Words galore: Bo Burnham has been nominated for debut show
The nominations for this year’s Foster's Comedy Awards have been announced, including for STV tips Bo Burnham and Josie Long, plus Greg Davies, Russell Kane and Sarah Millican.
All eyes will be on American comic Bo Burnham, who started the Fringe as a teenager (though this week turned 20), and who has been gaining five-star reviews from a variety of publications for his incisive stand-up and comedy song routine.
Instead of being among the Best Newcomer contenders, he has been placed straight into the main awards category.
STV FRINGE COVERAGE
- Video preview of Bo's show: see for yourself what the fuss is about
- Interview: Bo Burnham talks to STV about the Edinburgh Fringe and his career
- Review: Bo Burnham's Words, Words, Words
- Review: Josie Long put honourable intentions to good use at Fringe
- Plus check out our reviews, interviews and other coverage in our Edinburgh Festivals section
Established in 1981, comedy awards formerly known as The Perriers are now in their 30th year, and for the first time sponsored by drinks manufacturer Foster's.
Last year the winner for Best Comedy Show was Tim Key, and winners in years before that were David O’ Doherty (2008), Brendon Burns (2007), Phil Nichol (2006) and Laura Solon (2005).
In 2009 the winner for Best Newcomer was Jonny Sweet, with the winners before that being Sarah Millican (2008, now nominated for the main awards), Tom Basden (2007), Josie Long (2006) and Tim Minchin (2005).
Other notable winners of the Best Comedy Show award in the past have included The League of Gentlemen, Dylan Moran, Lee Evans, Steve Coogan and The Cambridge Footlights (which included Stephen Fry, Hugh Lawrie and Emma Thompson).
You can see what all the fuss is about with our video preview of Bo’s full set, and we also talked to him about his first time at the Fringe.
The Best Comedy Show shortlist is as follows:
- Bo Burnham: Words, Words, Words
- Josie Long: Be Honourable!
- Greg Davies: Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog
- Russell Kane: Smokescreens and Castles
- Sarah Millican: Chatterbox
The Best Newcomer shortlist is as follows:
- Asher Treleaven: Secret Door
- An Audience with Imran Yusuf
- The Boy with Tape on His Face
- Gareth Richards: Stand Up Between Songs
- Late Night Gimp Fight!
- Roisin Conaty: Hero,Warrior, Fireman, Liar
Results will be announced at the weekend, with tickets for The Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards Show available on the Edinburgh Fringe website.
