Chortle Awards 2012 nominees announced

Stand-up comedy website Chortle has revealed the nominees for its annual awards.

The nomination shortlist for the Chortle Awards, which focus on the stand-up comedy market, is arrived at by a panel of journalists. Voting is now open for the publicly decided categories. The results will be revealed on Tuesday 20th March.

Comedian Adam Riches (pictured), who picked up the prestigious Best Show title at the 2011 Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards, leads the shortlist with nominations in three categories: Breathrough Act, Character or Sketch Act, and Best Show.

Other nominees include Humphrey Ker, Sam Simmons and Tony Law in the Breakthrough category; Mark Cooper-Jones, Mark Stephenson, Matt Rees, Patrick Cahill for Best Newcomer.

For the first time, the website is awarding separate prizes for radio and television comedies. Nominees in the TV category are Charlie Brooker, Channel 4's Fresh Meat, kids' sketch show Sorry, I've Got No Head and stand-up series Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle.

Those shortlisted for the radio award are: presenter Danny Baker, Robin Ince's science chat show The Infinite Monkey Cage, sketch show John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, and satirical sitcom Party.

In 2011, winners included The Boy With Tape On His Face as best Breakthrough Act, Stewart Lee: If You Prefer A Milder Comedian Please Ask For One for best Stand-Up DVD, and The British Comedy Guide's Richard Herring podcast As It Occurs To Me in the 'Internet' category.

The full list of nominees in the main body of this year's awards is as follows:

Best Newcomer

Mark Cooper-Jones
Mark Stephenson
Matt Rees
Patrick Cahill

Breakthrough Act

Adam Riches
Humphrey Ker
Sam Simmons
Tony Law

Club Comic

Adam Bloom
Alun Cochrane
Dana Alexander
Hal Cruttenden
Michael Fabbri

Compère

Jimmy McGhie
Ray Peacock
Toby Hadoke
Susan Calman

Character or Sketch Act

Adam Riches
Beta Males
Humphrey Ker
Idiots Of Ants

Variety and Music

Kunt & The Gang
La Soiree
New Art Club
The Rubberbandits

Best Show

Bring Me The Head Of Adam Riches
Doug Stanhope
Tim Key
Sam Simmons: Meanwhile

Best Tour

Dave Gorman's Powerpoint Presentation
Dylan Moran: Yeah, Yeah
Jerry Seinfeld's European tour
Mark Thomas: Walking The Wall
Stephen Merchant: Hello Ladies

Television

Charlie Brooker
Fresh Meat
Sorry, I've Got No Head
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle

Radio

Danny Baker
The Infinite Monkey Cage
John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme
Party

Internet

Business Mouse (Channel 4's Comedy Blaps)
Do The Right Thing (The British Comedy Guide)
The Fast Show (Foster's)
Richard Herring

Stand-Up DVD

Dylan Moran: Yeah, Yeah
Greg Davies: Firing Cheeseballs At A Dog
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle - Series Two
Tim Minchin And The Heritage Orchestra Live At The Albert Hall

Innovation

Sanderson Jones for comedysale.com
Set List
Simon Munnery for La Concepta
The Wrestling


The website also awards prizes for the best comedy venue in various regions across the UK, voting for which is available here

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