Yes I love to laugh as most people do. Over the years I have been fortunate to go and see some great comedians. I can still remember being in San Francisco years ago with KW and seeing a young Robert Townsend or seeing Rodney Dangerfield in LA. Or there was the time I went with JW to see Jackie Mason. I must admit I love his humor and accent. Very quick and fast paced.
Recently I saw Jerry Seinfeld with five of my friends in Vegas and although I really love him, his show was very disappointing. A few years back I saw David Brenner as he was attempting to make a comeback and was disappointed to see him read his jokes off index cards. The best part of the night was asking an usher to give a note to David asking him to come out front and meet a few of his fans. He obliged and was very nice. I remember seeing Roseanne Barr in Boston when she was just starting out and doing her "domestic goddess" routine. Old timer Buddy Hackett was funny. He invited us back stage after a concert and one of my friends was sitting in "his" seat and he wasn’t too happy.
Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order:
- Bill Cosby – very classy, funny. I love the faces he makes and how he looks at things.
- The late Sam Kinison – He was wild looking, crazy, fast paced but I love him.
- Rita Rudner – Saw her in a Vegas. She was soft spoken, very funny and her act was very clean.
- Dom Irrera – You may not know who he is but believe me…VERY funny. I must have seen him ten times in Boston and another five in Philadelphia.
Without question my two favorites are:
- Billy Crystal – enough said. GREAT performer. Would travel hundreds of miles to see him.
- Robin Williams. Just thinking about him makes me laugh. He has great voices and mannerisms.
So that’s some of the folks on my list.
- Who is your favorite comedian?
- Who performed at the best comedy show you have ever attended?
P.S. I didn’t even mention Carrot Top!
Colleen Mezler says:
I happen to love Robin Williams, he is soooo funny. I have never been to one of his shows, but would love to.
I also love impersonator/comedians like Danny Ganns.
I am going to see Ray Romano and Kevin James in Vegas next month. Has anyone been to their show? Any feedback?
Rick Johnson says:
Here are some of my favorites:
Robin Williams, Mitch Hedberg (R.I.P.), Frank Caliendo, Kathleen Madigan, Brian Regan, Steve Martin, Johnathan Winters, Lewis Black. Just to name a few.
I love comedy and listen to XM 150 all of the time!
steve Gentile says:
Buster Keaton, Groucho Marx (solo or with the brothers Marx), Charlie Chaplin, Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Carol Burnett, my friend Richard, my financial planner, and of course my Airedales are the FUNNIEST dogs I have ever known!
Steve Gentile says:
forgot funniest live – early Eddie Murphy hands down.
Ed Sugar says:
Albert Brooks, Harry Shearer, Johnny Carson, Danny Kaye, Groucho, the Marx Brothers, Buster Keaton, W.C. Fields, Lucy, Steven Wright, Joe Queenan, David Sedaris, Dave Gorman, John Cleese, Stan Freberg and Tom Lehrer are my top of mind picks. Some in my list are more comedy writers, commentators, or satirists than actual stand-up comedians, but hey, why split hairs.
SeanJJordan says:
What, no love for Eddie Izzard? His comedy DVDs are hands down the funniest stand-up I’ve ever seen.
Christopher Titus’s “Norman Rockwell is Bleeding” is also very good.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Colleen,
I haven’t seen Ray Romano or Kevin James but both are very funny – especially Romano with the way it talks and delivers jokes.
Enjoy.
Merrill
Mike Macleod says:
My latest favorite is Bill Burr. His bit about reducing the world population to about 30,000 people is hilarious.
Other favorites are Dave Attell, Mitch Hedberg, and I’m going to see Lewis Black next week.
Christopher Dallion says:
I saw George Carlin in Dallas several years ago on New Years Eve – absolutely hilarious and I’m glad I had the opportunity.
I grew up listening to Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, George Carlin and Steve Martin. These days I listen to XM 150 like Rick and encounter lots of very funny comedians – too many to list.
Michael Mermelstein says:
Steven Wright – he’s got a great tone (mono) and delivery.
Ray Romano is very funny – Colleen, you’ll enjoy his show
Randy Carson says:
Steven Wright. The man can toss out one-liners with a straight face as he walks across the stage for hours. Often the jokes have no connection with each other, but it is the most hilarious exhibition of comedy I have ever seen.
Matt Gershner says:
I’m with Sean – Eddie Izzard is ridiculously funny (I just saw him at Radio City a few months ago).
Also, I will tune into anything and everything that Jon Steward ever does. While not your typical comedian, I love intelligent humor that he and his writers come up with every night.
Matt Gershner says:
Whoops – typo – Jon Stewart
Merrill Dubrow says:
Sean/Matt – I am embarrassed – I have no idea who Eddie Izzard is but now have to see him.
Thanks.
Merrill
Jeffrey Lorber says:
Eddie Izzard is a cross-dressing, English, genius. He did that stupid TV show “The Riches”, but his stand-up is fantastic!
Also love:
Late (sic) John Belushi
Early Chris Rock (The big piece of chicken!)
Newbie John Heffron (Last Comic Standing Champ)
Dana Carvy (Choppin’ Broccoli)
Abbott and Costello (Who’s on First? – funniest bit EVER!)
3 Stooges (Nyukk, nyukkk, nyukk)
Richard Pryor
Steve Gentile says:
How did I overlook Carlin and Lucille Ball – I’m laughing just thinking about some of their bits!
Lynda Manning says:
someone relatively new that I find quite entertaining is Jeff Dunham – he won on a recent network best comedian show.
He’s actually a talented ventriloquist, with an edgy sense of humor.
You can catch a skit of his on youtube
Achmed the Dead Terrorist
Kelly Heatly says:
Many great ones mentioned above. One of my favorites is Louis C.K. His humor is dark, part of his shtick, but I find him hilarious! If you don’t care for bad language and shock, he’s not for you.
I saw Seinfeld live about 8 years ago and was not disappointed. I loved the bit on weddings. Maybe he’s lost his touch.
Bob Graham says:
Groucho Marx is my all-time favorite, reportedly as funny off-screen as he was in real life.
Ed Sugar beat me to saying Danny Kaye who had a truly unique gift-fast paced, clever comedy and the agility of a dancer.
If Danny Kaye the agility of a dancer, Buster Keaton had the agility of an acrobat.
I used to love the off-the-wall improvisation of Jonathan Winters.
Many comedians who I liked have left comedy to pursue acting careers: Denis Leary (one of my all time faves), Steve Martin, Dan Akyrod, Eddie Murphy, I could go on and on. If you are not familiar with their stand-up periods, by all means track them down.
And finally, every time I see Fozzie Bear, I just crack up. I love the terrible jokes delivered with desperation. Wocka, Wocka, Wocka!