# Comedians and comedy acts you've seen **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comedian-jokes\ **Created:** [September 21, 2026, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244 "2026-09-21T13:30:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/41 "2026-09-21T19:03:16Z")
> [@solost](#): > > the way he wove the jokes into the greater tapestry of his storytelling was genius, IMO. That’s exactly what _Sleepwalk With Me_ was like. At first it seems like he’s going off on a lot of tangents that, while humorous, don’t seem to be related to the overall story. But by the end he masterfully ties all those various threads together into the greater story. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/42 "2026-09-21T19:41:22Z")
It’s been a long time since I saw _Sleepwalk With Me_ but I’ve seen pretty much all of his comedy specials and enjoyed them all. Big fan of his. As a matter of fact, I just checked to see if he’s performing in my area anytime in the near future, but alas, no. Someday… ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/43 "2026-09-21T19:46:33Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > **Mike Birbiglia** - I actually saw his one man show _Sleepwalk With Me_ in New York when I visited my sister there around 2008. It was quite enjoyable if you like his “storytelling” style of comedy. I love Mike Birbiglia. I have not seen him live. I love his show/podcast _Working it Out_ where he interviews comedians and they work through material together. I’m endlessly fascinated by the comedic process. We just watched _The Good Life_ last night and he articulated so perfectly how inadequate you feel trying to explain stuff to your kid, and how much that is magnified when it’s a Big Issue. It was cool to see the finished product of his show after hearing him workshopping his own material on the podcast. What he does is really special. I recently watched him workshop an idea of Gary Gulman’s and I thought his analysis was spot-on. There are very few comedians I’d describe as life-changingly good, but Birbiglia is one of them. I’m still thinking about the themes of The Good Life today. I have not seen many shows live, but I did see Weird Al in concert and it was crazy. He really goes all out. I bought tickets to see Kumail Nanjiani in Ann Arbor last year. He is one of my favorites, but he cancelled the show to go be in a play. Womp. Forgive me if I live vicariously through you all. My personal wishlist to see live is: Mike Birbiglia Bo Burnham Kumail Nanjiani Chris Fleming Patton Oswalt Tig Noraro Maria Bamford Oh, I could go on. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/44 "2026-09-21T19:50:26Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > There are very few comedians I’d describe as life-changingly good, but Birbiglia is one of them. I heartily agree. > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > My personal wishlist to see live is: > > Mike Birbiglia > Bo Burnham > Kumail Nanjiani > Chris Fleming > Patton Oswalt > Tig Noraro > Maria Bamford I’m not familiar with Chris Fleming, but otherwise I’m right there with you on all the others. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/45 "2026-09-21T19:53:40Z")
Oh, saw Mike Birbiglia live as well. Wait… or was it Nate Bergatze? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/46 "2026-09-21T19:55:54Z")
Man, I forgot I saw **Margaret Cho** too. It was a fun show but the coolest thing is that I met one of my friend’s co-workers that night and we became good friends! Also _just_ saw **Illana Glazer** on her recent tour. So crazy, that’s two more venues added to my list, as well. Other than Suzy Izzard, Amy & Tina and Kids in the Hall, they’ve all been at different venues. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/47 "2026-09-21T19:56:44Z")
He only blew up recently. He’s a niche artist but I think he’s one of the funniest people to ever live. I think he has a special now on HBO. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/eXXYfigdfw0/maxresdefault.jpg "the Snacks at Trader Joe's that Only Women Can See") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXXYfigdfw0) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/48 "2026-09-21T20:09:53Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Oh, saw either Mike Birbiglia live as well. > > Wait… or was it Nate Bergatze? Not sure how you could confuse the two. Their comedy styles are completely different. Speaking of Bergatze, when we were talking about seeing a comedy show many months ago, we were deciding between him and Jim Gaffigan, who we both liked and who were performing in Detroit a month apart (Bergatze performed at Little Caesars Arena this past August). That was before he showed up at trump’s UFC fight and got himself photographed with a number of odious trumpers like RFK Jr. I’m so glad we chose Gaffigan-- since Bergatze revealed himself to be a MAGA sympathizer, he’s dead to me now. Maybe I’m being a _little_ too hard on him; he claims he’s just a fan of UFC fights, but come on. Even if that’s true (a big if), he had to realize the optics would be terrible for him. > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Also _just_ saw **Illana Glazer** on her recent tour. Oh jeez, I totally forgot we saw her too. It was a really good show-- I can’t believe I forgot to include her in my OP. Sorry, Illana! 🤦‍♂️ > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > He only blew up recently. He’s a niche artist but I think he’s one of the funniest people to ever live. > > I think he has a special now on HBO. I’ll check him out, thanks! We seem to have very similar comedy tastes, so I’m sure I’ll find him very funny too. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/49 "2026-09-21T20:17:38Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Not sure how you could confuse the two. Their comedy styles are completely different. I enjoy them both equally and have seen all their specials over the years. Honestly, it’s a blur. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/50 "2026-09-21T20:23:42Z")
