Video Preview: Finalists in Portland's Funniest Person Contest, Tonight at Helium Comedy Club

Twelve finalists will compete for the title and the $1,000 grand prize.

Amy Miller is first in the lineup at tonight's Funniest Person contest.
By Rebecca Jacobson

Helium Comedy Club's annual Portland's Funniest Person contest is a strange beast.

Past winners—including Nathan Brannon, Ian Karmel and Shane Torres—are all solid standup comics, but with early rounds determined by audience vote, it's in some ways a glorified personality contest. 

But by the time comics advance to the finals—which will be held tonight at 8 pm—things have been winnowed down, resulting in a who's who of Portland comedy. Two of the finalists, Amy Miller and Bri Pruett, made WW's Funniest 5 last November (as did past winners Brannon and Torres). Here are video clips of 11 of the 12 finalists (Stephanie Purtle: why aren't you on YouTube? Seriously, Stephanie Purtle), in the order they're scheduled to appear. The winner will walk away with $1,000.

Amy Miller:


Sean Jordan:


Gabe Dinger:


Jason Traeger:



Christian Ricketts:


Anthony Lopez:




Bri Pruett:

 

Adam Pasi:


Jacob Christopher:



Steven Wilber:



Curtis Cook:


SEE IT: Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave., 888-643-6889. 8 pm Tuesday, July 22. $20-$27. Tickets here. 21+.

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