The second annual Comedy Awards are taping tonight at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, and HuffPost Comedy will be there covering the red carpet, watching the show and interviewing comedians backstage. All for you!
With some of comedy's biggest names nominated for awards at the Viacom-produced event, you can expect to see some genuinely funny speeches and bits when the show airs next Sunday. All of the presenters, including Chris Rock, Will Arnett, Tracy Morgan, Maya Rudolph, Adam Scott and Jon Stewart, wrote their own material for the show with the help of popular TV comedy writers. Although it won't have the extreme unpredictability of a live broadcast, last year there were more than a few unexpected moments.
Aside from the yet-to-be decided award categories, Don Rickles will receive an award for comedic excellence that David Letterman won in a surprise appearance last year. Similarly, Robin Williams will be given the "Stand-Up Icon” award that was presented to Eddie Murphy at the first ceremony.
We'll be updating here as well as tweeting photos and quotes from the via @HuffPostComedy all night (we'll try to avoid any spoilers) so follow along!
The Comedy Awards will premiere on Comedy Central on Sunday, May 6 at 9:00/8:00 Central.
We talked to the cast of The Daily Show, Robin Williams, Reggie Watts and more.
Things got a little out of hand when Kristen Wiig And Annie Mumolo accepted their Best Screenplay award. Watch above.
"Key & Peele" brought their signature bit to The Comedy Awards. Here's a preview clip of what they did.
The "Bridesmaids" cast wins an award presented by Jim Carrey:
"The Best F#@king News Team" (AKA "The Daily Show" staff) minus Jon Stewart:
Last night was certainly eventful and we tweeted up a storm. Check out the funniest quotes and moments from The Comedy Awards (proof below) on our Twitter page. Mild spoilers ahead, so if you've got an office pool or something, beware. The show airs Sunday, May 6 at 9:00/8:00 Central on Comedy Central.
"Big announcement: I'm quitting show business. To join the Secret Service." -Tracy Morgan #comedyawards
— HuffPostComedy (@HuffPostComedy) April 28, 2012
Three generations of Weekend Update hosts appearing together behind the desk: Chevy Chase, Norm MacDonald and Colin Quinn #ComedyAwards
— HuffPostComedy (@HuffPostComedy) April 29, 2012
So far big trends this year: Louis C.K. winning, shitting on Tosh.0 and commenting on how white the #ComedyAwards are
— HuffPostComedy (@HuffPostComedy) April 28, 2012
We talked to Questlove, bandleader of legendary outfit and "Late Night" house band The Roots, about the time Obama played with Jimmy and the Roots when he Slow Jammed the News this week. Check it out!
"Everybody who appears on the stage is a performer-writer. Everybody's writing their own stuff. There's no bad, forced, awkward awards-show patter." In addition to big names like Tina Fey, Louis C.K. and Jon Stewart writing their own material for the telecast, Patterson says there are usually a few brainstorming sessions about the show with top writers from late night and primetime. "It ends up being a much more collaborative back and forth," Patterson says, pointing to scribes from Funny or Die and "Tosh.0" as well as "Conan" making up the staff of eight full-timers. "The staff represents all the different voices in comedy."
| @ ComedyCentral : The tables are set! How do you like our silverware? #comedyawards http://t.co/64mDHllr |
We're really liking the glass-to-seat ratio in this picture.
| @ thecomicscomic : Weighing in on @TheComedyAwards 2012 before the ceremony tapes tonight for @ComedyCentral: http://t.co/VwCJLScY |
We suspect Sean might have put more thought into this than anyone else who remembered to vote.
Posted: 04/28/2012 2:28 pm Updated: 04/28/2012 2:33 pm