Blue blows away rival comics

Erika Gonzalez, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Denver comedian Josh Blue captured the title of NBC's Last Comic Standing Wednesday, winning over viewers with self-deprecating routines about living with cerebral palsy.

Blue, who as champion receives a talent contract with NBC and a stand-up special on Bravo, knocked out the competition with his trademark palsy punch. In a final match-up against Chicago comic Ty Barnett on Tuesday night, Blue discussed the special blow only he can deliver.

"First of all, you don't know where it's coming from," said Blue of his palsy punch. "Second of all, neither do I."

The joke was one of many that helped Blue secure enough votes from viewers to win the fourth season of the reality television contest. Although NBC didn't release vote totals, 7.7 million people tuned in for Tuesday night's battle, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Viewers included a dedicated batch of Blue fans who have been watching the show every week at the Pour House Pub in LoDo, where the hometown hero's victory was greeted with an eruption of screams, applause, high-fives and hugs.

"I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin," said a beaming Kristin Hathaway. "It's unbelievable when something like this happens to someone you know."

Fellow comedian John "Hippieman" Novosad echoed that sentiment: "When you see it happen to a friend it really gives you so much hope."

In anticipation of Blue's win, the bar passed out shots of a drink created especially for Blue. Called the crippled hand, the drink is meant as an affectionate nod to what Blue calls his "crazy right arm."

"He's taken a part of the population that's been cast aside and he's put them in the spotlight," said Pour House owner Jeff Arnold of Blue's efforts to raise awareness about cerebral palsy.

Although Blue auditioned twice for the show before finally landing a spot this season, most at the Pour House said they knew the stand-up was destined to win the competition.

"The first time I saw him I knew he was different," said John Raschke, who used to run comedy rooms for up-and-coming stand-ups.

Originally from Minnesota, Blue started performing while attending Evergreen State College in Washington. After graduation, he moved to Colorado for a job at an Easter Seals camp and began performing locally in 2001. His career took off after he won a new talent contest at the Comedy Works in 2004. Appearances on Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia and MSNBC and Fox News soon followed.

Blue's Last Comic Standing victory should only boost his busy career. He is scheduled to appear on Live With Regis and Kelly this morning and will be back in Denver on Friday to perform at the Gothic Theatre for a live DVD recording.