Who made you laugh in 2016?
Given the annus horribilis the world has gone through in the last 12 months, we’ve needed laughter more than ever in 2016.
There’s never a shortage of people able to draw a laugh in these parts and all five nominees delivered plenty of them over the last year.
Cast your vote for your favourite funnyman at the bottom of the page.
David O’Doherty
A real favourite with audiences in Ireland and abroad, O’Doherty enjoyed another excellent year in 2016, with highlights including touring with Flight of the Conchords in the US, the release of his new book, Danger really is everywhere, and this performance of a song about Grand Designs in Australia.
Clip via The MelbComedyFest
Al Porter
A nomination for best comedy show at the Edinburgh festival for his show, At Large, shows just how far the Tallaght native has progressed in the entertainment world and he’s only just getting started.
He sold out a nationwide tour, he’ll be performing in a panto in Dublin all over Christmas and he’s done loads of work to promote the importance of looking after our mental health, donating the proceeds of a gig to Pieta House and speaking out about his depression on The Cutting Edge on RTÉ.
The Viper
Winner of last year’s award, the former Hardy Bucks star has gone global in 2016, with his excellent World News sketch series getting snapped up by major Russian broadcaster RT (Russia Today).
He also went over to the US for a unique take on all the kerfuffle surrounding the US election and continues to do great video game voiceovers like this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb9093DC3PQ
Clip via Francis Higgins
The Rubberbandits
Ireland’s favourite, and possibly only, Gascuntist Artists, have had another year to remember, with their RTÉ show, The Rubberbandits Guides, generating acclaim from audiences.
A documentary on the Easter Rising, meanwhile, originally broadcast on New Year’s Eve 2015, enjoyed a surge in views after Blindboy Boatclub appeared on the Late Show earlier in the year.
As well as staying on top of the game as far as entertainment is concerned, Blindboy has developed into one of the most influential voices on a number of important issues in Irish society and is a worthy nominee for the JOE Man of the Year award.
Foil, Arms and Hog
There can’t be many comedians as prolific as comedy trio Foil, Arms and Hog have been in 2016.
As well as performing to sold-out crowds throughout the country, they’ve delivered brilliant sketches on almost a weekly basis, including this beaut about Irish J1 students chatting up American girls.
Clip via Foil Arms and Hog
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
