American Comedy Awards

Updated on Jan 24, 2024

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Country United States		First awarded 1987
Awarded for Outstanding comedy in film, television and stage Presented by ABC (1987–97) Fox (1998–2000) Comedy Central (2001) NBC (2014)

The American Comedy Awards are a group of awards presented annually in the United States recognizing performances and performers in the field of comedy, with an emphasis on television comedy and comedy films. They began in 1987, billed as the "first awards show to honor all forms of comedy." In 1989, after the death of Lucille Ball, the statue was named "the Lucy" to honor the comic legend.

In 2001, the last edition for 13 years was presented on Comedy Central. NBC revived the awards in May 2014.

History

George Schlatter created and produced the American Comedy Awards that first aired on ABC, then on Comedy Central. Only the title was similar. It was a TV special honoring comedians. ABC had broadcast a similar awards program for two years in the 1970s; it was called the "American Academy of Humor" and was "founded" by Alan King.

The last ACA ceremony in 2001 was held under the auspices of the cable network, Comedy Central; in 2003 that network replaced them with its own Commie Awards in what turned out to be a one-time replacement. In 2011 Comedy Central created a new annual awards show, The Comedy Awards, which first aired on April 10, 2011.