The Top 25 Funniest People in America

[Maple Leafs]

Anyone have the full list?

NEW YORK (AP) -- He's not on television regularly anymore, but Entertainment Weekly has judged Chris Rock to be the funniest man in America.

The 38-year-old comedian is now on a stand-up concert tour, which will culminate in an HBO special.

"Watching Rock in 2004 -- 21 years into his comedy career -- is like watching a great prize-fighter in peak condition," the magazine said.

Comedy Central's Jon Stewart was second on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 25 funniest Americans, and Will Ferrell came in third.

Larry David, Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Murray, Jim Carrey and Jack Black also were praised by the magazine.

And here's a Top 10 list David Letterman isn't going to like: He was No. 11. Of course, it might make him feel better to know Jay Leno wasn't mentioned at all.

[cthomer5000]

Chris Rock
Jon Stewart and the Daily Show Team
Will Ferrell
Larry David
Dave Chapelle
Ellen DeGeneres
Bill Murray
Amy and David Sedaris
Robert Smigel
Jim Carrery
David Letterman
Aaron McGruder
Jack Black
Wanda Sykes
Augesten Burroughs
Scot Armstrong
Conan O'Brien
Ben Stiller & Owen Wilson
Bernie Mac
Maya Rudolph
Demitri Martin
Catherine O'Hara
ego trip
Sarah Silverman
Dave Attell
25 1/2 Kelly Ripa

[cthomer5000]

Pretty solid collection of people, and I'm very happy to see Robert Smigel listed so highly.

[rkmsuf]

Ellen? Please...

[sterlingice]

Ick. I haven't heard of half of those people and of the ones I have heard of, about 5 of them are actually funny.

SI

[Maple Leafs]

Not a bad list, actually. Ellen DeGeneres is actually very funny when she's not trying to play the poor lesbian media-victim, which she hasn't done in years.

I'm surprised to see Rudolph on there, the Silverman pick is a little too trendy for me and the absence of George Carlin essentially voids the list. But overall, they did a pretty good job.

(Now of course, the fact that a handful of those listed are actually Canadian is another thing. I guess it did say "in America", not "from America".)

Edit: Adam Corolla really needs to be on the list too.

[rkmsuf]

I like Dave Attell...he's a funny guy and I agree Corolla could be included...

[Maple Leafs]

Interesting that there's not a lot of real politcal humor represented on the list. Rock can certainly go into that territory, but I'm thinking of people like Bill Maher and Dennis Miller who are defined by their politics. You could make a case that neither really belongs there on merit, but I found it interesting that there really aren't any of those type of guys on the list.

(And I don't count Jon Stewart... his show is certainly liberal, but I suspect that has more to do with having Republicans in the white house. If Kerry wins, liberals will probably hate Stewart this time next year.)

[Draft Dodger]

I was 3,154th

[SplitPersonality1]

Jon Stewart & #2 ???
Wanda Sykes?
Ugh

Either my tastes don't match the rest of the nation (highly likely), or this list really blows (very likely)

I think that Hornsmaniac should have been on the list. After all, he's cocky & funny.

[cthomer5000]

I find Wanda Sykes very funny. Not her show so much, because she's better in supporting roles (lots of Chris Rock stuff) and doing stand up.

[MikeVic]

Daily Show with Jon Stewart is one of the only shows I watch on TV regularly... I find it really funny.

[dawgfan]

No love for Bill Simmons - these guys that made the list must not be sports fans.

[ISiddiqui]

Dave Atell :).

And Ellen is pretty funny in her standup routine.

[Maple Leafs]

Sykes is one that I can't say I've enjoyed much, but my exposure to her has been mostly though her show. I've heard other people says she's very good in various things, so I can live with the pick.

One other point on Stewart -- anyone else think it was a bit of a copout to list "the Daily Show team"? I think guys like Frank Black could have made the list on their own, but instead they lump them all together. It would be like having "the Saturday Night Live cast" as one entry.

[korme]

CHAPPELES SHOW and his comedy special earn him at #5, finally the man getting some recognition.

Hell yea Larry David too.

[KevinNU7]

WE'RE GOING STREAKING!

[Fritz]

Not a very good list.

[KevinNU7]

SANNNNNNNNNNNNTA! I know him, I know him

[Schmidty]

Conan should be #1. Howard Dean should be #2.

[ISiddiqui]

One other point on Stewart -- anyone else think it was a bit of a copout to list "the Daily Show team"? I think guys like Frank Black could have made the list on their own, but instead they lump them all together. It would be like having "the Saturday Night Live cast" as one entry.

Not really... because you don't know if they are individually funny or whether it is because of the context of the show. I wouldn't have listed any Daily Show correspondant individually.

[Maple Leafs]

Not really... because you don't know if they are individually funny or whether it is because of the context of the show. I wouldn't have listed any Daily Show correspondant individually.Ever seen Black do standup? He's really quite good.

[ISiddiqui]

Ever seen Black do standup? He's really quite good.

But they didn't put Black on the list for his standup... they did for his work on the Daily Show, along with everyone else.

[Warhammer]

I thought it was nice seeing Aaron Mac Gruder getting recognition.

[Fritz]

also, if you are saying "25 funniest people" and list "daily show crew" as one person then you may be misunderstanding how to count.

[Fritz]

little education here:

Frank Black - recording artist
Jack Black - Actor
Lewis Black - Comedian

[Fritz]

and Lewis Black's stand up blows the entire Daily Show out of the water.

[rkmsuf]

little education here:

Frank Black - recording artist
Jack Black - Actor
Lewis Black - Comedian

Bud Black - pitcher

[Hammer755]

I was 3,154th

I guess that makes me 3,153rd. :)

[Schmidty]

Bud Black - pitcher

Shirley Temple Black - Former child star.

[rkmsuf]

Men in Black - movie

[Ksyrup]

Ben Stiller & Owen Wilson


THIS one I find the most ridiculous. They might as well have put an * with "paid for by the committee to get people to buy movie tickets to see Starsky & Hutch" after it.

Besides, as Fritz pointed out, if it's the 25 funniest people, there are no "teams" allowed. Either Jon Stewart makes it, or he doesn't. Or, everyone named - including the teams - can only add up to 25.

And who in the hell are the Sedaris's, anyway?

They obviously need two separate lists - one for individuals, one for team/troupe/pair, etc.

[Ksyrup]

Back In Black - song

[rkmsuf]

If you add Stiller and Wilson together you come close to the humor of one person. I can see where they are coming from...

[JeeberD]

Back in Black - Song

Edit: Damn you Ksyrup!

[Easy Mac]

No Wayans, no care.

[Honolulu Blue]

Originally Posted by Fritz
little education here:

Frank Black - recording artist
Jack Black - Actor
Lewis Black - Comedian

Bud Black - pitcher

Paint It Black - Rolling Stones song :D

More seriously, I think it's nearly impossible to come up with a list like this - even more so than "best player", "most powerful", or even "most beautiful". There's a serious lack of objective criteria here, other than making people laugh. And what's funny varies quite widely from person to person.

[dawgfan]

And who in the hell are the Sedaris's, anyway?

Writers. David Sedaris is best-known for the books "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day".

[Hammer755]

And who in the hell are the Sedaris's, anyway?


Isn't Amy Sedaris the chick from Strangers with Candy? Don't know who David Sedaris is, I would assume it's her husband. I seem to remember she was in some kind of comedy troupe and perhaps he is as well.

[Draft Dodger]

Black Magic - Woman

[Ksyrup]

Never hoid of them or anything they've done/written.

[Fritz]

Man in Black - Johnny Cash (rip)

[rkmsuf]

Never hoid of them or anything they've done/written.

My neither but apparantly they are f-ing funny...

[Ksyrup]

As long as Dave Attell made it, and Jay Leno did not, the list is valid. Aside from the "team" issue, that is.

What/who is egotrip?

[rkmsuf]

Black hole - space thingy

[Easy Mac]

Blackadar - FOFC poster

[Ksyrup]

Catherine O'Hara? She's funnier than anyone in the Guffman/Mighty Wind/Best In Show crowd? If ever someone deserved the "Jon Stewart and everyone he works with" treatment, it was these folks. It should have been, Christopher Guest and the casts of those movies.

[JeeberD]

Fade to Black - Metallica song

[Schmidty]

Beard, Black - Pirate filed alphabetically by last name

[Ksyrup]

Black Sabbath

[rkmsuf]

Black Eyed Peas - band

[JeeberD]

Black - color (or lack thereof)

[cthomer5000]

Black Album (Smell The Glove) - Spinal Tap

[Easy Mac]

Black Album - Jay-z

[rkmsuf]

Eye black - helps John Randle get jiggy

[SplitPersonality1]

Black - like me (book, movie.....me)

[Ksyrup]

I think we're proving why none of us is on the top 25 list...

[DanGarion]

Alexandria Black - porn star...

[Comey]

little education here:

Frank Black - recording artist
Jack Black - Actor
Lewis Black - Comedian
THANK YOU. Lewis Black is one of the more brilliant comedians out there. Interestingly enough, he's also a playwright.

I've seen him twice live (the second time was New Year's Eve in Philly, with Dave Attell and Mitch Hedburg)...and he's just amazing each time. It's a treat to watch him perform and go nuts.

-John

[rkmsuf]

I think we're proving why none of us is on the top 25 list...

I'm confident I can out-black Amy and David Sedaris...

[Ksyrup]

THANK YOU. Lewis Black is one of the more brilliant comedians out there. Interestingly enough, he's also a playwright.

I've seen him twice live (the second time was New Year's Eve in Philly, with Dave Attell and Mitch Hedburg)...and he's just amazing each time. It's a treat to watch him perform and go nuts.

-John
I would love to see Attell and Black together. Insomniac is one of my favorite shows.

[dawgfan]

My neither but apparantly they are f-ing funny...

I thought "Me Talk Pretty One Day" was hysterical, but YMMV...

[rkmsuf]

I thought "Me Talk Pretty One Day" was hysterical, but YMMV...

Never heard of it but I'll take your word for it...

[Ksyrup]

I thought "Me Talk Pretty One Day" was hysterical, but YMMV...
MCNGOOTD (My car never got out of the driveway).

[AgPete]

Conan should be #1. Howard Dean should be #2.

I agree, Conan should be a lot higher.

[JHandley]

Black Flag

[rkmsuf]

Black Flag

Which one?

The band?
The car race thing?
The roach spray?

[Ksyrup]

Which one?

The band?
The car race thing?
The roach spray?
The song?

[Buddy Grant]

None of these guys could hold a candle to Red Skeleton or Bob Hope. And where the hell is Carrot Top?

[dawgfan]

And where the hell is Carrot Top?

Not on the list, which is as it should be. I don't care how funny his stand-up routine might be - his phone commercials disqualify him from any top-25 consideration.

[DeToxRox]

Dave Chapelle is so overrated its not funny.

His show is all about racisim... ITS SO HIT OR MISS. AHHHH.

And Carlin not being on there is a shame. Active or not right now, he's still one of the funniest men ever, and deserves a nod just for that.

[DeToxRox]

and, alas one more thing about Chapelle. Anyone who mentions Halfbaked as a classic is quite possibly a person who doesn't see many funny movies.

Halfbaked can only be considered a classic if you're asking a person to pick between it, Chairman of the Board and Caddyshack 2.

[Pyser]

I would love to see Attell and Black together. Insomniac is one of my favorite shows.

dont discount mitch hedberg in that lineup. he is amazing, in a very laid back sort of way.

[mckerney]

Conan is too low and it looks like they completely forgot about Mitch Hedburg.

And not to mention Seth MacFarlane.

[Fritz]

Conan hardly makes me chuckle. If I were to make a top 25, he would not even come to mind.

[kcchief19]

Amy and David Sedaris are brother and sister. Both are writers. Amy also acts and has had some memorable guest shots on sitcomes. David also works on This American Life on NPR. I got dragged against my will to a book reading of his a year or two ago, and I must admit that he was pretty darn funny.

Any list of funny people that has Letterman on it and has Leno cleaning out the john at a Baskin-Robins is aces with me. If that seat moistener had been on it, I'd cancel my subscription. Granted, Dave should be higher, but I won't complain.

[Buddy Grant]

And where in God's name is Raymond J. Johnson Jr?!?!?! :mad:

[Maple Leafs]

I'm actually a little surprised that Ray Romano wasn't on the list.

Yeah, yeah, I know, he's committed the cardinal sin of having a successful family sitcom. But his standup is actually quite good. Back in the day when he was Letterman's protege he was among the best out there.

I realize that standup comedy is kind of like music and nobody will ever admit to liking someone who goes on to mainstream success, but hey, they can't all be Carlins.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

To prove how un-funny the comedians are today all one needs to do is read how a thread devoted to the top 25 funny people turned into a tread of things with "Black" in them...

Are Stiller & Wilson getting married?

Minnie Riperton's daughter is #20? I guess I'd have to see her outside of SNL, because the funniest thing about that show is that it isn't even considered for cancelation.

By the way, where's Carlin???

[Buddy Grant]

To prove how un-funny the comedians are today all one needs to do is read how a thread devoted to the top 25 funny people turned into a tread of things with "Black" in them...

Are Stiller & Wilson getting married?

Minnie Riperton's daughter is #20? I guess I'd have to see her outside of SNL, because the funniest thing about that show is that it isn't even considered for cancelation.

By the way, where's Carlin???
Humor is often generational - the kids these days don't appreciate the classic comics of our youth. Just the other day I was at the dry cleaners to pick up a sports jacket - when they apologized for it not being ready I said "Well Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!" and everyone looked at me real funny like. Maybe you had to be there.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Was it Samurai Dry-Cleaners?

[Karim]

Black Monday

[sabotai]

Black - Pearl Jam Song

[Buccaneer]

Of the folks I have heard of:

I am in the significant minority that thinks David Letterman is one of the most unfunny comedian of all time. In the various times I have heard him over the decades, I don't think I have EVER laughed at anything he had said.

No need to repeat my diatribe against Stiller, the most embarassing and unwatchable person on the screens today.

Chris Rock is very annoying to listen to, imo.

The top 2 for me would be Robin Williams and Jim Carrey.

[ISiddiqui]

I am in the significant minority that thinks David Letterman is one of the most unfunny comedian of all time.

Yes, yes you are. If you weren't so far away, I'd stone you for heresy right about now ;).

[sabotai]

David Letterman is not funny.

[Fritz]

Of the folks I have heard of:

I am in the significant minority that thinks David Letterman is one of the most unfunny comedian of all time.


I dont get much out of him.

XM Comedy station gives me a good chance to hear a lot of stand up, and the folks I like a lot are Bill Hicks and Doug Stanhope. I think Stanhope's work on the daily show is bad, but his stand up is great. There are a bunch of others that make me laugh harder than most of the folks on the list, but I can't recall their names.

For a softer humor, I would put Garrison Killior right up there.

[sabotai]

Bill Hicks was the f'n man!

[Comey]

dont discount mitch hedberg in that lineup. he is amazing, in a very laid back sort of way.
Agreed. My wife and I got tickets to see Lewis Black on New Year's Eve, and I didn't realize it was going to be the Comedy Central tour. When we pulled up in Philly to the Tower Theatre, and saw Mitch's name with Black and Dave Attell, I absolutely freaked out.

Best New Year's Eve I've ever had.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Karen Black - Horror movie queen

[Buddy Grant]

Was it Samurai Dry-Cleaners?
Haha!

[Ramzavail]

Heres a better question.

How is Jerry Seinfeld not on this list?

How?

[sabotai]

Seinfeld's show has been done for several years and he hasn't done anything to stay in the spotlight. I can see how he could be overlooked.

[Suicane75]

Amy Sedaris' show Strangers with Candy on CC a few years ago was and is a terrific and VERY funny spoof on the Afternoon Specials that used to run in the 70's and 80's, im surprised but happy she made the list. I think Chris Rock is funny but I think he's coasted on that first HBO special of his, I don't think he's come close to approaching that level since then. And that son of a bitch owes me $28 for his last 4 movies.
Bill Hicks being dead over a decade now is still as funny as almost everyone on that list. Mitch Hedberg is a guy I find very funny, although i understand people who say they can't stand him. And how the hell is Maya Rudolph funnier than Ratchel Dretch? If your gonna take a female from SNL, she's the one to take.

[Suicane75]

Dola

The Adventures Of Dick Black, Black Dick- Cinematic Masterpiece

[Fritz]

Mitch Hedberg is a guy I find very funny, although i understand people who say they can't stand him.

I think he is a guy you need more than a little does of to get into. The problem with shows like the one on comedy central, where you get 30 comedians in 30 min is nice for the variety, but it doesnt really let a comic build into his material.

-----
Didn't know hicks was dead. I don't stay very current on pop culture.

[Sharpieman]

I'm glad to see Jon Stewart get the recognition he deserves. Before him, there was that other guy on the Daily Show, I forgot his name but he does a late night show on CBS that isn't funny. I've been a fan since Stewart came on the air for the Daily Show. He's my favorite comedian. Chris Rock has always been great too. I loved his specials on HBO. Non-stop laughs. Dave Chappelle is a rising star. Although I wouldn't like him to leave the Chappelle show for something more mainstream, because he would be censored by those A-holes at the FCC.

[ISiddiqui]

there was that other guy on the Daily Show

CRAIG KILBORN! Best Sportscenter anchor... EVER (well him and Olbermann).

[Sharpieman]

He should have stuck to that...

[Meddera]

Billy Bob Thornton is funny as hell. If you haven't seen "Bad Santa" you're missing out. Never laughed so hard in my entire life. Also, how the hell is Adam Sandler not on that list?

[Suicane75]

Also, how the hell is Adam Sandler not on that list?

Cause it's a list of the 25 Funniest People In America :D

[SuburbanPimp]

John Pinette. Funniest. Man. EVER.

Hero to fat men everywhere. :)

[Maple Leafs]

John Pinette. Funniest. Man. EVER.YOU GO NOW!