Fey, Letterman, CK among the winners

David Letterman, Louis CK and Tina Fey were among the winners at the first annual US Comedy Awards.

Chat show king Letterman scooped the big prize for ‘comedic excellence’ at the event, staged by Comedy Central on Saturday night.

The award is named in honour of former talk-show legend Johnny Carson – ironically the person Letterman’s rival Jay Leno took over from.

Elsewhere, sitcom Modern Family was named best series while 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin and Saturday Night Live's Kristen Wiig picked up awards the TV acting awards.

In the movie acting category, Baldwin’s 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey shard the honours with Zach Galifianakis for Date Night and Dinner for Schmucks respectively. The Other Guys, starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and Steve Coogan was named best film.

South Park picked up the honours for best animated series while Toy Story 3 won the animated film category

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart won best late-night comedy series, Louis C.K.: Hilarious best stand-up special and Children’s Hospital received the award for sketch/alternative comedy series.

Daniel Tosh received the breakthrough performer award; and Auto-Tune the News: Bed Intruder Song was named best viral.

And, as previously announced, Eddie Murphy was named comedy icon at the event.

Published: 27 Mar 2011