(in this order)
Mort Sahl, Bill Hicks, George Carlin, Louis C.K., Bill Burr, Dick Gregory, Dave Chappelle, Mitch Hedburg, dov davidoff, doug stanhope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJrIShiYbK4
Marc Maron (I'm a huge fan of his)
David Cross
Louis C.K
Bill Burr
Mike Birbiglia
John Mulaney
Some greats there and I'm happy that Stanhope made the list...that guy is hilarious AND off his rocker lol
I'd add the legendary Sam Kinison and Eddie Murphy (who is currently in talks with Netflix for a reported $70 million special!)
Carlin was brilliant. I really miss him.
I want to give an old man shout out to Bob Newhart. He had this less is more routine where you would hear his half of a telephone conversation, and there was something magical about NOT hearing the other person and waiting for Bob's reactions. As a person he may have been as salty as the next guy, but he seemed to work clean, and I admire that. Being genuinely funny without resorting to smut is really refreshing.
Of course, Rodney Dangerfield was a real force. The guy just looked funny and he had his schtick down to a T. Even if a joke died he'd play if off like it's our fault.
And Carson was a good stand-up, sometimes especially when his material was tanking. We'd all be smiling while waiting for him to somehow put it all back together. He liked to milk those moments.
Not sure if I could take a steady diet of Stephen Wright, but he sure had his moments, and then there's good ol' Andy Kaufman.
All true, and I should kick my own ass for forgetting Dangerfield...that man was a national treasure!
shareI really like Mike Delamont. His 'God is a Scottish Drag Queen' shows are hilarious.
shareHans teeuwen!
shareIn no particular order:
Don Rickles
Rodney Dangerfield
Gilbert Gottfried
Norm Macdonald
Jerry Seinfeld
Sam Kinison
Robert Klein
Jay Leno
Joan Rivers
David Brenner
Jackie Mason
George Lopez
Bernie Mac
George Wallace
Sarah Silverman (though she's lost her chops imo)
Gallagher (Yes, Gallagher)
Always liked Stanhope but I fear he's drank himself into witless oblivion lately
I've hung out with him - I didn't see him very drunk. But unfortunately, his comedy is getting redundant, and his last special wasn't good, and he hasn't done one since. I saw him live for a third time, and a majority of it was already said on his previous specials.
shareHis early stuff was hilarious, just seemed to have lost his edge, needs a new muse methinks
shareDid his lady Bingo die...I know she was sick, but I heard she recovered...serious question
shareI don't know, I met her in Edinburgh once, hope she is ok, never knew she was ill?
shareShe did cocaine, had a seizure (she takes many meds), and cracked her head on the pavement.
share