Best Stand Up Comics of All Fucking Time Poll

[QueenOfCalifornia]

That's right... enough of this political shit... I want to know who you DUers think is funny. I have some opinions... well, I have lots of opinions but I wanna know... who the hell you think is bloody funny - and don't be a pisser and not post a note about who I left out - Not enough space to include them all - so post em if ya got em!

Post your favorite and an example of their work....

I like every one of the people listed below for different reasons... :)

[Skittles]

1. I liked Mitch Hedberg

yes INDEED

[QueenOfCalifornia]

3. I like him too

but not better than Richard Pryor or George Carlin.

I had a difficult time making this poll because some really good people are left out.

I tried to use people from different types of stand up... I must say, I did not include anyone who is a prop comic because I do not find them at all funny - just disturbing.

[KittyWampus]

64. Have you caught Dmitri Martin on Comedy Channel? He's smart and funny, IMO

[JackRiddler]

90. Yes, very. But I think the format of the show is very lame.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

130. I haven't

seen him.

I will check it out though. :)

[LooseWilly]

8. Word...

I was shocked when I finally went to the effort to look up his name, and found that he'd died already.

I went with Richard Pryor... though it was a tough call.. and if Mitch Hedberg had been on the list it would've been tougher still.

If it was living comedians... I might have to go with Maria Bamford. I'm not sure why.. but I find her hysterical.

[etherealtruth]

15. ah, Mitch Hedberg

[JTFrog]

23. What a tragic loss. He was absolutely brilliant.

My sons were in awe of him.

Thanks for the pic - without his glasses :)

[Skittles]

154. he was so painfully shy

that's why he wore glasses and often had his head down and hair in his face

[Rebubula]

27. I once...

...had an antfarm and those little bastards didn't grow shit!

RIP Mitch.


However, for insane comedy gold - the top dog is Robin Williams (pre-1987).

[Skittles]

155. dogs are always in the pushup postion

yes I am aware that joke is lame :D

[BlooInBloo]

170. It's bizarre how funny he was.

[sakabatou]

2. Out of your list, George Carlin

But there are others I like. Such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5qVj0-jKH0">Pablo Francisco

[QueenOfCalifornia]

5. Who is it that YOU personally find

most funny or likable? Who would you like to meet? It is such a personal thing, who we think is funny.

[sakabatou]

6. There are waay to many I like

I can't chose. I guess Pablo Francisco.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

87. Pablo Francisco? Seriously?

Well, I guess everybody's got their own right to think what they will....

[sakabatou]

119. You have a problem with Pablo?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

125. Well....

....honestly I find him to be probably the unfunniest "comic" I've ever heard. He sometimes comes on the radio show I listen to in the morning and I just cringe whenever he's on.

Yeah, he does a decent Don LaFontaine impression but that's about it. The guy doesn't understand the concept of an actual punchline, and just substitutes the same four voices and jibberish for his "jokes."

But that's just me. Maybe I'm missing something.

[hamerfan]

4. Sam Kinison

R.I.P.
hamerfan

[QueenOfCalifornia]

7. Ahhhh...

I knew him.

(I have an odd background) He was very kind and very fucking funny.

I have a great Sam Kinison story. Best told in person while drinking vodka.

[immoderate]

70. I'll vote for Sam.

"I just want to help."

--imm

[Milo_Bloom]

124. Absolutely, Sam!

I saw the title of the post and immediately thought of Sam.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

131. For some reason

when I made the poll I forgot to include him - If I had more spaces, I would have put Kinison, Steve Martin and Robin Williams in the mix - Just not enough room:(

[QueenOfCalifornia]

9. I am replying to my own thread

because I want to vote for a few of the above people...

Here's a thought:

I really like Bob Newhart. Not better than others but he is a likable person and very funny and understated. His friend - (Newhart says is his best friend) Don Rickles, informed me that Bob is not funny at all... for some reason, I found that funny. -

(I worked with comics and so I wanted to know, who you guys/gals, find to be humorous and why.)

[av8rdave]

142. It's hard for me to respond to this poll

I think Carlin was the greatest.

Same for Newhart.

Same for Kinneson.

To me, comparing these guys is an apples and oranges thing. They were each the greatest in their genre, but they were each funny for different reasons.

[RJ Connors]

10. George Carlin. No question about it. n/t

[Old and In the Way]

11. Well, that's an interesting list, but

a case could be made for-

Belushi/Ackroyd/Chase/Steve Martin/Murray/Radner/ (SNL)

Further back-

Harvey Korman, Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Jonathen Winters

Yet further back-

Don Rickles, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball (well, my dad thought these folks were funny)

[QueenOfCalifornia]

13. All are great but

I don't think Jackie Gleason, Lucy or Conway ever did a stand up act. I don't think Harvey Korman did either. They are what is known as "sketch comedians." I may be wrong but that is my recollection.

