AWARDS TO CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE IN THE COMEDIC PERFORMING ARTS IN NEW YORK CITY
FOUR NEW CATEGORIES ADDED, INCLUDING BEST PODCAST AND BEST STORYTELLER
 
New York, Nov. 24, 2010 – The ECNY Awards, New York’s original comedy awards, are now open for nominations at ECNYAwards.com. Nominations will be accepted until Midnight on Friday, December 17th, 2010. Nominees will be announced in February, 2011 and winners will be announced at the . The ceremony will be hosted for the fourth year in a row by Jon Friedman (Late Night With Jimmy Fallon).
 
“We’re proud to once again celebrate excellence in the comedic performing arts in New York City,” said ECNY producer Carol Hartsell. “…And we finally figured out what the acronym stands for, so stop bothering us.”
 
The acronym now stands for “Excellence in Comedy, New York City.” So stop bothering us.
 
Groups or individuals are eligible for nomination in nineteen different categories, including the following returning awards: Best Female Stand-Up Comedian; Best Male Stand-Up Comedian; Best Sketch Comedy Group; Best Host; Best Improv Group; Best Musical Comedy Act (Solo or Group); Best One Person Show; Best Comedic Video (Short or Series); Best Variety Show; Best Website; Best Book; Best Technician; Best Flyer or Postcard Design; The Emerging Comic Award; Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Tweeting.
 
In addition, we’re pleased to announce four new categories for 2011: Best Podcast; Best Comedy Event; Best Storyteller; and Best New Category.
 
Nominees must meet the following criteria:
 
-   Nominees must have performed, or done the majority of their work in New York from November, 2009, to November, 2010.
-   Nominees must have resided in the New York area for the majority of that time period.
 
For further rules and regulations, please go to ECNYAwards.com.
 
In addition, The ECNYs will be giving out a Lifetime Achievement Award to one comedian/group/institution who has done the most over the course of his/her/their/its lifetime for the perpetuation and growth of New York comedy. This category will not be open for nomination. Previous winners include Eddie Brill (The Late Show With David Letterman); and the Writing Staff of Late Night With Conan O’Brien.
 
The Awards, a mainstay of the New York comedy scene, returned in 2007 with a completely revamped production team, after an almost two year hiatus. After sold out ceremonies the last three years, The ECNYs continue to celebrate the comedic performing arts in New York City by honoring the best, funniest, and most creative performers, shows, and producers working in the field.
 
Some previous recipients of an ECNY Award include:
 
- Hannibal Buress (Best Male Stand-Up Comedian, 2009; “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock”)
- Derrick (Best Sketch Comedy Group, 2008; “Mystery Team”)
- Kumail Nanjiani (Best Male Stand-Up Comedian, 2008; Best One Person Show, 2008; Comedy Central’s “Michael & Michael Have Issues”)
- Lennon Parham (The Emerging Comic Award, 2008; ABC’s “Accidentally on Purpose”)
- Nick Kroll (Best One Person Show, 2007; FOX’s “Sit Down Shut Up”)
- The Onion News Network (Best Web Site, 2007)
- John Mulaney (Best Male Stand-Up Comedian, 2007; “Saturday Night Live”)
- Kristen Schaal (Best Female Stand-Up Comedian, 2007; “Flight of the Conchords”)
- Eugene Mirman & Michael Showalter (Best Host, 2007; The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, “Stella”)
- Aziz Ansari (Best Male Stand-up, 2005; NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”)
- Jessi Klein (Best Female Stand-Up, 2003; Best Host, 2005; Comedy Central’s “Michael and Michael Have Issues”)
- Sara Schaefer (Best Host, 2004; NBC’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”)
- Mike Birbiglia (Best Male Stand-up, 2003; Broadway’s “Sleepwalk With Me”)
- John Gemberling & Curtis Gwinn (Best Duo, 2003; Adult Swim’s “Fat Guy Stuck in Internet”)

The ECNY Awards are produced by Kambri Crews, Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show), Carol Hartsell (Drink at Work), Nate Sloan (The Apiary), and Alexander Zalben (SketchFest NYC).
  
WHAT: The ECNY Awards
 
WHEN: March 14, 2011, at 8:30 PM
 
WHERE: 92Y Tribeca; 200 Hudson Street