Comedy Impact Report
Comedy writers extend their reps
Emergence of literary managers shows clout
Online comedy business booming
Stalwarts and startups fuel growth of site gags
Comedy's lost boys
These talented funnymen are missing in action
Comedy Festival's future uncertain
HBO could pull plug on Vegas event next year
Online turns next gen onto old men
Weird Al among comics going online with videos
Emergence of literary managers shows clout
Online comedy business booming
Stalwarts and startups fuel growth of site gags
Comedy's lost boys
These talented funnymen are missing in action
Comedy Festival's future uncertain
HBO could pull plug on Vegas event next year
Online turns next gen onto old men
Weird Al among comics going online with videos
What's
below
Variety spotlights some of the helmers, showrunners, thesps, standups, bloggers, scribes and 2-year-olds who have had the biggest laughs over the last 12 months.Read more...
Variety spotlights some of the helmers, showrunners, thesps, standups, bloggers, scribes and 2-year-olds who have had the biggest laughs over the last 12 months.Read more...
JUDD AND HIS MERRY MEN
Judd Apatow
If Apatow stepped into the role of Hollywood's king of comedy with "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," he's now...
If Apatow stepped into the role of Hollywood's king of comedy with "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," he's now...
Michael Cera
On the Emmy-winning Fox comedy "Arrested Development," the Canadian came to know critical success...
On the Emmy-winning Fox comedy "Arrested Development," the Canadian came to know critical success...
Jonah Hill
"Judd has been a very strong mentor to me," sums up 24-year-old Hill...
"Judd has been a very strong mentor to me," sums up 24-year-old Hill...
FEATURE THESPS
Adam Sandler
Variety called "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" "relentlessly juvenile and awash in stereoptypes"...
Variety called "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" "relentlessly juvenile and awash in stereoptypes"...
John Travolta
Fourteen years removed from his last "Look Who's Talking" gig, Travolta returned to laughs in March with "Wild Hogs"...
Fourteen years removed from his last "Look Who's Talking" gig, Travolta returned to laughs in March with "Wild Hogs"...
Kevin James
James made a complete transition from television star to movie star this year as "The King of Queens" ended after more than 200 episodes...
James made a complete transition from television star to movie star this year as "The King of Queens" ended after more than 200 episodes...
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
After transitioning from U. of Miami linebacker to pro wrestling star to emerging action hero...
After transitioning from U. of Miami linebacker to pro wrestling star to emerging action hero...
John C. Reilly
Year to date, this career-character-thesp-turned-top-comic-actor hasn't had a huge presence in the marketplace...
Year to date, this career-character-thesp-turned-top-comic-actor hasn't had a huge presence in the marketplace...
HELMERS & SCRIBES
Jason Reitman & Diablo Cody
In blogger-turned-screenwriter Cody's mind, "Juno" was always a comedy...
In blogger-turned-screenwriter Cody's mind, "Juno" was always a comedy...
The 'Hot Fuzz' guys
"The latest in Blighty comedy imports, co-scribes Wright and Pegg displayed a knack for parodying...
"The latest in Blighty comedy imports, co-scribes Wright and Pegg displayed a knack for parodying...
Tyler Perry
This was the year multihyphenate Perry proved to the world what black auds already knew...
This was the year multihyphenate Perry proved to the world what black auds already knew...
Walt Becker
While he first made a name for himself by helming the raunchy National Lampoon-branded pic...
While he first made a name for himself by helming the raunchy National Lampoon-branded pic...
TOON TALENT
Brad Bird
For most people, the thought of a rat in a four-star French restaurant would inspire screams, not smiles...
For most people, the thought of a rat in a four-star French restaurant would inspire screams, not smiles...
Jerry Seinfeld
After a quiet decade following his zeitgeist-defining TV series, the New York comedian hit every...
After a quiet decade following his zeitgeist-defining TV series, the New York comedian hit every...
LIVE LAUGHS LEADERS
Jim Gaffigan
Don't blame Gaffigan if he needs to pick up the morning newspaper to figure out where he just spent the night...
Don't blame Gaffigan if he needs to pick up the morning newspaper to figure out where he just spent the night...
Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan
Though their legendary collaboration "The Producers" -- the phenomenon that won 12 Tonys...
Though their legendary collaboration "The Producers" -- the phenomenon that won 12 Tonys...
WEB HEADS
The Lonely Island Guys
The writing and acting buds from Berkeley have been breathing energy into "Saturday Night Live"...
The writing and acting buds from Berkeley have been breathing energy into "Saturday Night Live"...
Perez Hilton
The 29-year-old gossip blogger (aka Mario Lavandeira) -- the self-proclaimed Queen of All Media...
The 29-year-old gossip blogger (aka Mario Lavandeira) -- the self-proclaimed Queen of All Media...
TUBE TITANS
Tina Fey
It was a roller-coaster year for Fey, whose long-gestating effort to mount a network sitcom...
It was a roller-coaster year for Fey, whose long-gestating effort to mount a network sitcom...
Bret McKenzie & Jermaine Clement
The most high-profile New Zealand import to hit the States since "Whale Rider"...
The most high-profile New Zealand import to hit the States since "Whale Rider"...
Neil Patrick Harris
With network sitcoms in general decline, it's tougher than ever for comic characters to emerge from...
With network sitcoms in general decline, it's tougher than ever for comic characters to emerge from...
Jenna Fischer
After years of sitcom auditions in which she'd confused fellow actors with her quirky line readings...
After years of sitcom auditions in which she'd confused fellow actors with her quirky line readings...
Tracy Morgan
As part of the winning ensemble for Emmy comedy series champ "30 Rock"...
As part of the winning ensemble for Emmy comedy series champ "30 Rock"...
Chuck Lorre
The creator of TV's top-rated comedy, "Two and a Half Men," is now working to establish...
The creator of TV's top-rated comedy, "Two and a Half Men," is now working to establish...
Ricky Gervais
A surprise winner of this year's comedy actor trophy for HBO's "Extras," Gervais beat out...
A surprise winner of this year's comedy actor trophy for HBO's "Extras," Gervais beat out...
Conan O'Brien
A critical darling for years, O'Brien's "Late Night" had never won an Emmy -- until this year...
A critical darling for years, O'Brien's "Late Night" had never won an Emmy -- until this year...
Amy Poehler
After seven season on "Saturday Night Live" (and three as "Weekend Update" co-anchor)....
After seven season on "Saturday Night Live" (and three as "Weekend Update" co-anchor)....
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