Chad Daniels and Pete Lee help select Acme’s Funniest Person winner

Some of comedy’s sharpest performers were at Acme Comedy Co. on Wednesday to root on fresh new talent at The 34th Annual Funniest Person Contest, one of the Midwest’s most prominent showcases for amateur stand-ups.

The winner, St. Paul’s Charlie Roettger, seemed fully aware that the vote of confidence could lead to a professional life as a stand-up, just like it did for Mary Mack, Nick Swardson and Tommy Ryman.

“This is an incredible notch in my belt,” Roettger, 25, said after the show, sharing long hugs with family and friends. “I’m just a little overwhelmed. I didn’t expect this to happen.”

Roettger, who works as an office administrator for an occupational therapy clinic, won the judges and crowd over with a self-deprecating routine that revolved around his hippie physique and style, describing himself as someone who “looks like a person who could go missing.”

He joked that he was taking both testosterone and estrogen to see which gender wins out.

“It’s time for God to decide,” he said. “Again.”

Acme always recruits high-profile names to help decide the winner. But this year’s contest featured more familiar names than usual, including national headliners Chad Daniels, Kelsey Cook, ”Mystery Science Theater 3000″ veteran J. Elvis Weinstein and Pete Lee, who will be doing his own shows at Acme through the weekend.

Also in attendance: Local favorites Greg Coleman, Lily Meyer, Nate Abshire, Joey Hamburger, Bryan Miller and 2020 winner Lisa Evanson.

Roettger won $1,000 and, perhaps more importantly, future stage time at Acme.

The Funniest Person in St. Paul contest, now in its second year, isn’t as well known as its counterpart across the river. But first place also came with a $1,000 prize.

Jethro Trogo, 41, of Eagan came out on top during Tuesday’s finals at St. Paul Gambit Brewing.