100 Greatest Standups by Comedy Central

[Bearcat729]

I just got done watching this on Comedy Central and I have to say I really disagree with some of their choices. I'm sorry but I do not find Ellen DeGeneres funny and Hicks and Kinnison are a little too low for me. I do agree with Carlin and Pryor though.


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

[korme]

DC 43?????

Ugh

[Vince]

Wow. Kevin Pollak at 67...nice :)

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Mom's ain't even up there?

Foxx at 24?

[DeToxRox]

Dave Chapelle isn't that funny. His material is always on the same damn subject, racisim. It gets old. His show is so hit or miss I can't believe it. You only hear people mention like one line per show, thats it. I don't find that very excellent.

The simple fact they have him above Lewis Black is unreal.

But thats just my opinion.

[DeToxRox]

Ha, Vince, Kevin Pollack is the man. His impressions are amazing and yet so underrated. He's such a bad ass actor, but also versatile. I love the guy. Definetly one of my favorite actors of all time.

[Vince]

DeTox - I know. I know the guy :) My dad grew up down the street from him, and is good friends with him to this day. I love that he gets some recognition. His impression of William Shatner is amazing.

[Ksyrup]

Another vote here for Kevin Pollack. Anyone who can do as good a Columbo impression as he can - down to the wandering eye - is a comic genius.

[cthomer5000]

As much as I like Chapelle - he's never been a knockout stand-up guy. His show has really shown that he's perfect for sketch comedy.

[DeToxRox]

Thats amazing Vince. He plays the perfect prick. I loved him in Usual Suspects. When I found out that line he says to Benecio Del Torro about "What the hell did he just say?" wasn't scripted, but him actually asking what he said was awesome. And his role in Waynes World 2, pssh, comic genius.

[Easy Mac]

i'm going to see him (chapelle) in 5 days, so I'll let you know if he's any good.

[Ksyrup]

I never thought it would be this difficult to come up with a top 100 list of comics - I mean, there's been thousands of comics, right? But some of the choices on this list...good God! Louis Anderson and Sandra Bernhardt?! Ray Romano and Jay Leno wouldn't be on my list of the top 1000, but I know they have to be there. But hey, at least there wasn't room for Rita Rudner and Joy Behar.

Also glad to see some love for Dave Atell, Dom Irrera, and Bobby Slayton.

BTW, what in the hell ever happened to Billy Connelly, anyway?

[kcchief19]

Well, any list that puts Letterman above Leno gets an A in my book. :)

You could put a lot of people at No. 1. Pryor is as good as any in my book. I have always found Lenny Bruce ridiculously overrated, but I'm in the minority. I'm also in the minority on Woody Allen, but as a stand-up comedian, he doesn't belong in the top 50. Eddie Murphy had a real hot streak, but I'd put him much lower on the list. Same with Roseanne -- she was a one-trick pony as a stand-up and belongs down there with other one-trick ponies like Tim Allen.

I know they put her there to get a woman in the top 10. I'd have favored Ellen DeGeneres or even Paula Poundstone, who is tremendosly underrated. I don't think there is anyone who was ever funnier at talking to the audience than her. She's very quick on her feet.

I think the Old Guard got a little shafted, although there are some real odd choices on this list -- Phyllis Diller comes to mind. I also think that Joan Rivers is as funny as a drowned bucket of kittens, but she was good at her craft.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Jay Mohr got robbed.

And what's the deal with Brett Butler? I mean, he was a great center fielder for the Indians and Dodgers, but...

;)

[Ksyrup]

And what's the deal with Brett Butler? I mean, he was a great center fielder for the Indians and Dodgers, but...

;)
Yeah, he made the list, but not Len Barker? At least he had a perfect game, instead of a bunch of infield/bunt hits. What a loser.

