Your favorite (stand-up) comedians

[motley]

For me and in no order except maybe for the first one:

- Bill Cosby. Him doing what he did sucks but doesn't change how funny his material was. I think "Himself" was the best comedian show ever, but his older stuff is also classic...he also deserves high praise for being able to be funny without being in the sewer or even swearing.
- George Carlin. The absolute master of language and I loved his observations of it. I thought his "angry man" bit towards the end of his life however was weak.
- Don Rickles. He wouldn't get to first base in today's political-correctness-gone-viral world. Thank God he came along sooner and was one of the best ever. Also the best comedian to have as a talk show guest; his stuff with Johnny Carson (but also elsewhere) was so great.
- Leo Gallagher. Easily wins my "most underrated" award. Some dismiss him as just a "prop comedian" which is a joke, he was so much more (but even his prop stuff was great).
- Dana Carvey. My favorite "absurdist." I esp love his musical bits.
- Robin Williams. Self-explanatory.

There are many others of course, but if I had to narrow it down to roughly a handful, to me these are the most memorable.

 

[rk911]

Totally agree with that list. I'll add..

- Alan King
- Henny Youngman
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Jack Carter

Sullivan had all of the great ones on every Sunday night (along with the guy who kept the plates spinning on top of poles). None of them could do what they did today. America, it seems, has forgotten how to laugh at itself.

 

[tfudtuckerpucker]

Forty years ago I worked side by side with this engineer to design a computer chip . He's a sharp engineer- I never dreamed he'd be a successful stand up comedian. So he's one of my favorites.

 

[motley]

Totally agree with that list. I'll add..

- Alan King
- Henny Youngman
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Jack Carter

Sullivan had all of the great ones on every Sunday night (along with the guy who kept the plates spinning on top of poles). None of them could do what they did today. America, it seems, has forgotten how to laugh at itself.

Well to be fair, America is awfully busy these days working hard to ensure it's offended as much as possible

 

[Texas Proud]

Robin Williams by far the best...

The others in the OP were good... just not close IMO..


As an example...

Unusual for an animated film, much of Williams's dialogue was ad-libbed. For some scenes, Williams was given topics and dialogue suggestions, but allowed to improvise his lines. It is estimated that Williams improvised 52 characters.

 

[savory]

I was reminded of some of my favorites as I read this which I will not repeat. My list would also include Groucho, Woody Allen, Godfrey Cambridge, Redd Fox, and Steven Wright.

 

[Retired2021]

50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time

From old-school nightclub veterans to alt-comedy legends, Patton Oswalt to Richard Pryor – our picks for the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.

www.rollingstone.com

I would add:
George Lopez and Gabriel Iglesias (rarely uses swear words)

 

[rk911]

Jonathon Winters.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

George Carlin (RIP). No one has yet come close to his wit, observations and perceptions. I have recordings of most of his work that I go back to occasionally. I am sure he would have some good insights to the state of the USA today, especially this election season.

 

[pb4uski]

Jeff Foxworthy. Somehow we had one of his CDs. Hilarious.

• If your front porch collapses and kills more than four dogs, you might be a red neck
• If you cut your grass and found a car, you might be a redneck
• When your son comes to your 8th grade graduation, you might be a redneck
• If you go to your family reunion to look for a date, you might be a redneck
• If you divorce your wife and still call her "Sis", you might be a redneck
• If your wallet and your dog both have a chain, you might be a redneck
• If your wife surprises you with an anniversary gift of "his and hers" spit cups, you might be a redneck
• If you think "loading the dishwasher" means getting your wife drunk, you might be a redneck
• If your family tree "DOES NOT FORK", you might be a redneck
• If your wife has ever said, "Come move this transmission so I can take a bath", you might be a redneck
• If you've ever been too drunk to fish, you might be a redneck

 

[rembrandt]

Sam Kinison

 

[Dtail]

Tons of great ones mentioned already. Probably not a popular choice but will add Andrew Dice Clay.
Also like Sebastian Maniscalco.

 

[Car-Guy]

Most Network News/Analyst
Most Politicians
And
George Carlin
Rich Little
Richard Pryor
Bill Engvall
Jeff Foxworthy

 

[calmloki]

Forty years ago I worked side by side with this engineer to design a computer chip . He's a sharp engineer- I never dreamed he'd be a successful stand up comedian. So he's one of my favorites.

This was a happy surprise!

 

[aaronc879]

So difficult to make a list like that since it is soo subjective. That said I would put George Carlin first and can't imagine him not being in the top 3 on anyone's list. Then Richard Pryor and Robin Williams round out my top 3.

 

[jollystomper]

A modern comedian I like is Nate Bargatze. Someone showed me the SNL skit where he played George Washington, and I thought it was hilarious. I checked out his other stuff on YouTube and his comedy special and liked them a lot.

Rita Rudner is another good comedienne.

 

[Texas Proud]

Jonathon Winters.

Yes... I was thinking of him after I put Robin Williams down... still think Robin was better...

I saw a video of them together and it was amazing...

 

[bloom2708]

Nate Bergatze is probably top right now. No swearing, no dirty stuff, just good humor.

 

[Kings over Queens]

such a subjective list because they are all so funny in their own way.

You have to put Robin Williams high on the list.

Going with current times, Tom Papa cracks me up, and he's an avid baker of sourdough bread.

Add to this Bill Burr and to a lesser degree even Joe Rogan.

 

[mh]

a newer comedian is ismo - from finland - a fact which enters into his comedy a fair amount - he does a lot of george carlin style comedy in observing words and language amusements.

 

[6miths]

Agree with most of the choices. Didn’t see Bob Newhart. Until recently had a local 24h all-comedy AM station. I liked Wanda Sykes’ bits. Have seen Danny Bhoy a couple times with the kids. Very enjoyable. Agree that George Carlin was pretty amazing.

 

[scrabbler1]

I watch Johnny Carson reruns on AntennaTV and am delighted when Rodney Dangefield or Robin Williams are guests because they are not only funny during their stand-up bits but afterward when they are sitting with Carson and using the co-operative host to create more jokes.

 

[pacergal]

Agree with many listed all ready, will add;
Ellen Degeneres
Elaine Boosler
old SNL comedian/actors--Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Will Farrell
Martin Short, Steve Martin

 

[motley]

old SNL comedian/actors--Jane Curtain, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Will Farrell

I disagree with those even though I like them all as they aren't stand-up comedians. Similarly I wouldn't "count" Rich Little (and by extension Frank Caliendo) even though I like them both a lot as they're impersonators, not really what I would consider a stand-up comedian...just IMO

 

[BruinBones]

Another vote for George Carlin. Also considered Steve Martin, Jay Leno, David Brenner, Rodney Dangerfield, Jerry Seinfeld.