Comedy perfomers in the field of film and television will take their bows on Zee English on 30 December, when the 15th Annual American Comedy Awards are telecast.

Held at the Universal Studios in Hollywood in April this year, the event was shown in the US exclusively on Comedy Central earlier. Comedy Central is the only all-comedy network and claims availability in over 69 million homes across America.

Celebrities competing for the awards include Billy Crystal, who had the audience in splits while hosting the 72nd Annual Academy Awards, Dame Judi Dench for the The Last of the Blonde Bombshells, Kelsey Grammer for Frasier, Ray Romano for Everybody Loves Raymond, Kate Hudson and Frances Macdormand for the Cameron Crowe rock movie Almost Famous, Fred Willard in the dog mockumentary Best In Show, Sarah Jessica Parker Sex and the city, Ben Stiller as the nervous son in law in Meet The Parents, Renee Zellweger suffering delusions in Neil Labute's black comedy Nurse Betty, Tracey Ullmann as Woody Allen's fussy wife in Small Time Crooks and troubled actor Robert Downey Jr. Ally McBeal.

Categories include Funniest Female/Male Performer In A Television Series (Leading Role); Funniest Female/Male Performer In A Television Special; Funniest Actress/Actor In A Motion Picture (Leading Role); Funniest Television Series; Funniest Animated Television Series; Funniest Motion Picture; and Viewers Choice Stand-Up Comic Award.

The last category recognises performers who built their careers in the comedy arena by travelling across the length and breadth of the country displaying their craft. Jerry Seinfeld, one of the highest earners in showbiz, and gay activist Ellen DeGeneres have won this award in the past.

To check out the hilarious best in American cinema, tune in to Zee English at 10 pm on 30 December.