[Vince]

Thats amazing Vince. He plays the perfect prick. I loved him in Usual Suspects. When I found out that line he says to Benecio Del Torro about "What the hell did he just say?" wasn't scripted, but him actually asking what he said was awesome. And his role in Waynes World 2, pssh, comic genius.
Funny you mention his improv talents. I've heard many times that he is really great at ad-libbing if he gets lost in a scene. The only problem is that most I hear about it is from word of mouth, so not sure how reliable it is. Word has it, though, that there's an entire scene in 'House Arrest' where he just completely broke from the script and the director loved it, and kept it in.

[MrBug708]

Jay Mohr got robbed.

And what's the deal with Brett Butler? I mean, he was a great center fielder for the Indians and Dodgers, but...

;)


Dude, not cool. He was by far m,y favorite baseball player

[Easy Mac]

Funny you mention his improv talents. I've heard many times that he is really great at ad-libbing if he gets lost in a scene. The only problem is that most I hear about it is from word of mouth, so not sure how reliable it is. Word has it, though, that there's an entire scene in 'House Arrest' where he just completely broke from the script and the director loved it, and kept it in.
Having seen House Arrest, I can't say thats a bad thing given the script.

[Vince]

Yeah...not one of the greatest flicks of all time.

Kevin has also managed to make out with some pretty amazing women. Jamie Lee Curtis...Tyra Banks. Yeah, was just a little jealous of that one.

[tucker342]

Dave Chapelle isn't that funny. His material is always on the same damn subject, racisim. It gets old. His show is so hit or miss I can't believe it. You only hear people mention like one line per show, thats it. I don't find that very excellent.

The simple fact they have him above Lewis Black is unreal.

But thats just my opinion.
Lewis Black would probably have been in my top 20. He's one of the only comics that actually makes me burst out laughing with his comedy.

[MrBug708]

Where is Dat at?

[oykib]

This might be the worst of these lists that I've seen yet.

Nah... That'd still be the VH1 list. But this is pretty close. Roseanne in the top ten. Colin Quinn on the list. Dave Chapelle at 43. Woody Allen in the 4 spot. Rodney Dangerfield above Bill Cosby...

unghhh...

[Greyroofoo]

My favorite stand up will always be Gallagher

[Pumpy Tudors]

Kevin Pollak and Tyra Banks? Ye gods.

[Vince]

Chameleon.

[Sharpieman]

This list doesn't even have Eddie Murphy. DL Hughley wouldn't have a job without Eddie Murphy.

[ISiddiqui]

This list doesn't even have Eddie Murphy.

Um... check #10 :D.

--

Gotta like the love shown to Dave Attell, and putting Letterman over Leno will win some points. Would have liked to see Seinfeld be in the top 10, but all in all, not a bad list.

[Sharpieman]

Oh my bad, the list still sucks though.

[Glengoyne]

This might be the worst of these lists that I've seen yet.

Nah... That'd still be the VH1 list. But this is pretty close. Roseanne in the top ten. Colin Quinn on the list. Dave Chapelle at 43. Woody Allen in the 4 spot. Rodney Dangerfield above Bill Cosby...

unghhh...
I think that says it for me. I don't have a problem with a lot of folks on the list, but where they fall is beyond me. I'd take Paula Poundstone, joke for joke in a standup battle with Roseanne, yet they are at opposite extremes of the list. Eddie Murphy may have been the hottest stand up comedian ever(for about 3 years in the 80s), but he stepped away from it for a movie career. I don't think he shined brightly for long enough to be considered for that high of a position on the list. Dave Chapelle is maybe the only guy on the list that I think shouldn't be on there. Milton Berle is too low. Woody Allen's standup career doesn't merit a spot in the top 50, let alone the top 5.

Just some thoughts on what other folks have said.

