Stand up comedians.

[Kahns Krazy]

I have always loved stand up comedy. My early favorites were Steve Martin, George Carlin, and Steven Wright. Newer guys (though by no means really new) include Dmetri Martin, Mike Bribiglia, Mitch Hedberg (RIP), Steven Lynch, Louis CK, Katt Williams, Jim Jeffries, Russell Peters.

There are ton of others over the years. Classics like Jerry Seinfeld, guys that you love or hate like Norm Macdonald (personally, I love his stuff), Robin Williams.

Who are your favorites? Are there guys you have seen live that you were surprised by? I saw Gary Shandling and was amazed how much funnier he was in stand up than his old show.

[paulxu]

Ron White. Lewis Black.

[nuts4xu]

Gary Shandling was the first comedian I saw live, and my first Riverbend concert.

On Sirius, they have a few comedy channels with stand up playing all day long. I am partial to the Comedy Central channel, as they have a lot of the newer comedians. Some of these comedians I like are Aziz Ansari, Daniel Tosh, Louis CK, Jim Norton, and Bill Burr.

It has been some time since I have seen a comedian live, but I appreciate the craft very much. I like to laugh.

[GoMuskies]

I don't have any particular favorites. I mean, Chris Rock's Bigger and Blacker and Eddie Murphy's Raw and Delirious were amazing, but lately I just hear and see bits and pieces of different people (I liked both Ansari and Tosh's Comedy Central specials that I watched on Netflix since nuts mentioned them above). What has been very interesting to me is listening to stand-ups get interviewed by Howard Stern and/or appear on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. It's amazing how screwed up and neurotic just about all of these people are. Something about being funny as a job requires you to mentally just have a screw loose. It's fascinating.

[Kahns Krazy]

Gary Shandling was the first comedian I saw live, and my first Riverbend concert.
.

Oh yeah. I saw you there.

[NY44]

He's not everyone's cup of tea, but Todd Barry is one of my favorites. He's also a regular on Louie. He's about as dry as they come.

[mohr5150]

I listen to the Comedy Central Channel almost every day to and from work. It keeps me sane. Some of these people are truly nuts. Mitch Hedberg was funny but completely off his rocker. Ansari is hilarious. Patton Oswalt has some funny stuff on there.

[boozehound]

Sam Kinison and Bill Hicks were both old favorites of mine. Dennis Leary was good. Chris Rock was excellent. Eddie Murphy was a little before my time, but very good.

Not a stand-up comedian, but Adam Carolla of 'The Man Show' and 'Loveline' fame has a podcast that I listen to religiously. It is generally about 90 mins per day and sort of loosely follows a morning-radio format. It is generally pretty funny.

[PMI]

I saw Bill Burr downtown a few years ago and he was unbelievable. I'm a huge fan of his. I also love Louis CK. He has such an interesting way of breaking down situations logically that seem so simple, yet you didn't think of it first somehow. Both those guys are brilliant, but there are so many more. Great standup comedy is amazing.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Karl Reiner

[xudash]

Ron White. Lewis Black.

...and Jim Gaffigan.

[MHettel]

Joe rogan has at least on hilarious special. Lisa lampanelli is awesome. Amy shumer. Don rickles clips from letterman appearances are gold

[ballyhoohoo]

Bob saget is terrible

[mistabeecee41]

Right now? Hannibal Burress and Tommy Johnagin.

[bobbiemcgee]

Saw George Carlin about 50 yrs. ago at that old theatre downtown Cincy. Sat in the first row. Hilarious. Saw him twice after that. I listen to Comedy 103.1 (local) in Denver all day in the car. They have all the classics. I have to admit Ellen DeGeneres is pretty damn funny on there.I always laugh when Foxworthy and Ron White come on.

[Milhouse]

I absolutely love standup comedy. Recently saw Maron and he was great and exactly as you'd expect. Over the years I've seen Carlin, Lewis Black, Louis CK, Chris Rock, Seinfeld, Gaffigan, Demetri Martin, Zach Galifianakis, Flight of the Conchords, Hannibal Burress, Sarah Silverman, Mike Birbiglia (actually did his CD at Go Bananas), Aziz Ansari, Dave Attell, and tons of smaller circuit guys. I grew up with a love of the greats particularly Carlin, Lenny Bruce, and Richard Pryor.

