OT: Favorite current and/or past stand up comics?

[Bob78]

Great lists submitted. Brings back memories of so many great bits heard over the years. I used to buy comedy albums quite often back in the 70s.

Brian Regan does some really funny stuff without being dirty. I tend to prefer comics, men and women, who aren't afraid to go dirty up to a point. My line to be crossed is reasonably out there, but some cross it too often.

Saw Robin Williams at Princeton University in about 1982 or 83. The audience was gasping for air for most of the time. Half the show was ad-libbed with audience throwing out topics.

 

[EPC FAN]

I find the most popular channel on my Sirus XM radio these days is the Comedy Central and stand-up channels. It's nice because it seems to pass the time faster on longer commutes and you get a nice mix of new and old performers. I've discovered some great comedy through this channel and am wondering who are some of the favorite performers on this board (all time, current, deceased, etc.). One thing that really stands out is that there seem to be a lot more funny female comics these days - and they all seem to be pretty attractive.

My current favorites are Donald Glover, Natasha Leggero, Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson, Whitney Cummings, Patton Oswalt, and Jim Gaffigan (amazing he's so clean compared to the others); older comics I like are Eddie Murphy (may be the best all time), Pee Wee Herman/Paul Reubens, John Leguizamo, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, and George Carlin. On the fence about Louis CK. Here is a recent favorite and I didn't even know he did stand up - Stephen Rannazzisi (from The League). As a father of a small child, I can relate...anxious to hear about some of your favorites.

Link (some f-bombs): www.cc.com/video-clips/2aianv/stand-up-steve-rannazzisi--extended---uncensored---stepping-on-legos

Rodney Dangerfield, Allen King, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Jackie Mason, Bill Cosby(*), Lewis Black, Whoopi Goldberg, Leonard Cohen, Henny Youngman, Jonathon Winters. Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Johnny Carson, Don Rickles. *Bill Cosby has been a star so long, I listened to his comedy albums when I was a kid. I'm 63 years old. I put him on the list strictly for his comedy talent.

 

[john4psu]

Bob Newhart, Bill Cosby, John Pinette, Rodney Dangerfield, Robin Williams, George Carlin.

 

[Nitt1300]

I saw Carlin twice- once in Vegas, once in PA. He was great both times.

 

[Op2]

This makes me wonder...does anyone here from the Pittsburgh area remember WDVE comedy hour? As I recall it came on something like Sunday night from 11 to midnight. Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, George Carlin, etc. Late 70s / Early 80s. Don't recall any Richard Pryor but that is likely because he was unsafe for radio.

 

[TN Lion]

Richard Pryor

 

[lionhrt54]

Early George Carlin, Richard Pryor, and my favorite Robin Williams, when he got on a roll, funniest man I have ever heard.

 

[bdgan]

Rodney! Rodney! Rodney!

 

[Elwood Blues]

Love Bill Hicks, but he was just....I dunno, too angry?

Yes, too angry, and not nearly as smart as he thought he was. Hate(d) the guy.

 

[LionFan87b]

On the fence about Hedberg - some stuff is hilarious. Other stuff - not so much. Sort of like Dane Cook before he got really popular.

Part of his brilliance was that he seemed not to filter himself. It's as if he just said whatever came to mind. I doubt that was really the case, but if it was, then it might explain why the brilliant moments were interspersed with the less funny stuff. His peak moments were as funny as anything I've ever heard.

 

[Lion84]

Must be my lack of maturity showing even though I am far from young but I do find Daniel Tosh funny - very non PC though but an equal opportunity offender.

 

[Nitwit]

One I forgot to mention - Richard Lewis

 

[indynittany]

Eddie Murphy best ever

Saw him live back in the early 80s. Funny, but unnecessarily vulgar.

I'm in the Steven Wright camp.

“Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.”

“I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.”

“If a man says something in the woods and there are no women there, is he still wrong?”

“I intend to live forever. So far, so good.”

And my personal favorite.....

“All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand.”

 

[DaytonBuck]

All-time would be George Carlin.

Now would be Louis C.K., and don't think anyone is close. The reason he's so respected among other comedians is because he's so prolific. Writes a new hour every year and scraps his old material.

 

[bdgan]

Saw Robin Williams at Princeton University in about 1982 or 83. The audience was gasping for air for most of the time. Half the show was ad-libbed with audience throwing out topics.

Best Robin Williams bit was about golf

 

[indynittany]

Best Robin Williams bit was about golf

View embedded media

Robin Williams was a genius!

 

[erie lion]

Love these two for not having to get raunchy to be funny:
Henry Cho and Bryan Regan.

Agree on Bryan Reagan. Very funny stuff.

Him and Jim Gaffigan two of my current favorites.

 

[EPC FAN]

This makes me wonder...does anyone here from the Pittsburgh area remember WDVE comedy hour? As I recall it came on something like Sunday night from 11 to midnight. Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, George Carlin, etc. Late 70s / Early 80s. Don't recall any Richard Pryor but that is likely because he was unsafe for radio.

