Every year comedians from around the world flock to the Bay Area for the annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition with the hopes achieving comedy greatness. And judging by the list of comics who have participated over the years, greatness is certainly in sight. Past participants include Robin Williams (who took second place in the inaugural contest in 1976), Ellen Degeneres, Marc Maron, Louis C.K., Patton Oswalt, and Doug Stanhope just to name a few.

I was lucky enough to be joined in studio by Mark Smalls, Matt McClowry, and Chris Bennett, three of this year’s finalists, to talk about their experience during the grueling four week competition, the sacrifices they have made while chasing their comedic dreams, and what it’s like performing at nudist colonies and retirement homes. Check out the podcast below for the full interview.

The finalists will now battle it out over the next week at a series of venues around the Bay Area for the chance to be crowned the winner of the 42nd annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition. The finals start tonight (9/28) at Howden’s in Oakland, a show that I am proudly participating in as a judge. The five finalists will then carry their scores from that night into three other shows, with the grand finale taking place this Sunday night at Variety Club in San Francisco. Make sure to check out one of the shows this week to see some of the top comedic talent the country has to offer, before they hit it big.