NBC show expands search, gets new host in Bellamy

NBC's "Last Comic Standing" is getting a new host, some new judges and a bigger travel budget.

The stand-up comedy show, which enters its fifth season in the summer, is taking its search for talented comedians outside the United States for the first time. "Last Comic" talent scouts will travel to London, Montreal and Sydney this season, in addition to holding casting calls in Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis, San Antonio and Tempe, Ariz.

Along with the expanded contestant search, the show is getting a new host in comedian Bill Bellamy and a new set of judges, all of whom are former "Last Comic" finalists. Season three winner Alonzo Bodden and season two finalists Ant and Kathleen Madigan will help pare down the field before the audience weighs in with their votes.

Bellamy is currently hosting another stand-up series, "Who's Got Jokes?," on cable network TV One. The former "Fastlane" star also was featured in the most recent season of "Def Comedy Jam" and starred in a 2005 Comedy Central special called "Back to My Roots." He takes over "Last Comic" hosting duties from Anthony Clark.

Auditions for the coming season of "Last Comic Standing" kick off Monday, Feb. 26 in Los Angeles. Dates and locations are at NBC.com.