Favorite Comedians

[Hrairoo]

Post your favorite stand-up comedians. Either all in one list or tell us about acts you've recently discovered.



I personally enjoy more animated folks who change expression and voice a lot. I also tend to go for more softer toned comedians. You gotta be in the right mood for provocateurs like Bill Burr or Dave Chapelle and I don't really consider them my go-to. I think Sam Morrill is as edgy as I'll go.

I love female comedians who have done a few sets live at the Apollo. Katherine Ryan and Sarah Milican are top notch ladies. Old school Maria Bamford too; is there anybody who doesn't know the cult bit?

I also like a few guys I've encountered on Dry Bar; Bob Smiley, Eric O'Shea, and Zoltan Kaszas are just a few who really project and act out in very charming, entertaining ways.

[Mathim]

Damn, it's hard to say who's the top of my list. I think in terms of just pure volume of a body of work, though, the crown must go to George Carlin. Anyone who roasts religion the way that guy does deserves adulation. Not afraid of offending anyone, that's not as common as we'd like and he was very early on doing that, very proud of his bravery there.

I'm not a great fan of Bill Maher's shows but his stand-up is excellent. Sometimes he goes a bit too far in not caring who he's offending, though, like Stan Lee fans, so he's a bit out of touch.

Bill Hicks, we lost him too soon. Abrasive, but biting. Love that he made his own sound effects. Good politics too, in my opinion. Probably the most effective use of impressions.

And Jim Jefferies. Laughed my balls off at all his Netflix specials. Having a non-American perspective on things is great. I haven't seen enough of Ricky Gervais to know for sure how I feel about having him on my list but he'd probably be another non-American perspective I'd enjoy hearing performing.

[Hrairoo]

I've heard of a couple of those. I used to be a Dane Cook fan. His Burger King, B&E, and office shooter bits are still old school favorites. Oh, you made me remember Christopher Titus too! Jesus. His attack dog bit is fucking brilliant but in general, he's very animated and expressive and I love it.

Somebody I recently discovered, Josh Blue. Great delivery on a lot of his jokes.

Drew Lynch is adorable. "How bad is it?" is my favorite bit of his and with time, he seems to be managing his stutter quite well. Good for him. *thumbs up*

[Beguile's Mistress]

I have to agree with Mathim.  George Carlin was an amazing comedian.  I didn't always agree with his opinion but his delivery was entertaining and thoroughly amusing and his juxtaposition of the nuances of opposition and extremes was usually something to be expected in his sets. 

For example:  Jumbo shrimp and his description of the oxymoron.  He would draw out the word jumbo and spread his hands wide apart over his head then bring his fingers together in front of him at his waist and snap out the word shrimp.

He could be offensive, highly offensive if you didn't care for his opinion, but still amusing and entertaining on any subject.  I don't know anyone else who could do that.  There are time these days when I listen to the news and wonder what he would do with all the nonsense I see and hear.  He would have had a fun time with our current president had he been a political comedian.

[Blythe]

Oh, you made me remember Christopher Titus too!

I absolutely love Titus. I think one of his strongest points is that he has such good facial expressions and general movement; he's a comedian where I feel that there's a world of difference merely listening to him vs. actually seeing him. He has a knack for turning dysfunction and tragedy into something relatable that can bring a person to smiles and laughter rather than tears. Hands down one of my absolute favorite comedians.

[Remiel]

I just watched Dave Chapelle's most recent Netflix specials.  He's still got it.

[LunarSage]

I still love old Steven Wright standup.

Also Russell Peters.

[Hrairoo]

Brian Regan is another great one. Absolutely adore this guy. His faces and delivery are priceless. His pain rating and serving size sets are the absolute best.

[Hrairoo]

Sara Pascoe is lovely. My favorite set is "Art is rubbish". I disagree but she is hilarious. She has a dry and flat delivery of punchlines that is pure craft. Love her.

[Inkidu]

I like Pete Holmes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ4o1N4ksyQ

I think "Internet Sleuth" is probably another good clip of his to look up.

[clonkertink]

Wanda Sykes is absolutely brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q437SK-j0zk

[Hrairoo]

I like Pete Holmes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ4o1N4ksyQ

I think "Internet Sleuth" is probably another good clip of his to look up.

Omg! Yes! I fucking love the crap out of his comedy show and his skits. Never seen his stand-up though. That is great. Thankya.  *thumbs up*

[Hrairoo]

Wanda Sykes is absolutely brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q437SK-j0zk

Absolutely classic. She is a genius. She's just so personable and charming too. Very funny lady.

[Lady Higashi]

I would like to join the comedian discussion.

Dave Chappelle has been one of my faves for a long time. The Chappelle Show was a treasure, and Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories will live on forever.

I would like to add, Richard Pryor, Chris Porter (EVERYTHING IS TRUE LMAO), and Tom Seguro (His commentary on Steven Seagal is legendary)

[Rex Pacis]

Oh man I wish I could recall everyone off the top of my head but here goes.

Carlin and Chapelle are both pretty high up there for me. Carlin the legend. And Chapelle I kinda grew up with. "I'm Rick James, itch." and his stand ups are great. The baby selling weed in the hood at 3am. ROFL.

Bill Hicks is another great one. Agreed with the previous poster R.I.P. gone too soon. Would have loved to have see a special from either him or Carlin in this modern era.

Titus is great too. Lewis Black, John Mulaney, Ricky Gervais, Kevin Hart, Robin William's Broadway special is probably one of my favorites.

Not traditional stand up but I am a big fan of Bo Burnham. Just hard to hate all that cleverness. Probably throw John Leguizamo into this category. More one man shows than "stand up"

Just to not put up more text wall my last honorable mention will be Mitch Hedberg. Takes a lot of courage to hit the comedy clubs with exclusively one liners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=702FbRGayp0

[clonkertink]

Man, I miss Royal Canadian Air Farce some days. Especially the late John Morgan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qneD11pj4Y0

[Mr Quixotic]

Jim Jefferries, and Tim Minchin's musical/atheist comedy is at the top of my list, along with Carl Barron who I think is less well known internationally. And humour more typically Australian. The last two minute or so of this routine has me in stitches every time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a39fS-82HE

[EnchantedDream218]

I think my favorite comedian will always be Bill Burr, he always strikes me as funny. I love F is For Family too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn6MHmDo_Ck&t=156s

[Scarlettskull]

My absolute favorite comedian was Mitch Hedberg.

I also loved and still do love Robin Williams.

For newer comedians I love Kate McKinnon and Mike Birbiglia.