The Writers Guild of America Award for Best Television Writing in a Comedy/Variety Specials is an award presented by the Writers Guild of America to the best written television comedy or variety specials. During the 70s, different categories were presented to recognize writing in comedy or variety specials until 1987, when the category Variety – Musical, Award, Tribute, Special Event started to be awarded, later being renamed to its current name, Comedy/Variety Special.
Winners and nominees The winners are indicated in gold and in bold. 1970s Best Written Variety Script Year Program Writer(s) Network 1973(26th) Lily Bob Illes, Rosalyn Drexler, Lorne Michaels, Richard Pryor, Jim Rusk, Herbert Sargent, James R. Stein, Lily Tomlin, Jane Wagner, George Yanok, Ann Elder, Karyl Miller and Rod Warren CBS
Best Variety Series or Special – Musical or Comedy Year Program Writer(s) Network 1977(30th) The Carol Burnett Show Ed Simmons, Roger Beatty, Rick Hawkins, Liz Sage, Bob Illes, James R. Stein, Franelle Silver, Larry Siegel, Tim Conway, Bill Richmond, Gene Perret, Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon CBS 1978(31st) The Carol Burnett Show"Steve Martin and Betty White" Roger Beatty, Rick Hawkins, Liz Sage, Bob Illes, James R. Stein, Franelle Silver, Larry Siegel, Tim Conway, Bill Richmond, Gene Perret, Dick Clair, Jenna McMahon and Ed Simmons CBS
1980s Best Variety, Musical or Comedy Year Program Writer(s) Network 1980(33rd) All Commercials, A Steve Martin Special Steve Martin, Neal Israel, Jeffrey Barron, Earl Brown, Carmen Finestra, Denny Johnston, Sean Kelly, Pat McCormick, Michael McManus, Pat Proft and Mason Williams NBC 1982(35th) I Love Liberty Rita Mae Brown, Arthur Allan Seidelman, Rick Mitz, Richard Alfieri and Norman Lear ABC
Variety – Musical, Award, Tribute, Special Event Year Program Writer(s) Network 1987(40th) Will Rogers: Look Back in Laughter Bennett Tramer HBO 19th Annual NAACP Image Awards Daryl G. Nickens, Rita Cash, Royce Osborn Jr. NBC 1988(41st) A Muppet Family Christmas Jerry Juhl ABC Family Comedy Hour Jack Elinson, Jay Leno, Marvin Silbermintz, Jay Teitzell, Ted Herrmann, Wayne Kline NBC 1989(42nd) The Earth Day Special Steve Tamerius ABC
Variety – Musical Year Program Writer(s) Network 1989(42nd) Not Necessarily the News Nancy Harris, Larry Arnstein, Steve Barker, Joe Guppy, Matt Neuman, Duncan Scott McGibbon, Jon Ross, Lane Sarasohn, Steve Young, Merrill Markoe, Tom Kramer, Peter Ocko HBO
1990s Variety – Musical, Award, Tribute, Special Event Year Program Writer(s) Network 1992(45th) Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful Julie Brown and Charlie Coffey Showtime 1993(46th) This Just In"Show 2" || Matt Neuman, Larry Arnstein, Jon Ross, Lane Sarasohn, and John Derevlany || ABC|- | Bob Hope: The First 90 Years || Buz Kohan, Linda Perret, Martha Bolton, and Gene Perret || NBC |- | rowspan=2 style="text-align:center" | 1994(47th) |- style="background:#FAEB86" | Tracey Ullman Takes on New York Tony Sheehan, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, Stephen Nathan, and Marc Flanagan HBO 1995(48th) Dennis Miller Live"Episode 8" || Eddie Feldmann, Jeff Cesario, Ed Driscoll, David Feldman, Gregory Greenberg, Dennis Miller, and Kevin Rooney || HBO|- | AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steven Spielberg || Robert Shrum, and George Stevens Jr. || NBC |- | rowspan=4 style="text-align:center" | 1996(49th) |- style="background:#FAEB86" | Dennis Miller: Citizen Arcane Dennis Miller HBO Sinatra: 80 Years My Way Buz Kohan, George Schlatter ABC The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts Robert Shrum, George Stevens Jr., Sara Lukinson, John Frook CBS
Comedy/Variety – Music, Awards, Tributes – Specials – Any Length Year Program Writer(s) Network 1998(51st) Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute Tim Doyle ABC AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Robert Wise Robert Shrum, Chris Henchy and George Stevens Jr. NBC 1999(52nd) The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts Robert Shrum, George Stevens Jr. and Sara Lukinson CBS
