So You Think You're Funny

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Since the competition began in 1988, So You Think You're Funny has gone on to produce some of Great Britain's and Ireland's finest comedy talent. It has also become the longest running best comedy newcomer award in Great Britain. Each year it attracts in excess of 500 applicants, who are then whittled down to 70 semi-finalists, and then 9 finalists. The finals are held in the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Venue The Gilded Balloon during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival every August.

Contents

[edit] History

So You Think You’re Funny was founded by Karen Koren in 1988. The 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. In the first year of the competition Koren, who was also a co-founder of The Gilded Balloon, personally put up the £250 prize money. There was also a possibility of a TV deal. Since the beginning the award has blossomed, with winners now receiving £2000 and the chance to guest present a comedy programme on Paramount Comedy. As if this were not enough, the winner is then given a place on the Best of British Show at the Montreal “ Just For Laughs “ Festival. This event is considered by professionals to be the best festival for showcasing comedic talents to Canadian and U.S. audiences. The success of the competition lies in the judges' canny ability to select a winner whose material and comedy persona are original, but who is also marketable to a mass audience. Past judges have included Steve Coogan, Owen O’Niell, Avid Merrion(Leigh Francis), Bob Mortimer and former So You Think You’re Funny Winners Dylan Moran and Rhona Cameron. Also there have been many celebrity comperes for the evening, among them Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey, Graham Norton and Jo Brand. Many Winners and Finalists alike have had careers which have prospered greatly following their appearances in the final. Some have pursued a highly successful career in stand up comedy, going on either to win the coveted Perrier Award or gain a nomination. Others have prospered in the field of television, most notably Lee Mack, Rhona Cameron and Martin Trenaman. In two years' time the competition will be entering its twentieth year and despite its unforeseen success at the start, this competition shows very little sign of slowing down.

[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 within the last 18 months (01/09/2007).
  • 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

Because of the amount of entrants, the heats for So You Think You're Funny now take place all around the UK & Ireland. These heats are not a direct competition. The judges pick the best three competitors in each heat. These three performers then go onto the second round of heats in Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. During this round of heats the judges only pick one winner. This person then goes on to take part in the final at The Gilded Balloon during the Fringe Festival.

[edit] Winners & Finalists

1988

  • Bruce Morton (Winner)

1989

1990

  • Trio Brothers (Rab Christie & Greg Herchill) (Winners)

1991

  • Alan Francis (Winner)

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

  • Wes Packer (Winner)
  • Hannah Gadsby (2nd Place)
  • Ginger & Black (3rd Place)

2007[1]

  • Richard Sandling (Winner)
  • Ben Davis (2nd Place)
  • Joanne Lau (3rd Place)
    • Toby Whithouse
    • Carl Hutchison
    • Daniel Rigby
    • Gar Murrin
    • Jack Whitehall
    • James Marsh

[edit] External links