“Game Changer” closed Season 8 with a nearly 90-minute talent-show finale featuring 23 contestants; Oscar Montoya won a Chili’s gift card worth under $5,000. Host Sam Reich says Season 9, due to begin production in three weeks, is planned as the show’s strangest yet.
In “Last Talent Standing,” eliminated contestants joined a judges’ panel led by guest stars Kumail Nanjiani, Maria Bamford and Gianmarco Soresi. Reich said planned mini-games between rounds were cut because the production day was already running long.
Reich said the episode was not sponsored by Chili’s; Dropout provided Montoya’s gift card. He also said he is done splitting episodes into two parts, preferring a single longer installment because he believes a wait between halves makes it harder to surprise viewers with the second part.
