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The Comedy Awards
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| The Comedy Awards | |
|---|---|
| Type | Comedy |
| Awarded for | Excellence in comedy |
| Country | United States |
| First award | 2011 |
| Final award | 2012 |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | Comedy Central |
The Comedy Awards was an annual award ceremony run by the American television network Comedy Central, honoring the best of comedy.[1] It was held twice, in 2011 and 2012. The 2011 ceremony took place on March 26 and aired on April 10 on CMT, Comedy Central, Logo TV, Nick at Nite, Spike, TV Land and VH1. It debuted on The Comedy Channel in Australia on May 22, 2011.
The Comedy Awards represented Comedy Central's second attempt at creating an annual awards show. Comedy Central’s first attempt, the Commie Awards, ran once in 2003. Comedy Central also hosted the American Comedy Awards in 2001, which was those awards' last successive year after having been founded in 1987.[2]
Categories
[edit]The award categories consist of:[3]
Film
[edit]- Comedy Film
- Animated Comedy Film
- Comedy Actor - Film
- Comedy Actress - Film
- Comedy Screenplay
- Comedy Director - Film
Television
[edit]- Comedy Series
- Comedy Actor - Television
- Comedy Actress - Television
- Late Night Comedy Series
- Sketch Comedy/Alternative Comedy Series
- Stand-Up Special
- Animated Comedy Series
- Comedy Writing - Television
- Comedy Directing - Television
Viewers Choice
[edit]- Breakthrough Performer
- Best Viral Original
Special Awards
[edit]- Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence[4]
- Comedy Icon Award[5]
2011 Comedy Awards
[edit]Nominations were announced on February 15, 2011.[6] The awards aired on April 10 on Comedy Central and other Viacom-owned networks including Spike, CMT, VH1, LOGO and TV Land. The Comedy Award statuette was created by New York firm Society Awards.
Film
[edit]Comedy Icon Award
[edit]The inaugural Comedy Icon Award was presented to Eddie Murphy by Tracy Morgan.
| Comedy Film | Animated Comedy Film |
|---|---|
| Comedy Actor | Comedy Actress |
| |
| Comedy Director | Comedy Screenplay |
|
|
Television
[edit]Johnny Carson Comedy Award
[edit]The inaugural Johnny Carson Comedy Award was presented to David Letterman by Bill Murray.
| Comedy Series | Animated Comedy Series |
|---|---|
| Comedy Actor | Comedy Actress |
|
|
| Late Night Comedy Series | Sketch Comedy/Alternative Comedy Series |
| Stand-up Special | Comedy Writing |
|
|
| Comedy Directing | |
2012 Comedy Awards
[edit]The nominees were announced on March 6, 2012.[7]
Film
[edit]| Comedy Film | Animated Comedy Film |
|---|---|
| Comedy Actor | Comedy Actress |
| Comedy Director | Comedy Screenplay |
Television
[edit]Johnny Carson Comedy Award
[edit]The Johnny Carson Comedy Award was presented to Don Rickles by Robert De Niro and Jon Stewart.
| Comedy Series | Animated Comedy Series |
|---|---|
| Comedy Actor | Comedy Actress |
|
|
| Late Night Comedy Series | Sketch Comedy/Alternative Comedy Series |
| Comedy Writing | Comedy Directing |
| Comedy Special of the Year | |
|
Other awards
[edit]Comedy Icon Award
[edit]The Stand-Up Icon Award was presented to Robin Williams by Patton Oswalt.
Club Comic
[edit]- Ted Alexandro
- Hannibal Buress
- Pete Holmes
- Anthony Jeselnik
- Moshe Kasher
- John Mulaney
- Kumail Nanjiani
- Chelsea Peretti
- Amy Schumer
- Rory Scovel
Stand-Up Tour
[edit]Viewer's Choice
[edit]Best Viral Original
[edit]- "Songify This - Winning - A Song by Charlie Sheen"
References
[edit]- ^ Levin, Gary (March 27, 2011). "Comedy Central hands out laughs with its awards". USA Today. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ P, A (1987-05-21). "Bette Midler Wins 4 Comedy Awards". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Categories". The Comedy Awards. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ Carter, Bill (March 6, 2011). "MTV Creates Johnny Carson Comedy Award". The New York Times. pp. March 6, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ^ Tobey, Matt (March 21, 2011). "Eddie Murphy to Receive Inaugural Comedy Icon Award at The Comedy Awards". The Comedy Awards. Viacom International Inc. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ ""30 ROCK," "TOY STORY 3," "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE," "RICKY GERVAIS: OUT OF ENGLAND 2,""MODERN FAMILY," "SOUTH PARK" AND "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN" AMONG THE NOMINEES IN FIRST ANNUAL "THE COMEDY AWARDS"". Archived from the original on 2013-03-08. Retrieved 2012-03-06.
