The local comedian scene is supreme. I might be bias. But I have performed stand up comedy in different cities and worked out new material at various open mics around the country, and I haven't seen the kind of talent Tucson has. I'm not talking about the working comedians in Los Angeles and New York, of course. Naturally, a couple of big names have come from the Old Pueblo. Pablo Francisco and Craig Gass are popular acts that once called Tucson home.

Editor Dan Gibson has added a slew of new categories and best local comedian is one of them. Maybe former Colbert Report intern Amanda Hurley, Laffs' Amateur Island contest winner Josiah Osego and runner up Andrew Horneman will win. The trio are currently competing in Arizona's Funniest Comedian contest. Pauly Casillas is a local professional that has opened Russell Peters and Rob Delaney. Casillas has thousands of Twitter followers, made the hilarious comedy show @Midnight and hosts The Switch with Jacob Breckenridge every first Monday at Plush. Kevin William Lee hosts various open mics, and recently opened Doug Stanhope and Kristine Levine. The Star's editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons has received a number of votes, and I'm not surprised after watching him work the crowd at the Festival Books this year. There's the Happy Tuesday crew Bridgitte Thum, Mike Sterner, Mikey Dean, Ben Dietzel and the rest of the Tucson Improv Movement comedians.

I know I'm forgetting a number of local comics that are worthy of a mention. That's where you come in and vote for them right now. Don't forget to (honestly) praise your favorite comedian the next time you see them after their performance. Kevin Smith once said it takes zero effort to praise an artist.

I'm very excited to see who will win this year's title because there's so many to choose from.