Haven't gone to as much standup recently but with it being so readily available and accessible I don't feel the need to drop 40+ on tickets alone. I will say the only comedian I haven't seen that I'd love to see is Dave Chapelle. I have run into him in a coffeeshop in Yellow Springs but that doesn't count.

[Pete Delkus]

Greg Giraldo was a favorite of mine... creative, pragmatic, insulting, intelligent and dead.

[chico]

Always loved Steven Wright. I Have a Pony is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Saw Eddie Murphy when he was on his Raw tour and that was great. Also saw Don Rickles open for Sinatra and he was great, even for a man who had to be pushing 80 at the time.

I really don't see much live stand-up but I always thought George Carlin was very funny. Bill Cosby Himself makes me laugh until I cry.

I may get crucified for this but one video I remember laughing at hysterically was Howie in Maui. Yes, I actually thought at one time that Howie Mandle was funny. I haven't seen it in years and I'm afraid to because of what I might say about 24 year old chico.

[GoMuskies]

Always loved Steven Wright.

Every time someone says "Small world!", I feel compelled to say "But I wouldn't want to paint it." That gets me a lot of strange looks.

I have zero idea how Howie Mandel is famous. To me, he seems to have no discernible talent.

[Frambo]

Greg Giraldo was a favorite of mine... creative, pragmatic, insulting, intelligent and dead.

agree about Giraldo....best part of the CC roasts.

I might get beat up for this because of his CC show, but I've seen Tosh twice with my daughter and he was really good. She also saw Josh Wolf in Cincy last week and was raving about him. Hoping to catch a comedy show in NYC during the BEast tourney in March...anyone know the best place to go?

[xu82]

...and Jim Gaffigan.

We're going to see Jim Gaffigan in a few weeks at a place right by our house. Really looking forward to that one. We've seen Kevin James there (very good) as well as Daniel Tosh and a few others. Tosh isn't exactly my cup of tea, but it was good. After he insulted pretty much everyone on the planet he went on to apologize for the high ticket prices. "It would be WAAAY too dangerous to say this shit in front of people who can only afford to pay seven dollars a ticket!"

[Masterofreality]

Amy Schumer, Jim Gaffigan, Dave Attell, Louis CK and Chris Rock- when he was in his prime.

There are a LOT of good female comics out there right now.

[Stix Zadinia]

Now seems like a good time to finally join in a conversation here... Some of my favorite comedians are Anthony Jeselnik, Dave Attell, Steven Wright, John Mulaney, Chelsea Peretti, and Kyle Kinane. And a good place to see comedians on TV is "@ midnight" on Comedy Central -- really funny psuedo-game show. But I suggest checking out Ryan Stout. He's got really funny, smart jokes, and clips on YouTube are only about a minute long each...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BtihpPEaQA

[xu82]

There are a LOT of good female comics out there right now.
We like Kathleen Madigan a lot. Very funny.

[STL_XUfan]

I agree with most of the names so far, but I'll add one I haven't seen mentioned: Eddie Izzad. "Dressed to Kill" is one of my all time favorite comedy performances.

[vee4xu]

Karl Reiner

Not to be confused with Karl Rahner, :whistle:

[vee4xu]

No Kathy Griffin. If she's reading this board, she'll be disappointed.

[xu82]

No Kathy Griffin. If she's reading this board, she'll be disappointed.

Well, maybe that went without saying...

[MHettel]

Ron White. Lewis Black.

This belongs in the ferguson riot thread.

[vee4xu]

Mel, my bet is that Rob Petrie, Buddy and Sally will be very disappointed that you didn't include them. Though we all know Alan Brady was the star of the show. Which gets us full circle back to your listed favorite.

[RealDeal]

Saw carlin in 85, he has to be the best ever. Now Louis CK and Dave Chapelle are my favorites. Jim Gafigan and Dimitri Martin are great as well.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I really like Rock (Bring The Pain is probably my all time favorite), Chapelle, and Louis CK.

Kind of shocked that with 30 posts in this thread that Richard Pryor has been mentioned once and Sam Kinison hasn't been mentioned. Two pretty revolutionary and hilarious stand up comedians. Ever listened to Red Foxx stand up? It was filthy...but hilarious.

My opinion is that Louis CK is the best right now. His Hilarious stand up is amazing...especially when he talks about the guy who complains about wifi not working on an early stages test on an airplane (Hilarious was produced in 2010) and his thoughts on parenting and technology are great...but I just feel like he is an unhappy guy. He wants to focus on the positives of life (raising children)...but it's like his mind will only focus on life's negatives. You can literally see the guy battling depression in his performances.

