Lavell Crawford, the portly comic who placed second on the most recent season of NBC's reality competition "The Last Comic Standing," has just been signed to a talent holding deal with NBC Universal.

This means NBC has paid the comedian to remain exclusive to them for the upcoming television season.

Crawford, whose credits include "The Jamie Foxx Show" and "Showtime at Apollo," earned his way into the "Comic" finals with material about his weight and upbringing in St. Louis, Mo.

NBC Universal also signed second runner-up Amy Schumer and champion Jon Reep to talent holding deals. For Reep, the pact is part of his "Comic" prize, along with his own half-hour comedy special on Bravo and a check for $250,000.