I'd also put Pollack higher.
Leno vs Letterman. As a talkshow host...Letterman wins running away. I'd take Leno on stage alone every time though.
Redd Foxx was one of the funniest SoBs I have ever seen. He was a great comedian. He was very off color, and cursed enough to make a sailor blush.
Kinison is too high for me. To my taste, he was more raunchy than funny. That is coming from a guy that thinks Andrew Dice Clay should be higher on the list.
Colin Quinn I just can't figure this out. Chappele and him must be here because they have shows on Comedy Central. When does Sandra Bernhardt's air?

[stkelly52]

Thats amazing Vince. He plays the perfect prick. I loved him in Usual Suspects. When I found out that line he says to Benecio Del Torro about "What the hell did he just say?" wasn't scripted, but him actually asking what he said was awesome. And his role in Waynes World 2, pssh, comic genius.
But how he did in movies (or on television) is completly irrelevent. This list is only evaluating people as stand ups, not as comics.

[ISiddiqui]

Colin Quinn I just can't figure this out.

Apparently MANY stand-up commedians love Colin Quinn. He is spoken of very highly by people such as Jerry Seinfeld.

[sabotai]

I never saw or heard Red Foxx stand up before, but the joke they played during his spot on the show had me in laughing out loud.

"This woman asked me 'Can you fuck me and hurt me?'. I said yeah! So I fucked her and hit her in the head with a brick."

So damn funny. And Flip Wilson. I saw the whole version of the "ugly baby" joke on the Johnny Carson "The Tonight Show" videos. I love that joke.

I think this thread shows why the majority of people will never agree with any top X list. It's all subjective.

[Julio Riddols]

i love denis leary! norm mcdonald and Ryan styles !!!!!!!!! sarcasm , wit n style .

[mckerney]

Dice Clay should be higher and Mitch Hedburg should be on the list.

[IMetTrentGreen]

grrr, my opinion differs from this list! therefore, it is wrong and they are stupid for making it wrong! bring me my cheese and wine, slaves!

[QuikSand]

Every list of the Top 100 of anything simply arouses nearly everyone who reads it to say that it sucks. I guess it's jut human nature...

[Scarecrow]

My personal opintion:

Rated Too High:
7. Rodney Dangerfield
25. Bob Hope

Rated Too Low:
8. Bill Cosby
10. Edie Murphy
53. David Brenner - no Brenner, no Jerry Seinfeld

Other questions:
Did Bob Newhart actually do stand-up?
Did the old-school straight men (Burns, Benny) get rated so low because they were considered TV personalities?
Where's Carrot Top? (j/k)

[oykib]

Well... I think that Allen is rated so highly because of the fact that his work in movies closely resembles standup. But if that's the case, then Bill Cosby, Robin Williams, and Jerry Seinfeld should be rated more highly.

This list suffers from two things that most of these lists do:
1. Political Correctness - I can't think of a comedienne that I'd rate top ten-- maybe not even top twenty. But I guess they felt that they had to put a woman in the top ten. So they were left with either Roseanne or Ellen Degeneres. Also, the top ten almost goes white guy--> minority-- for whatever that's worth.

2. There's a halo effect for guys on the list whose careers are over but who are of an age to have had influence on current comics. I think there's too much of that personal relationship shit in general. Maybe Colin Quinn is a great guy and great to work with. He might be the funniest guy of the bunch to have a beer with. But he's not one of the 100 greatest comic performers of all time.
Here's my admittedly small sampe size question, "Don't you think Colin Quin is one of the funniest

As for subjectivity. There is a sort of objective subjectivity that allows a reasonable discussion. Just because somethings subjective doesn't mean it's capricious. If I say Hong Kong is hot in the summer, it's a subjective opinion. But any reasonable person would accept the premise.

Bill Cosby and Rodney Dangerfield are contemporaries. For any criteria that this might be based on-- with the exception of movie roles, Cosby's biggest weakness, where Dangerfield still only barely comes out ahead-- Cosby had the greater impact. His career was longer, his peak was higher and sustained, he's an American Icon. One can easily make the argument that Cosby is only second to Lucille Ball in that respect in the multimedia era.