[xu82]

Saw carlin in 85, he has to be the best ever. Now Louis CK and Dave Chapelle are my favorites. Jim Gafigan and Dimitri Martin are great as well.
We saw Carlin and Bill Cosby in the last 6-8 years and it was more of a talk than comedy. A lot of political and social positions. These are funny people who feel like they don't have to be funny anymore. People come to se them for their name, and I don't regret going, but I wouldn't do it again. It was merely "nice". We are looking forward to Jim Gaffigan though.

[Masterofreality]

No one has mentioned Chelsea Handler either. She is hilarious in a stand up scenario.

[Kahns Krazy]

Amy Schumer, Jim Gaffigan, Dave Attell, Louis CK and Chris Rock- when he was in his prime.

There are a LOT of good female comics out there right now.

I like Amy Schumer, but I feel like too much of her act is about her being a slut. Ha ha. I get the joke. It doesn't need to be every joke and the name of your show.

There are some names in this thread that I am looking forward to checking out. Thank you, You Tube.

[nuts4xu]

Amy Shumer is funny, and she likes to talk about her vagina....I am a fan of both her and her vagina.

She isn't hot in a Swimsuit Model kind of way, but she is hilarious and hot in her own slutty way. Maybe its the fact that she sounds like a slut. If you are a slut, you do rate higher on the "hotness" scale. Not to say all sluts are hot, but being slutty will make an average girly look more hot. Sluts have more friends, this is a scientific fact.

[Kahns Krazy]

But I am never going to see or otherwise interact with her vagina. I guess that's why it gets old to me. If I know someone that talks like that in real life, it eventually leads to me doing some field research to validate the stories.

I don't mind a few bits about her being a slut, but when it becomes the name of the show, I'm over it, unless I'm actually going to get Inside Amy Schumer.

She's funny enough to be funny about other things.

[Cheesehead]

love Gaffigan, Madigan, Ron White, also like Daniel Tosh, Amy Schumer. Brian Regan is good too and he is clean. I like using Netflix and watching their comic specials.

[bourbonman]

Red Skelton. Loved him as a mime.

Also, had a great segment on the Pledge of Allegiance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPbIls0iOnI

[bobbiemcgee]

We saw Carlin and Bill Cosby in the last 6-8 years and it was more of a talk than comedy. A lot of political and social positions. These are funny people who feel like they don't have to be funny anymore. People come to se them for their name, and I don't regret going, but I wouldn't do it again. It was merely "nice". We are looking forward to Jim Gaffigan though.

Well, Carlin is Dead, so problem solved.

[Juice]

We saw Carlin and Bill Cosby in the last 6-8 years and it was more of a talk than comedy. A lot of political and social positions. These are funny people who feel like they don't have to be funny anymore. People come to se them for their name, and I don't regret going, but I wouldn't do it again. It was merely "nice". We are looking forward to Jim Gaffigan though.

Well Bill Cosby is a rapist so its all ok I guess.

[Xman95]

Nick DiPaolo is hilarious. Also liked stuff from Patrice O'Neal and John Pinette (both gone too soon). Of course most of the ones already mentioned too (Rock, Murphy, Black, Cosby, Seinfeld, etc.). Ralphie May cracks me up too.

[CSS85]

I have two polar opposites, from my childhood, that I discovered on VINYL. Bob Newhart and Richard Pryor. To my knowledge no video of them in their prime exists, and I know that Richard Pryor has video out, but his "prime" for me was pre-1975 or so. Pryor routines were the only ones that reflected the world I saw every day. Example of the two "I Spy" cops entering the bar looking for Jesse. "We're looking for Jesse. Anyone seen Jesse. Hey, you seen Jesse. No N----r I don't want no radio."

Bob Newhart used to do routines in the late 1950's and early 1960s where he was on the phone, so you only hear his side of the conversation. This made it possible to do a combination of slapstick, satire, sarcasm, and social commentary at the same time. I've never heard anything like it to this day. Really brilliant insights, that lead you to see that the "satire" could really be an accurate portrait of life. If anyone is old enough to be able to concentrate on language without a visual enforcement, I recommend listening to "Abe Lincoln vs Madison Avenue" "Introducing Tobacco to Civilization" "The Kruschev Landing" "Merchandising the Wright Brothers" and "The Mrs. Grace L Ferguson Airline and Storm Door Company."

