# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/121 "2026-09-24T16:21:19Z")
Nipsey Russell at Circus Circus, Las Vegas, 1976 ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/122 "2026-09-24T16:34:03Z")
I’ve seen both **Jerry Seinfeld** and **Trevor Noah** several times. Both hilarious, but in different ways. Noah told a story about meeting some friends at an Indian restaurant in Scotland that had me rolling in the aisles. His accents are amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/123 "2026-09-24T16:53:43Z")
I saw George Carlin twice while at college. Once, when walking past the ballroom in the student union building on campus, I saw they had a free comedy show going, so I stopped to watch for a bit. There was this young guy with a puppet named Peanut who was a woozle. This was between '89-'91, so it must have been very early in Jeff Dunhams career. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/124 "2026-09-24T22:22:39Z")
> [@solost](#): > > But done right, prop comedy can be funny. I seem to remember Pee Wee Herman doing a lot of prop comedy on his several Letterman appearances, to great effect. To be fair, Pee Wee’s original concept was that he was a stand-up comedian who had only been doing it for 2-3 weeks and was supposed to be bad. Eventually he came into his bigger personality, but the original joke was that he was supposed to be bad at it. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aqmuiJWTmU4/hqdefault.jpg "Carl Reiner & Young Comedian - Pee Wee Herman") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqmuiJWTmU4) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/125 "2026-09-25T02:43:26Z")
I remembered a few others. **The Flying Karamazov Brothers** twice. **Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me** been to two tapings **Says You!** Also two tapings. For those who don’t know it, it was a radio quiz show similar to Wait, Wait, but focused more on trivia and wordplay than current events. In one of the shows you can hear me yelling out an answer. ---
**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 25, 2026, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/126 "2026-09-25T12:12:57Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > **Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me** been to two tapings Reminds me, we went to a taping of _Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me_ too. In the same theater we just saw Jim Gaffigan last Friday, in fact. The special guest was Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. ---
**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 25, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/127 "2026-09-25T12:29:14Z")
> [@caligulathegod](#): > > To be fair, Pee Wee’s original concept was that he was a stand-up comedian who had only been doing it for 2-3 weeks and was supposed to be bad. I often like the ironic meta-humor of comedians who are pretending to be bad on purpose. Like [Norm McDonald’s legendary set at the Bob Saget Roast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wTujmZ1c0k) where he told unbelievably stale, cheesy jokes he got from an old joke book of his dad’s (so I heard somewhere). ---
**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 26, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/128 "2026-09-26T21:58:01Z")
I, too, have been to two tapings of **Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me**. I guess I didn’t think of them because I was only thinking about standup or improv shows. The first was circa 2003, during the Carl Kasell era. The second was a few years ago when I was in Chicago, when Bill Kurtis was scorekeeper. ---
**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 28, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/129 "2026-09-28T14:10:16Z")
> [@solost](#): > > If I get time later I might compile a list of all comedy acts that have been mentioned more than once, just for funzies. Here it is-- every act that was mentioned more than once, with number of mentions in this thread. Only acts that posters mentioned as actually seeing live, not ‘I’d like to see this act live someday’. Bill Cosby and George Carlin in a tie: Bill Cosby 8 George Carlin 8 Lewis Black 6 Suzy (Eddie) Izzard 6 Kids in the Hall 5 Penn and Teller 5 Steve Martin 5 Steven Wright 5 Dave Attel 4 Demetri Martin 4 Jeff Dunham 4 Robert Klein 4 Eric Idle/John Cleese 3 Jim Gaffigan 3 John Hodgman 3 Louie Anderson 3 Nate Bargatze 3 Patton Oswalt 3 Paula Poundstone 3 Peter Schickele 3 Rodney Dangerfield 3 Ron White 3 Sam Kinison 3 Bobcat Goldthwaite 2 Jerry Seinfeld 2 Mitch Hedburg 2 Nick Swardson 2 Gallagher 2 Amy Schumer 2 Flight Of The Conchords 2 Willie Tyler 2 Mike Birbiglia 2 Tig Notaro 2 Cheech and Chong 2 Anthony Jeselnik 2 Monty Python 2 Weird Al 2 John Mulaney 2 Broon and MooNiE the Magnif’Cent 2 Margaret Cho 2 Illana Glazer 2 Marcel Marceau 2 Henry Rollins 2 Sarah Millican 2 Maria Bamford 2 Emo Philips 2 Amazing Jonathon 2 Tim Allen 2 Howie Mandel 2 Steve Landesberg 2 Second City xx Jake ‘the Snake’ Roberts 2 Jim Jefferies 2 Carrot Top 2 Mark Russell 2 Rita Rudner 2 Victor Borge 2 Trevor Noah 2 The Flying Karamazov Brothers 2 Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me 2 ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/130 "2026-09-28T15:10:46Z")
Add me on as a one-time Penn and Teller attendee. (That is, if you’re going to keep the list updated.) ---
