Discuss as you see fit, but vote for your preferred comic, please.
I’m abstaining because I’m not sufficiently familiar with Izzard’s standup (though I liked him in The Riches) and Gervais just irritates me in everything he does except The Ricky Gervais Show where the focus isn’t on him but on the tall tales and deadpan off-the-wall observations of Karl Pilkington.
Izzard, if only for cats behind couches drilling for oil.
I’m abstaining as well because Eddie is a better stand-up but Ricky is the funnier character actor and TV writer.
Netflix has some “Watch Instantly” versions of Izzard’s stuff. That’s where I have seen most of the things of his that I use for comparison. I think Gervais is funnier, even though there’s a great deal of similarity in their material and their approaches. The recent HBO special of Gervais’s where he does the Noah bit is like an earlier Izzard riff on Biblical themes. I gather both their audiences are amused by blasphemy and such.
Or for Jesus saying “Drink this wine, for it is merlot.”
More important, Cake or Death?
Izzard: Cake or Death?
I like Gervais but he isn’t even in the same league.
Do you have a flag?
or
Building an henge, are we?
Look who’s being outvoted!
Gervais, only because I just don’t get Izzard. I’ve seen and heard all of the the stand-up and I simply don’t find him funny.
Izzard.
and this one’s wet,
and this one’s wet,
and this one’s wet,
and this one’s wet,
Did you dry these in a rainforest?
Izzard is funnier in stand-up, Gervais is funnier in principle. Frankly, I cannot stand Gervais’ laugh. It’s just so shrill and annoying.
Gervais is interesting, and I think he can be quite infectious because he clearly likes his own jokes so much, but I like Izzards jokes more.
Izzard Izzard Izzard! All the time, they’re not in the same league. Eurgh, Gervais is eurgh just terrible, now. Or maybe always.
Eddie is naturally funny, I think Gervais has to work harder at it.
Does he tell jokes about Baby Je?
I’ve never got Gervais. Mostly I just find him annoying or boring. Izzard is a very funny guy.
I actually haven’t seen much of Gervais’s humor. I think he’s a likable enough guy and he had some clever things to say at the Golden Globes, but Izzard is one of those guys who can make me laugh myself sick. No contest.
Just to have mentioned it, in case you were unaware of it, http://www.tvsquad.com/2011/04/19/hbo-talking-funny-jerry-seinfeld-chris-rock-ricky-gervais-louis-ck/ is an interesting program. It was still on HBO On Demand last I checked.
Izzard is / was in a different street for stand up, although I’ve not seen his stuff for years. Very influential comic over here, but he’s been at the top for so long you tend to take him for granted, part of the comedic furniture. Doesn’t seem to do a great deal on British TV so keeps him from being overexposed.
Personally cannot stand Gervais on stage, used to listen to him on XFM in London in the 90s and he wasn’t funny then. Great tv writer / performer though.