[Xavgrad08]

I love listening to stand up comedians and I agree with a lot of the names that have been mentioned. Kevin James sweat the small stuff is a great set that will have you rolling. Rober Schimmel and John Pinnette are very funny, but both died in the last couple of years. I love going to go bananas and watching some of the up and coming acts. It is usually a cheap night of fun and a good old school venue to watch comedy in.

[Cheesehead]

Watched two Bill Burr specials thia weekend on Netflix. He is pretty good.

[Masterofreality]

Watched Chelsea Handler's stand up special on Netflix.

Not impressed. More "shock" jokes than true humor.

[xu82]

We saw Jim Gaffigan tonight live. Very funny. And we could have reached out and touched him - if we'd brought a pole a half mile long. We got our tix very late, but there was one row behind us. Still, it was a very nice night. I'd recommend it.

[GoMuskies]

I'm going to see Jerry Seinfeld in Wichita November 20. Yes, Jerry Seinfeld is coming to Wichita.

[xu82]

I'm going to see Jerry Seinfeld in Wichita November 20. Yes, Jerry Seinfeld is coming to Wichita.

Nice! I'd do that in a heartbeat, if I happened to be in Witchita. I'll have to hope it happens closer to home. There's a place only 3 miles from our house that gets great talent. I think we saw Kevin James there most recently prior to tonight. Paying attention to the emails and getting a jump on good tickets is the hardest part. We love good comedy. Enjoy Seinfeld!

[D-West & PO-Z]

I have seen Kevin James and Jim Gaffigan, both really funny.

I love the show Impractical Jokers and would be interested in seeing those guys do standup, not sure if it would be as good as the show but want to see them.

[Muskie]

I saw Nate Bargatze last fall here locally. Very funny and relatively clean as well. His first album "Yelled at by a Clown" is very funny as well.

[ammtd34]

I have seen Kevin James and Jim Gaffigan, both really funny.

I love the show Impractical Jokers and would be interested in seeing those guys do standup, not sure if it would be as good as the show but want to see them.

Impractical Jokers is amazing. I've seen every episode and am surprised that it doesn't seem old. I've never laughed out loud at a show as much as I do when I watch that.

[Kahns Krazy]

I have seen Kevin James and Jim Gaffigan, both really funny.

I love the show Impractical Jokers and would be interested in seeing those guys do standup, not sure if it would be as good as the show but want to see them.


Impractical Jokers is amazing. I've seen every episode and am surprised that it doesn't seem old. I've never laughed out loud at a show as much as I do when I watch that.

Really? I feel like I watched about half of one episode of that and found it unbearable. Maybe I should give it another chance?

[ammtd34]

Really? I feel like I watched about half of one episode of that and found it unbearable. Maybe I should give it another chance?

I would give it another chance. I also understand it won't be everyone's thing. I think it makes my wife uncomfortable, but I laugh out loud really hard at least once an episode.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I would give it another chance. I also understand it won't be everyone's thing. I think it makes my wife uncomfortable, but I laugh out loud really hard at least once an episode.

Yeah Kahns, definitely give it another shot. There have been 1 or 2 episodes I have watched that I didnt find that funny, but the vast majority of them I am laughing out loud. My wife loves it too.

One of the best things about the show imo is that, while these guys will do some pretty outlandish things, they still have some conscious/embarrassment about some things and because of that there are things they wont do or say. If they said or did everything the other guys told them all the time it wouldnt be as good to me.

[nuts4xu]

You know who is funny as hell?

Me.

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/453/923/a6d.jpg

[Kahns Krazy]

So I watched about 90 seconds of this piece of shit show last night. The "prankster" was working in a drive through, and the other guys dared him to have a fake fight with a fellow employee while taking someone's order. So the guy alternates between taking the guy's order and yelling in his ear. Obviously made the guy placing the order uncomfortable as hell.

There is nothing funny, clever, original or redeeming about pretending to be shitty at customer service. I encounter that all day every day. Why 4 guys need to create more of this and put it on TV is beyond me.

I didn't even stick around long enough for the outcome, which I can only assume was "Ha ha! It was a fake fight! Ha ha! Hilarious right? We are the kind of assholes that like to pretend we are other kind of assholes! Get it? No?"

Good improv does not involve making someone uncomfortable in a normal daily situation.

