So You Think You're Funny

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So You Think You're Funny Logo.

So You Think You're Funny? (SYTYF) is an annual stand-up comedy competition for new acts. The competition began in 1988 and has become the longest running best comedy newcomer award in Great Britain.[citation needed] The finals are held every August at The Gilded Balloon during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Past winners include Dylan Moran, Lee Mack, Peter Kay, and David O'Doherty.

Contents

[edit] History

Bill Bailey in 2008.

So You Think You’re Funny was founded by Karen Koren in 1988. In the first year of the competition, Koren, who was also a co-founder of The Gilded Balloon, put up the £250 prize money herself.

Sponsorship from Channel 4 began in 1993 and was kept up until 2004, since then Channel 5 and The Paramount Comedy Channel have been sponsors.

Winners receive £2000 and the chance to guest present a comedy programme on Paramount Comedy. The winner is also given a place on the Best of British Show at the Montreal “Just For Laughs“ Festival.

Past judges have included Steve Coogan, Owen O’Neill, Avid Merrion (Leigh Francis), Bob Mortimer and former So You Think You’re Funny Winners Dylan Moran and Rhona Cameron.

There have been many celebrity comperes for the evening, among them Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey, Graham Norton and Jo Brand.[1]

[edit] Rules and eligibility

As of 2006 rules and eligibility for entry into So You Think You’re Funny are as follows

  • Performers must not have been performing regularly before the 1st September 2009 (for the 2010 competition).
  • Performers must not have been paid regularly for the gigs performed
  • All performers must perform 8 minutes of totally original material

[edit] Process of elimination

Each year many applications are received, the numbers are reduced through heats around the UK & Ireland in which a panel of judges pick three competitors to go on to the second round, which take place during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. During this round the judges pick one winner from each heat, who goes through to the grand final, which takes place towards the end of the Fringe.

[edit] Winners & finalists

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006[2]

2007[3]

2008

2009

2010

  • James Kirk (Winner)
  • Liam Williams (2nd Place)
  • Rob Beckett (3rd Place)
    • Chris Turner
    • Laura Carr
    • Alex Clissold-Jones
    • Pete Dobbing
    • Matt Richardson
    • Romesh Ranganathan

[edit] References

  1. ^ "So You Think You’re Funny?". Gilded Balloon. http://soyouthinkyourfunny.co.uk/welcome. Retrieved 1 September 2011. 
  2. ^ "So You Think You're Funny (2006)". Chortle - the UK comedy guide. http://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/edinburgh_fringe_2006/s/14585/so_you_think_youre_funny. Retrieved 11 January 2011. 
  3. ^ "So You Think You're Funny? 2007 final". Chortle - The UK comedy guide. http://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/edinburgh_fringe_2007/s/15673/so_you_think_youre_funny%3F_2007_final/review/. Retrieved 11 January 2011. 

[edit] External links

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