With Fridays being the unofficial stand-up night of the week (­seriously, check out tonight's telly - so much comedy there's not even room to swing a cat-sized reality show around), the award ceremony dedicated to all things funny sits among welcoming surroundings.

Jonathan Ross is on hosting duties so, as the show is live, we hope somebody at Channel 4 HQ has their quickest finger poised over the "bleep" button.

Those hoping to make winners' speeches include Miranda Hart, who deservedly won best new TV comedy and best comedy actress last year.

She's up for a ­whopping four awards this time, including the people's choice gong, which is voted for by us.

But the category's a toughie this year, with the marvellous Jo Brand and Sarah Millican also hoping to steal the honours. In our eyes, they all deserve to win.

The male awards aren't any easier to predict, with David Mitchell, Graham Norton and Jack Whitehall fighting to be named the nation's favourite male ­comedian (although, given the year he's had, John Bishop should have been up).

While all the names we've mentioned deserve their nominations, there are some categories where you get the impression one or two shows are just in there to make up the numbers.

But as this is comedy night and we're in such a jolly mood, we won't be so cruel as to name them.

Channel 4 is showing the shindig for a second year running, with Jonathan Ross at the helm. After Gervais's attention-grabbing turn at the Golden Globes this year, Ross might have to raise the rudeness bar.

Last year we had Brian Cox warning us that a big bit of space rock was going to fall to Earth, while Miranda Hart received a hat-trick of gongs and was overcome by the presence of Simon Le Bon.

With the cream of Britain's comic writers and actors all together in one room, we watch with the expectation of spontaneous laughs and off-the-cuff wit, even if we have to sit through the boring thank yous. That's if Ross lets them get a word in edgeways...

Surrealist bluffers guide to the British Comedy Awards

Will Ricky Gervais behave like a dick? Will anyone recognise Charlie Brooker as a comic? And will Miranda make anyone laugh, ever? Read on to find out...

British Comedy Awards 2011: Who deserves to win?

Ahead of the British Comedy Awards ceremony, Michael Deacon give his pick of the funniest TV of 2011.

Now in their 21st year, the British Comedy Awards have long served as a bellwether for the state of British comedy, from the quirky satire of the early 1990s, through the energetic sketch shows of the mid- to late-90s, to the recent success of family-friendly stand-up comics like Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and John Bishop. Thanks to a sharp host, a ready supply of funny clips and a suitably witty audience, they've also been one of the few live awards ceremonies actually worth watching.

Tonight's event is hosted live by Jonathan Ross. Leading the nominees is Miranda Hart, who is up for four awards, while Harry Hill gets three nods. Hart, last year's Queen of Comedy winner, is up for the award again, with David Mitchell, Telegraph agony uncle Graham Norton, Jack Whitehall, Jo Brand and Sarah Millican also in the running. Tamsin Greig and Tom Rosenthal are nominated for best TV comedy actress and best comedy breakthrough artist respectively for their roles in Friday Night Dinner, while Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner have been singled out for their contribution to Outnumbered. Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville receives a nomination for his role in the Olympic comedy Twenty Twelve.

Jonathan Ross presides as comedians and TV producers drink themselves wretched and honk and bellow over each other's speeches. Probable attendees include last year's victor Miranda Hart, and this year's nominees for the public vote, Jack Whitehall, David Mitchell, Sarah Millican, Jo Brand and Graham Norton. But best of all, it's live. That combination of booze and live broadcast is really the only reason for this in the first place.

Something funny is going on 16 Dec

I really feel for the judges in this years British Comedy Awards, which take place Friday, 16 December, at Wembley's Fountain Studios.

Event prevew: The British Comedy Awards

It's that time again. Jonathan Ross, clad all in look-at-me threads and self-satisfaction, will take to the stage for some expensively scripted celebrity "banter", a little chummy backslapping with the usual suspects and the handing over of the British Comedy Awards.

British Comedy Awards: who should win what?

Miranda Hart is a strong contender for the Best Female TV comic, Best TV Comedy Actress and People's Choice awards...