[Maple Leafs]

Actually, I thought this was a pretty good list. Unlike a lot of Top 100's, it's not weighted too heavily towards recent work. Mitch Hedberg's great, but he's not one of the top 100 of all time (yet). I was worried I'd see guys like Seinfeld rated too high, but they seemed to get the balance right.

A few comments:

- Agreed on Degeneres being too high. She deserves to be on the list. I've said it before, if you strip out the politics (and she has) she's one of the best. But top 20? That's too generous.

- Bill Cosby is only #8? I'd move him up to at least #5 and slide everyone starting with Rock down one notch. I get the sense Chris Rock would probably be embarassed to be ahead of Cosby.

- I'm actually surprised that Rudner isn't there. I think she's very good, and she's been good for a long time.

- I'm a little surprised not to see Whoopi Goldberg there. Not that she necessarily deserves it, but they seemed to over-rank her two Comic Relief partners (Williams and Crystal).

- They couldn't find room for Emo Phillips? Shame!

- That goes double for Dennis Wolfberg.

- Robert Klein should be higher. The guy is a legend.

- Scarecrow, Newhart did do standup, and he was great. His one-man dialogs are classic.

- I'm a little confused as to whether they're ranking based on standup only or entire careers. As someone else pointed out, having Letterman ahead of Leno purely on standup makes no sense. I'm a Letterman fan, but Leno is one of the hardest working standup comedians of all time, and still does tours and club dates. I don't think Letterman has done standup in years. The only explanation I can think of is that they're counting late-night talk shows as a form of standup, which would also explain Carson's high rating.

[RendeR]

Robin Williams is the single funniest human being that has ever graced human existance.


#1 Robin WIlliams
#2 George Carlin
#3 Bill Cosby



beyond that, its entirely individualized to taste. Though I must say the old timers like Hope and burns etc should be rated higher, they're comedy was just as edgy for their day and age as the new guys are for today.

I'm sorry so many people find Dave Chappelle funny. The man's pathetic. he should go back to doing stupid sound stunts on police academy.

And since I'm not sure if you guys are trying to be funny (pun intended) or you're just confused, but brett butler is a woman =)

[rkmsuf]

I'm sorry so many people find Dave Chappelle funny. The man's pathetic. he should go back to doing stupid sound stunts on police academy.



They all look alike to you, eh Costanza?

[Blade6119]

I'm sorry so many people find Dave Chappelle funny. The man's pathetic. he should go back to doing stupid sound stunts on police academy.


i found his "killing them softly" stand-up pretty good, with the child show jokes making me laugh out loud...the rest o the show was pretty good as well, but i havent seen his other stand-ups so i cant comment. I think his show is good, with the recent Wayne Brady skit hilarious, but i still think you have to judge over their whole career and not just stand up. Thats why the king of queens guy is on there at all. remember though, this is a comedy central production, so chapelle and other guys with shows on comedy central are obviously favored...

[panerd]

Maybe it is just my sense of humor, but I have been to see #23 Steven Wright and laughed continusly from start to finish. (or it could have been the drugs and alcohol)

[Maple Leafs]

Maybe it is just my sense of humor, but I have been to see #23 Steven Wright and laughed continusly from start to finish. (or it could have been the drugs and alcohol)It's not just you. Steven Wright is brilliant, and you could make a good case for moving him up much higher.

[Ksyrup]

It's hard for me to be objective about female comedians, since I think they all suck, but Rita Rudner absolutely blows.

As much as I loved Dennis Wolfberg (and Robin Harris), I'm not shocked they didn't make it (same with Emo Philips). Although, it seems like Bill Hicks got a bit of a bump from his premature death (maybe it's because Tool loves the guy), while their deaths didn't help to even get Wolfberg or Harris listed.

[jeff061]

I don't know, Hicks is bar none my favorite comic.

Though my list of comics i've listened to isn't huge, Carlin, Kinison being others i've enjoyed.

