Cream of Comedy

Cream of Comedy is an annual award show broadcast by The Comedy Network that promotes emerging comedic talent in the early stage of their careers, in which five of Canadian finalists for the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award (TSEF) perform live, and the winner is announced.

The show started in 1996 when The Second City's Toronto location generously donated its venue for the event. The fundraiser has raised significant annual contributions to The TSEF since it began. Cream of Comedy is taped before a live audience by The Comedy Network for broadcast TBA.

The show was established in the memory of Toronto comedic performer Tim Sims.

The first show in 1996, The Award announcement by TSEF, founder Lindsay Leese, and the Award Winner also received the opportunity to write and star in a comedy short produced and aired by The Comedy Network. The show was hosted by Patrick McKenna. The standup comedy included Ron James, Jay Sankey, Harry Doupe.

1997: The show was hosted Bruce Hunter, The Sketch Comedy; The Second City, from the show "Last Tango on Lombard" featuring Marc Hickox, Jennifer Irwin, Melody Johnson, Bob Martin, Jack Mosshammer, Jerry Minor, and Angela Shelton. The Second City National Touring Company, Mary Pat Farell, Doug Morency, Lee Smart, Gina Sorell, Chris Ward, Jennifer Whalen, and Jim Clayton perform from their show "send in the Clobes".

1998: The show was hosted by Eric Tunney and the nominees; Dawn Whitwell, Tracy Dawson, Gord Disley, Gavin Stephens, Gavin Crawford.

1999: The show was hosted by Sean M. Culen, with his "musicky guy" Dylan Goodhue. The nominees included; Fraser Young, Dave Tomlinson, Craig Lauzon, Jessica Holmes, Nugmutter.

2000: The show was hosted by Brent Butt and the nominees that year included; Aurora Browne, Sam Easton, Laurie Ellott, The Goatee Boys and Darryl Purvis.

2001: The show was hosted Collin Mochrie, and the nominees that year included; Ryan Belleville, Andy Boorman, Debra DiGiovanni, Levi McDougall and Lex Vaughn.

2002: In the year 2002 the show was hosted by, Patrick McKenna, and the Nominees; Rachel Cantelon, Linda Ellis, Brad Hart, Kelvin Herod and Tim Polley.

2003: The cream of Comedy show was hosted by Dan Redican, and the Nominees were, Marty Adams, The Gurg, Calcu-Lator and The Oral Presentation, Mae Martin, Ron Sparks.

2004: In the Year 2004 the show was hosted by Elvira Kurt and the Nominees were; Darrin Rows, Iron Cobra, Katie Crown, Knock Knock who's There? Comedy!, Mike Balazo.

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