‘Last Comic Standing’ winner, finalists wrap up Hawaii tour

Out of the 100 comedians picked to perform on the ninth season of the NBC show “Last Comic Standing,” contestant Clayton English was crowned the winner, snatching up $250,000 and a development deal with the network.

English and the other top four finalists — Michael Palascak, Dominique, Andy Erikson and Ian Bagg — are currently performing on the “Last Comic Standing” nationwide tour, which stops this week on Maui, Oahu and Kauai. The Hawaii dates conclude the tour, which started in September.

What is it about the Atlanta resident’s presence that made him stand out from his talented peers, many of whom have worked professionally in comedy for years? (Both Palascak and Bagg had appeared on late-night talk shows prior to “Last Comic Standing.”) We give you five good reasons:

1. He’s likeable

Even when his material contained elements of controversy — such as a story about being stopped by police while in possession of marijuana — English’s tenor came off as lighthearted, as he smoothly delivered jokes in his deep, even voice. But one gets the feeling that the man is not talking about events in a spontaneous fashion, rather that he’s holding back and weighing the delivery of each word, thinking about his actions right down to his physical stance. Judge Norm Macdonald noted in the finale that English paced the stage like a boxer owning his space.

In an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, English said mentor and “Last Comic Standing” executive producer Wanda Sykes told him to tone down his anger and instead work on his likeability factor; he took the advice to heart. In the finale, English talked about experiences that are relatable, such as how it feels to be stopped by the police while fumbling to open the windows in a state of panic. He has said that he decided to sweeten his approach.

2. He’s consistent

Each week, English turned in a stellar performance, and judges generally praised his act. It didn’t hurt that he had the last time slot of the evening three times this season and ended each night on a good note — something likely to stick in judges’ memory banks.

3. He’s got life experience

English pulls from his history of working odd jobs — including a stint at the circus — to talk about in his on-stage act, which he has honed in popular nightclubs in Atlanta. English also has an acting background: He’s appeared on “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” as well as “The Preacher’s Kid,” and perhaps that is why he seems so comfortable on stage. (Interesting aside: English worked at the mall with Karlous Miller, a finalist in last year’s competition.)

4. He’s got diverse talents

English is also a mimic, and turned in impressions of President Barack Obama and African and Russian accents in his final performance before judges Macdonald, Roseanne Barr and Keenan Ivory Wayans.

It’s just one more tool to add to his arsenal of stories and observational comedy.

5. He’s well-prepared

Contestants this year had to come up with new material for each round. Although there were only eight hourlong episodes this season, each performer had to come up with fresh material for the judges, who picked the winner this year. (In earlier seasons, the audience determined the winners.) Contestants often only had minutes to perform in each round, despite hours of preparation.

“You really have to pick your best jokes,” he told the AJC. “You got to hit them as hard as you can. Atlanta prepared me for that.”

English’s star is on the rise. He opened up for Dave Chappelle earlier this year, in addition to touring for “Last Comic Standing.” A previous contestant who has done extremely well for herself? Amy Schumer, who was a finalist on season five.