[John Galt]

Robin Williams is the single funniest human being that has ever graced human existance.


#1 Robin WIlliams
#2 George Carlin
#3 Bill Cosby



beyond that, its entirely individualized to taste. Though I must say the old timers like Hope and burns etc should be rated higher, they're comedy was just as edgy for their day and age as the new guys are for today.

I'm sorry so many people find Dave Chappelle funny. The man's pathetic. he should go back to doing stupid sound stunts on police academy.

And since I'm not sure if you guys are trying to be funny (pun intended) or you're just confused, but brett butler is a woman =)

Although I was disturbed that RendeR apparently can't tell a couple black comedians apart, I think the statement that Robin Williams is the funniest human being for all time was still more horrifying.

[rkmsuf]

Although I was disturbed that RendeR apparently can't tell a couple black comedians apart, I think the statement that Robin Williams is the funniest human being for all time was still more horrifying.

What do you mean? Chappelle can make fire engine noises so close enough.

[cody8200]

Ive seen seinfeld cosby, carlin, and chapelle live...and it wasnt even close. Dave Chapelle was the funniest guys I have ever seen. I love Jerry but he just wasnt as good live as I thought he'd be. So the order went like this. !)DC, Cosby, Seinfeld, Carlin (I guess he's too old for me or something).

[Warhammer]

Personally, I think it is a crime that Cosby was not number 1 on the list. He is still performing, uses clean humor, and is still able to appeal to a wide audience!

I would have liked to see Newhart a little higher, but I won't quibble with that. That said, my top five would have been:

1) Cosby
2) Carlin
3) Robin Williams
4) Eddie Murray
5) Steve Martin

[rkmsuf]

Personally, I think it is a crime that Cosby was not number 1 on the list. He is still performing, uses clean humor, and is still able to appeal to a wide audience!

I would have liked to see Newhart a little higher, but I won't quibble with that. That said, my top five would have been:

1) Cosby
2) Carlin
3) Robin Williams
4) Eddie Murray
5) Steve Martin

Wow! Murray must have been a cut-up in the clubhouse...

[Ksyrup]

Which clubhouse? The Orioles or the Lions?

[Warhammer]

I thought he was a reliever on the Detroit Hills Orioles

[rkmsuf]

He's like Kaufman and Tony Clifton

[rkmsuf]

Which clubhouse? The Orioles or the Lions?

Technically the Lions don't have a clubhouse. I believe the football term is lockerroom...

[Fidatelo]

umm, did anyone else notice that Howie Mandel is on that list? What is up with that? I noticed someone above complain that Louis Anderson is on there, shit, Mandel can't even hold Andersons jock-strap (figuratively and probably literally too, damn is Anderson a porker).

[Ksyrup]

Yes, I know that, but I was being lazy. He was either referring to the HoF first baseman, or the kicker. That's what I was getting at.

[rkmsuf]

anyone who blows up a rubber glove on their head has it going on...

[Ksyrup]

umm, did anyone else notice that Howie Mandel is on that list? What is up with that? I noticed someone above complain that Louis Anderson is on there, shit, Mandel can't even hold Andersons jock-strap (figuratively and probably literally too, damn is Anderson a porker).
If Howie's on there, where's Joe Piscopo?

[WussGawd]

Woody Allen in his stand up days was actually pretty hilarious. Remember, this was way back in the 50's and 60's before his films were being made, and well before he had degenerated into a parody of himself.

[rkmsuf]

Yes, I know that, but I was being lazy. He was either referring to the HoF first baseman, or the kicker. That's what I was getting at.

I'm trying to keep you sharp...we can't have you overlooking a bylaw or tort or something...

[Ksyrup]

I'm trying to keep you sharp...we can't have you overlooking a bylaw or tort or something...
I save my sharpness for work. I'm less of a stickler around here.

[rkmsuf]

I save my sharpness for work. I'm less of a stickler around here.

