Last Comic Standing has been given a third season, with its premiere following only a few weeks after the conclusion of its second.

The next installment will debut August 31 at 8pm as a replacement for the previously planned fourth Average Joe, which is being kept back for later in the season.

"'Last Comic' is truly one of the summer's success stories and it resonates because it provides competition, fresh faces and laugh-out-loud comedy," said Kevin Reilly, NBC Entertainment President. "We decided that rather than wait until next summer, this hot show has proven to be popular enough to merit a prime spot on our Fall lineup."

Meanwhile, the network has confirmed premiere dates for many of its new and returning series. Friends spinoff Joey will debut September 9 at 8pm, with season seven of Will & Grace following a week later. Donald Trump's The Apprentice premieres September 9 at 8.30pm with a special 90-minute episode, while ER is back September 23 at 8pm.