I love all of them except Jerry Lewis. I never got it. He was and is annoying.

[defendandprotect]

114. Anyone in "Blazing Saddles" and, of course, Mel Brooks -- !!!

[Fumesucker]

12. I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned Robin Williams yet..

I'm not sure I have a favorite, but Robin is certainly on my short list..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIWB-Neyj-c

The first purpose of alcohol: To make English your second goddamn language..

[QueenOfCalifornia]

14. He is one

of my favorites.

Thank you for mentioning him.

Like I said, not enough spaces for this list. :)

[DemoTex]

58. Robin Williams has made me laugh harder than most of the others ..

George Carlin has made me laugh longer.

[dana_b]

178. me too!!

he and Mitch Hedberg have always made me.. :rofl:

[Aqaba]

16. Bill Hicks and Dave Chappelle should be up there IMO

[Tyler Generation]

104. Agreed. WHERE THE FUCK IS HICKS???

That guy was THE pioneer of modern humor.

[FudaFuda]

105. Yeah, I'd be voting for Bill Hicks too. n/t

[Nickster]

121. Where's the Bill Hicks!!!! I demand a re-vote!

[girl gone mad]

144. My "other" vote is for Bill Hicks. n/t

[Wetzelbill]

17. I like Patton Oswalt and Brian Regan nt

[HeeBGBz]

18. Eddie Izzard

He's my current favorite at the moment.

[JuniperLea]

171. "The Executive Transvestite"

He is good:)

[NWHarkness]

19. Pryor

Great choices, but I voted for Pryor for one simple reason. He made us laugh hysterically at things that were not the least bit funny. So he gets extra points for degree of difficulty.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

20. Voted Carlin. But I really like Margaret Cho these days too.

[peekaloo]

34. Her appearance on the Carlin tribute/Mark Twain Award show

"gone fisting".....:rofl:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

61. I love her.

Cho is a riot.

Her deadpan expressions and wisecracking is a good combination. :)

[Seldona]

21. George Carlin all the way.

His insight was profound imo. It was so much more than just comedy, but make no mistake, that mfer was funny.

[rucky]

22. Gotta be Pryor

[chimpymustgo]

101. Gotta be Pryor. Will add Dave Chapelle, Eddie Izzard and Wanda Sykes!

[defendandprotect]

184. Agree . . . should have asked for our TOP 10 comics . . . !!!

[POAS]

24. Funny that no one has mentioned

any of the current (or former) crop of late night talk show hosts who, I think, all started out as stand up comics.

[Rebubula]

25. LOL...

...that's because none of them are very funny.

[POAS]

29. That's what I was thinking and yet

the "powers-that-be" who put all of them into their cushy jobs thought they were hilarious.

[defendandprotect]

185. JON STEWART . . . !!! ..... YES!!

[readmoreoften]

26. It's between George Carlin and Bill Hicks

I dunno.

[RebelOne]

28. Rita Rudner. She is hilarious. n/t

[Rockholm]

32. I will second Rita.

I have seen Robin Williams & George Carlin on HBO and Jon Stewart & Margaret Cho in person. All four, while terribly funny, lose something when on stage for too long. Robin Williams cussed way too much that it stopped being funny. Jon Stewart lost me in the middle of his routine.

Rita Rudner never goes stale, at least to me. Funny and twisted, in a very good way.

[defendandprotect]

186. Third for Rita Rudner . . !!!

[woodwrite]

30. Lewis Black

Lewis Black

[HelenWheels]

57. I vote for Lewis Black, too.

[Initech]

110. Lewis Black kicks ass too.

Didnt Carlin have high praise for Lewis Black at one point?

[MrScorpio]

31. Rodney Dangerfield

Again, you guys aren't showing him any respect

[keroro gunsou]

50. what do you expect

"here lies rodney dangerfield.... there goes the neighborhood."

given the limits of the poll, i'll go with pryor and carlin...

[Norrin Radd]

33. Carlin or Pryor.

My current favorite is Marc Maron. We see him every time he is in town. Absolutely slays me.

[peekaloo]

35. Lily Tomlin

completes the Holy Trinity of HaHa..... Carlin/Pryor/Tomlin

imho

[defendandprotect]

188. Agree re Lily Tomlin -- !!!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

36. Where's Robin Williams? And never forget Lenny Bruce.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

37. I am not sure why Bill Hicks isn't on this list

The best of all time without a doubt. What a beautiful mind he had.

