Opening ceremony nominated in Scottish accolades

Eddie Izzard, the Still Game reunion – and the opening ceremony of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games – are among the nominees for the second Scottish Comedy Awards.

Glaswegian comic Janey Godley leads the way with four nominations, for best headliner, best compere, best podcast and best festival show.

But it is the inclusion of the Commonwealth Games ceremony that might be the biggest surprise.

Comedy promoter Alan Anderson, who set up the Scottish awards last year, said: ‘After the wonders of Danny Boyle's London 2012 Opening Ceremony, us Scots were worried that we'd be a laughing stock with our wee twee Commie Games. Thanks to the self depreciating banter of Karen Dunbar and John Barrowman's "Kiss" the Commonwealth laughed along with us from the very start.’

And a Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: ‘We are absolutely delighted the opening ceremony has been recognised in this way. There is no question the opening ceremony set the scene for what became the best ever Commonwealth Games. It was a fantastic occasion and the award is a tribute to the effort, enthusiasm and creativity of all those involved.’

The Scottish Comedy Awards are decided by a vote among Scottish comedians and those who work in the Scottish comedy industry.

Anderson added: ‘2014 was an amazing year for Scotland and for Scottish Comedy. With the Commonwealth Games, the Referendum, and the Still Game reunion, Scotland's comedians had a once in a generation opportunity to cast their cheeky eyes on some of the most interesting events our nation has experienced. They rose to the occasion and did us proud. 

As well as the Commonwealth Games ceremony, Anderson pointed to other triumphs of Scottish comedy.

‘With 21 sold out performances to over 250,000 people, by far the biggest live event in worldwide comedy was Still Game at The Hydro. The pioneering way the cast and crew merged a TV sitcom, with a theatre show, in an arena, inspired Peter Kay's Manchester shows and no doubt many more to come.

‘Sadly these events and the ongoing brilliant comedy from the likes of Kevin Bridges and Frankie Boyle were, for a third year,  completely overlooked by the London-centric British Comedy Awards, which shockingly had zero Scottish nominees.

‘Sell out audiences for many Scottish acts at the recent Glasgow Comedy Festival shows how much of an appetite Scots have for high quality home grown comedy.’

The ceremony takes place on April 27 at Glasgow's Blythswood Hotel, hosted by Des Clarke – who is also nominated for two awards.

The full list of nominees is:

Best headliner

Gary Little 
Janey Godley
Mark Nelson
Raymond Mearns

Best compere

Billy Kirkwood
Janey Godley
Joe Heenan
Raymond Mearns

Best newcomer

Christopher Macarthur Boyd
Daisy Earl
Gary Meikle
Jim Smith
Rosco McSkeleton
Stephen Buchanan

Best comedy actor/actress

Darren Connell
Grado
James Kirk
Jane McCarry

Best TV show

Bob Servant
How Do I Get Up There
Mrs Brown’s Boys
Scot Squad
Still Game

Best radio show

Capital FM: Breakfast with Des and Jenni
BBC Radio Scotland: Changing Minds: Feeling Kind of Funny
BBC Radio Scotland: MacAulay & Co
BBC Radio Scotland: Mark Nelson’s Guide to Marriage
BBC Radio Scotland: Planet Mearns Xmas Special

Best online/podcast

Frankie Boyle’s Referendum Autopsy
Janey Godley & Ashley Storrie’s Podcast
Joe Heenan’s Twitter
Trampled Bat podcast
ScotcomFC podcast

Best comedy writer

Armando Iannucci
Chris Grady
Keir McAllister
Steven Dick

Best festival/tour show

Aye Right, How No!
Bruce Fummey: Aaahm Votin Yes
Eleanor Morton: Lollipop 
Gary Little: The Thing Is
Janey Godley: Oh My Godley
Richard Gadd: Breaking Gadd

Best sketch/improv/variety act

How Do I Get Up There
Jellybean Martinez
The Colour Ham
Stu & Gary

Best TV comedian

Daniel Sloss
Des Clarke
Frankie Boyle
Kevin Bridges

Best club under 100 capacity

Dalraida, Portobello
Drouthy Cobbler, Elgin
Eden Court Studio, Inverness
Yesbar, Glasgow

Best club over 100 capacity

The Admiral, Glasgow
Blue Lamp, Aberdeen
The Stand, Edinburgh
The Stand, Glasgow

Best event

Aye Write How No! Glasgow Stand Wed 17th Sept
Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony
Eddie Izzard: Scotland Please Don’t Go
Still Game Live @ The Hydro

Published: 1 Apr 2015