The competition is over and a rising star has been crowned funny as f–k.
Following a global fan vote on Tuesday night, Detroit-born comic Ron Taylor was named winner of Netflix competition series, Funny AF With Kevin Hart.
Four competitors made it to the finale, with Taylor going laugh-for-laugh against Usama Siddiquee, Caitlin Peluffo, and Reg Thomas.
The Top 4 delivered stand-up sets in front of an in-house audience at the United Theater in Los Angeles. Celebrity judges Nikki Glaser and Tom Segura joined host and executive producer Kevin Hart to offer the contestants feedback during the live episode.
After impressing Funny AF viewers, Taylor won his very own Netflix special — and perhaps a hefty payday — plus an invitation to be a special guest at The Roast of Kevin Hart on Sunday, May 10.
Taylor has been working the stage for years at comedy clubs and eventually became a paid regular at the world-famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles, which gave him a shoutout on social media.
“Congratulations to paid regular and former door guy @comedianront for winning the first season of Funny AF. We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to watch your @netflix special,” the comedy club posted on Instagram.
Taylor works at an ice cream shop to supplement his income. On the red carpet Tuesday night, he talked about “taking time off” from his day job to work on his special. Hart ordered him to quit the ice cream shop, now.
“You’re in the business of Kevin Hart, so s–t changes fast! Ice cream scooper you are no more,” Hart said. The Ride Along star added that he would break the news to Taylor’s boss himself.
“Ron Taylor f–ing quits!” Hart shouted.
The Funny AF competition started with the up-and-coming comics attending showcases in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. A total of 43 competitors were selected to join the first season of the eight-episode series.
The show debuted on April 20, with six pre-recorded episodes. The final two installments streamed live. The judging panel on earlier episodes included Keegan-Michael Key, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Handler, and special guest Chris Rock.
The final two episodes aired on May 4 and May 5 during the Netflix Is a Joke Festival. The Kevin Hart roast is one of the final events of the festival.
You can watch Hart and Taylor on the red carpet in the video here:
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