Come join us in the ideas shower

The end of the year is fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about the Australian Tumbleweeds, the accolade no one in comedy wants to win. As usual, we’d like your thoughts about categories.

Of course, we could just present awards in the same categories as last year – Australian comedy 2010 has contained pretty much the same mix of insultingly poor dross, gut-wrenching disappointments, comedic landfill and the odd success as Australian comedy 2009. But then, in a year when sketch shows were virtually non-existent, when more and more comedians were making comedy exclusively for the web, and when networks were dishing up a plethora of “event comedies” themed around the Federal Election or major sporting events, it’s probably worth refreshing our list of categories.

So for the next two weeks we’re asking for your thoughts on this year’s categories (see below for last year’s list). What stays? What goes? And what gets a slight name change and a hastily-applied lick of paint? You decide. Post your comments or e-mail us. The categories will be announced on 15th November, and then award nominations will begin.

Australian Tumbleweeds awards categories 2009

WORST NEWCOMER

WORST NEW COMEDY

WORST ACTOR

WORST ACTRESS

WORST ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY

WORST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME

WORST SITCOM

WORST STAND-UP

WORST GAME OR PANEL SHOW

WORST FILM

WORST SKETCH SHOW

WORST OVERALL COMEDY

WORST OVERALL CHANNEL/NETWORK FOR COMEDY

WORST RADIO COMEDY

WORST RADIO PERSONALITY

WORST PODCAST OR CD

WORST BOOK OR ITEM OF SPIN-OFF MERCHANDISE

WORST DVD

WORST EXPORT

MOST USELESS PANEL / TALKSHOW GUEST

THE ROBERT FIDGEON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR WORST CRITIC

MOST OVER-RATED COMEDY

MOST UNNECESSARILY OVER-EXPOSED COMEDIAN(S)

LEAST HOPED-FOR RETURN

MOST DISAPPOINTING COMEDY

MOST DISAPPOINTING COMEDIAN

THE ‘PISSING ON THEIR LEGACY’ AWARD

MOST IRRITATING OR POINTLESS CAMEO

MOST BLATANT PLAGIARISM

THE ‘MORE EFFORT INTO THEIR HAIRSTYLES THAN THEIR COMEDY’ AWARD

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CRAP COMEDY

BEST NEW COMEDY

BEST COMEDY