Good idea. Punitive damages is where it's at anyway.

[Maple Leafs]

Standup trivia: which two comedians on that list once went head-to-head in the finals of the Star Search comedy competition (and who won)?

[AgustusM]

Eddie Murphy needs to be much higher. 90% of everyone I know can still quote 90% of Eddie's early stand up

"you don't have no ice cream"

"my shoe"

"I voted for Jessie Jackson"

"if you don't like it, you can get the f**k out"

"now that's a fire"

"goony-goo-goo"

those are just a few off the top of my head - I can't think of any one single stand up with as much memorable material as those first two specials.

I also would have put Bill Cosby higher

[timmynausea]

Standup trivia: which two comedians on that list once went head-to-head in the finals of the Star Search comedy competition (and who won)?


Sinbad Vs. Dennis Miller. Sinbad was victorious.

David Cross should be way higher on the list. I mean, come on.... Jeff Foxworthy is 15 spots ahead of David Cross. Can anyone seriously make a case that Jeff Foxworthy is funnier than anyone on this list? (aside from Andrew Dice Clay.) I would rather watch hours and hours of Gallagher smashing fruits than hear that goddamn redneck bullshit for a fucking second. Jesus.

[sabotai]

Can anyone seriously make a case that Jeff Foxworthy is funnier than anyone on this list?

According the people hosting the show, Foxworthy has the highest selling comedy album ever. It's kind of hard to argue against that. Enough people must find him funny. I'm not one of them. I can't stand him, but apparently enough do.

As for Cosby, his success on his TV shows probably hurt him in this list. People remember the shows, not the stand ups.

Letterman and Leno. I hate Letterman and I hate his show (Give me Conan over either Leno or Letterman's show). But, the people doing the list might be including Letterman and Leno's openings to their shows as stand up, which would explain why the give so much credit to Letterman. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he didn't have a substantial career at just being a stand up.

As for "objective subjectivity", thanks for the laugh. I needed it. :) (The reaches people make to somehow give their pure opinion more weight over someone elses amazes me.)

[timmynausea]

According the people hosting the show, Foxworthy has the highest selling comedy album ever. It's kind of hard to argue against that. Enough people must find him funny. I'm not one of them. I can't stand him, but apparently enough do.


Dude, Vanilla Ice has the top selling rap album of all time and noone will ever make a list and say that Vanilla Ice is one of the top 100 rappers of all time, cause he sucks.

[sabotai]

Dude, Vanilla Ice has the top selling rap album of all time and noone will ever make a list and say that Vanilla Ice is one of the top 100 rappers of all time, cause he sucks.

First off, if there was a list of the top 100 rap artists, Vanilla Ice would be on it. Not because I like him, because I don't, but precisely for the reason that he has the top selling rap album of all time. (EDIT: Unless it's done by BET :) )

And even if that were not the case, Jeff Foxworthy can still sell every seat when he goes on tour. (And no, he doesn't just perform in clubs that seat 30 people.)

[John Galt]

I'm a little disappointed that Margaret Cho isn't on the list, but I understand that her humor isn't for everyone (at least it shows the picks weren't wholly "politically correct").

[sabotai]

I can't stand Cho...what's pretty funny though is that Netflix, until I told it otherwise, had 2 of Cho's DVDs in my recommended section. I guess I haven't rated enough comedy DVD's for it to make good recommendations there yet. :)

[Calis]

I would've liked to have seen Hicks in the top 10, for me personally he'd be #1, but I won't argue that. ;)

Overall it's not a real bad list as far as lists go.

[Maple Leafs]

I think Foxworthy and Rudner are actually quite funny, and I wonder if people are dismissing them just because they didn't play into the angry, anti-authority vibe. I love Rock and Carlin, but surely there has to be some room on the list for comedians who aren't dropping F-bombs all over the place? Somebody has to make your parents laugh too.