[ProfessorGAC]

38. Several Have Mentioned Him Now

And, you and the others are right. He was terrific. I'm glad that plenty of folks here remember how funny and sharp he was. I've got a DVD of him. I've watched it many times. I still laugh every single time.
GAC

[taterguy]

39. Because he wasn't funny

All that yammering on about the Gulf War, JFK and a few dick jokes

Yawn

[asteroid2003QQ47]

41. taterguy and Hannah

Hannah Stubbs: I see that it's funny. I have a sense of humor.
Barney: Of course you have a sense of humor. Everyone thinks they do, even people who don't.
--My Blue Heaven (1990/I)

You and Hannah seem to have something in common, taterguy.

[taterguy]

60. Personal attacks are not funny

Having people take my shit seriously is hilarious though

[asteroid2003QQ47]

68. You just proved my point? Or maybe not. :-) eom

[spiritual_gunfighter]

43. I would have a hard time relating to you then

If someone failed to see that Bill Hicks was funny. But maybe you like Dane Cook or something.

[ProfessorGAC]

49. Maybe Larry The Cable Guy

Geez, that's one hilarious guy! :sarcasm:
GAC

[Ishoutandscream2]

80. Agreed. And where's Yakov Smirnov?

"What a country." That's some funny shit. Need to remember to get my ass to Branson.:boring:

[asteroid2003QQ47]

40. Other: Minus Bill Hicks your poll is bullshit!

I can speak for every guy in this room here tonight. Guys, if you could blow yourselves, ladies, you'd be in this room alone right now. .......Watching an empty stage.
--Bill Hicks

We gotta come to some new ideas about life folks ok? I'm not being blase about abortion, it might be a real issue, it might not, doesn't matter to me. What matters is that if you believe in the sanctity of life then you believe it for life of all ages. That's what I hate about this child-worship syndrome going on. "Save the children! They're killing children! How many children were at Waco? They're killing children!" What does that mean? They reach a certain age and they're off your fucking love-list? Fuck your children, if that's the way you think then fuck you too. You either love all people of all ages or you shut the fuck up.
--Bill Hicks

[BluePatriot21]

45. Bill Hicks was funny...

but he didnt have the same impact upon stand up comedy in the same way that Carlin or Pryor did. Bill Hicks is my all time favorite for taking what Carlin did and making it darker and more in your face. He smashed you with the truth and swore in your face, it was almost as if the front row was at a Gallagher show as they needed plastic tarps to keep off the spittle that flew from his mouth. Hicks was great.

He called Rush Limbaugh a scat muncher watch here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F7Q7BkAbCk

[Echo In Light]

76. Yes. He didn't have the same impact only because he was SHUT OUT

As you mention, Bill was speaking truth to Power on a level that even Carlin didn't throughout the 70s/80s. As has been pointed out, Bill's censorship on TV, and especially the David Letterman show, was never due to profanity, but his anti-establishment views.

Don't get me wrong...I love Carlin, and after the first Gulf slaughter in the early 90s he really let loose his social critique of authoritarianism/machismo in America, and its militant foreign policies. He and Hicks were the only two renown comics using their medium to sing above the average range. Still and all, it's little surprise many people are unfamiliar with Hicks

[JackRiddler]

89. So you're saying Kathy Griffin had greater impact?

[fortyfeetunder]

165. Remind myself..must not drink boiling hot tea...

when listening to Bill Hicks talking about Rush Limbaugh!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

47. Hicks eviserated Clinton

and Reno on Waco as he should have, so hyper partisan he was not. Like I said he had a beautiful mind and is missed.

[Initech]

109. See my reply.

"The fact that we live in a world where John Lennon was murdered yet Barry Manilow continues to put out albums... god damn it. If you're gonna kill somebody have fuckin' taste. I'll drive you to Michael Bolton's house. Hey everybody I know where Wham lives!"

"Go back to bed America. It has all been explained to you now! There should be no need to question your government's legitimacy. Here, here's American Gladiators. Watch this and get fat and stupid. Here's 50 channels of horseshit, watch that and shut up. You're in the land of freedom now!"

[QueenOfCalifornia]

164. Sorry but

how many spaces are there?

Not enough... that's how many.

I love Hicks.... That was what the "other" choice is all about.

[BluePatriot21]

42. omg you left out...

Gallagher, Carrot Top and George Dubyah Bush - The 3 stooges.

[GoCubsGo]

44. Wanda Sykes

I think she's one of the funniest people on the planet. Way funnier than Kathy Griffin, IMO--and I love Kathy! I'll never forget her bit about the racist dolphin: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfaBO3baJGs

[defendandprotect]

187. Yes to Wanda Sykes --- !!!

[Bunkie0913]

46. I voted Carlin,as all time

my current favorite is Christopher Titus. His performance of "Norman Rockwell is Bleeding" makes me laugh and cry everytime. His expressions and body language are priceless. All those stories he tells of his life and family just have to be true 'cause I don't think anyone could make that shit up!

[mitchum]

48. It's between Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor...with honorable mention for Mort Sahl...

(the guy who really started the modern approach)

[Tartiflette]

51. Billy Connolly

I have seen him tiwece, and on both occasions I laughed so much that I was in pain, and nearly had to leave the theatre. This was before he moved to the US, when he had a coarser, more working class edge.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

108. Billy Connolly is too good.

I saw him on Politically Incorrect and he has a lot of charisma on the TV.

Good stuff.

I saw him on Jay Leno's show talking about his "hoose" on the "loch".

[Morning Dew]

52. Steven Wright - can't beat his delivery. nm

[Bennyboy]

179. I love him

The deadpan thing is so hard to pull off. i just saw one of his shows on comedy and I laughed so hard....

[lpbk2713]

53. Redd Foxx always cracked me up.

... with his stand up routine. His TV show was pretty good too.

[11 Bravo]

72. Redd's take on the words "fuck" and "shit"...

I mean what's the big deal? If you ain't ever fucked, well shiiit. And if you ain't ever shit, then FUCK!

[TahitiNut]

54. I'd sure include Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, Rodney Dangerfield, A. Whitney Brown, Gallagher, ...

... Steven Wright, Tim Allen, Flip Wilson, Buddy Hackett, Phyllis Diller, David Brenner, Mort Sahl, Albert Brooks, Billy Crystal, Joey Bishop, Don Rickles, George Burns, Andy Kaufman, Dick Cavett, Alan King, Jackie Mason, Redd Foxx, Milton Berle, Steve Martin, and Jack Benny in such a list.

[Auggie]

141. I'm glad you mentioned Dangerfield

"I don't get no respect. Last week I met the Surgeon General...

he gave me a cigarette."

[QueenOfCalifornia]

161. Gallagher?

He is so far from funny that he would need to buy a bus ticket to get there.

I hate that guy.

I also loath Buddy Hackett. Tell me, what about that guy is funny? He is just annoying.

I love Albert Brooks.

Jack Benny was a guy I never really thought was all that funny. His whole thing was based around being a cheap bastard... that and his violin. I do not dislike him nor do I feel inclined to ever place him in the same league as Richard Pryor or Carlin.

I personally like Don Rickles but not because I love his act - He is a genuinely nice person. His angry man act gets a bit old.

Steve Martin is terrific and I wish there were more spaces on the POLL list.... He made me laugh so hard that I was in pain the next day...

I really loved Andy Kaufman - he was nuts.

I appreciate Phylis Diller but I would not put her in the same category of funny as Robin Williams or George Carlin.

Redd Foxx was very funny.

Dick Cavett is a personal favorite due to his understated charm.



I was never a big fan of Berle but he is not worthy of any kind of hate... like the hate I have for that idiot Gallagher.

[TahitiNut]

192. Hurry. He'll be appearing at Tommy T's in Pleasanton (CA) on 3/19-3/22. You can still get tickets.

[madamesilverspurs]

55. Waaaay back...

Totie Fields, Moms Mabley, Red Skelton, Jonathan Winters, Flip Wilson

[TahitiNut]

56. Don't forget Henny Youngman (and many others).

:shrug:

[ProgressiveFool]

59. had to go with Carlin, though Pryor came close /nt

[KittyWampus]

62. Mentioning Mort Sahl for historical purposes. He was ahead of quite a few and certainly Carlin.

[bmbmd]

63. No one has mentioned the only comic

to have three entries on the GQ "75 Best Jokes Ever".

[KittyWampus]

65. Oh, and Flip Wilson. RIP

[Initech]

66. Kathy Griffin on the poll but no Bill Hicks? Blasphemy!

[blue_onyx]

71. Kathy is fantastic...she got my vote

:)

[Initech]

75. I'm not the biggest fan of hers but whatever.

Bill Hicks' album "Rant In E-Minor" on the other hand is an absolutetly life changing album.

[KittyWampus]

67. Oh, and Woody Allen is a writer not stand up artist. IIRC, he only did routines for a few years

in the early 60's.

[HamdenRice]

118. But his standup was legendary, which is why this poll is age skewed

I'm almost 50, and I've rarely seen or heard the Woody Allen standup stuff, but allegedly it is some of the greatest standup ever.

This poll is more like a popularity contest than an attempt to actually figure out who was the greatest.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

166. He is considered by many

to be a brilliant stand up comic.

But thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmnLRVWgnXU

[lumberjack_jeff]

69. Lewis Black, Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, Andy Kaufmann, Steven Wright, Sam Kinnison...

Seems "other" is the clear winner.

[JackRiddler]

92. Hell of list there.

[last_texas_dem]

73. Cosby

I grew up on my father's sixties Cosby LP's, and no standup comedy cracks me up more than Cosby in his heyday.

[semillama]

74. Stephen Wright and Emo Phillips need to be on this poll

Plus, Jackie Mason is classic. And Richard Lewis? Mort Sahl?

No ANDY KAUFMAN???

[Echo In Light]

77. A vote for Carlin...but never forget Lenny Bruce and Bill Hicks

[tanngrisnir3]

78. No Steve Martin? Fuck this poll.

[taterguy]

79. Martin does movies, not stand-up

:eyes:

[JackRiddler]

91. How old are you?

He became known to the public as a standup comic, period. He did that for many years, before getting all the movies.

So save your :eyes:

[tanngrisnir3]

95. Dunce

[TahitiNut]

117. That's one of the most ignorant posts ever on DU.

Wow. :wow:

[taterguy]

129. Well excuuuuuuuuuuusssssse me

[cboy4]

176. FAIL.

:eyes:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

162. You must be like, what?

19?

Because Steve Martin was one of the funniest stand up acts I ever caught. I saw him before he was famous, playing a bowling alley in Pomona. I was the only person in the lounge and he was fucking brilliant...

Then I saw him about 10 years later at Bridges Auditorium in Claremont. He was so funny... I just about died.

Roll your youthful and wrong eyes someplace else.

[Wickerman]

81. Bill Hicks n/t

[yella_dawg]

97. Second.

Don't want to choose between Rich and Carlin of the available choices anyway.

[Mz Pip]

82. Robin Williams

He is brilliant at stand up. During his last special I laughed so hard I thought I would choke.

I like Lewis Black a lot too.

[closeupready]

83. Judy Tenuta.

End of thread.

[Arugula Latte]

84. What, no love for Gallager or Carrot Top?

:yoiks:

[DKRC]

85. Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Eddie Izzard, Lewis Black, Frangela

:rofl:

[TK421]

86. Dane Cook

:hide:

[lutefisk]

93. !

:spank:

[Bunny]

88. Carlos Mencia.

:hide:

[no name no slogan]

94. Dane Cook.

And Andrew Dice Clay. :thumbsup:

[chaska]

96. What, are you kiddin' me? Where's Rodney?

[BluePatriot21]

98. Andy Kauffman not mentioned yet, not the best but up there

[Echo In Light]

152. LOL...I love crazy Andy. A true master of antagonism

[guitar man]

99. Gotta go with Carlin

But Robin Williams runs a close,close second in my book. ;)

[Joe Fields]

100. Carlin, hands down. No contest. Not even close...

IMO.

[Pool Hall Ace]

102. Steven Wright, Robert Klein, Lewis Black

Gosh, it's hard to choose a favorite.

[HamdenRice]

103. The poll reflects DU's weird demographics- relatively younger and whiter than average (Pryor)

Professional comedians tend to know a lot more about the history of comedy and have studied their predecessors, so I think of the Comedy Central list, which involved talking to lots of comedians, as being pretty authoritative, but obviously it's a matter of taste.

But it seems to me that many comedians and people with greater time depth and wider cultural exposure would rate Richard Pryor as number one -- not only number one but in a category by himself.

He's Mozart when all the other "best" comedians are Bethovens.

You probably wouldn't know this unless you were at least 16 around 1976. His album, "Bicentennial Ni**er" is not just funny, but truly a great work of art, and terrifying and chilling at the same time. Carlin was great and thoughtful, but nothing he or anyone else did ever quite approached the same plane as Pryor at his most ferocious. I get chills even now thinking about the last routine on that album, even though I haven't heard it in years.

Another example of the age thing is the absence of Don Rickles. He was already getting old when I was a kid. Fortunately he's still around. There's a Sundance of IFC documentary about him that run occasionally and it gives you a tiny glimmer of how bizarrely funny he was. He's funny even when you have no idea what the fuck he's talking about. It's still a mystery to me how he can put people on the floor holding their guts laughing but who when it's over will ask, "what did he say?"

Anyway, here's what the experts at Comedy Central say:

http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1532323

10. Eddie Murphy
9. Roseanne Barr
8. Bill Cosby
7. Rodney Dangerfield
6. Steve Martin
5. Chris Rock
4. Woody Allen
3. Lenny Bruce
2. George Carlin
1. Richard Pryor

[jayfish]

189. Yup, Strange List.

The absence of Eddie Murphy and Bill Cosby miffed me a bit.

"What the fuck does goonie goo-goo mean Gus?"

Jay

[Sancho]

106. Of all time? Jerry Lewis...

Carlin would be my choice of the ones listed.

[Vinca]

107. My all time favorite is Sam Kinison. Sammy was a comedy god.

My next favorite is Ron "Tater Salad" White in a close race with George Carlin. George, by the way, now resides (at least part of him) in a lake about a mile from my house. I find that strangely comforting in these hard times.:rofl:

[maxsolomon]

111. Kathy Griffin? Are you serious?

of ALL TIME?

whoever voted for her: SHAME. monologued narcissism is not stand up comedy.

[tonysam]

112. Jack Benny. No Contest.

The greatest comedians of all time were those who had a long apprenticeship in vaudeville and burlesque. Many of them weren't just comedians but also actors, dancers, and musicians.

I feel sorry for younger people who are largely ignorant of the comedians of the past and think the foul-mouthed ones are somehow geniuses.

I grew up watching and listening to Jack Benny, Burns and Allen, Groucho Marx, and most of the rest. Those who were before my time, like Eddie Cantor and Fred Allen, I also appreciate as giants of their field.

Benny was one of the first, if not THE first of the modern standup comics, and is still unmatched. Nobody else could make hilarity out of silence.

[defendandprotect]

113. Carlin is the best, but didn't vote for him -- in order to vote for Roseanne . ..

They do different kinds of comedy -- long time since Roseanne did a comedy

act that I've seen --- but both have brought change to thinking and challenge.

PS: I don't think you had Flip Wilson in there -- another great comic --

[defendandprotect]

115. I saw a terrific comic last week from "Axis of Evil Tour" . . . fantastic---!!!

Anyone else see it -- ???

ALSO, we used to see lots of female comics -- not any more that I've been able

to see. And, they are knock you down funny!!

[Touchdown]

116. Sam Kinnison.

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

[walldude]

120. Robin Williams, Bill Hicks, Sam Kinnison all deserve more than

"other".

[Echo In Light]

136. True. Re Hicks, I've found that those who think govt conspiracies don't exist don't like him much

Such topics were never at the forefront of his sets ... yet oddly were central to Hicks' entire approach, similar to Carlin's: always question authority, and the perceived, consensus "reality."

That crosses out and into territory that many - dems included - are visibly uncomfortable with. For many, outside the box simply does not exist.

[tangent90]

122. Jonathan Winter

from a couple centuries ago. :shrug: :silly:

[dysfunctional press]

123. gilbert gottfried was the funniest act i ever saw in person- and that was back in 1989.

andy kaufman and emo phillips are probably very close seconds.

BUT- i would have to go with richard pryor as my all-time fave, followed by george carlin- although both times that i saw carlin in person, he was having 'off' nights...and i never had the opportunity to see richard prior live.

[defendandprotect]

190. Yes ....I just have to see him and I crack up -- Sid Caesar has to be mentioned .. . .

[dysfunctional press]

191. aside from 'it's a mad mad mad mad world', i've only seen little bits and pieces of sid caesar...

here and there, and most all of that was in the form of sketch comedy from 'your show of shows'(that pre-dates me by at least a decade) or guest shots on other sit-coms. i can't think of anything where i've actually seen him doing a stand-up routine...although i'll bet he had a great act when he did.

one of my favorite parts of gilbert's act was/are his impressions- the ones he did were always dead on and funny as hell...i saw him a year or two ago at zanie's- he's still VERY funny, but not nearly so as he was 20 years ago.

[defendandprotect]

193. They used to replay the old Sid Caesar shows . . . .

but I don't know if Caesar did a monologue type thing in that or not ....?

Imogene Coca was as good as Caesar and should also be mentioned.

I think he was also helping to write the shows . . . ?

Caesar used to tell hilarious stories which I came upon somewhere.

I really don't know anything of Gilbert's history --- and can't remember

where I ever saw him. But, there is just something about him that breaks

me up on sight! Granted the earlier stuff was funnier -- and I wonder why?

I think we need whoever has film of these comics to get it all together and

run a month's worth of marathons.

A long time ago, I started to record the best scenes from films -- funny and not --

just like one minute stuff. And, then my favorite TV/recorder died -- and I've also

lost the one tape I worked on. But, I still think it's a good idea!!!

[zappaman]

126. Dane Cook

Funniest guy ever!

[QueenOfCalifornia]

163. Dane Cook

is a fucking hack and couldn't carry water for Carlin.

Cook has ripped off every single thing he ever said on a stage.

Bill Hicks will tell you all about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFzjXnOqks8

[upi402]

127. Sam not on list, so George /nt

[Forkboy]

128. No Izzard, no Hicks...pffft.

:P

[QueenOfCalifornia]

168. Oh Forkboy

I'm sorry - I ran out of room. (That's what the "other" category is for:) )

[Forkboy]

177. Sure, get all technical.

;)

[Stinky The Clown]

132. Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams, Lenny Bruce and George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Chris Rock ...

Redd Foxx, Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Lewis, Sam Kinison, Mort Sahl, Dick Gregory, are the Top Dozen ......

and for Comedienne .......

Whoopi Goldberg, Phyllis Diller, Elaine Boozler, Roseanne Barr, Sandra Bernhard, Totie Fields, Lilly Tomlin, Margaret Cho, Joan Rivers, Sarah Silverman, Ellen DeGeneris, Minnie Pearl, Moms Mabley,

[RushIsRot]

133. Stephen Wright!

[Tuvok Obama]

134. Other: Louis C.K.

[AyanEva]

135. I vote for Eddie Izzard

I don't know if he's the best, but currently Eddie Izzard is my favorite. I just LOL so hard and how many people can make history really funny, yet poignant at the same time? Add to that his social commentary that he mixes in and it makes for a very entertaining performance. I'd love to see him live.

[derby378]

137. Bill Hicks

Gotta agree with some of the other folks, dude - how could you leave him off?

[Evoman]

138. For me, three way tie between Pryor, Carlin and Hicks. Pryor was genuis.

[leftofthedial]

139. Bill Hicks.

[JCMach1]

140. What about Carrot Top damnit!

:smoke:

[MadBadger]

143. Lewis Black and George Carlin

[DainBramaged]

145. Robin Williams hands down, the original stream of consciousness comedian.

[Stinky The Clown]

146. Actually .... Jonathan Winters preceeded him in that genre ....

[DainBramaged]

147. But he never made ME laugh, and yes, RW was his protege

and h used to always make guest appearances on Mork and Mindy a Mork's Dad. When they could let him out of the hospital.

[Stinky The Clown]

153. Not suggesting who was funnier .....

.... as that is largely a matter of who the listener is. Some people are funny to some people and some people are not.

I only commented that Robin Williams was not the 'original' (as in first).

In my view, as funny as Winters was 9and I think he was a very funny man), Williams eclipses him many times over. Indeed, Robin Williams may well be the funniest comic to ever have lived.

[DainBramaged]

156. Enjoy this WONDERFUL interview from 2002 (5 parts)

Jonathan Winters - Archive Interview Part 1 of 5



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILLc03tNtFE

[Stinky The Clown]

158. 77 and still sharp as a tack

Sitting there like a kindly grandfather telling the story in as loving a tone as possible, and he's as acerbic as vinegar and as dry as a desert.

"The stupid are often strong.

And they can beat the crap out of you."

[TwilightGardener]

148. Going strictly by who makes me laugh the most: Dane Cook and Lewis Black.

Many of the "old school" guys listed, like Carlin etc., are always held up as comedic gods for pushing aside convention or race barriers or whatever, but to be honest, they seldom made me laugh out loud. (edit to add: choosing from the list, I like Chris Rock and Roseanne, too)

[cboy4]

149. Steve Martin

[izzybeans]

150. bill hicks ladies and gentlemen bill hicks.

[cory817]

151. Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld, to add a couple

[The Gunslinger]

181. Agree.

Especially Eddie Murphy. I could still listen to "Raw" and laugh my ass off the whole time even though I've heard it 1000 times.

[deacon]

157. Carlin. n/t

[pleah]

159. Abott and Costello were pretty good.

Who's on first!

[Deny and Shred]

160. Best Stand-Up Hour Ever? Steven Wright!!

[20score]

167. Richard Pryor, but Lewis Black and Bill Hicks (and Carlin) come close.

[BlooInBloo]

169. Mitch Hedberg should be on the list.

[sadbear]

196. I gotta agree

Absolute tragedy that he died in the middle of his ascent. And this is really not a shot at Hicks, but if you watched Letterman the other night, Hicks wasn't really funny that night.

[Baikonour]

172. Hicks and Carlin. No one else touches them.

[bridgit]

173. Kathy Griffin!? Carlin was uber -cool, but I'm going with two: Louis CK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCbc6XbFIDU&NR=1

and Sam Kinison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_VURr6jnWQ

and Emo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r222p6QG2kM&feature=related that's 3 + the other-other people

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIHZDo9NBMk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAOLOGGftTY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j83HtmqGLfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEkYlEXbZQw

[OhioChick]

174. Eddie Murphy comes to mind.

:)

[Jamastiene]

175. For me, it's a tie between Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg. n/t

[Mike 03]

180. Lenny, for sure

But my real question is why is this thread permitted in GD?

I'm confused. I've seen more serious posts that were shuttled quickly off to the lounge.

Oh well, any thread that mentions the legacy of Lenny Bruce is okay with me.

Thanks for including him. He was a fucking genius.

[defendandprotect]

182. Love Madelaine Kahn --

Of course Whoopi -- Joy Behar --

Have to mention oldies -- Ben Blue -- Buster Keaton

and the Marx Brothers . . .

[Lorien]

183. Eddie Izzard. nt

[TahitiNut]

194. Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-ups of all Time

Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-ups of all Time

* 1. Richard Pryor
* 2. George Carlin
* 3. Lenny Bruce
* 4. Woody Allen
* 5. Chris Rock
* 6. Steve Martin
* 7. Rodney Dangerfield
* 8. Bill Cosby
* 9. Roseanne Barr
* 10. Eddie Murphy
* 11. Johnny Carson
* 12. Jerry Seinfeld
* 13. Robin Williams
* 14. Bob Newhart
* 15. David Letterman
* 16. Ellen DeGeneres
* 17. Don Rickles
* 18. Jonathan Winters
* 19. Bill Hicks
* 20. Sam Kinison
* 21. Dennis Miller
* 22. Robert Klein
* 23. Steven Wright
* 24. Redd Foxx
* 25. Bob Hope
* 26. Ray Romano
* 27. Jay Leno
* 28. Jack Benny
* 29. Milton Berle
* 30. Garry Shandling
* 31. George Burns
* 32. Albert Brooks
* 33. Andy Kaufman
* 34. Buddy Hackett
* 35. Phyllis Diller
* 36. Jim Carrey
* 37. Martin Lawrence
* 38. Bill Maher
* 39. Billy Crystal
* 40. Mort Sahl
* 41. Jon Stewart
* 42. Flip Wilson
* 43. Dave Chappelle
* 44. Joan Rivers
* 45. Richard Lewis
* 46. Adam Sandler
* 47. Henny Youngman
* 48. Tim Allen
* 49. Freddie Prinze
* 50. Denis Leary
* 51. Lewis Black
* 52. Damon Wayans
* 53. David Brenner
* 54. DL Hughley
* 55. Alan King
* 56. Colin Quinn
* 57. Richard Jeni
* 58. Larry Miller
* 59. Gilbert Gottfried
* 60. Jeff Foxworthy
* 61. Bobcat Goldthwait
* 62. Eddie Griffin
* 63. Jackie Mason
* 64. Richard Belzer
* 65. Cedrick the Enter.
* 66. Shelley Berman
* 67. Kevin Pollak
* 68. Dave Attell
* 69. Pat Cooper
* 70. Wanda Sykes
* 71. Red Buttons
* 72. Bernie Mac
* 73. Billy Connolly
* 74. Paul Rodriguez
* 75. Eddie Izzard
* 76. Robert Schimmel
* 77. Paul Reiser
* 78. Sinbad
* 79. Dom Irrera
* 80. Bobby Slayton
* 81. Dick Gregory
* 82. Howie Mandel
* 83. Norm MacDonald
* 84. Drew Carey
* 85. David Cross
* 86. Jay Mohr
* 87. Brett Butler
* 88. Paula Poundstone
* 89. Kevin James
* 90. Dana Carvey
* 91. Jim Breuer
* 92. Louie Anderson
* 93. George Wallace
* 94. David Alan Grier
* 95. Andrew 'Dice' Clay
* 96. Joey Bishop
* 97. Sandra Bernhard
* 98. Louis CK
* 99. Janeane Garofalo
* 100. Gallagher

[MadBadger]

195. How the hell did Kathy Griffin and Roseanne make this list?

[goforit]

197. Whaaaaaaa.......Robin Williams is the most hilarious of Allllllll time!!!!!

[MzShellG]

198. No George Lopez? Awww man. nt