[ammtd34]

So I watched about 90 seconds of this piece of shit show last night. The "prankster" was working in a drive through, and the other guys dared him to have a fake fight with a fellow employee while taking someone's order. So the guy alternates between taking the guy's order and yelling in his ear. Obviously made the guy placing the order uncomfortable as hell.

There is nothing funny, clever, original or redeeming about pretending to be shitty at customer service. I encounter that all day every day. Why 4 guys need to create more of this and put it on TV is beyond me.

I didn't even stick around long enough for the outcome, which I can only assume was "Ha ha! It was a fake fight! Ha ha! Hilarious right? We are the kind of assholes that like to pretend we are other kind of assholes! Get it? No?"

Good improv does not involve making someone uncomfortable in a normal daily situation.

Just not everyone's thing. I'm cool with that.

[markchal]

Someone mentioned him earlier, but I cannot recommend John Mulaney enough. His special, New in Town, is on Netflix and is one of the best specials I've seen. Bill Burr's latest special on Netflix is also incredible, he's probably one of the top stand-ups in the country right now (even better than CK right now). I also highly recommend going to Go Bananas if you live in Cincinnati. One of the best comedy clubs in the country and they usually have ticket deals on their Facebook page (half-off, sometimes free).

Edit: Just today, Louis CK called Go Bananas one of his favorite comedy clubs in the country.

[Masterofreality]

I like Amy Schumer, but I feel like too much of her act is about her being a slut. Ha ha. I get the joke. It doesn't need to be every joke and the name of your show.

There are some names in this thread that I am looking forward to checking out. Thank you, You Tube.

I get it Kahns, but if you think Amy Schumer is only a slut jokester, check out this appearance on the Ellen Show...about as PG rated as you can get...and hilarious.

I look forward to her Comedy Central show's new season on Tuesday night.


http://youtu.be/RgX2HY2iyVQ

[DC Muskie]

There is nothing funny, clever, original or redeeming about pretending to be shitty at customer service. I encounter that all day every day. Why 4 guys need to create more of this and put it on TV is beyond me.

I didn't even stick around long enough for the outcome, which I can only assume was "Ha ha! It was a fake fight! Ha ha! Hilarious right? We are the kind of assholes that like to pretend we are other kind of assholes! Get it? No?"

Good improv does not involve making someone uncomfortable in a normal daily situation.

This just means you are a good person.

The entire, "You're not in on the joke" comedy is terrible.

[PM Thor]

Thank You MOR, I always thought Amy Shumer was a one hit wonder comedian, that was epic. Loved it.

My favorites (that I listen to on Pandora constantly) are Aziz, Patton Oswalt, John Mulaney (way better than his terrible show), Hannibal Burress, Kevin Hart, and Donald Glover. I can hear the same bits over and over, always make me crack up.

[Titanxman04]

Thank You MOR, I always thought Amy Shumer was a one hit wonder comedian, that was epic. Loved it.

My favorites (that I listen to on Pandora constantly) are Aziz, Patton Oswalt, John Mulaney (way better than his terrible show), Hannibal Burress, Kevin Hart, and Donald Glover. I can hear the same bits over and over, always make me crack up.

Mulaney's show is pretty awful, but his stand up is awesome. I too find Aziz hilarious as well. Tosh is good for that "shock" kind of comedy. I need to get more into Hart and Burress though. I've liked what I've heard, just need to listen to them more.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Just Watched Bill Burr's I'm Sorry You Feel That Way on Netflix. The guy had me in tears every time he's on Rogan's Podcast. Can't believe I waited this long to see one of his specials. Wow. Guy has to be right there at the top amongst stand up comedians right now.

[Kahns Krazy]

Forgot about this thread. As I re-read it, there is a story on George Carlin's daughter. Interesting coincidence.

A couple updates- I do think Amy Schumer is very, very funny. I think she's a comic genius. I just wish she would ease off a little on the slut stuff. When she does TV, I think she's spot on.

I saw Jim Gaffigan this summer. I think he's a funny guy, but not my favorite standup. He's more of a storyteller. It was a little long between punchlines for my taste. That may sound harsher than I mean it. Very funny guy.

[RoseyMuskie]

Recently attended a comedy fest starring Amy Schumer, Aziz, Nick Kroll, and Jay Pharoah.

I thought all were hysterical except Amy. As pointed out before, Amy's schtick is about her looseness, along with "white girl problems." It just didn't resonate with me, and she keyed on that for too long. My girlfriend thought she was hysterical, but after five minutes, I tuned her out. After twenty, I went to the bathroom and concession stand.