Actually, I was going to post a more general "just because you don't like them is no reason to dismiss their work" message, but then John Galt had to come along and turn me into a hypocrite. Margaret Cho? John, you can't be serious!

[John Galt]

Actually, I was going to post a more general "just because you don't like them is no reason to dismiss their work" message, but then John Galt had to come along and turn me into a hypocrite. Margaret Cho? John, you can't be serious!

I admit it, I'm a Cho fan. But then again, she is really the only major comic who is funny about sexuality (as opposed to gay-bashing jokes) and that has a greater appeal to me. I'm not a big fan of some of her show ending rants because they run a little long (but that can be said of a lot of people on the list). And you can't deny she is the best Asian bi-sexual comedian ever!!!! ;)

[Ksyrup]

I think Foxworthy and Rudner are actually quite funny, and I wonder if people are dismissing them just because they didn't play into the angry, anti-authority vibe. I love Rock and Carlin, but surely there has to be some room on the list for comedians who aren't dropping F-bombs all over the place?
The fact that Rudner and Foxworthy don't drop F-bombs is the least of the reasons I find them unfunny. Do you really think George Carlin is only funny because he swears? It's hard to explain, but their acts have too many mundane, "been there, heard that joke" topics.

Actually, Jerry Seinfeld is very similar to them, it's just that Larry David gave the Seinfeld show its edge. Otherwise, Seinfeld would have been The George Lopez Show (or any other run-of-the-mill, paint-by-numbers sitcom). His standup has always bored me to death.


Somebody has to make your parents laugh too.Yeah, that would be Jay Leno. :rolleyes:

Ever heard the saying, "if it's too loud, you're too old?" The equivalent applies to comedy as well. These types of comedians are way too safe and predictable - and by that, I'm referring to content, not lack of F-bombs - to be considered funny.

Somebody has to make a car for my parents to drive once they hit 65, but don't expect me to seriously consider buying a Buick.

[RendeR]

Although I was disturbed that RendeR apparently can't tell a couple black comedians apart



Can you clarify this? I'm not sure what this is supposed to be referencing. Who am I supposedly not telling apart, and what does their skin color have to do with anything?

[Ksyrup]

Can you clarify this? I'm not sure what this is supposed to be referencing. Who am I supposedly not telling apart, and what does their skin color have to do with anything?
I think you confused, purposely or not, Dave Chappelle with Michael Winslow (I think that's his name - I haven't seen an episode of 25K Pyramid from 1988 in quite a few years). Winslow was the guy from the Police Academy movies who was known for sound effects.

[John Galt]

Can you clarify this? I'm not sure what this is supposed to be referencing. Who am I supposedly not telling apart, and what does their skin color have to do with anything?

I'm rkmsuf and I both pointed out that Chapelle is not the same guy as the Police Academy funny noise guy (Michael Winslow). rkmsuf said something like "they all look a like, don't they" (sarcastically), but I was more disturbed by your belief that Robin Williams is the funniest human being ever (stand-up or otherwise).

[John Galt]

Ksyrup beat me to it.

[RendeR]

heh, yes I was confused actually, I remember reading his name related to the police academy movies, but god knows that was ages ago.

Name one of those other people on that list that can be as funny in every possible environment, movies, stand up, television, interviews, voice overs...all of it. No-one can compare to Robin's talent for creating laughs.

[John Galt]

heh, yes I was confused actually, I remember reading his name related to the police academy movies, but god knows that was ages ago.

Name one of those other people on that list that can be as funny in every possible environment, movies, stand up, television, interviews, voice overs...all of it. No-one can compare to Robin's talent for creating laughs.

Robin's ability to create laughs is overwhelmed by his ability to create cringes. If he had stopped working 10 years ago, things would have been better. And your statement did not just extend to people on that list (you said the funniest man throughout history), but if I had to say someone who did (almost) everything well who is on the list, I'd go with Bill Cosby. Stand-up, TV (his show revived the sitcom), Fat Albert (and amazing cartoon, especially for its time), and even TV commercials were all memorable. Sure, his movies sucked, but he was a better comedian than Williams all around and never induced the horrible look-away-from-accident-about-to-happen sensation that you get with Williams.

