The Comedy Awards, finally Comedy Central organizes peer recognition award, full list

By April MacIntyre Feb 15, 2011, 21:05 GMT

These comedy hit shows are up against my favorite category, the cablers, FX\'s “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and my top pick, HBO\'s “Eastbound & Down” in series category.

Finally. Good comedy in an award category all its own, no commingling with drama, documentaries or reality TV.

Flat-out funny is rated, culled into tidy lists and presented from Comedy Central, who is the logical network choice to host and organize such an event.

“The Comedy Awards,” a multi-network, multi-platform, annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy was announced today. Airing on Sunday, April 10, “The Comedy Awards” has tripped the triggers of the people whose spot-on timing and subversive wit have delighted audiences for years.

The nominees reflect a broad range of comedic talent in film, television, stand-up, animation and digital content.

For network TV, “30 Rock” leads with seven nominations, with “The Office” and “Modern Family” each scoring four nominations. 

These comedy hit shows are up against my favorite category, the cablers, FX's “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and my top pick, HBO's “Eastbound & Down” in series category.

“Easy A,” “Cyrus” and “Kick-Ass” received the most recognition for comedy films with four nominations each and are joined by “Get Him to the Greek” and “The Other Guys” in the film category.

Who decides on these nominees? “The Comedy Awards” Board of Directors, which include: James Burrows, Stephen Colbert, Billy Crystal, James Dixon, Whoopi Goldberg and Brad Grey.  Add to that list, Caroline Hirsch, Martin Lesak, Seth MacFarlane, Adam McKay, Jimmy Miller, Conan O'Brien, Peter Principato, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Jay Roach, Chris Rock, Ray Romano, Rory Rosegarten, Phil Rosenthal, Michael Rotenberg, George Schlatter, Sharon Sheinwold Jackson, Mitzi Shore, Jon Stewart, Lily Tomlin and Sandy Wernick.

The winners of each category will be chosen by an invitation-only voting body comprised of nearly 1000 members from the comedy community – including writers, producers, performers and directors.

“The Comedy Awards” will also feature a “BEST VIRAL ORIGINAL” category, giving the power of the vote to the public. Beginning today, fans can submit their favorite viral videos of the year at www.thecomedyawards.com.  Official nominees will be announced later this month and fans can return to the site to vote to determine the final winner.  Follow “The Comedy Awards” on Twitter @thecomedyawards.

Following is the list of final nominees:

COMEDY SERIES
“30 Rock”
“Eastbound & Down”
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
“Modern Family”
“The Office”

COMEDY ACTOR — TV
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Tracy Morgan, “30 Rock”
Danny McBride, “Eastbound & Down”

COMEDY ACTRESS — TV
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock”
Jane Lynch, “Glee”
Betty White, “Hot in Cleveland”
Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live”

COMEDY ACTOR — FILM
Russell Brand, “Get Him to the Greek”
Will Ferrell, “The Other Guys”
Zach Galifianakis, “Dinner for Schmucks”
Paul Giamatti, “Barney’s Version”
Jonah Hill, “Cyrus”

COMEDY ACTRESS — FILM
Tina Fey, “Date Night”
Anne Hathaway, “Love & Other Drugs”
Helen Mirren, “Red”
Chloë Moretz, “Kick-Ass”
Emma Stone, “Easy A”

LATE NIGHT COMEDY SERIES
“The Colbert Report”
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
“Late Show with David Letterman”

SKETCH COMEDY/ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SERIES
“Childrens Hospital”
“Funny or Die Presents”
“Saturday Night Live”
“Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”
“Tosh.0”

STAND-UP SPECIAL
“Aziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening”
“Bill Maher…But I’m Not Wrong”
“Louis C.K.: Hilarious”
“Ricky Gervais: Out of England 2”
“Whitney Cummings: Money Shot”

COMEDY FILM
“Cyrus”
“Easy A”
“Get Him to the Greek”
“Kick-Ass”
“The Other Guys”

ANIMATED COMEDY FILM
“Despicable Me”
“Megamind”
“Shrek Forever After”
“Toy Story 3”

ANIMATED COMEDY SERIES
“American Dad!”
“Archer”
“Family Guy”
“The Simpsons”
“South Park”

COMEDY WRITING — TV
“30 Rock”
“Louie”
“Modern Family”
“The Office”
“The Simpsons”

COMEDY SCREENPLAY
“Cyrus”
“Easy A”
“Hot Tub Time Machine”
“Kick-Ass”
“Tiny Furniture”

COMEDY DIRECTING — TV
“30 Rock”
“Community”
“Modern Family”
“The Office”
“Saturday Night Live”

COMEDY DIRECTOR — FILM
Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass, “Cyrus”
Will Gluck, “Easy A”
Adam McKay, “The Other Guys”
Matthew Vaughn, “Kick-Ass”
Edgar Wright, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”

"It is an honor to be nominated for my stand up at this, the first-ever ‘The Comedy Awards’.  In 68 years time, I intend to host it and get it cancelled," Ricky Gervais