I am – Hercules!!

Heffron. Bodden. Gulman. Madigan. Pescatelli. London.

Big Improvement. Remember last year? Rich Vos? Tess? Dat Phan?

The top five were SO strong on Tuesday, I don’t think I’d be disappointed if any of them took the top slot. Even Tammy Pescatelli came through in a big way on Tuesday, so strong I felt bad about being so dismissive of her.

I will say that I’m rooting for John Heffron, who earned the most big laughs Tuesday with his analysis of the “we gotta go” girl. But who really gives a doot about whatever the top prize is? What is the top prize again? An appearance on Leno? Some horseshit talent contract? A sitcom pilot co-starring Phan?

And yes, I do mean top five. Jay London amuses, I love his delivery, but his material sucks, and he really doesn’t belong up there with the real final five. I

And I did not feel good about the new “wild card” shows generally. Enduring two long sets on two nights by Todd Glass and the talentless Ant in the same week amounted, essentially, to punishing America for embracing this show. And Cory Holcomb, not London, was easily the funniest of the bottom-feeders.

And, yes, as the headline indicates, we are only weeks away from the launch of “Last Comic Standing 3.” NBC was so happy with the ratings this summer it rejiggered the autumn schedule it announced in May. Hopefully NBC learned from Drew Carey and Brett Butler’s rage at the beginning of the season, and we’ll get more Heffrons and and Boddens and Dave Mordals, and fewer Dats and Ants.

9 p.m. Thursday. NBC.

I am – Hercules!!

Looking for bumper stickers, plush toys and girls’ underwear covered with cartoon double-amputees? Visit The Herc Store!