Perrier panel announced

The judges have been announced for this year’s Perrier award – with broadcasting executives dominating the panel.

John Pidgeon, the head of BBC Radio Entertainment, is the chairman. But the panel also includes Channel 4’s Ruby Kuraishe, Five’s Graham Smith, Sarah Mahoney of the Paramount Comedy Channel and Vanessa Hayes of indie Celador, makers of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Also judging are comedy critics Stephen Armstrong of the Sunday Times and Ian Shuttleworth of the Financial Times, as well as competition winners  Paul Maguire, Emma  King and Sarah Nibock, representing the punters’ voice.

Unusually, the Edinburgh panel contains no one from a theatrical background.

In a newspaper article before the festival, last year’s chairman, Bruce Dessau, had argued that such judges had ‘contributed to the rise in character comedians and narrative pieces winning…and the marginalisation of traditional stand-up.’

And such a heavy focus on broadcasters should help the eventual winner find a route into television.

The nominees will be announced on August 24, and the winner on August 27.

Published: 6 Aug 2005