Kurt & Kristen nominated for Edinburgh’s top prize

Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler made the shortlist yesterday for the if.comedy prize (still better known as the Perriers) from the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The other nominees are Irishman David O’Doherty, Welshman Rhod Gilbert and Englishman Russell Kane, with the winner announced Saturday at midnight.

But what about the critical reviews for the duo? The Guardian says: "The pair’s relationship makes for wonderfully impish comedy, and after
only three quarters of an hour, it’s hard to accept the end of the
affair." The Scotsman called them "the classic odd couple." The List highlighted their "delightful silliness and delicious, cream-filled comedy gestures." Chortle, interestingly, has not reviewed them yet. Nor did ThreeWeeks, at least not as of last night (updated: they say the Double Down Hearts scenes presented "the weakest moments in an otherwise entertaining hour"). Nor had Fest Mag. Hmmm. Metro wasn’t as hot on them.

Odds? From the Guardian today: The bookmakers have made Gilbert 5/4 favourite, with O’Doherty at 2/1,
Kane at 7/2 and Schaal and Braunohler at 6/1. A spokesman provocatively
said: "We’ve written off the Americans. They couldn’t hold a candle to
the Welshman." The winner of the £8,000 top prize will be announced on
Saturday.