So kids, who do you think it is or was?
– IG
Gotta go with either George Carlin or Steven Wright.
Robert Klein and Larry Miller are at the top as well
Richard Jeni or Bob Newhart.
Actually on second thought it has to be Bob Newhart. Can you name any other comedian that is still doing the same bits he did 40 years ago, and still packing houses?
Ooh, a tough one. Do you go for stories, or jokes? I will maintain that Bill Cosby at his peak was the best story-telling comedian ever.
These probably won’t be among the huge names that will dominate the thread (although they are reasonably big), but my two favorites by a mile are Patton Oswalt and Lewis Black. They are different enough in their styles that it is really tough for me to choose between them.
Potentially, Dennis Wolfberg, but he died much too young.
But for body of work, I’d have to go with Newhart.
Bill Hicks. Hands down the best.
Second.
Turd.
No no no! Bob Newhart is too … safe, his material is good but it’s all joke and no story. Check out Woody Allen’s standup material from the compilation album 1964-1968. Utter utter genius, the sheer density of comedy gold is unmatched and possibly unmatchable IMO.
As a storyteller, I’d have to say Bill Cosby. For jokes, Steven Wright.
Funniest bit I’ve ever heard though is Jim Gaffigan’s bit about Hot Pockets. I was literally having chest pains. Look it up on YouTube, it’s worth it.
Richard Pryor
If a comic can be included on the strength of a single performance, I nominate Eddie Izzard in “Dress to Kill”.
Richard Pryor, George Carlin…the rest are debatable.
Bingo. That Nigger’s Crazy is absolutely brilliant.
Hey, I thought Steve Martin was pretty freakin’ funny back in the day, and he packed stadiums, owned SNL, etc. IIRC.
There was a survey of the top 100 stand-up comics a while back that (I believe) ranked Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Lenny Bruce as the top 3. I agreed wholeheartedly with that ranking.
Bill Cosby and Woody Allen also deserve special attention for their storytelling.
Not knocking anyone/surveys pushing Lenny Bruce, but I’ve never heard him say anything funny, just bitch a lot. Anyone got a link to a good bit of his?
Richard Pryor. He went past simple comedy into social commentary and performance art, was culturally groundbreaking and immeasurably influential, but most importantly he was always piss-your-pants funny.
Some of my other favorites are Carlin, Hicks, Rock, Eddie Murphy (I think people forget what a geat standup he was) and Seinfeld.