Roy Wood Jr., right, says his farewell after
host Craig Robinson announced his third-place finish.

So very close.

In tonight’s season finale of “Last Comic Standing,” Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. finished third. Felipe Esparza beat Tommy Johnagin to win the title and the $250,000 grand prize.

“My journey is for every road comic (who) started in the South and the Midwest (who’s) doing this the hard way,” Wood said. “I just want to say thank you to America, my mom, the city of Birmingham, Florida A&M University.”

Wood will head out on tour with them and runners-up Myq Kaplan and Mike DeStefano. While the tour won’t come to Birmingham, it will play two other stops in Alabama — Montgomery on Feb. 19 and Mobile on Feb. 20 — as well as a New Year’s Eve show in Atlanta. Tickets go on sale in early September.

Landing a spot on the show, and then in the Top 10, was a small victory in itself, as Wood had tried out unsuccessfully for two previous seasons.

Each week, viewers votes by phone and website determined eliminations. The show concluded its seventh season tonight.

Video to be added.

Video: The moment of truth for Roy Wood Jr.

Video: The “Last Comic Standing” is announced.

“Last Comic Standing aired at 8 p.m. Mondays on NBC 13.

Previous: Episode 9 — Five to go
Next: A 60-city tour across America starting Sept. 8 in Chico, Calif.

Also:

• Birmingham News recap and reaction from Wood
• Roy Wood Jr. official site | Twitter @roywoodjr | Facebook page | YouTube | MySpace | MP3 downloads on Amazon.com [affiliate link]

Are you planning to see Wood on the “Last Comic Standing” tour?

Roy Wood Jr. has his final chance to earn votes
before next week’s season finale.

Are the five funniest men in America ready to do battle?

With Jonathan Thymius eliminated tonight, it’s down to Top Five contestants on “Last Comic Standing” on the final night of competition.

Mike DeStefano, Felipe Esparza, Tommy Johnagin, Myq Kaplan and Birmingham’s Roy Wood Jr. performed for the judges, the audience and the nation’s votes.

Wood went first, receiving high praise from the judges …

Andy Kindler: “You’re getting better and better every week. … You are just so great.”

Natasha Leggero: “I love that you’re personal but then you also have social commentary. It’s so funny. You seem like such a nice guy. Stay single; you’re going to get a hot chick when you win this contest.”

Greg Giraldo: “You’re great. This was a smashing, smashing set, and you’ve been great all along.”

Voting by phone is open till 11 tonight; voting online continues till 4 a.m.

Show video to be added.

Video: Wood’s set included riffs on his drunk uncle
and lying for married friends.

Roy Wood Jr. discusses his life before comedy,
including getting caught stealing a credit card.

Video: NBC 13 interviews Roy Wood Jr.

“Last Comic Standing airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC 13.

Previous: Episode 8 — Six to go
Next: The winner is selected in the 2-hour finale. [Episode 10 — season finale]

Also:

• Interviews with Roy Wood Jr.: Birmingham Weekly | NBC 13 | Birmingham News.
• Recaps: Birmingham News | Punchline Magazine.
• Roy Wood Jr. official site | Twitter @roywoodjr | Facebook page | YouTube | MySpace | MP3 downloads on Amazon.com [affiliate link]

Is Wood on track to be the last comic standing?

Roy Wood Jr. takes on the Top 6 in “Last Comic Standing.”

Only the men remain.

With tonight’s departure of Rachel Feinstein, the six remaining comedians competed on “Last Comic Standing.”

Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. again performed second in the lineup, after a quick video showing him with his mom. The celebrity judges praised his set effusively …

Natasha Leggero: “I think you’re so funny. I feel like we can give you any topic, and you would make it hilarious.”

Greg Giraldo: “You’ve got this thing you do where you’re like a grumpy old man in a young man’s body. But it doesn’t feel forced, it’s a very natural thing. That set was about as tight and great a set … that I could’ve seen. That was a killer, killer set.”

Andy Kindler: “I love how conversational you are. I love your whole style.”

Voting by phone is open till 11 tonight; voting online continues till 4 a.m.

Video to be added.

Video: Roy Wood Jr. does his set on the nugget coalition
and multiple-birth families.

A visit from Mama Wood.

Facing the judges and the audience.

“Last Comic Standing airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC 13.

Previous: Episode 7 — Seven to go
Next: One more comic is sent home; the final five compete. [Episode 9 — Five to go]

Also:

• Recaps from Examiner.com | Birmingham News
• Roy Wood Jr. official site | Twitter @roywoodjr | Facebook page | YouTube | MySpace | MP3 downloads on Amazon.com [affiliate link]

How’s Wood doing? Let us know below.

Roy Wood Jr. continues in the comedy competition.

The judges are back, as three go home on tonight’s episode of “Last Comic Standing.”

But Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. survived last week’s round, making it to the Top 7. After performing second tonight, he heard from the celebrity judges.

Natasha Leggero: “You’re so likable, you connect with the crowd.”

Greg Giraldo: “I thought you were a little too pro-Mexican, but very funny.”

Andy Kindler: “I love your voice; your manner is just fantastic onstage. I loved it.”

Voting by phone is open till 11 tonight; voting online continues till 4 a.m.

Video to be added.

Video: Roy Wood Jr. riffs on sports, student loans and civil rights.

“Last Comic Standing airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC 13.

Previous: Episode 6 — 10 to go
Next: One more comic with the lowest vote total is eliminated; the final six compete. [Episode 8 — Six to go]

Also:

• Birmingham News recap
• Roy Wood Jr. official site | Twitter @roywoodjr | Facebook page | YouTube | MySpace | MP3 downloads on Amazon.com [affiliate link]

How’s Wood doing? Let us know below.

Roy Wood Jr. was once head writer and producer of
the Buck Wilde morning show on 95.7 Jamz in Birmingham.

The auditions are over. It’s time to dance.

Birmingham native Roy Wood Jr. is competing in the Top 10 on the NBC reality series, “Last Comic Standing.” In this seventh season, TV viewers vote for their favorite comic by phone and online.

The winner receives $250,000 and a talent deal with the network.

In Monday’s episode, the 10 finalists took to the stage in front of an audience to perform their routines without judges.

Video: Roy Wood Jr. on sports fans and career day.

Wood performs for the crowd at the Alex Theatre in Los Angeles.

Wood, 31, has opened for Bill Engvall,
D.L. Hughley, Mo’nique and Ron White.

Wood has released three CDs, all prank calls.

“Last Comic Standing airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC 13.

Next: Three comics with the lowest vote totals are eliminated; the final seven compete. [Episode 7 — Seven to go]

Also:

• Wood, who now lives in Los Angeles, tried out unsuccessfully for the show in 2002 and 2007.

Who’s the funniest comic in the competition? Let us know below.