At a time of seemingly ever-escalating conflicts around the world, one man is trying to bring peace though humor.
Jamie Masada, Iranian-born founder and owner of the famed U.S. comedy club chain The Laugh Factory, has scoured comedy festivals from Afghanistan to South Korea and Egypt to Israel in search of the “Funniest Person in the World.”
Online voters will help narrow the list from 10 semi-finalists who will perform at the Hollywood Laugh Factory and before a worldwide Internet audience on Monday.
The list includes talent from Spain, Finland, Israel, Wales, France, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, South Africa, China/India and the United States.
Five finalists selected by online voters will advance to a championship round Friday at the Las Vegas Laugh Factory.
The winner of that stand-up showdown will be crowned “Funniest Person in the World.”
Masada admits his plan might seem odd to some people. But he figures if we can laugh at each other's foibles we won't want to fight each other.