100 Greatest Standups by Comedy Central

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

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]

Originally Posted by 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).

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

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]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

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]

Originally Posted by 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)?

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]

Originally Posted by sabotai

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]

Originally Posted by timmynausea

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]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

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]

Originally Posted by John Galt

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]

Originally Posted by RendeR

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]

Originally Posted by RendeR

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

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.

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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