IF.comedy Shortlist: Bookies Make Rhod Gilbert Favourite

The Intelligent Finance Comedy Awards, the UK's premier comedy awards, are now in their 28th year. The two awards are given for the most outstanding up-and-coming, funny, original comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The main prize is £8,000, plus headlining The Intelligent Finance Comedy Award shows in London's West End with the awards shortlist.

The nominees for the 2008 Intelligent Finance Comedy Award with their Ladbroke odds are

David O'Doherty: Let's Comedy 2/1

Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler: Double Down Hearts 6/1

Rhod Gilbert and the Award Winning Mince Pie 5/4 favourite

Russell Kane: Gaping Flaws 7/2

The nominees for Intelligent Finance Best Newcomer are:

Mike Wozniak

Pippa Evans and Other Lonely People

Sarah Millican's Not Nice

Nica Burns, the veteran producer/director of the Awards says: "In a year where a number of shows made it to the final animated discussion the four nominees presented shows which combined outstanding material and performance in a shortlist which offers something comedic for everyone: David O'Doherty's effortless charm with song, Americans Kristen and Kurt's utterly quirky and unique double-act, Welshman Rhod Gilbert, whose perfectly structured, gag-packed show has moved him into a new league and livewire stand-up Russell Kane's brilliantly energetic celebration of family, relationships and life's imperfections.

The Newcomer nomination list reflects the extremely talented crop of new performers. We are delighted to see two highly impressive women amongst the three nominees: Pippa Evans, a wonderful character comic who also writes and performs songs and Sarah Millican a classic stand-up with an outstanding command of the audience. The third nominee Mike Wozniak's stand-up show is a striking hour demonstrating writing and performing skills that make him, along with the others, a name to watch.

The 2008 if.comedy awards was judged by a distinguished panel of journalists, radio and television producers plus members of the public who won competitions in Time Out and The Times.

Chair of the 2008 judging panel is Bruce Dessau - Comedy Critic of the London Evening Standard.

The panel for 2008 is:

Tim Arthur - Comedy Editor, Time Out Magazine

Julian Hall - Comedy Critic for The Independent and Author of The Rough Guide to British Cult Comedy

Victoria Payne - Deputy Editor of Comedy Entertainment, TalkbackThames

Karen Rosie - Producer, BBC TV Comedy

Paul Schlesinger - Head of Radio Comedy, BBC

Jonathan Trew - Freelance Journalist

Rosanna Bond - Times Winner, Alison Leitch - Times Winner

Jude Stone - Time Out Winner

Over a two-week period the panel, between them, have seen over 350 different comedy shows. The shows will now be seen for a second time with the award being announced on Saturday 23rd August at Midnight at the Jam House in Queen Street.

A chance to see the winner and the nominees of the UK's premier comedy award on one bill! This outstanding comedy show brings you tomorrow's big stars today.

August 24th
The Pleasance Courtyard, 0131 556 6550
23.15pm (1hr 30mins)
£14.00 (£13.00)

August 25th
Assembly @George Street, 0131 623 3030
20.45 (1HR 30Mins)
£14.00 (£13.00)