UNSAFE? He was far more than unsafe. LOL!!

 

[StinkStankStunk]

Robin Williams. Absolute genius

Anyone else is like comparing a first year grad student to Steve Hawking

IMO

 

[paradox1984]

You guys pretty much listed my favorites already. The only one missing imo is Dennis Leary. I loved No Cure For Cancer.

 

[MtNittany]

For me, it's Newhart. Very smart and very funny. Made you listen.

Carlin was obviously great as was Pryor.

Newhart - Siamese Cat

Newhart - No one will ever play baseball

In the Newhart Siamese Cat bit, only he could write and say "you have to take a detached attitude" when dealing w/ the subject matter at hand. Brilliance.

All the good really old Newhart here...

 

[mtnlion]

Steven wright hands down. I also enjoy " tater salad"

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

New - Nohn Mullany, Jim Gaffigan, Louis CK, and Lewis Black (maybe not so new)

Old - Steve Martin, George Carlin

 

[SLion]

Can't add much to list - consistently funny - Carlin, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Bryan Regan, Bill Burr (his Philadelphia rant is priceless), Greg Giraldo (RIP) are some favorites

Tremendous bits - Gaffigan, Demitri Martin (great quirkiness), Mitch Hedberg, Todd Barry, Joe Rogan, Steven Wright (one of best imaginations ever), Norm MacDonald

Anthony Jeselnik is a younger comic who is dark, edgy but brilliant jokes. Think he is Pittsburgh native. Here is a favorite:

 

[34EVER]

Carlin, gervais, gaffigan and burr. Burr has great delivery.

 

[AWS1022]

I've been watching stand up comedy for years...used to go to live comedy shows, I watched it on tv (Evening at the Improv) and on HBO (Rodney Dangerfield's young comedian specials). To me the best of all time was Robert Schimmel. Absolutely hilarious especially if you have daughters.

 

[LionJim]

All-time would be George Carlin.

Now would be Louis C.K., and don't think anyone is close. The reason he's so respected among other comedians is because he's so prolific. Writes a new hour every year and scraps his old material.

Hey, Dayton, long time.

 

[PSUSignore]

Bill Burr and Louis CK are probably my current favorites. Burr's rants are a thing of beauty.

Many others I like have been mentioned here already too. Chris Rock's HBO specials were great. I always liked the deadpan Steven Wright, and loved Mitch Hedberg as well. For no discernable reason Gilbert Godfried and Norm MacDonald kill me, it's all in their delivery.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Can't add much to list - consistently funny - Carlin, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Bryan Regan, Bill Burr (his Philadelphia rant is priceless), Greg Giraldo (RIP) are some favorites

Tremendous bits - Gaffigan, Demitri Martin (great quirkiness), Mitch Hedberg, Todd Barry, Joe Rogan, Steven Wright (one of best imaginations ever), Norm MacDonald

Anthony Jeselnik is a younger comic who is dark, edgy but brilliant jokes. Think he is Pittsburgh native. Here is a favorite:

View embedded media

Yeah, I've heard Jeselnik a few times - he's great!

 

[simons96]

Bill Burr and Louis CK are probably my current favorites. Burr's rants are a thing of beauty.

Many others I like have been mentioned here already too. Chris Rock's HBO specials were great. I always liked the deadpan Steven Wright, and loved Mitch Hedberg as well. For no discernable reason Gilbert Godfried and Norm MacDonald kill me, it's all in their delivery.

I've posted Burr's classic 12 minute trashing of Philly on this board. here's a NSFW hilarious trashing of Steve Jobs:

 

[PSUSignore]

I've posted Burr's classic 12 minute trashing of Philly on this board. here's a NSFW hilarious trashing of Steve Jobs:

View embedded media

I have seen both before, good stuff. Anytime Burr is on Conan's show I try to catch it. He had a Jobs rant there too: . My favorite line in this one: "He's gone, and they came out with another one [iPhone], right?"

His rant on charity involvement in sports is also good:
On motherhood and Oprah:
Acting as a play by play announcer for the NBA:

 

[simons96]

if you have Netflix, Burr is hilarious as the voice of the dad on "F is for Family"

 

[Alphabets]

Past:
Rodney Dangerfield
George Carlin

Present:
Bill Burr
Stephen Lynch
Dave Chappelle
Dave Attell

 

[PSUSignore]

Good call on Dave Attell. I forgot about him since he's not as visible in the media and TV world as he was years ago. He's great. I loved Chapelle show but don't find his stand up to be as good. He's not bad, but not among my favorites.

 

[childsSkip]

Rodney Dangerfield

View embedded media

Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin, Henny Youngman, Bob Newhart, Rita Rudner

 

[LemonEars]

For past stand-ups I have to make a pitch for:

Johnny Carson
Jack Benny
Jackie Gleason
Carol Burnett
Flip Wilson
Jonathan Winters
Phyllis Diller
Sid Caesar
Abbot & Costello
Tim Conway
Red Skelton
Phil Silvers

All past greats!