Comedy Central is reviving the American Comedy Awards, teaming with producer Don Mischer to bring back the annual yuks kudos.
The awards — which will celebrate the best of comedy movies, TV shows and digital shorts — will premiere next year. In addition to Comedy Central, the event will be simulcast on Spike TV and TV Land.
The ACAs had a 15-year run on TV during much of the 1980s and 90s, airing mostly on ABC. They were the brainchild of George Schlatter, who will now serve as an exec consultant to the broadcast.
Comedy Central aired the last installment of the old ACAs in 2001. The network says it now plans to "reboot and rebrand" the franchise.
“The ‘American Comedy Awards’ are about celebrating and honoring the genius of the writers, performers, producers and directors who bring us the best in comedy every year and create what the rest of us quote and share with all our friends," said Elizabeth Porter, who heads up specials and talent for Comedy Central. "What the Oscars are to movies and the Grammys are to music, the ‘American Comedy Awards’ will be to comedy. We are thrilled to be working with Don Mischer and know he will make this the biggest comedy event of the year.”
Mischer, who will exec produce the new show, said he wants to develop an awards telecast which will "recognize all those who keep us laughing in these stressful times."
Comedy Central and Mischer will create a board of comedy insiders to create categories for the ACAs and to oversee nominations. Some elements will allow fan input.
Mischer and Charlie Haykel will serve as the executive producers and Juliane Hare will serve as producer for the new ACAs.
