Comedy Central has announced the nominees for their 2012 Comedy Awards, and we have to admit, we find their choices just a little bit baffling. Oh, don’t worry — you’ve got your Bridesmaids and your Midnight in Paris. The Artist is all over the place. But the snubs are pretty shocking: Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody’s Young Adult, which critics loved, didn’t score a single nomination. Even poor Charlize Theron’s acclaimed performance in the movie was overlooked in favor of Cameron Diaz, who got a nod for freaking Bad Teacher. Meanwhile, Horrible Bosses got so many nominations (including Best Comedy) you’d think it was a lost Charlie Chaplin film.
The TV list is similarly confusing. Look, we love 30 Rock, too, but let’s acknowledge that its reign is ending. And while it’s nice to see Parks and Recreation finally getting the recognition it deserves, there’s another Thursday-night NBC comedy that’s surpassed Tina Fey’s show in consistent comedic brilliance: Community, which didn’t get a single nomination. Seriously? In a year when Saturday Night Live is among the nominees in the writing category, no one thought Dan Harmon and co. were ripe for a shout out? Also conspicuously absent: Conan was passed over in the late-night bracket in favor of both Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman. Could O’Brien’s industry-darling status be wearing off?
If you’re as underwhelmed by these nominations as we are, you can blame the panel of insiders who make up the Comedy Awards Board of Directors — which includes, among others, Carol Burnett, Stephen Colbert, O’Brien, Joan Rivers, Chris Rock, Ray Romano, Jon Stewart, and Lily Tomlin. Meanwhile, if you’re still interested in watching the awards, the ceremony will be held April 28th and is scheduled to air on Comedy Central May 6th. The entire list of nominees is after the jump.
COMEDY FILM The Artist Bridesmaids Crazy, Stupid, Love. Horrible Bosses Midnight in Paris
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR—FILM Jason Bateman, Horrible Bosses Steve Carell, Crazy, Stupid, Love. Jean Dujardin, The Artist Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover Part II Owen Wilson, Midnight in Paris
COMEDY DIRECTOR—FILM Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris James Bobin, The Muppets Paul Feig, Bridesmaids Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Crazy, Stupid, Love. Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
COMEDY SERIES 30 Rock Curb Your Enthusiasm Happy Endings Modern Family Parks and Recreation
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR—TV Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock Ty Burrell, Modern Family Louis C.K., Louie Steve Carell, The Office Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
COMEDY DIRECTING—TV 30 Rock Curb Your Enthusiasm Louie Modern Family The Office
ANIMATED COMEDY FILM Cars 2 Kung Fu Panda 2 Puss In Boots Rango Rio
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS—FILM Jennifer Aniston, Horrible Bosses Cameron Diaz, Bad Teacher Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids Emma Stone, Crazy, Stupid, Love. Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
COMEDY SCREENPLAY 50/50 Bridesmaids Crazy, Stupid, Love. Horrible Bosses Midnight in Paris
ANIMATED COMEDY SERIES Archer Family Guy The Life & Times of Tim The Simpsons South Park
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS—TV Zooey Deschanel, New Girl Tina Fey, 30 Rock Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
COMEDY WRITING—TV 30 Rock Curb Your Enthusiasm Louie Modern Family Parks and Recreation Saturday Night Live
LATE NIGHT COMEDY SERIES The Colbert Report The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Late Show with David Letterman Real Time with Bill Maher
BREAKOUT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR Zooey Deschanel Josh Gad Donald Glover Melissa McCarthy Jason Sudeikis
CLUB COMIC Ted Alexandro Hannibal Buress Pete Holmes Anthony Jeselnik Moshe Kasher John Mulaney Kumail Nanjiani Chelsea Peretti Amy Schumer Rory Scovel
SKETCH / ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SERIES Childrens Hospital Louie Portlandia Saturday Night Live Tosh.0
COMEDY SPECIAL OF THE YEAR Louis C.K.: Live at the Beacon Theater Norm Macdonald: Me Doing Standup Patton Oswalt Finest Hour Colin Quinn Long Story Short Daniel Tosh: Happy Thoughts
STAND-UP TOUR Dave Attell Lewis Black Louis C.K. Kevin Hart Jerry Seinfeld
[via Deadline]