Welcome to the 2008 ECNY Awards!
2009 ECNY AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
AWARDS CELEBRATED THE COMEDIC PERFORMING ARTS IN NEW YORK CITY
New York, March 11, 2009—The ECNY Awards, New York's original comedy awards celebrated the absolute best in New York comedy last night during a standing room only reception at Comix comedy club in New York City. Through rapturous applause and laughter, fourteen awards were presented to the most hilarious and hard-working comedians in New York City today. There was also a live Twitter-feed throughout the evening, which kind of worked.
"We couldn't be more proud of the winners," said ECNY producer Alex Goldberg. "Over 5000 people voted online, coupled with our industry committee votes, making sure that the absolute best comedians working in New York were honored with the most prestigious award imaginable: a mention in a press release about the ECNYs."
The winners are:
- Best Host — Leo Allen — Whiplash
- Best Sketch Comedy Group — Derrick
- Best Improv Group — Mother
- Best Musical Comedy Act (Solo or Group) — Reggie Watts
- Best Female Standup Comedian — Michelle Collins
- Best Male Standup Comedian — Kumail Nanjiani
- Best Website — Upright Citizens Brigade — UCBComedy.com
- Best One Person Show — Kumail Nanjiani — Unpronouncable
- Best Performance in a Commercial or Episode of Law and Order — Matt McCarthy — Verizon
- Best Short Comedic Film — Sara Benincasa & Diana Saez — Governor Palin Vlogs
- Best Technician — Pat Baer
- Best Variety Show — The Rejection Show
- Outstanding Achievement in Flyer or Postcard Design — Anya Garrett — Jar Full of Roaches
- Emerging Comic Award — Lennon Parham
In addition to the announced awards, the second annual ECNY Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the writing staff of Late Night With Conan O'Brien. "Though they have left our city for the sunny shores of Los Angeles," said ECNY Producer Alex Goldberg, "The influence of their writing on the New York Comedy Scene is immeasurable. We were proud to honor Conan O'Brien, head write Mike Sweeney, and the rest of the staff with the Lifetime Achievement Award."
The awards were hosted by Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show), with awards presented by past winners Kristen Schaal (Flight of The Choncords), Nick Kroll (ABC's Cavemen), Sara Schaefer (Late Night With Jimmy Fallon), Eugene Mirman, I Eat Pandas, Greg Johnson, Larry Murphy, Harvard Sailing Team, Stuckey & Murray, and John Mullaney (Saturday Night Live). They were joined by Lindsay Robertson (Videogum), Katina Corrao, Sean Crespo, and Andrew WK.
There were performances throughout the night by the musical nominees: Adira Amram, I Eat Pandas, Shayna Ferm, and Reggie Watts.
Winners were selected by combining a public voting process, and voting by a committee composed of industry professionals.
The Awards, a mainstay of the New York comedy scene, returned in 2007 with a completely revamped production team, after an almost two year hiatus. After a sold out ceremony in January of last year, The ECNYs continue to celebrate the comedic performing arts in New York City by honoring the best, funniest, and most creative performers, shows, and producers working in the field.
Some previous recipients of an ECNY Award include:
- Nick Kroll (Best One Person Show, 2007; ABC's "Cavemen")
- The Onion News Network (Best Web Site, 2007)
- John Mulaney (Best Male Stand Up Comedian, 2007; "Saturday Night Live")
- Kristen Schaal (Best Female Stand Up Comedian, 2007; "Flight of the Conchords")
- Eugene Mirman & Michael Showalter (Best Host, 2007; "Stella")
- Aziz Ansari (Best Male Stand-up, 2005; MTV's "Human Giant")
- Mike Birbiglia (Best Male Stand-up, 2003)
- John Gemberling & Curtis Gwinn (Best Duo, 2003; Adult Swim's "Fat Guy Stuck in Internet")
- Jessi Klein (Best Female Stand-Up, 2003; Best Host, 2005; Comedy Central's "The Showbiz Show")
- Sara Schaefer (Best Host, 2004; Late Night With Jimmy Fallon)
The ECNY Awards are produced by Alex Goldberg (Fearsome), Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show), Carol Hartsell (Drink at Work), Nate Sloan (The Apiary), and Alexander Zalben (Elephant Larry).
The ECNY Awards were sponsored by The Soho Journal, Back Stage, Comedy Central Records, FRS, The Laugh Button, iMarket Services, We Hate T-Shirts, and more.

