- ^ The Comedy Awards 2012: Nominations in full
External links
[edit]The Comedy Awards
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background
Establishment and Organization
The Comedy Awards were established by Comedy Central in early 2011 as the first major comedy-specific honors since the American Comedy Awards ceased in 2001.[6] The initiative was publicly announced on January 10, 2011, with the inaugural ceremony planned for later that year.[7] Organized under Viacom Inc.'s MTV Networks division, the awards featured a dedicated Board of Directors composed of prominent figures in comedy to oversee nominations.[8] This board selected nominees across various categories, ensuring a curated selection reflective of industry standards.[9] Winners were determined by an invitation-only voting body of approximately 1,000 members from the comedy community, including comedians, writers, producers, and directors.[8] This process aimed to provide a peer-reviewed evaluation akin to other major awards.[10] From inception, the awards were positioned as the "Oscars of comedy," with plans to establish it as an ongoing annual event extending beyond the initial ceremonies.[11]Purpose and Selection Process
The Comedy Awards were established to recognize and celebrate excellence in comedic works across film, television, stand-up, animation, and other media, addressing a perceived lack of dedicated honors for humor in major award ceremonies like the Oscars and Emmys.[7] The event aimed to highlight the diversity of the comedy genre, encompassing satire, improvisation, and overlooked humorous contributions that might not receive mainstream acclaim.[12] Eligibility for the awards was limited to comedic productions released during the preceding calendar year, such as 2010 works for the 2011 ceremony.[13] There was no open submission process; instead, the Comedy Awards Board of Directors—composed of prominent industry figures including James Burrows, Stephen Colbert, Billy Crystal, and others—curated nominees, typically selecting four to six per category based on their expertise and review of eligible content.[14] Winners were determined through a voting process involving an invitation-only body of nearly 1,000 members from the comedy community, including peers, performers, and industry professionals, ensuring selections reflected broad consensus within the field.[15] For the 2012 ceremony, this process was largely retained, though select categories incorporated public online voting to engage audiences directly.[16] This structure emphasized merit and innovation in comedy while promoting the genre's vitality.Categories
Film Categories
The film categories of The Comedy Awards honored excellence in comedic feature films, encompassing both live-action and animated works released theatrically or through major distribution platforms. Established as part of the awards' structure in 2011, these categories spotlighted achievements across production, performance, writing, and direction specifically within the comedy genre, selected by an invitation-only voting body of nearly 1,000 comedy community members.[8] Key categories included Best Comedy Film, which recognized the top live-action comedic feature of the year for its overall humorous impact and execution; Best Animated Comedy Film, awarded to outstanding animated features emphasizing witty storytelling and visual humor; Best Comedy Actor - Film and Best Comedy Actress - Film, celebrating leading male and female performances that drove comedic narratives; Best Comedy Screenplay, honoring scripts that innovated in comedic writing and dialogue; and Best Comedy Director - Film, acknowledging directors who masterfully shaped comedic tone, pacing, and ensemble dynamics. Nominations and winners were drawn from films achieving significant visibility, such as theatrical releases with broad audience reach.[8][14][17] Unlike television categories, which evaluated episodic series and sketches, the film honors focused on self-contained cinematic stories, prioritizing elements like box-office success and innovative humor delivery in a feature-length format. This distinction allowed the awards to celebrate comedy's big-screen evolution, from ensemble-driven farces to animated adventures.[14]Television Categories
The television categories of The Comedy Awards recognized excellence in comedic programming across network and cable platforms, focusing on scripted sitcoms, late-night formats, sketch and alternative shows, and animated series. These awards highlighted both ensemble-driven ongoing series and innovative one-off specials aired on television, distinguishing them from live stand-up performances by emphasizing broadcast production elements like writing and directing. Established as part of the inaugural 2011 ceremony organized by Comedy Central and MTV Networks, the categories aimed to fill a gap in major awards shows by honoring comedic contributions in television alongside film and other media.[7] Key categories included Comedy Series, which celebrated outstanding scripted comedy series, with nominees such as 30 Rock, Modern Family, The Office, Eastbound & Down, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in 2011, expanding to include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Happy Endings, and Parks and Recreation in 2012.