The longlists have been announced for the much needed National Comedy Awards, Channel 4’s new accolades to honour comedians and programmes across the industry.
Shortlists will be chosen from a public vote on the published longlist of more than 280 nominees which range from 19 to 36 candidates in each of the ten categories. Following an initial public vote, taking place from today until November 4, the winners will then be chosen from a second poll.
The dilemma for voters is that the standard of nominees is phenomenal. It’s almost impossible to select just one from any sector, so it’s no wonder that the social media canvassing for votes is already underway. There is no Hobson’s choice involved here. In many cases, for viewers, it will not be a question of chalk and cheese: they will be choosing between cheese and cheese.
You can take a look and vote here.
The NCAs, which are part of Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser, will be presented at a ceremony Wednesday December 15 at The Roundhouse in North London.
The awards are the successor to the defunct British Comedy Awards, which were awarded annually from 1990 to 2014.
Launched in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 that brings the UK together to speed up progress in life-saving cancer research. To date, the campaign has raised more than £62 million, funding 52 clinical trials and projects, involving over 11,000 patients across the country.