The Billy T Award is New Zealand’s most prestigious comedy award recognizing New Zealand comedians with outstanding potential. It has been presented annually since its inception in 1997 when Cal Wilson and Ewen Gilmour shared the award. The Billy T was shared between two comedians up until 2001 when it became a solo award.[1]
The awards are an initiative of the New Zealand Comedy Trust to ‘foster and encourage outstanding New Zealand talent.'[2]
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The Billy T Awards were named in honour of one of New Zealand's greatest comedians, the late Billy T James. The winner receives ‘the yellow towel’ in tribute to the towel worn by James in some of his most famous sketches.[1]
The winner is selected from five nominees performing during the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Five judges select a winner based on their proven comedic ability, talent, dedication and potential.[2]
1997 – Cal Wilson/Ewen Gilmour
1998 – Brendhan Lovegrove/Radar (Andrew Lumsden)/Sugar and Spice (Jonathan Brugh and Jason Hoyte)
1999 – Philip Patston/The Humourbeasts (Jemaine Clement and Taika Cohen)
2000 – Mike Loder/ Paul Ego
2001 – Jan Maree
2002 – Dai Henwood
2003 – Justine Smith
2004 – Ben Hurley
2005 – Sam Wills
2006 – Cori Gonzalez-Macuer
2007 – Mrs Peacock (Jarrod Baker and Dave Smith)
2008 – Steve Wrigley
2009 - Chris Brain
2010 - Rhys Mathewson
2011 - Nick Gibb
2012 - TBC
2003 – Mike Loader was blacklisted from the 2004 festival after sending fake congratulatory letters to nominees Sully O’Sullivan and Penny Ashton.[3]
2003 – The number of times a comedian could be nominated was capped at four after Benjamin Crellin was nominated for the fourth time in 2003. It was notable because he criticised major a New Zealand arts funding body for their choices during his set. One member of the Judging panel was part of said funding body.
2005 – Philip Patston (winner 1999) who is gay and disabled, volunteered to give up his award in response to the rhetoric and policies of the National Party under Don Brash.[4]