From boos to wins
Comedian Mark Luke-Edwards winner of “Uncensored 10”
Comedian Mark Luke-Edwards winner of “Uncensored 10”

Mark Luke-Edwards scores his first `Uncensored’ win

FOUR years ago when Mark Luke-Edwards first decided to try his hand at the stand-up comedy competition “Uncensored” he was booed relentlessly.

Recently he had the last laugh, having walked away with his first win at the competition when he championed “Uncensored 10” on the first night of two competitions held recently at the National Cultural Centre, last weekend.

Although Luke-Edwards has for the past three years been consistently holding his own in the top four spots at the competition, the win this year came as a bit of a shock to the 39 year old.
“Yea I was surprised to some extent. I felt most of the comedians performed to a high quality this year, so it was close and I’m always modest and not too expectant,” Luke-Edwards commented.

Poking fun about judge Gordon Moseley, and bringing satire to the situation of the recent political no-confidence vote against the government, Luke-Edwards showed that he has come a long way with his wisecracks.

“My first time I think I was lacking in confidence, and maybe lacked a feel of what made people laugh. I was now learning the craft. I’m still learning up to now, still got a far way to go but now I have a little more confidence,” he told The Buzz.

“My strength and resolve to continue came from the fact that I knew this is what I wanted to do. It was a passion of mine, so I decided I was in it for the long haul, and I was not about to be fazed by the boos I received. I called “Jumbie” the next day and told him still put me in again the following year, and he did.”

It was his association with one of the show’s producer and fellow comedian, Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, that first got Luke-Edwards into the competition, and despite his hard beginnings giving up was never an option.
“I started stand-up comedy at Upscale [Restaurant] in 2014. When “Jumbie Jones” suggested my name to the upscale organisers to perform. I performed and “Jumbie” was absent for my performance, but he saw the video of my performance and asked me to perform in `Uncensored’ that same year,” Luke-Edwards recalled.

For his win last Saturday, Luke-Edwards walked away with the $300,000 grand prize sponsored by Game Xpress, and an AC unit from Giftland, a Smart Phone from Leading Technology, and a trophy sponsored by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken.
Aside from the Saturday night event, Luke-Edwards returned on the following night, Sunday, to finish second in an inaugural “Uncensored Clash”.

Sunday night’s Clash was won by Jermaine Grimmond who on his way to securing the win disposed of Paul Burnette and Ignatius in the preceding rounds of the elimination competition. Luke-Edwards got the better of Kirk “Chubby” Williams and newcomer Ron “Kunchi” Reynolds in the Clash.

Also advancing at the show this year was Kwasi “Ace” Edmonson who didn’t do well last year, but made it second place at the recently-held show. He was win he was gifted $50,000 cash, a 32” Smart TV from Payless Variety Store, a chandelier from Giftland, and Smart Phone from Uncensored.

This year, Lady Luck was not with Michael Ignatius who scored second place at last year’s competition but had to settle for third place, while Reynolds who came out blazing with his performance as famed social media character “Miss Pepper” was awarded the fourth spot for his efforts.

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