Pandas Win ECNY Award For Best Improv Group!

This year, the ECNY Awards returned in grand form after nearly two years off. The awards show highlights the best of the NYC comedy scene. As you can well imagine, there’s some tough competition in a ceremony that showcases improv, sketch, stand up, film, musicals and even websites. Winners are chosen by votes submitted online by fans and associates.

One of my all time favorite groups, I Eat Pandas, took home the award in the category of Best Improv Group. While this is an incredible accomplishment by any means, if you’ve ever witnessed these two ladies improvise a musical on the spot, it’s definitely not a stretch of the imagination that they should win.

(Photo credit: Chad Nicholson)

Rarely have I seen two performers more consistently bankable than Eliza Skinner and Glennis McMurray. We were fortunate enough to have I Eat Pandas down to Philly not too long ago, and their shows were an absolute joy to watch. And they were just as much fun post-show hanging out and chatting about anything and everything. Congratulation ladies!

(Photo credit: Keith Huang)

A Complete List of Winners

Best Director: Kurt Braunohler

Best Host: Eugene Mirman and Michael Showalter (Tearing the Veil of Maya @ Union Hall)

Best Improv Group: I Eat Pandas

Best One Person Show: Nick Kroll (Fabrice Fabrice)

Best Short Comedic Film: Elephant Larry’s Minesweeper

Best Technician: Pat Baer

Best Variety Show: The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show

Outstanding Achievement In Flyer Design: Matthew C. Johnson & Keith Huang (The Apple Sisters)

Best Website: News or Commentary: The Apiary

Best Website: Original Comedic Content: The Onion News Network

Lifetime Achievement Award: Eddie Brill

Emerging Comic Award: Joe Mande

Best Sketch Group: Harvard Sailing Team

Best Musical Comedy Act: The Apple Sisters

Best Female Stand Up: Kristen Schaal

Best Male Stand Up: John Mulaney