Rubi Nicholas, of Denver, CO, Wins Nick at Nite′s Search for the FUNNIEST MOM IN AMERICA 2
Rubi Nicholas, of Denver, CO, has been selected as the winner of Nick at Nite′s Search for the FUNNIEST MOM IN AMERICA 2, it was revealed by actress and host of the series -- Katey Sagal -- at the conclusion of the hour-long finale on Nick at Nite. The finale showcased Rubi and four other finalists as they competed for the title. Rubi won $50,000 and will host a special night of programming on Nick at Nite on Mother′s Day, Sunday May 14 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. ET/PT. In addition, she will have the opportunity to develop her own show for the network.
As a first generation Pakistani Muslim, Rubi′s humor draws upon a variety of experiences -- from being a busy working mom to her interfaith marriage to her unique experiences assimilating her family′s culture with American culture. Rubi is an executive at a private corporation during the day and is a novice to the world of stand-up comedy.
"Rubi′s ability to incorporate her ethnic heritage, her family life as a corporate woman whose husband is a stay-at-home dad, and the antics of her two little girls is completely refreshing," states Sal Maniaci, Senior Vice President, Development and Original Productions, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "She has the gift of weaving together her story and allowing the audience to experience her life. She truly understands what makes us laugh."
Rubi performed before an audience and a panel of celebrity judges -- Mario Cantone (BROADWAY′S LAUGH WHORE, SEX AND THE CITY), Carol Leifer (THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, SEINFELD, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE) and Alfonso Ribeiro (FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR, ALL OF US) -- who named her "The Funniest Mom in America."
After receiving hundreds of entries from moms around the country, Nick at Nite narrowed its selection down to twenty-one women. The women were chosen to perform at the semi-finals in January 2006 at New York City′s Laugh Factory, where the final ten moms were selected to appear in the reality series. Beginning April 4, Nick at Nite followed these ten finalists as they lived together in a penthouse suite in New York City. Throughout each 30-minute episode, they received surprise visits from celebrity guests and the series′ host -- Katey Sagal -- and competed in a variety of comedic challenges, each underscoring the contestants′ talents and personalities. The moms, divided into teams, tackled everything from entertaining an audience of kids to performing for New Yorkers on the go to a sitcom screen test challenge. The lowest scoring performers on each challenge faced off against each other in a head-to-head stand-up comedy battle. Over the course of the series, five moms were eliminated and the five remaining contestants competed in the show′s finale, performing stand-up comedy to a packed house on a New York City stage.
On Sunday, May 14, Mother′s Day, Rubi will host a night of programming for the network, kicking off with an encore presentation of Nick at Nite′s Search for the FUNNIEST MOM IN AMERICA 2. She will also introduce shows from the network′s line-up, all celebrating hilarious moms.
