Oscar jokes hot at awards event

SOME of the country’s best comedians gathered at the third annual Comic’s Choice Awards last night — and they had everyone in the audience in stitches with non-stop jokes.

The event, which took place at the Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways, started with a reading from “the book of LOL” which ended with a “Let’s LOL Yay men”.

Comics taking part included veteran David Kau, Trevor Gumbi, John Vlismas, Donovan and Jason Goliath.

The first stand-up comic, Skhumba, set the stage for many of the jokes that were to follow by poking fun at “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius, who is now on trial for murder following the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

The first of the six awards dished out, the Savanna Audience Choice, was presented by radio personality Anele Mdoda. It went to Durban comic Sifiso Nene, who also had the crowd in stitches with a Pistorius joke.

“Black woman, you can’t be an intruder if the toilet is outside,” said Nene.

The second award was the Newcomer award, which was scooped by Schalk Bezuidenhout.

The Lifetime Achievement award went to legendary comic Barry Hilton. It was presented to him by comedian Kagiso Lediga.

“For 30 years I’ve been doing this job and I love it like I did from day one, although I still get paid like the first day,” said Hilton.

The big award, The Comic’s Choice Comic of the Year, went to Trevor Noah, who, according to the announcer, “couldn’t be here because he has a throat surgery”.

Noah beat Tumi Morake, Riaad Moosa and Loyiso Gola.