Now that the auditions are over, Utahns can finally follow semifinalist Marcus, of West Jordan, as he tries to become the "Last Comic Standing."

Marcus advanced to the semifinals earlier in the season with spot-on impressions of Matthew McConaughey, Bobcat Goldthwait and Capt. Jack Sparrow. The next stage of the competition takes place in Las Vegas, where Marcus will compete for one of 12 finalist slots.

In its sixth season, "Last Comic Standing" eliminates contestants weekly until the winner is awarded a $250,000 prize, a talent deal with NBC, a new Honda and a starring appearance in Bally's Las Vegas' "Jubilee!"

After just six minutes of air time, Marcus has received a year-and-a-half of comedy bookings from clubs all over the nation. In fact, the performer expects next Saturday's show at Orem's Wiseguys Comedy Club to be one of his last shows in his home state for a while.

Based on his limited on-camera time on the show so far, viewers might think that all Marcus does is impressions. But the tattooed comedian, a Brighton High School graduate, said he draws upon the influences of old-style entertainers to create a broader comedy show. "I loved guys who could do it all, like Sammy Davis Jr," he said.

That move could help Marcus extend his flirtation with fame, as an hourlong set of just impressions can tire out audiences. "A lot of people can mimic, but fewer can be funny," said Frank Caliendo, star of the TBS show "Frank TV" and master impressionist.

For now, Marcus is focused on reality-show finalist, and he hopes fellow Utahns will support him. Fact is, the funnyman figures he could win in a landslide if he could get a fraction of people who voted for "Idol" finalist David Archuleta to vote for him.

Besides winning, his other goal is to coach NBC to correctly identify his hometown. During his first appearance on the show, Marcus' home town was repeatedly referred to as "West Jorday."

"While the show was on, I got a hundred text messages asking me where West Jorday was," he said, before adding that the producers called him the next day to apologize.

"The next time, it better be 'Jordan' in all capital letters with big neon letters," he joked.

dburger@sltrib.com or 801-257-8620.