Harith, 50, will be facing stiff challenge from four others, Katerina Vrana (Greece), Mino Van Nassau (India), David Kilimnick (Israel) and Alex Calleja (Philippines).
Having topped the chart among the 20 semi-finalists last Sunday, Harith, who is also an actor and television host, is optimistic that he can give his best in the final and win the coveted title.
“I am confident that I can do well in the final. I got to know all the other comedians and they are great as well.
“We have become friends but on that evening, we will be competing for the main title, so I will have my ‘game face’ on,” he told Bernama when contacted yesterday.
The popular comedian, who hosts the Obviously Harith Iskander talk show on Astro Awani, described his journey in the first-ever global stand-up comedy contest as an opportunity to show the whole world that Malaysia has a stand-up comedian who can compete and perform on the global stage.
Harith, who has been an active stand-up comedian for the past 26 years, said being able to share his comedy on stage has allowed his audiences to know a little bit about Malaysians and who we are.
Asked on who would be his main contender in the final, he regarded himself as the main challenger but what is more important is that, he just needs to be funny and entertaining, both online and at the venue.
“What the other comedians do on stage does not affect me. I am just focused on preparing for my show, making sure I have the right stories and jokes that will appeal to an international audience.
“At the moment I cannot reveal my ‘set’ because I would not want to give the game away. Just be assured that I will do my best and bring my A-game,” he said when asked on what kind of performance he would do in the final.
Although the final would be showed live via online streaming at 2am Malaysian time this Friday (8pm, Thursday, Finland time), he called on Malaysians to stay up to watch and vote for him, as well as share the link to the voting site which would be announced later.
“When the rest of Malaysia wakes up on Friday morning they also can watch and continue to vote.
“Voting will go on for 24 hours until late that night and the results will be announced Friday night (Saturday morning Malaysian time),” he said.
Organised by legendary American comedy club, the Laugh Factory, the competition consists of three rounds, namely Round One, where 89 comedians from 56 countries around the world battled to be in the top 20 place in Round Two (semi-finals) before five comedians compete in Round Three (final).
According to the organiser’s website, the champion will receive US$100,000 (RM435,000) and a stand-up comedy tour in the United States.
Another comedian from Malaysia, Dr Jason Leong, also took part in the first round of the competition. He got one of the highest number of votes, but as only one performer per country was allowed, he lost out to Harith.
The final competition is accessible on the Laugh Factory Facebook and Laugh Factory YouTube page Laugh Factory