Comedy and Humor

[dodint]

If we're getting analytical about comedy, I watched this last night on a whim and found it interesting beyond the simple 'joke theif' gotcha video:

[NTP66]

Top 5% right now or all-time? If we're talking all-time, in no particular order (for me, and I'm sure I'll forget somebody):

Richard Pryor (ignore what I said, he was the greatest)
Dave Chappelle
Robin Williams
Chris Rock
Don Rickles (non-traditional, yes, but dear god was he great)
George Carlin
Eddie Murphy
Louis CK
Rodney Dangerfield
Ricky Gervais

Not sure I want to go on, but those are upper echelon, IMO.

[dodint]

I've never understood the affinity for Murphy. Not that his highs weren't red hot, but it was so short relative to the careers or real stand up comedians. I feel like his stand up was a means to an end rather than a well honed life long craft.

I feel like your list is missing Bill Hicks but I often wonder if he gets reverence points for dying young. But if that were true you'd probably have to include Hedberg, and you didn't, so I know you put some thought into it because Mitch was trash.

[blackjack68]

You clearly overlooked CarrotTop.

And just because of his pioneering efforts, I'd add Lenny Bruce.

[mikey]

I'll provide more thorough responses to these things once I have actual time to digest them...but that list could use Bill Burr at this point I think.

[dodint]

His comedy is pretty divisive due to the vulgar nature of it, but I really believe that Jim Norton is one of the smartest people in the comedy world and in time should be included on lists like this.

[robbiestoupe]

Vulgar comedians almost get a no vote for me because it is a cheap way to get a laugh. My gauge is this - strip all the vulgarity out of the act, and is it still funny? I don't mind it if it's there to spice up the act, but not as the main part of the act. Amy Schumer as exhibit A

[blackjack68]

His comedy is pretty divisive due to the vulgar nature of it, but I really believe that Jim Norton is one of the smartest people in the comedy world and in time should be included on lists like this.

Ugh. Yech. Big pasty nothing. Awful.

And that's just how Jim used to describe himself. He's hilarious too. His FB page is funny because he posts himself trying new stuff and frequently bombing with it.

[mikey]

Yeah, you might have to put out some "outlier" lists to stack up when you start going down this path...like Mitch Hedberg deserves credit in his realm, so to speak...even though he has limited mass appeal.

Similarly, Anthony Jeselnik - in due time - might make an "outlier" list one day...he has enormous upside, imo...

Cosby should be on that original list though...

[mikey]

Vulgar comedians almost get a no vote for me because it is a cheap way to get a laugh. My gauge is this - strip all the vulgarity out of the act, and is it still funny? I don't mind it if it's there to spice up the act, but not as the main part of the act. Amy Schumer as exhibit A

Katt Williams, Lisa Lampinelli, and too many chubby, vaguely attractive with beer goggles, female comedians...

[blackjack68]

Colin Quinn is actually very good and very underrrated.

Norm MacDonald is intelligent and funny, but definitely niche.

[mikey]

Yeah, Norm is a good "outlier" list guy...as a comic's comic, that's his niche...

[NTP66]

I somehow managed to forget Denis Leary, who is near the top of my list.

[dodint]

Outliers you say? I have an appreciation for Alonzo Jones.

[blackjack68]

Yeah, Norm is a good "outlier" list guy...as a comic's comic, that's his niche...

Dave Attel also falls heavily into a comic's comic list.

[mikey]

The hamburger guy...?

He's on the standard list, he has a mass appeal style (with, bleh, crowd work), he just says a dumb catchphrase that really detracts, imo...

[blackjack68]

The hamburger guy...?

He's on the standard list, he has a mass appeal style (with, bleh, crowd work), he just says a dumb catchphrase that really detracts, imo...

I was hoping he meant Alonzo Bodden.

[dodint]

The hamburger guy...?

He's on the standard list, he has a mass appeal style (with, bleh, crowd work), he just says a dumb catchphrase that really detracts, imo...

A few months ago I read this piece on him, found it compelling: https://www.vulture.com/2016/05/hamburg ... -game.html

For real, the only way I'd put him on a list is to ensure he's above Carrot Top. I do like his story though.

[shafnutz05]

Don Rickles (non-traditional, yes, but dear god was he great)

My man. I love watching his old appearances on Carson. He also had a great rapport with Letterman/Ferguson. The episode of Letterman where he is on there with Denzel was absolutely hilarious. Denzel was loving every minute of it.

[shafnutz05]

In terms of my favorites from all time, Steve Martin is up there too. Check out his stuff from the 1970s. And while it's taboo to talk about him now, Bill Cosby was brilliant.

[eddy]

Pete Holmes and John Mulaney are the last 2 newish specials that I've seen and enjoyed. Those 2 have not had a miss with me yet.

[dodint]

I like Crashing, but Holmes' podcast is awful. Endless spiritual drivel with nothing to interesting to grasp onto.

[mikey]

John Mulaney has a lot of potential...a whole lot...Iliza Schlesinger (sp?) does too...I hope they continue to grow...

I thought the Carrot Top suggestion was facetious...

Rickles is my all time favorite in a roast scenario...I watch those old Friar's Club clips or whatever very often...

[shmenguin]

Top 5% right now or all-time? If we're talking all-time, in no particular order (for me, and I'm sure I'll forget somebody):

Richard Pryor (ignore what I said, he was the greatest)
Dave Chappelle
Robin Williams
Chris Rock
Don Rickles (non-traditional, yes, but dear god was he great)
George Carlin
Eddie Murphy
Louis CK
Rodney Dangerfield
Ricky Gervais

Not sure I want to go on, but those are upper echelon, IMO.

Gervais? Eek. He won a contest to host stand up specials because of his acting. Smart, funny guy. Is only good at making television shows from 15-20 years ago and fooling people into thinking Karl Pilkington is actually an idiot.

[dodint]

Speaking of roasts, Jeff Ross is insufferable.