No, it's not a joke: the NZ Comedy Guild is thrilled to announce the finalists for the country's only awards for live comedy. The NZ Comedy Awards, now in their 6th year, are peer-voted by comedians and industry experts throughout the country. They recognise those both on and off the stage, with awards for Best Male and Female Comedians, Best Newcomer, and Best Gag of the Year, as well as for Best Venue and Media Support.No, it's not a joke: the NZ Comedy Guild is thrilled to announce the finalists for the country's only awards for live comedy. The NZ Comedy Awards, now in their 6th year, are peer-voted by comedians and industry experts throughout the country. They recognise those both on and off the stage, with awards for Best Male and Female Comedians, Best Newcomer, and Best Gag of the Year, as well as for Best Venue and Media Support.The winners will be announced at a black-tie event on Sunday, December 17, 8pm at the Classic. The event will be open to the public - and really, with that many comedians in one room, how could it not be a night to remember?

The finalists are:

Borders Best Newcomer Award: Jim Brown, Justin Lane, Paul the Soviet, Todd Stevens, Figjam

Phantom Bill Stickers Best Show Concept: Michele A'Court - 40 Odd Years; Sam Wills - Boy With Tape On His Face; Cameron Blair - Medium; The Everymen; James Nokise - White Club

Concrete Best Show: Sam Wills - Boy With Tape On His Face; Rhys Darby - Based on Actual Events; Michele A'Court - 40 Odd Years; Gags 4 da Masses - Benjamin Crellin; Wilson Dixon

Best Comedy Venue: The Classic (Auckland), San Francisco Bathhouse (Wellington); Boathouse (Nelson)

Best Media Support: MoreFM; National Radio, TV3; C4

Best International Guest: Charlie Pickering (Aust); Phil Nicol (Canada); Janey Godley (Scotland)

Best Industry Friend: Michele A'Court; Hilary Coe; Scott Blanks; Andre King

NZ Listener Best Comedy Performance on NZ TV: Dai Henwood - Insert Video Here; Jason Hoyte - Moon TV; Jeremy Corbett - Downsize Me

Penguin Books Most Improved Comedian: Ash Kilmartin; Jamie Bowen; TM Bishop

Green Room: Josh Thomson, Dai Henwood, Tarun Mohanbhai, Jamie Bowen, Sam Wills, Grant Lobban

Jansen Best MC: Dai Henwood, Jeremy Elwood, Andrew Clay, Andre King

Lush/Heritage Hotels/citymix Best Male Comedian: Jeremy Elwood, Sam Wills, Brendhan Lovegrove, Dai Henwood

Lush/Heritage Hotels/citymix Best Female Comedian: Michele A'Court, Jan Maree, TM Bishop, Penny Ashton, Ash Kilmartin

95bFM Gag of the Year: Brendhan Lovegrove - Pedantic Bus Driver; Jeremy Elwood - Cigarette Warnings; Cori Gonzalez-Macuer - Abu Musad al Zarqawi

The Kevin Smith Memorial Cup for Best Artist Achievement: Rhys Darby, Ben Hurley, Brendhan Lovegrove

Image: Dai Henwood, nominated for NZ Listener Best Comedy Performance on NZ TV, Jansen Best MC and Lush/Heritage Hotels/citymix Best Male Comedian.