Graham Clark, one of the rising talents in Vancouver's standup circuit and voted number two in the city in the Straight's 2007 best of issue, triumphed in the Yuk-Yuk's nationwide Laugh-Off on April 13.

To claim the $25,000 prize, Clark had to beat off some stiff competition, including Toronto's Jon Steinberg, Stephen Patterson, and Aaron Berg, along with Joe Cumbo from New York, Los Angeles-based Rob Pue, Chris Forbes from Scotland, and South Africa's John Vlismas.

Clark is the host of the long-running alternative showcase “The Laugh Gallery" and has performed at the Halifax Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs, and Bumbershoot, as well as recording his own hourlong special for CTV.

In other comedy news, a big shout-out also to former Straight employee Todd Allen for performing on The Late Late Show starring Craig Ferguson on CBS on April 10. Other guests were American Pie star Alyson Hannigan and rapper Del The Funkyhomosapien, so at least he was in good company.

For more on Graham Clark and his work, check out: