Favorite Comedians

[kubedawg]

Well, since someone started a Comedy Central thread, I might as well start a fav comedians thread to sort of share our funny moments in time.

I personaly want to start with George Carlin, as he is a pioneer in his time, getting us to question about practically everything we do today, and is not afraid of anything.

Another great set of comedians, probably my second favorite, are Penn & Teller. You might have seen their show, Bullshit on Showtime, but not Comedy Central, oh no. These guys go all out, and express their sense of liberatarianism at it's best.

Lewis Black is just funny, very witty in his acts, and I just get a kick out of the gestures he pulls off.

Well, those were my top 3, I'll post more later, after some people have posted there's. I live for comedy, but considering this is a debate forum, I thought I'd stick with the thinkers of the bunch.

[underbear1]

Whoopi, Jon Stewart, Margaret Cho, Louis Black, Bill Maher

[Jack]

So you like George, too, eh kubedawg? But I don't consider him a comedian. He does social commentary. Yes, he does say what he does in a humorous way, but the substance of his presentation is philosophical. At his next concert, note how much of the laughter is nervous laughter, guilty laughter. His audience is usually filled with the very people he is talking about.

It's like when a guy starts a conversation about masturbation among a group of other guys. Gay or straight, there's almost always a few moments of nervous laughter at first...sometimes longer.

I think the best comparison is drawn between Carlin and Lenny Bruce. Each generation spawns its own bards, vocal misfits and charismatic anarchists. Bruce is of the 50's and Carlin of the 60's. The 60's also gave us the Smothers Brothers, two more great comedians who were very political in their humor and music. I do tend to prefer that type of comedian over the more common whatever-it-takes-to-get-a-laugh type.

Louis Black, Maher..also philosophers with a humorous presentation. Intelligent, to boot. Well, Maher at least. Like Stewart.

In the silly humor category, I nominate Monty Python.

[Scribbler1]

I have to go with the ones I've seen live. Carlin, Black and Rodney Dangerfield.

[CoffeeSaint]

I'd agree with both Isherwood and Kubedawg about Carlin: he is a brilliant social commentator, and he is also a fantastic comedian.

The most recent iteration of the whole Lenny Bruce/George Carlin phenomenon (though I have to admit I have never heard or read Bruce's comedy -- one of those things I keep meaning to do and never remember at the appropriate times) was Bill Hicks, who had the same quality of making people uncomfortable just as much, if not more than, he made them laugh. And the fact that he died of lung cancer in his 30's means that he still makes me uncomfortable today. Still makes me laugh, too.

After that, we get into a long list: Denis Leary, Jon Stewart, Jake Johanssen, Brian Regan, and Stephen Lynch are probably my top five.

[Compugasm]

Jake Johanssen? When does he ever perform. The last time I saw him was in the 80's.

[kubedawg]

Quote by: Isherwood So you like George, too, eh kubedawg? But I don't consider him a comedian. He does social commentary. Yes, he does say what he does in a humorous way, but the substance of his presentation is philosophical. At his next concert, note how much of the laughter is nervous laughter, guilty laughter. His audience is usually filled with the very people he is talking about. It's like when a guy starts a conversation about masturbation among a group of other guys. Gay or straight, there's almost always a few moments of nervous laughter at first...sometimes longer. I think the best comparison is drawn between Carlin and Lenny Bruce. Each generation spawns its own bards, vocal misfits and charismatic anarchists. Bruce is of the 50's and Carlin of the 60's. The 60's also gave us the Smothers Brothers, two more great comedians who were very political in their humor and music. I do tend to prefer that type of comedian over the more common whatever-it-takes-to-get-a-laugh type. Louis Black, Maher..also philosophers with a humorous presentation. Intelligent, to boot. Well, Maher at least. Like Stewart. In the silly humor category, I nominate Monty Python.

As I watched another show tonight, I get what you are saying, as I thought the same thing. What if some of these people in the audience are like the ones in his skit? I try to watch Bill Maher, but he just doesn't come off as too funny in my opinion. And like I said before, George Carlin isn't afraid of anything, which in a way, was meant to say that he's weird, strange, and brings up topics we usually only think about, not say/do. Who talks about pussy farts in their free time lol?

Anywho, my take on anything that something that someone does or says intentionally that makes me laugh, is comedy. Even if it's got the word philosophy written all over it.

Dennis Leary is good, although I think he tries too much sometimes.
Dave Chappelle is funny as hell.
I prefer Steve Carell over Jon Stewart and that Colbert tries too hard sometimes too, but he pulls it off.
Will Ferrell is probably the funniest of them all, philosophy aside. I just love those beaty little eyes.
Jim Carrey has lost his touch but will be in my Hall of Fame for comedians.
Zack Galofonakis is the weirdest by far, and has the best skit, with his piano.
Calros Mencia is pretty good
Dane Cook sucks. I can't stand him.
Kevin James is funny and married to a hawt woman in King of Queens.
I take that back about weirdest, Harland Williams is the weirdest.
Ron White, one word: Tatersalad

I've got too many favorites to list. Like I said, I live for comedy, and if it weren't for these guys, I'd probably be dead.

[The Architect]

I love Lewis Black every time i listen to him i crack up. Jim Gaffigan

[The Architect]

Jim Gaffigan is extremly funny, he is very mello and dosnt yell that much but hes great. Eric Idle from Monty Python is great to( I love Monty Python). If anyone has every seen The Aristocrates its a bunch of comedians tell one diryt joke over and over again, its amusing. Lisa Lampanelli is funny as well. I enjoy that dirty, bad language humor.
I watch the Colbert Report almost every day and he cracks me up to with his selfcentered attitude, same with the Daily Show.

[CoffeeSaint]

Quote by: Compugasm Jake Johanssen? When does he ever perform. The last time I saw him was in the 80's.

Yeah, that's the last time I saw him too, but the same jokes still crack me up. I'm not a big fan of Dave Chappelle or Carlos Mencia, and since I don't watch TV any more, I haven't heard of many other more recent comedians. Can't stand redneck humor, either.

[Milton Bradley]

I have always listed Jack Benny as one of my all time favorite stand ups.


I also like Rodney Dangerfield, Gallagher, minus the Sledge-o-matic, and hourdes of other less famous, but very talented stand up comics.

[underbear1]

I think Whoopi was as fearless as any comic going, with her one woman shows on Broadway. She deserves the mantle of Richard Pryor, more than Chappell, Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy.
Margaret Cho pushes every boundary, she makes Lisa Lompanella look like a one-trick pony.
Wisecrack is a showcase on LOGO channel with the hottest gay/lesbian comics. Page Hurwitz is hillarious!!!!
here's a link with video clips
LOGOonline.com : Series & Specials : Wisecrack : Overview

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: CoffeeSaint The most recent iteration of the whole Lenny Bruce/George Carlin phenomenon (though I have to admit I have never heard or read Bruce's comedy -- one of those things I keep meaning to do and never remember at the appropriate times) was Bill Hicks, who had the same quality of making people uncomfortable just as much, if not more than, he made them laugh. And the fact that he died of lung cancer in his 30's means that he still makes me uncomfortable today. Still makes me laugh, too.

Don't forget Mort Sahl, the father of political humor.

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: Milton Bradley I have always listed Jack Benny as one of my all time favorite stand ups. I also like Rodney Dangerfield, Gallagher, minus the Sledge-o-matic, and hourdes of other less famous, but very talented stand up comics.

I forgot about Gallagher. If you just listen to his routines and ignore the Carrot Top on acid prop humor you see he is almost as observant as Carlin (who I would vote for as president, BTW).

[gr8fuldaniel]

[Jack]

Oh yes, CoffeeSaint, how could I forget Stephen Lynch and his wonderful story-songs. The Special Song is just so...special.

[gr8fuldaniel]

For funny women, I like Amy Sedaris (A regular on Letterman)


Stephanie Miller (Left wing morning Radio)

and Paula Poundstone

[The Bacon Guy]

I'm with Coffee on Bill Hicks. Never, EVER heckle this man.

And, while he's not technically a comedian, how can anyone not love Steve Ballmer?

[Nono]

Haven't seen anybody mention Dick Gregory. What's the world coming to?

[CoffeeSaint]

Quote by: Isherwood Oh yes, CoffeeSaint, how could I forget Stephen Lynch and his wonderful story-songs. The Special Song is just so...special.

My favorite is probably the Superhero song, if you've heard the live version I have. But the reason I love Stephen Lynch is simply this: the man has a song from the point of view of a pedophiliac Catholic priest, in which he pretends to perform fellatio on the microphone -- and he played the part of Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Now that's funny.