Eddie Murphy All Smiles at 2011 Comedy Awards
Summary
Eddie Murphy was all smiles at Comedy Central’s First Annual Comedy Awards. Tina Fey said she was thrilled comedians realized they could give awards to each other.
“All awards shows are bull—-, made-up clubs that people start to give each other prizes, so I want to thank Comedy Central for realizing ‘We could do that, give each other prizes.’”
~Tina Fey
Comedy Awards, 2011
by CARSON ABRIR
FATHERHOODCHANNEL.COM
Comedy Central aired their two-hour Comedy Awards gala last night, a celebration Tina Fey called a “made-up club” for people to give each other prizes before she graciously thanked the judges for her award as best film comedy actress for her performance in Date Night.
The network’s first annual awards ceremony included many of America’s funniest entertainers, including Eddie Murphy, who thanked Richard Pryor, Charlie Chaplin, Bill Cosby and George Carlin for inspiring his career as he accepted the first Comedy Central Icon Award. Eddie Murphy, who turned 50 this month, was all smiles as the audience roared through a montage of his most celebrated performances of the last 29 years, including 48 Hours (1982), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Coming to America (1988), The Nutty Professor (1996), Dr. Doolittle (1998), Shrek (2001), and Dreamgirls (2006).
As he accepted the award for best animated series, South Park co-creator Matt Stone said recognition from Comedy Central was “like being Student of the Month and your mom is the teacher.”
Comedian Bill Murray, 60, once again proved how far he’s come since his arrest 40 years ago by Chicago Police for trying to smuggle nine pounds of marijuana through O’Hare Airport. Before saying a word, the audience gave Bill Murray a standing ovation as he took the stage to present the night’s highest honor, “The Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence,” to Late Night Host David Letterman.
Other notable award winners included Zach Galifianakis for Dinner for Schmucks, Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock, Kristen Wiig for Saturday Night Live, and Daniel Tosh as the year’s breakthrough performer.
Comedy Awards 2011 Winners
Best Comedy Film: The Other Guys
Best Comedy Actor in Film: Zach Galifianakis (Dinner for Schmucks)
Best Comedy Actress in Film: Tina Fey (Date Night)
Best Animated Comedy Film: Toy Story 3
Best Comedy Series: Modern Family
Best Comedy Actor in Television: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Best Comedy Actress in Television: Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Best Late-Night Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Best Animated Comedy Series: South Park
Best Standup Special: Louis C.K.: Hilarious
Best Sketch Comedy/Alternative Comedy Series: Childrens’ Hospital
Breakthrough Performer: Daniel Tosh
Best Viral Original: Auto-Tune the News: Bed Intruder Song