[ISiddiqui]

an anyone seriously make a case that Jeff Foxworthy is funnier than anyone on this list? (aside from Andrew Dice Clay.)

Yes, I'd put Foxworthy, at least, in the Top 30. Someone was talking about Eddie Murphy's lines which everyone (except me, I guess) knows... EVERYONE and their mothers know "You might be a redneck..." Besides, he's utterly hilarious.

[Maple Leafs]

The fact that Rudner and Foxworthy don't drop F-bombs is the least of the reasons I find them unfunny. Do you really think George Carlin is only funny because he swears? It's hard to explain, but their acts have too many mundane, "been there, heard that joke" topics.Foxworthy's act is a little tired now, I'll agree. But part of that is because so much of his original routine has been copied and reheated by so many hack comedians that it's become a cliche. When he first came out, he was reasonably fresh, and more importantly he was talking to a market that most hip, oh-so-urban comedians wanted nothing to do with. If that's not what appeals to you, fine, but you can't ignore that he hit home with an awful lot of people.

As for Rita Rudner, while I'll concede that she probably appeals more to women than men I still think she's reasonably good. Compare her act to the thousands of female comedians out there who go straight for the cliched "men are so stupid" routine.
Somebody has to make a car for my parents to drive once they hit 65, but don't expect me to seriously consider buying a Buick.Which is fine. But this is a top 100 list of all-time, not just the top 100 comedians who appeal to Ksyrup's demographic.

[Buzzbee]

A couple of thoughts:

Personally, I expected to see Red Skelton on the list, not Red Buttons. Perhaps they got their Reds confused.

There are times when Robin Williams can make you cringe, but in my opinion (obviously) they are few and far between. Also, he has the ability to take that cringe-factor and turn it into something uproariously funny. That's something that not many comedians can do. That's one reason I like his comedy.

I think Whoopi should have made the list, and should have been fairly high, at least higher than Roseanne. Like others, I think her success in other areas affected her rating, or lack thereof.

I think Sam Kennison's premature demise and the way Richard Pryor died elevated their standing. Pryor was funny as hell. No doubt. I would probably have him in the top 5, definitely top 10, but not #1.

I'm happy to see Steven Wright as high on the list as he is.

Just because Jay Leno works hard at stand up comedy, doesn't mean he is funny. Also, I personally wouldn't include Leno and Letterman's monologues since they are cherry picking the best jokes from a team of writers, for the most part. Most other stand up comedians usually don't have that luxury.

[sabotai]

and the way Richard Pryor died elevated their standing.

....Richard Pryor isn't dead.

[Buzzbee]

I stand corrected. I knew he was in very poor health many years ago, and was thinking that he died. I was obviously wrong.

So, as a correction, I think Pryor's poor health gave him some sypmathy votes.

Thanks for keeping me straight Sab. You can take off the thong now.

[timmynausea]

Anyone who considers themselves a comedy fan and hasn't seen David Cross's second HBO special "The Pride is Back" should find it and watch it immediately. I know you can download the audio off kazaa and etc., but if you can find the video it'd be better.
I think it ranks up there with the Chris Rock HBO specials and the best Carlin routines.

[The Afoci]

Dave Mordal. Dave Mordal. Dave Mordal. Dave Mordal.

What he hasn't done anything but lose on a TV show. Screw you hippie.

[sabotai]

I stand corrected. I knew he was in very poor health many years ago, and was thinking that he died. I was obviously wrong.

So, as a correction, I think Pryor's poor health gave him some sypmathy votes.

Thanks for keeping me straight Sab. You can take off the thong now.

A little over the top, man...and you told me you liked the thong!