2000s Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) – Specials Year Program Writer(s) Network 2000(53rd) Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special Tina Fey, Anne Beatts, Tom Davis, Steve Higgins, Lorne Michaels, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Paula Pell, Paul Shaffer, T. Sean Shannon, Michael Shoemaker, Robert Smigel NBC Evening at Pops Special featuring the Cast of Sesame Street Christine Ferraro PBS 2001(54th) The Kennedy Center Honors Don Baer, George Stevens Jr., Sara Lukinson and Harry Miles Muheim CBS Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash 2000 James Downey and Al Franken NBC 2002(55th) The Kennedy Center Honors Don Baer, George Stevens Jr. and Sara Lukinson CBS NBC 75th Anniversary Special Doug Abeles, James Anderson, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Charlie Grandy, Steve Higgins, Lorne Michaels, Paula Pell, Herbert Sargent, Michael Schur, Michael Shoemaker NBC 2003(56th) The 75th Annual Academy Awards Hal Kanter, Rita Cash, Buz Kohan, Steve Martin, Beth Armogida, Dave Barry, Dave Boone, Andy Breckman, Jon Macks, Rita Rudner, Bruce Vilanch ABC The Kennedy Center Honors George Stevens Jr., Sara Lukinson and David Leaf CBS 2004(57th) The Kennedy Center Honors George Stevens Jr., Sara Lukinson and David Leaf CBS The 58th Annual Tony Awards Dave Boone, Bruce Vilanch CBS 2005(58th) The Kennedy Center Honors George Stevens Jr., Sara Lukinson CBS The 59th Annual Tony Awards Dave Boone, Jon Macks CBS 2006(59th) The National Memorial Day Concert Joan Meyerson PBS Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl Robert Wuhl, Allan Stephan, Rebecca Reynolds HBO The 60th Annual Tony Awards Dave Boone CBS 2007(60th)Not awarded 2008(61st) 23rd Independent Spirit Awards Billy Kimball, Aaron Lee, Jennifer Celotta, and Rainn Wilson IFC, AMC Jimmy Kimmel's Big Night of Stars Jimmy Kimmel, Gary Greenberg, Molly McNearney, Bryan Paulk, Ned Rice, Jon Bines, Will Burke, Rick Rosner, Jake Lentz, Sal Iacono, and Tony Barbieri ABC 2009(62nd) 24th Independent Spirit Awards Billy Kimball and Neal MacLennan IFC, AMC We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial George Stevens Jr., Michael Stevens, and Sara Lukinson HBO
2010s Year Program Writer(s) Network 2010(63rd) National Memorial Day Concert 2010 Joan Meyerson PBS Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Will Burke, Gary Greenberg, Sal Iacono, Jimmy Kimmel, Jonathan Kimmel, Jacob Lentz, Molly McNearney, Bryan Paulk, Rick Rosner ABC The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice! Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock Fox 2011(64th) Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards Gary Greenberg, Molly McNearney, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, John N. Huss, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Jonathan Kimmel, Jacob Lentz, Danny Ricker, Richard G. Rosner ABC TheKennedy Center Honors Lewis Friedman, Sara Lukinson, Michael Stevens, George Stevens Jr. CBS 2012(65th) 66th Tony Awards Dave Boone, Paul Greenberg, David Javerbaum, Adam Schlesinger CBS 27th Independent Spirit Awards Billy Kimball, Wayne Federman IFC Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards Gary Greenberg, Molly McNearney, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Jeffrey Loveness, Bryan Paulk, Danny Ricker, Richard G. Rosner ABC National Memorial Day Concert Joan Meyerson PBS 2013(66th) Blake Shelton's Not So Family Christmas Jay Martel, Ian Roberts, Alex Rubens, Charlie Sanders NBC 2014(67th) 71st Golden Globe Awards Barry Adelman, Alex Baze, Dave Boone, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Jon Macks, Sam Means, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Mike Shoemaker NBC 68th Tony Awards Dave Boone, Jon Macks CBS 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards Gerry Duggan, Wayne Federman, Patton Oswalt, Erik Weiner IFC Bill Maher: Live from D.C. Bill Maher HBO Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles Sarah Silverman 2015(68th) Jimmy Kimmel Live!: 10th Annual After The Oscars Special Jack Allison, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Greg