[18][19] This category underscored the awards' emphasis on narrative-driven humor in multi-episode formats from broadcast and premium cable networks. Performance awards for Comedy Actor - Television and Comedy Actress - Television (later styled as Performance by an Actor/Actress - TV) honored individual contributions to comedic roles in series, spotlighting actors like Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey from 30 Rock, Ty Burrell from Modern Family, and Kristen Wiig from Saturday Night Live in 2011, alongside Louis C.K. from Louie, Zooey Deschanel from New Girl, and Amy Poehler from Parks and Recreation in 2012.[18][19] These categories differentiated between lead performers in traditional sitcoms and those in more experimental formats, reflecting the diversity of television comedy at the time. The Late Night Comedy Series category acknowledged excellence in topical, host-driven programs, featuring nominees including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2011, with Real Time with Bill Maher added in 2012.[18][19] Similarly, Sketch/Alternative Comedy Series (also known as Sketch Comedy/Alternative Comedy Series) rewarded boundary-pushing formats like Saturday Night Live, Tosh.0, Children's Hospital, Funny or Die Presents, and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! in 2011, evolving to include Portlandia and Louie in 2012.[18][19] These awards prioritized unconventional humor over mainstream narratives, often from cable outlets. Animated Comedy Series focused on adult-oriented animation, with 2011 nominees such as South Park, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, and Archer, continuing into 2012 with The Life & Times of Tim joining the field.[18][19] Complementing these, Comedy Writing - Television and Comedy Directing - Television recognized behind-the-scenes craftsmanship in episodes from series like 30 Rock, Louie, Modern Family, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Parks and Recreation.[19][14] These technical categories, present from the 2011 ceremony, highlighted the awards' commitment to honoring the structural elements that elevated television comedy, such as sharp dialogue and visual timing in ongoing series versus standalone specials. Overall, the television categories integrated with the broader media honors by bridging scripted and variety formats, fostering recognition for comedy's evolving role in prime-time and late-night broadcasting.[7]Stand-Up and Additional Categories
The Stand-Up Special category recognized outstanding recorded performances by comedians, building on its introduction in the inaugural 2011 ceremony where it was the sole stand-up award. In 2012, the category expanded to honor specials that captured innovative live delivery and material, with nominees including Louis C.K.'s Live at the Beacon Theater, Norm Macdonald's Me Doing Standup, and Patton Oswalt's Finest Hour.[20][8] This evolution reflected a growing emphasis on preserving and showcasing solo comedic artistry through high-profile releases. The Stand-Up Tour category, newly introduced in 2012, celebrated comedians for their sustained live performances across multiple venues, highlighting endurance and audience connection in the touring circuit. Nominees such as Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, and Louis C.K. exemplified the award's focus on artists who drew large crowds through consistent road work and evolving routines.[20] Complementing this, the Club Comic category debuted to honor emerging talents performing in intimate comedy club settings, prioritizing raw, unpolished material and quick wit; representatives included Hannibal Buress, Amy Schumer, and John Mulaney, underscoring the awards' nod to the grassroots live comedy scene.[20] In 2012, the awards expanded viewers-voted categories introduced in 2011, such as Breakthrough Performer—which acknowledged rising stars making significant comedic impacts across media, with nominees like Donald Glover, Melissa McCarthy, and Zooey Deschanel representing diverse paths to prominence—and Best Viral Original, which spotlighted internet-born content that gained massive online traction, such as Zach Galifianakis's Between Two Ferns series and the Songify This parody featuring Charlie Sheen, emphasizing short-form digital comedy's role in modern dissemination.[20][21] The Viewers' Choice category further integrated fan input, allowing direct votes on select honorees to reflect popular appeal in an era of expanding online engagement, including new digital formats like podcasts and apps.[21] These additions marked a continued shift toward inclusive recognition of individual achievements in live, viral, and emerging formats.[2]2011 Ceremony
Event Details and Broadcast
The first annual Comedy Awards ceremony was taped on March 26, 2011, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.[22][7] The event featured a traditional awards show format with a red carpet arrival area for attendees and nominees, table seating inside the venue for guests, and a lineup of celebrity presenters, including Bill Murray and Tracy Morgan.[22] The ceremony proceeded without a single host, relying on various comedians and celebrities to guide the proceedings through scripted segments and live interactions.[23] It was directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, known for her work on high-profile comedy specials.[24] Following the taping, the show premiered on April 10, 2011, via Comedy Central, with additional distribution across Viacom-owned networks including CMT, Logo TV, Nick at Nite, Spike, TV Land, and VH1 to reach a broader audience.[25] This broadcast strategy aimed to maximize exposure for the comedy industry's honors among television viewers.[26]Film and Television Winners