**Steve Martin** 1978, just before _The Jerk_ came out. Hilarious. “I come to Indianapolis for the surfing!” **Marcel Marceau** 1976, indescribable. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/51 "2026-09-21T20:29:55Z")
**Eddie Izzard** in the 2000s on the “Stripped” tour - An amazing show and my face physically hurt for days after from smiling so hard. **Henry Rollins** a couple of times. Not pedantically a stand-up comedian I suppose, but a stand-up teller of very funny witty tales from his life in the entertainment industry. He’s steadily grown less angry and cynical, and more fun over his years. Very fast stream-of-consciousness delivery that left me physically exhausted trying to keep pace as a listener. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/52 "2026-09-21T20:32:22Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > **Steve Martin** 1978, just before _The Jerk_ came out. Hilarious. “I come to Indianapolis for the surfing!” I never realized how funny he was until I saw _Only Murders in the Building._ His talent for physical comedy is just outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/53 "2026-09-21T20:36:16Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > **Marcel Marceau** 1976, indescribable. I…think I see what you did there. If so, 👏 👏 👏 ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/54 "2026-09-21T20:37:27Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > Also **Sarah Millican** , who my wife is a bigger fan of than me but I had a great time. I saw Sarah Millican with my sister in Denver last year. My sister, who is very, very much not a fan of anything raunchy, had only seen Sarah’s work in short clips when she suggested we go. She spent the show horrified and embarrassed, and I spent the show thinking, “She likes this woman’s comedy?” > [@solost](#): > > Speaking of Bergatze I saw Nate Bargatze in Buffalo in 2022 and in Boston in 2025. I’m a huge fan of his comedy, and I’m glad I got to see him live before the UFC fight, because now I can never see him again. Agreed, it was a very dumb PR move, even if his reasons for going were innocent. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/55 "2026-09-21T20:37:57Z")
We go to a ton of comedy gigs, but as the the comics are British (one German) listing the names would be a waste of everybody’s time. So I’ll tell a story about being majestically pranked instead. Jason Manford is one of the very best, and a huge live act in the UK. The last time we saw him, it wasn’t clear whether there was going to be a support act - until Manford appeared on stage to introduce him. The introduction encouraged the audience to give the kid a chance, and recalled how how hard it is for a young comic, and what it was like when he was starting out, opening up for the main act to a “Wave of indifference”. Finally, having assured the audience that he saw something really promising in this kid, he concluded “So please can you put your hands together for…” (takes two steps backwards, looks into the wings, asks: _James? Oh, John, of course - Right_) “…Please put your hands together for… John Bishop!” John Bishop also being an absolutely huge live act in the UK. The two go way back, having started out on the circuit together decades ago, sharing lifts to shows, and are (real) best friends. John wanted to catch his mate’s new show, and this was the only gig he could get to. So, in that case, could he please do twenty minutes of support? And he did. You should have heard the audience gasp. Us included, of course. As I said, majestically pranked. j . ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/56 "2026-09-21T20:54:47Z")
Great story! ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/57 "2026-09-21T20:55:41Z")
Thank you! j ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/58 "2026-09-21T21:01:25Z")
I saw Maria Bamford in 2019. I’m a big fan and was not disappointed. In the late 80s I saw (the late) Scott Hansen, (the late) Louie Anderson and Joy Behar in Minneapolis but have no recollection of their performances. In the early 80s I saw the pre-infamous Bill Cosby. Boring. I don’t recall much laughter from me or the rest of the audience. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/59 "2026-09-21T21:06:31Z")
Dana Carvey at Milwaukee Summerfest in 1992? Pretty funny. Did his choppin broccoli thing. Emo Philips at Summerfest. Hilarious. Richard Belzer at Summerfest. Boring. It was the early 90s and he was still doing Ronald Regan jokes. Henny Youngman at a side tent at the Wisconsin State Fair. I laughed the whole time. Bill Cosby at the Wisconsin State Fair. I thought it was boring but people around me loved it. He kept commenting on the bungee jump crane behind him. Nick Swardson at a casino. Hilarious. Nate Bargatze arena show. Not bad but typical. Was all in his delivery. Louie Anderson. Good but had a lot of recycled material. ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/60 "2026-09-21T21:11:47Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Sure, there’s a definite comedy element to their shows, usually dark comedy. One funny bit of dark humor I remember from TV was Teller doing a version of the old “pick a card” routine. Teller had an audience member choose a card and put it back in the deck without showing him the card. Then Teller scattered all the cards face down, and, with a knife, stabbed a card and brought it up to show the card picker- wrong card. Teller did it again, and again, wrong card. Increasingly frantic, he kept trying until he ‘accidentally’ stabbed the knife though his other hand, and when he brought his hand up in agony, the bloody but correct card was stuck to the point of the knife sticking through his hand 🖐 🗡 My wife and I caught their show in Las Vegas a while back–would definitely recommend it! They did a lengthy and ambitious bit called Entropy. There was hardly any stage magic in it at all; the impressive thing was in the conception and performance of it. A few months later, they performed it on their TV show. Check it out: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBbbeCoh38w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBbbeCoh38w) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244.md?page=4)