Dorris, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Bess Kalb, Jeff Loveness, Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker, Joe Strazzullo, Bridger Winegar ABC Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo Amy Schumer HBO 69th Tony Awards Dave Boone, Adam Goldman and Carol Leifer CBS 2014 Kennedy Center Honors Lewis Friedman, Sara Lukinson, Nell Scovell, George Stevens Jr., Michael Stevens 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards Benji Aflalo, Wayne Federman, Marika Sawyer, Frank Sebastiano, Erik Weiner IFC Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special James Anderson, Fred Armisen, Tina Fey, Steve Higgins, Chris Kelly, Erik Kenward, Rob Klein, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, John Mulaney, Paula Pell, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Tom Schiller, Sarah Schneider, Marc Shaiman, Michael Shoemaker, Robert Smigel, Emily Spivey, Kent Sublette, Jorma Taccone, Bryan Tucker NBC 2016(69th) Triumph's Election Special Andy Breckman, Josh Comers, Rajan Desai, David Feldman, R. J. Fried, Jarrett Grode, Ben Joseph, Matthew Kirsch, Michael Koman, Mike Lawrence, Brian Reich, Craig Rowin, Robert Smigel, Zach Smilovitz, David Taylor, Andrew Weinberg, Ray James, Jesse Joyce, Jason Reich, Alex Scordelis Hulu 68th Primetime Emmy Awards Jack Allison, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Robert Cohen, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Bess Kalb, Jeff Loveness, Jon Macks, Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker, Jeff Stilson, Joe Strazzullo, Alexis Wilkinson ABC 88th Academy Awards Dave Boone, Billy Kimball, Scott Aukerman, Rodney Barnes, Neil Campbell, Matthew Claybrooks, Lance Crouther, Mike Ferrucci, Langston Kerman, Jon Macks, Steve O'Donnell, Nimesh Patel, Vanessa Ramos, Chris Rock, Frank Sebastiano, Chuck Sklar, Jeff Stilson, Michelle Wolf 73rd Golden Globe Awards Barry Adelman, Dave Boone, Ricky Gervais, Jon Macks, Matthew Robinson NBC 2017(70th) 39th Kennedy Center Honors Dave Boone CBS 89th Academy Awards Billy Kimball, Jon Macks, Jack Allison, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Gonzalo Cordova, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Bess Kalb, Jimmy Kimmel, Jeff Loveness, Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker, Joe Strazzullo ABC AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Diane Keaton Bob Gazzale, Jon Macks TNT Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special Scott Aukerman, Dave Ferguson, Mike Hanford, Tim Kalpakis, Joe Saunders, Akiva Schaffer, Zach Kanin, Claudia O'Doherty, Tim Robinson Netflix Nathan For You: A Celebration Leo Allen, Nathan Fielder, Carrie Kemper, Michael Koman, Adam Locke-Norton, Eric Notarnicola Comedy Central 2018(71st) The Fake News with Ted Nelms John Aboud, Andrew Blitz, Michael Colton, Ed Helms, Elliott Kalan, Joseph Randazzo, Sara Schaefer Comedy Central 2018 Rose Parade Hosted by Cord & Tish Will Ferrell, Jake Fogelnest, Andrew Steele Prime Video Drew Michael Stand-Up Special Drew Michael HBO The Oscars 2018 Dave Boone, Carol Leifer, Jon Macks, Megan Amram, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Gonzalo Cordova, Adam Carolla, Devin Field, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jesse Joyce, Bess Kalb, Jimmy Kimmel, Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker, Joe Strazzullo ABC 2019(72nd) Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Presents: Not the White House Correspondents' Dinner Part 2 Melinda Taub, Joe Grossman, Nicole Silverberg, Samantha Bee, Kristen Bartlett, Pat Cassels, Sean Crespo, Mike Drucker, Mathan Erhardt, Miles Kahn, Sahar Rizvi, Allison Silverman TBS Desi Lydic: Abroad Devin Delliquanti and Lauren Sarver Comedy Central The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special 2019 Lauren Greenberg, Ian Karmel, Demi Adejuyigbe, James Corden, Rob Crabbe, Lawrence Dai, Nate Fernald, Caroline Goldfarb, John Kennedy, James Longman, Jared Moskowitz, CeCe Pleasants, Tim Siedell, Benjamin Stout, Tom Thriveni, Louis Waymouth, and Ben Winston CBS Ramy Youssef: Feelings Ramy Youssef HBO
2020s