The 2011 Comedy Awards highlighted achievements in ensemble comedies and satirical television, with Modern Family winning Best Comedy Series and The Other Guys taking Best Comedy Film, reflecting the popularity of family dynamics and buddy-cop humor in early 2010s comedy.[26] In the film categories, The Other Guys won Best Comedy Film for its action-packed parody of police procedurals starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Zach Galifianakis earned Best Performance by an Actor in a Film for his eccentric role in Dinner for Schmucks, while Tina Fey received Best Performance by an Actress in a Film for Date Night. Edgar Wright was honored with Best Comedy Director for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, praised for its innovative visual style, and Hot Tub Time Machine won Best Comedy Screenplay for its time-travel farce.[26][27]| Film Category | Winner | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best Comedy Film | The Other Guys | Buddy-cop comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. |
| Best Performance by an Actor - Film | Zach Galifianakis (Dinner for Schmucks) | Quirky performance in a comedy about a disastrous dinner party. |
| Best Performance by an Actress - Film | Tina Fey (Date Night) | Lead role in a marital adventure comedy with Steve Carell. |
| Best Comedy Director - Film | Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) | Stylized adaptation of the graphic novel series. |
| Best Comedy Screenplay | Hot Tub Time Machine (Josh Heald, Sean Anders, John Morris & Adam Sztyk) | Sci-fi comedy involving accidental time travel. |
| Television Category | Winner | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best Comedy Series | Modern Family | ABC mockumentary sitcom on contemporary family life. |
| Best Performance by an Actor - TV | Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) | NBC series known for meta-humor and ensemble cast. |
| Best Performance by an Actress - TV | Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live) | Long-running NBC sketch comedy show. |
| Best Late Night Comedy Series | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Comedy Central satirical news program. |
| Best Sketch/Alternative Comedy Series | Children's Hospital | Adult Swim parody of medical dramas. |
| Best Stand-Up Special | Louis C.K. (Hilarious) | Stand-up set on personal and observational humor. |
| Best Animated Comedy Series | South Park | Comedy Central animated series by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. |
| Best Comedy Writing - TV | 30 Rock | NBC comedy created by Tina Fey. |
| Breakthrough Performer | Daniel Tosh | Comedian known for Tosh.0 on Comedy Central. |
Special Awards
The Special Awards at the 2011 Comedy Awards ceremony recognized lifetime achievements in comedy through non-competitive honors, distinguishing them from the competitive categories by honoring overall career impact rather than specific works.[8] Eddie Murphy received the inaugural Comedy Icon Award, acknowledging his more than 30 years of contributions to comedy in film and television, including standout roles in films like Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America.[28][29] The award was presented by comedian Tracy Morgan, who highlighted Murphy's influence on his own career during the onstage introduction.[22] A montage of Murphy's career highlights, spanning nearly three decades of performances, was screened, eliciting applause from the audience and underscoring his enduring legacy in comedic storytelling.[30] David Letterman was the first recipient of the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence, celebrating his pioneering innovations in late-night television hosting over three decades, from Late Night with David Letterman to Late Show with David Letterman.[31][32] The honor was presented by Bill Murray, whose surprise appearance drew a standing ovation before he lauded Letterman's transformative approach to the format.[30] A career retrospective montage preceded Letterman's acceptance speech, which reflected emotionally on his journey in comedy and the influence of predecessors like Johnny Carson.[30] These moments contributed to the ceremony's intimate tone, with both speeches emphasizing gratitude and the collaborative spirit of comedy.[33]2012 Ceremony
Event Details and Broadcast
The second annual Comedy Awards ceremony was taped on April 28, 2012, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.[34][35] The event featured a traditional awards show format with a red carpet arrival area for attendees and nominees, table seating inside the venue for guests, and a lineup of celebrity presenters, including Jon Stewart.[36][34] Comedian Chris Rock served as the host for the evening, guiding the proceedings with a mix of scripted segments and live interactions. Will Arnett was among the presenters.[37][2] The ceremony was directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, known for her work on high-profile comedy specials.[37] Following the taping, the show premiered on May 6, 2012, via Comedy Central, with additional distribution across Viacom-owned networks to reach a broader audience through a multi-channel rollout similar to the 2011 event.[34][35] This broadcast strategy aimed to maximize exposure for the comedy industry's honors among television viewers.[17]Film and Television Winners
