Governor’s Laugh-Off returns for 15th year, seeks Long Island’s funniest

Has anyone has ever told you, “you’re funny…you should do stand-up?” Have you ever wondered if you could make it in the world of professional comedy?

Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown has a competition that just might help answer those questions. The Great Long Island Laugh-Off 2026 — now in its 15th year — runs through the end of June as the longest running, and most prestigious comedy contest on Long Island.

“The Long Island Laugh-Off is a great way for comics to network with other comics in the area and it’s a great way to show local patrons in the area the up and coming talent here in Long Island,” said Tracey Carnazzo, a New York City-based stand-up comedian and the host of hit podcasts “Teen Mom Trash Talk,” “90-Day Fiance Trash Talk” and “Catfish Trash Talk,” where she brings humor to recaps of reality TV’s biggest shows.

Known for her sharp, relatable humor, Carnazzo said the contest “pushes comics to focus on their talents and gets them ready to start performing professionally.”

John Trueson, a self-described “comedy lifer,” who now handles new talent for Governor’s and has also been teaching comedy classes at the club for the last two decades, said the contest, which kicked off in late May and runs through the end of June, “gives the club an opportunity to see upcoming talent and gets (comics) on the club’s radar.”

In all, Trueson said, about 140-150 people will end up participating in the contest, which is broken down into several rounds and then a finals competition. Contestants, 16 and over, must be Long Island residents and will be judged on criteria that includes originality, material, audience response, stage presence, delivery and timing. 

For those who make it into the rarefied air of contest winners, the prizes are a paid weekend spot at a Governor’s club, plus $250 for the Grand Prize; two weeknight showcase spots and $100 for second prize, and one weeknight showcase spot and $100 for third prize.

Truseon, a road comedian for decades who managed comedy clubs including Governor’s and Gotham Comedy Club in New York City, said winning isn’t the most important aspect of the contest as there will be “way more losers than winners.” 

He said the contest is “like a giant casting call for new comedians…it allows the club to see a bunch of people they may not be familiar with…and that’s good for everyone.”

Last year’s overall Laugh-Off winner, Victoria Hughes, who works for a Long Island college by day and as a comedian by night, explained how the contest has helped further motivate her. 

“The Laugh-Off gave me a lot of valuable stage time in front of packed audiences. The competition motivated me to perfect my set and stay disciplined in my writing,” she explained, adding that her win was the result of hard work and consistency both on and off stage. 

She also said she made friends and professional connections through the process.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity. It accelerated my bookings and allowed me to get my name out there locally and beyond,” she said.

Tom McGuire, 26, of Port Jefferson won the contest in 2021 and has parlayed that win into becoming a paid, working comedian. 

Trueson said that McGuire has since performed at The Stand in New York, one of the biggest clubs in the city.

“I sent a tape of Tom to one of my contacts who works with several major comedians. He just killed it,” recalled Trueson, while noting his contact was very impressed. 

“I entered the contest after doing standup comedy for six months,” McGuire said. “It was a great way to meet comedians in the Long Island community and get more stage time. I was extremely nervous entering it, and thought I stood absolutely no chance of winning, but I figured it would be great stage time and practice at the very least.”

McGuire said he would recommend anybody from Long Island thinking of getting into standup to enter.

“At the very least,” he said, “it’ll be a great experience and story you can tell for the rest of your life!” 

Even those joke tellers who didn’t win said they benefited just from being in the contest. 

That was the case with Chaz Velez, a 41-year-old accountant from Middle Island. 

“I was very new last year and went all way through finals. I’m participating again this year,” said Velez, who runs the Long Island Ghostbusters children’s charity.   

“I didn’t win, place or show in 2025, but I made it to the finals,” he said. “For me getting to know some of the other comedians and judges was the big take aways. Some of them, including the winner (Victoria Hughes) have become really wonderful friends.” 

Velez performed late last month and has already made it through to the second round of the contest.

He added, “I’ve only been doing comedy for 15 months and the Long Island Laugh-Off is one of the rare opportunities to perform to a near sold-out crowd in one of Long Island’s premier comedy clubs.

“I’d be insane to not enter every year,” he said, “but my goal is to hopefully win it.” 

For more information on tickets to the Great Long Island Laugh-Off 2026 or for Governor’s comedy college classes, call 516.731.3358 or visit govs.govs.com/.

_{Top: (left) comedian Tom McGuire and (right) last year’s Great Long Island Laugh-Off winners (courtesy photos).}