Helium Comedy Club wrapped up the fourth annual Portland’s Funniest Person contest Tuesday, July 22 with a sold out final round of performances.
Twelve final comedians, chosen from over 170 contestants in the preliminary rounds, competed in the finals. Each finalist took to the stage for six to eight minute sets with the hope of being named Portland’s Funniest Person.
In the end, Steven Wilber was awarded Portland’s Funniest Person, with Adam Pasi in second place and Gabe Dinger in third place. This is Dinger’s third time placing in the top three of the competition. For Pasi and Wilber, this was their first time ranking in the top three.
A panel of judges that included representatives from Funemployment Radio and the Portland Mercury sat on the panel. Veteran Portland comedian Susan Rice judged, as well as Ground Kontrol’s Office and Promotions Manager Art Santana. Judges voted the top three comedians based on original material, audience reaction and stage presence.
“Having to categorize something like this that’s an art form and expression is tricky,” Santana said. “I think those three categories sum it up pretty well. We’re looking for someone who has a unique voice, someone who can engage the audience and entertain them, and not alienate them. And obviously if you’re going to be a good performer you need to have stage presence.”
Shane Torres, winner of the 2013 Portland’s Funniest Person contest, commented on the results of the competition.
“Steven Wilber had a great set, and he’s a great comic,” Torres said. “This is the best group we’ve ever had in the finals. Top to bottom, the best group we have ever had.”
Wilber has been doing stand-up comedy for three years. This was his third time competing in Portland’s Funniest, and his first time making it past the preliminary round.
“My goal was to make it past those preliminary rounds,” Wilber said. “I certainly didn’t think I would go this far.”
Wilber’s final performance featured a comedic rap and a series of mnemonic devices. Santana commented on Wilber’s unique style of comedy.
“I think a lot of people in that audience weren’t expecting such a different set from the performers that night,” Santana said. “Everyone’s sets were very different, but [Wilber] is just that much more unique in a lot of ways.”
Helium Comedy Club typically gives regular feature and hosting performances to the contest winner.
“Winning has given me a lot of opportunities, and I hope Steven Wilber can do the same with the title,” Torres said. “When big comics come to town, Portland’s Funniest is something they look at.”
Pasi commented on the benefit of being voted into second place.
“It’s a great credit,” Pasi said. “It’s a step closer to getting work at Helium, which is definitely a goal.”
The winner of the contest also receives a $1,000 grand prize.
“I have no idea what I’m going to do with the prize money,” Wilber said. “I’m going to look at it for a while, and probably just whittle it away on little things. The exact thing you’re not supposed to do when you’re awarded a thousand dollars for a comedy contest.”
Wilber added that he will likely use his winnings to travel to Los Angeles and perform for new audiences.
Santana encouraged Wilber’s plans to branch out.
“I see the sensibility in him going down to [Los Angeles],” Santana said. “I think they would really appreciate him down there. At the very least it would give him some exposure.
“Steven is one of the newer people around town, and he’s doing a great job,” Santana added. “To win a contest so soon, that’s pretty awesome.”
Torres commented on Pasi’s second place standing.
“Last year was [Pasi’s] first year in the contest, and he made the finals,” Torres said. “For him to make second place this year is a big deal. It shows that he’s on the right path. I think it shows what kind of comic he has the potential to be.”
Many of the comedians performed the same set in all three rounds of the competition, but Pasi chose to perform new material for the final round.
“For me, it helped to do a new set,” Pasi said. “I change it up because if I tell the same joke over and over, I can’t get as excited to do it. My comedy depends on my enthusiasm quite a bit. I have to be excited to do it. If I had to [do] the same joke in the same building three times in a row, it wouldn’t have been fun for me.”
Dinger, the third place winner, has been doing stand-up comedy since 2005. He performs in an improvisational comedy troupe called Whiskey Tango, which regularly performs at Curious Comedy Theater. Dinger has also worked as a host for Helium Comedy Club.
“[Dinger] and [Pasi] are top dogs,” Wilber said. “They’re some of the funniest guys around. The only thing that surprises me is that I was in the top three at all. I could have seen it go any way other than that.”
Pasi hosts a weekly comedy show at Bar of the Gods, called Funny Humans Versus the Wheel, every Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
Wilber will be performing at Hollywood Theater on August 8, at the Funny Over Everything show.
