A new set of awards is to honour the best in American comedy.

Comedy Central hopes that its Commies accolades will replace the American Comedy Awards, which were axed two years ago.

Gongs will be handed out in traditional categories such as funniest actor or funniest stand-up alongside tongue-in-cheek categories such as the most unintentionally funny moment in a drama

The show will be recorded in California on November 22 and aired on Comedy Central on December 7.

Lauren Corrao from Comedy Central told America's Television Week: "Comedy is extremely difficult to do well, and a lot of great comic performances are often overlooked by the other awards."

Winners in most categories will be chosen by viewers voting on the Comedy Central website.