The 2012 Comedy Awards highlighted a strong year for ensemble-driven comedies in film, with Bridesmaids emerging as the dominant force by securing four major wins, underscoring the rising prominence of female-led narratives in mainstream comedy. This success reflected broader industry trends toward inclusive, character-focused humor that resonated with diverse audiences, as evidenced by the film's box office performance and critical acclaim for its blend of raunchy and heartfelt elements.[38][39] In the film categories, Bridesmaids, directed by Paul Feig and written by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, swept the top honors, winning for Best Comedy Film, Best Comedy Screenplay, Best Comedy Director (Paul Feig), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Film (Melissa McCarthy). The film's victories celebrated its sharp ensemble dynamics and breakthrough portrayal of female friendship amid comedic chaos. Complementing these, Rango took home Best Animated Comedy Film for its inventive, voice-driven adventure blending Western tropes with surreal humor. Jean Dujardin earned Best Performance by an Actor in a Film for his charismatic, silent-era turn in The Artist, a black-and-white homage to classic Hollywood that infused comedy into its dramatic framework.[38][39][40]| Film Category | Winner | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best Comedy Film | Bridesmaids | Ensemble comedy starring Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. |
| Best Animated Comedy Film | Rango | Directed by Gore Verbinski, voiced by Johnny Depp. |
| Best Performance by an Actor - Film | Jean Dujardin (The Artist) | Silent film performance earning widespread acclaim. |
| Best Performance by an Actress - Film | Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) | Supporting role noted for bold, physical comedy. |
| Best Comedy Director - Film | Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) | Praised for balancing humor and emotional depth. |
| Best Comedy Screenplay | Bridesmaids (Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig) | Original script highlighting female perspectives. |
| Television Category | Winner | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best Comedy Series | Parks and Recreation | NBC sitcom led by Amy Poehler as optimistic bureaucrat Leslie Knope. |
| Best Performance by an Actor - TV | Ty Burrell (Modern Family) | ABC series focusing on modern family life. |
| Best Performance by an Actress - TV | Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) | Highlighted for her energetic, relatable lead performance. |
| Best Late Night Comedy Series | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Satirical news program on Comedy Central. |
| Best Sketch/Alternative Comedy Series | Louie | FX series created by and starring Louis C.K. |
| Best Comedy Special | Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theater | Stand-up special showcasing personal anecdotes. |
| Best Animated Comedy Series | Archer | FX animated spy comedy with voice cast including H. Jon Benjamin. |
| Best Comedy Writing - TV | 30 Rock | NBC series by Tina Fey, known for rapid-fire scripts. |
| Best Comedy Directing - TV | Louie (Louis C.K.) | Episodes noted for innovative, minimalist direction. |
Stand-Up and Other Winners
The 2012 Comedy Awards expanded its recognition of live and digital comedy formats beyond the previous year's scope, introducing categories for stand-up tours, club performances, audience-voted selections, breakthrough talents, and viral content to reflect the growing influence of online platforms like YouTube. Certain categories, such as Breakthrough Performer and Best Viral Original, were determined by public online voting.[42] This shift highlighted the resurgence of stand-up comedy in the digital age, with comedian Louis C.K. emerging as the night's dominant figure by securing four awards, underscoring his innovative approach to self-distributed specials and tours.[4] Special awards included the Stand-Up Icon Award presented to Robin Williams and the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence to Don Rickles.[38] In the Stand-Up Tour category, Louis C.K. was honored for his extensive 2011-2012 touring schedule, which included over 100 performances and emphasized raw, personal storytelling that resonated with audiences seeking authentic live experiences.[5] The Club Comic award went to Hannibal Buress, recognized for his sharp, understated wit and consistent club circuit appearances that built a grassroots following through relatable observational humor.[5] Buress's win celebrated the vitality of intimate comedy club venues as breeding grounds for emerging voices.[42] For Breakthrough Performer, Donald Glover received the accolade for his multifaceted rise through stand-up, acting in Community, and music as Childish Gambino, marking him as a versatile talent bridging comedy subgenres.[5] The Stand-Up Special category was awarded to Louis C.K. for Live at the Beacon Theater, a self-released concert film that bypassed traditional networks and grossed over $1 million in its first weekend through direct sales, exemplifying the shift toward comedian-controlled distribution models.[5] In a nod to digital innovation, the Best Viral Original went to "Songify This: Winning - A Song by Charlie Sheen," a satirical auto-tuned track that parodied Sheen's public meltdown and amassed millions of views, illustrating how short-form online content could capture cultural moments and compete with established formats.[5]| Category | Winner | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-Up Tour | Louis C.K. | Over 100 shows; personal storytelling focus. |
| Club Comic | Hannibal Buress | Observational humor in club settings. |
| Breakthrough Performer | Donald Glover | Multifaceted career in comedy, TV, and music. |
| Stand-Up Special | Louis C.K. (Live at the Beacon Theater) | Self-released; $1M+ direct sales debut. |
| Best Viral Original | "Songify This: Winning - A Song by Charlie Sheen" | Satirical viral hit with millions of views. |