British Comedy Awards 2009

My favourite awards ceremony is undoubtedly the British Comedy Awards, mainly because they're actually very entertaining inbetween the business of just handing out gongs, and I tend to have seen every nomination. The Academy Awards are exponentially more important, but regular folk may only have seen a handful of the films up for awards. Plus, I've actually seen every single BCA since they started in 1989 (when I was just 10 years old), so I feel a certain connection to them because I've grown up watching them...

Anyway, Jonathan Ross was back as the host of this year's bash, having been replaced by Angus Deayton last year when the "Sachsgate" scandal struck. I'm growing a little tired of Ross on television, it has to be said, but I think he's at his best as a master of ceremonies. Below are the nominees, the winners in bold, and a few thoughts from me:

BEST SITCOM

The IT Crowd
Outnumbered
Peep Show

There's no doubt in my mind that Peep Show's the more deserving winner, but it's had it moment in the sun now. I haven't really seen much of Outnumbered, but I hear it's good.

BEST COMEDY PANEL SHOW

Have I Got News For You
Mock The Week
QI

Yeah, I'd go along with that. HIGNFY is a pale shadow of its former self, but Mock The Week is incredibly hit-and-miss and QI's last few BBC1 series haven't been up to par.

BEST SKETCH SHOW

Harry & Paul
The Kevin Bishop Show
That Mitchell and Webb Look

A more populist winner, it seems. Mitchell & Webb's series is probably just a touch too cult for mainstream tastes, and Harry & Paul is surprisingly good.

BEST TELEVISION COMEDY DRAMA

Dead Set
Psychoville
Pulling

A fair result, and I'm pleased to see the brilliant Pulling bag itself another award (further evidence that BBC3 were crazy for axing it, although I do kind of understand their reasoning.) Dead Set wasn't really funny enough to win, and Psychoville wasn't enough of a true drama.

BEST COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME

Harry Hill's TV Burp
Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow
The Sunday Night Project

I still think Harry Hill's TV Burp is overrated, but it's by far the more rounded entertainment show in that category, so I'm glad it won here.

BEST NEW BRITISH TELEVISION COMEDY

Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Ladies Of Letters
Psychoville

Yes! A very deserved win for the excellent Psychoville, even if the competition wasn't much to feel threatened by.

BEST TELEVISION COMEDY ACTOR

Simon Bird (for The Inbetweeners)
Rob Brydon (for Gavin & Stacey)
Robert Webb (for Peep Show)

A shame that Robert Webb didn't win, particularly as he tends to get overshadowed by David Mitchell in this category and was especially good in Peep Show's sixth series. But, there was a sense that the new wave of comedies were being honoured this year, and The Inbetweeners is a new gem the BCA want to champion. And Simon Bird's pretty good.

BEST TELEVISION COMEDY ACTRESS

Ruth Jones (for Gavin & Stacey)
Katherine Parkinson (for The IT Crowd)
Claire Skinner (for Outnumbered)

Arguably the best decision of the night, for me. Katherine Parkinson's often overlooked on The IT Crowd because she shares the screen with more obviously "wacky" characters, but she's in many ways the nucleus holding the insanity together. A very talented lady.

BEST COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY

Alan Carr (for Alan Carr: Chatty Man)
Harry Hill (for Harry Hill's TV Burp)
Michael McIntyre (for Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow)

Again, it's hard to argue. Harry Hill crosses generational divides very well with TV Burp.

BEST MALE COMEDY NEWCOMER

Charlie Brooker (for You Have Been Watching)
Tyger Drew-Honey (for Outnumbered)
Daniel Roche (for Outnumbered)

Well, Charlie Brooker's hardly a "newcomer" (he's been doing Screenwipe since '06, and was involved in TV for years before that), but 2009 was definitely the year when he crept into the spotlight with You Have Been Watching on Channel 4.

BEST FEMALE COMEDY NEWCOMER

Tanya Franks (for Pulling)
Ramona Marquez (for Outnumbered)
Rebekah Staton (for Pulling)

I can't argue against giving a talented little girl an award like this, can you? She may go on to do absolutely nothing in the future, but for now she's a very natural performer on Outnumbered.

BEST LIVE STAND-UP PERFORMER

Frankie Boyle (Live at the Hackney Empire)
Stewart Lee (Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle)
Michael McIntyre (Live at the Apollo)

McIntyre's on the precipice of a backlash, I sense. Many people complain that his comedy is too mild and about 20 years behind the curve, but those people forget that not all comedy should be cutting-edge and offensive. I'm actually quite grateful there's someone like McIntyre kicking around, that whole families can sit down and laugh along to.

BEST COMEDY FILM

Bruno
The Hangover
In The Loop

Was there any doubt? Bruno was a disappointment compared to Borat, The Hangover is massively overrated, and In The Loop's a far better example of a decent British comedy. Let's hope Armando Iannucci becomes the new Richard Curtis when it comes to UK film output in the next decade, steering things away from fatuous rom-coms starring Hugh Grant.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO BRITISH COMEDY

Peter Kay

I like Peter Kay, even if there's a feeling he's gone off the boil in recent years. I thought it was interesting that David Jason compared him to Ronnie Barker in his comedy acting ability -- I can really see that. I hope he comes back with a big Phoenix Nights-style hit.

RONNIE BARKER WRITERS' GUILD
OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARD

Graham Linehan

More than anything, I was glad Graham Linehan took the time to admit that 80% of the shows he's associated with were co-written with Arthur Matthews. Personally, everything Linehan's done without Matthews has been noticeably poorer quality, although I do quite enjoy IT Crowd.

BRITISH COMEDY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Sir Terry Wogan

Is Terry Wogan someone you'd associate with comedy, really? Presenting, yes. Charity, yes. Chat shows, yes. Radio, yes. But comedy? Debatably. But, Tel's quitting his Radio 2 breakfast show, so it was a timely opportunity to honour him.