office and has a musical performance background.
Kerri Pomarolli
​Kerri Pomarolli is an stand up comedian, actress, and author based in Los Angeles, California. Kerri has 29 appearances on The Tonight Show between 2000-2012. She has toured with everyone from Sherri Shepherd from The View to Candace Cameron Bure, to Jim Carrey, to Carol Channing. She has been the host and emcee for The CA Women's Conference with such stars a Marcia Cross, Tippy Hedren, and Fran Drescher. Kerri has published 4 books, including Guys Like Girls Named Jennie and Moms' Night Out. Kerri is a majorly sought after corporate motivational speaker with past clients such as Hershey, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, and Cisco Systems. She can be seen on Nick at Nite, Moms Night Out, and her TV web series Momland with co-star Angela Hoover from Americas Got Talent. She is also starring in The Brennan Manning Story, directed by David Leo Schultz which is on Netflix now.
Jimmy McHugh has been dishing out his style of comedy for over 25 years. Born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago, Jimmy blends a mixture of classic observational humor emphasized with his unique vocal and facial expressions. Taking his swings at the world of sports, Ernie Tucker of the Chicago Sun Times wrote, "Jim McHugh delivers some of the funniest sports material I have ever heard."
Jimmy appears at various national comedy clubs and has also been seen on Comedy Central, HBO, MTV, ESPN2 and the Oprah Winfrey Show.
All Past Winners
2017 Pasadena: Joe Dungan
Shown here from left to right back row: Finalist Anji Stubbs, Bruce Smith of Omnipop, Finalist Katsy Chappell, Finalist Josh Novey. Front Row left to right: Celebrity Performer Erica Rhodes, and Winner Joe Dungan.
2017 Chicago: Steve Smargon
Shown with trophy, winner Steve Smargon. Next to him on the left is creator of the challenge Leslie Norris Townsend and to her left, finalist Sally Baucke. Between the winner and Leslie is finalist Shawn Reynolds, and next to the winner on the right is finalist Jeffrey Donaldson.
2016 Todd Justice
2015 Mike Parramore
2014 William Woody
2013 Charlene Mae
Winner: Charlene Mae
Finalists: C.J. Harlow from Kentucky, John Floyd from North Carolina, Charlene Mae from Georgia and Andy Beningo from Michigan.
2012 Marty Simpson
Winner: Marty Simpson - See Clean Comedian Marty Simpson's website.
Finalists: Charlene Mae, Jody Fuller (New-Comer of the Year), and Dan Brown
Celebrity Judges: Dennis Regan, Leslie Norris Townsend, Bobby Kelton, Suzanne Bartels, Joby Saad
Also shown in the back, 2011 Winner, Clayburn Cox.
2011 Clayburn Cox
​Holding trophy, winner Clayburn Cox. On the left, C.J. Harlowe and on the right, Joe Bryan.
2010 Jonnie W.
From left to right: Leslie Townsend, Michelle Krajecki, White Choclate, Jonnie W. (WINNER) Clayburn Cox (runner up), Joby Saad
See Jonnie W.'s website.
Semi-Finalists (not pictured here)
DD Ingrahn, Renard Hirsch, Marty Simpson, Scott Gregory
Michael Palascak
​After moving around the Midwest during his early years, Michael ended up in Wabash, Indiana-- "The First Electrically Lighted City in the World." He spent his formative years there, and then, after college, moved to Chicago to pursue a career in comedy and living at home with his parents.
Michael made his network debuts on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in the same year. He followed that up with performances on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Comedy Central's The Half Hour and most recently Conan. Currently you can see Michael as a contestant on NBC's Last Comic Standing.
Jimmy Brogan
​Jim Brogan is the son of John and Anne Brogan. He was born in New England, but at the age of six moved to Chicago and then to Cleveland. In a short period, he saved enough money with a paper route and a pyramid scheme to pay for his parents to join him.
Jim grew up in a Catholic family and went to Catholic schools all the way through. His parents sent him to an all boys high school (St. Ignatius) and an all boys college (Notre Dame).
It was a good life for the young lad, his Mom stayed home and made his school lunches and his Dad sold landing gear for a living. But Jim had other ideas of what to do with his life.
Armed with his degree in Sociology, he moved to New York City to pursue his dream of scaling skyscrapers with suction cups on his hands and becoming a Human Fly. His fear of heights quickly put an end to that dream.
While working day jobs as a tutor, a bartender and in advertising, Jim turned his attention to standup comedy. His first appearance on stage was with his Chinese-American friend, Larry Lee. They billed themselves as The Brogan Brothers. After one disastrous appearance, Jim struck out on his own.
His first act was an impression of a priest from Notre Dame. That lasted two performances. His second act was about going to an intellectual high school. That lasted six months and even longer for the audience.
After four years of doing standup comedy, Jim was taken under the wing of legendary comedy manager Jack Rollins (Woody Allen, Dick Cavett, Robert Klein, Nichols and May). Soon Jim was moving to LA to star as an Angel in an ABC sitcom called Out of the Blue. They made thirteen episodes and aired nine. They are evidently still saving four for the next sweeps period.
Jim continued to do his standup comedy and did guest appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman. He recently was in the movie Bridesmaids.
He also got other TV jobs. He hosted Laffathon (Showtime), Comic Strip Live (Fox) and You Asked For It, Again (Family Channel). The perfectionist that he is, he won't be satisfied until he has been cancelled by all the networks.
Deciding that he could save a few dollars by not hiring a lawyer, he worked for nine years as an indentured servant on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His areas of responsibility included being a writer and talent coordinator (booking comedians for the show).
Since leaving The Tonight Show, Jim has been busier than ever. Besides doing his standup, he has written two movies and seen three others.
He also was a creative consultant on Yakov Smirnoff's one-man Broadway show, As Long As We Both Shall Laugh. He found out exactly how long we both shall laugh. It was 24 performances.
Suzy Soro
Suzy Soro is a comedian, actress, and author. She's best known as the girl who got the last chocolate babka on Seinfeld. She also appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Good Advice, An Evening at the Improv, Star Search, Standup Spotlight, and on many other shows. She toured the world entertaining the troops for the United States Army and for eight years performed in the US with her own standup group, ​
Jerry Carroll
Farmer, comedian, and host of TV's Amazing America, Jerry Carroll, harvests a bumper crop of hilarity in his fast-paced, high-energy presentation. His entertaining and relatable topics about everyday life crack up the most hard-to-please crowds.
Jerry found humor growing up on his family's farm. From the time he could walk, Jerry joined his father and uncle to farm 130 acres of flue cured tobacco, 500 acres of corn, 500 acres of small grain, 500 acres of soybeans, 40 head of cattle, and 5,000 hogs per year.
Spending 14 hours a day in a tractor cab gave Jerry plenty of time to think about his life's dream of entertaining people and making them laugh. Since beginning in 1993, Jerry has performed for crowds in venues ranging from local cattlemen's association banquets across the United States to the Ministers of Provincial Parliament in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
In addition to corporate events and conventions, Jerry has opened concerts for music artists such as Michael Bolton, Patty Loveless, Lyle Lovett, and Larry Gatlin. Everywhere he goes, he leaves audiences roaring with laughter.
When he's not on the road making people laugh, Jerry still works the fields of his family's farm. This experience makes him one of the nation's most sought-after farm speakers for agribusiness events.
Make your next event a huge success with this easy-going, down-to-earth, and hilarious farmer.​