**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 28, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/131 "2026-09-28T15:31:53Z")
I might keep it updated if this thread gets many more posts, but it seems like it’s winding down naturally. I was mainly just curious how the acts with several mentions actually did. Actually surprised Bill Cosby did so well, but then, he was considered a well-loved, family-friendly comedian for many, many years before he was revealed to be a monster. I _would_ like to see George Carlin get another mention or two if it’s in the cards, to break the tie with Cosby so Carlin ‘wins’ the thread. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/132 "2026-09-28T15:50:39Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I might keep it updated if this thread gets many more posts, but it seems like it’s winding down naturally. Fair enough. The thread will probably continue on, but I guess there would be a rate below which it just seems like it wouldn’t be worth the trouble. And I, too, would be pleased to see Carlin emerge on top. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/133 "2026-09-28T16:56:34Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > A couple of Ren Faire favorites of mine are Broon and MooNiE the Magnif’Cent. Love those guys. When we were in California, we’d be sure to catch both their solo shows and come back for the one they did together. ---
**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 28, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/134 "2026-09-28T18:20:39Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Blue Man Group would abruptly stop the show for late-arriving audience members and play a recording of an operatic tenor repeatedly singing “YOU’RE LAAAAATE!” You should see what Stewart Lee does to latecomers. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CYNvljiaeuA/hqdefault.jpg "Basic Lee || Stewart Lee || 2024 Full Comedy Special.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYNvljiaeuA&t=98) (The whole lecture lasts about 2.30) j ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/135 "2026-09-28T23:43:43Z")
The funniest people (to me) that I’ve seen are: Rodney Dangerfield - He was doing some candid work after the main part of the act and casually said it wasn’t easy being him. I yelled out, “how not easy is it?” He stopped for a second and said back, “you’re funny kid”. Franklyn Ajaye - I’d seen him on Carson where he had to work clean and I liked him. So when I saw he was visiting the local comedy club I caught his act. His blue work was much funnier. And the funniest guy I’ve seen in person - Greg Giraldo. [Here he is roasting 'The Hoff".](https://www.facebook.com/ComedyCentralANZ/videos/roast-of-david-hasselhoff-greg-giraldo/407365129791754/) ---
**Author:** ![bernardch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/34f0e0/32.png) [@bernardch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernardch)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/136 "2026-09-29T00:12:28Z")
Three i didn’t see on the list that suprise me by not being listed. Seen each in the last 18 months or so. Comedian Bob Marley. . .based in Maine but does tour nationwide, although infrequently. The only stand up show were I was convinced I peed myself from laughing so hard ( Upon inspection, I didnt!) Charlie Berens. . .from Wisconsin, the jokes have extra meaning if you know anything about Wisconsin life or culture. Henry Cho. . .also a show where I came close to experiencing a “Bob Marley” like event! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/137 "2026-09-29T01:10:39Z")
That is quite the list! Makes me even more excited you complementing my Bass Boat joke. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/138 "2026-09-29T01:13:01Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > Add me on as a one-time Penn and Teller attendee. > > (That is, if you’re going to keep the list updated.) I neglected to put them on my list too. Probably because I consider them magicians first. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/139 "2026-09-29T07:54:11Z")
Thought of one more for me: **Bob Hope**. Not at a comedy club; he was taping one of his NBC TV specials. Maybe I can count two of his specials, since I saw him twice at his TV tapings, once in 1980 and the other in 1988. Each time, he did about 45 minutes of a standup routine to start the show. Some jokes were gut-bustingly funny, some were amusing, others fell flat. That was fine, as when I watched the TV specials when they aired later, the editors pared those 45-minute routines down to ten minutes of the gut-bustingly funny stuff. Great studio audience reactions to those, so that’s why they were selected. ---
**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 29, 2026, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244/140 "2026-09-29T13:34:38Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > And the funniest guy I’ve seen in person - Greg Giraldo. [Here he is roasting 'The Hoff".](https://www.facebook.com/ComedyCentralANZ/videos/roast-of-david-hasselhoff-greg-giraldo/407365129791754/) Yeah, he was good, especially in a roast. And, unfortunately, another reminder of how many of the comedians mentioned here passed too soon. > [@bernardch](#): > > Comedian Bob Marley. . .based in Maine but does tour nationwide, although infrequently. The only stand up show were I was convinced I peed myself from laughing so hard ( Upon inspection, I didnt!) That’s got to be a tricky name to have, coming up as a comedian-- if a comedy club advertises “Bob Marley Live!”, I have to imagine that’s gotta confuse a lot of people. Maybe they word it “Bob Marley Live! (not that one)”. It’s as if an up-and-comer in the music business was named Robin Williams. “Hey, ever consider changing your stage name, maybe go by ‘Rob Williams’ at least?” “No! This is my birth name, and I’m proud of it, dammit!”. > [@bernardch](#): > > Charlie Berens. . .from Wisconsin, the jokes have extra meaning if you know anything about Wisconsin life or culture. I’m not familiar with his standup, but I have seen a lot of his comedy skits on youTube shorts, which are, yes, very centered on Wisconsin life and culture. I enjoy them, since as a lifelong Michigander I’m more than Midwestern enough to ‘get it’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedians-and-comedy-acts-youve-seen/1033244.md?page=8)