Funny is subjective. I'll give you that. One man's laughter is another man's disdain. And after a couple of Heineken Lights, the audience is wearing beer buds -- the ear version of beer goggles -- which make everything sound better.

I pay attention to the writing. Delivery can always be perfected, whether it's a nervous tick or awkward blocking, but the writing can't be faked. Great comics have always had original voices that capture and share universal truths.

I don't know what I was expecting for a MySpace competition show sponsored by Sierra Mist and called Stand Up or Sit Down Challenge. Hosted by George Lopez, the show featured five comics who are competing for a development deal with TBS and $50K. Elvis impersonators escorted each comic to the stage was a nice touch. Fat Tony snapped this photo of Lil' Elvis in the lobby at Caesars.

Fifteen comics were chosen from a pool on MySpace and then weeded to 10 and and then five who performed during a special show at The Comedy Festival. The show is broadcast on TBS and now it's up to the viewers to decide who is the the funniest comic. The winner will be announced during the Comic Relief broadcast on Saturday night.

The first three routines were delivered by good deliverers but the writing overall was lethargic and heavy with fat jokes. I understand that America continues to fatten up and obesity is becoming more of a universal truth, but there was no human experience in these jokes. They were just words that would easily be bested by a fat person dancing or falling down.

The first comic was Sarah Colonna. The crack in her voice was dwarfed by the holes in her material -- joke after joke about pseudo-alcoholism that included the dated gem of putting a breathalyzer on her cell phone to cease the drunk dialing. I'm being harsh, but there was no depth to the jokes. And then there was her dislike of fat people.

Next up was New York comic, Jordan Rubin. He was OK, but neither here nor there. had he note used a similar bit about his dislike of fat people, I wouldn't have had anything from his routine to write about.

The third comic, Jen Kober was actually a fat girl so the material could go either way. Would she live up to the stereotype or go in a different direction with a little dignity? My question was quickly answered when was talking about dieting using a portion control method and sharing her bewilderment with salad portions when she called a lady in the audience a "skinny bitch." I get it; I get it. She's fat and furious and her attitude is as big as her appetite -- a big, fat yawn. Other than the angry, fat girl yelling bit, she had good stage presence. I wish the material wasn't Dial-a Cliche.

The fourth comic, Eddie Ifft, started with very, very, very old stripper jokes and spent too much time on Google humor. He ended with some Office Max truths involving printer ink that were universally evident. The "No War for Toner" sign bit was classic. I would have respected him more had the very front of his shirt not been tucked into his pants. Now I'm just being silly.

I remember watching the fifth finalist comic, Steve Byrne, in his own special so I knew what to expect. I don't know if he is a ringer, but he's definitely the one that would be the most likely to succeed with a development deal. His delivery is excellent and the jokes aren't exclusive. He had a unique perspective, but others can still relate.

Steve Byrnne received the loudest studio audience applause, so I'm not alone, Heinekein Lights or not. The boards on MySpace don't seem to indicate a clear winner. You can watch the comics online and vote. If you do vote, you are eligible for $1000 prize, not too bad.

And before you start writing your hate mail, I respect any comic that stands up and puts it on the line, but I don't have to pretend it's great. I will say that I would be interested in seeing this group of comics again without the pressure of the competition.

If you're not watching Comic Relief live in person or on TV tomorrow, you can check out this space for the winner.

Drink up.

Winner Update: Can I pick 'em or what? Steve Byrne is the winner of the Sierra Mist Stand Up or Sit Down Challenge.