Brian Regan–absolutely hysterical!
Mario Cantone (he wasn’t as obnoxious 6 or 7 years ago.)
Kevin James
Forgot about Jim Brewer (sp)…
especially hislive stuff on Opie & Anthony. Brewer is best
when he’s channeling previous incarnations of himself.
JEAN, ala frites
I want to add Eddie Izzard to my list and Steve McGrew.
Mitch Hedberg **
Steven Wright
Lewis Black
and of course, B]Bill Cosby …My sis and I used to listen to my dad’s old Cosby records when we were little…they always made us crack up laughing…good times
Sam Kinison - some of the most original material ever.
Chris Rock - The man makes me laugh.
Brian Regan - I’m glad to see him mentioned. He’s be cracking me up for years, but no one ever seemed to hear of him.
Margaret Cho
I’ll second Woody Allen’s three albums. It’s just not fair that within a couple of years of starting out as a stand-up he could put out the funniest albums ever. Everybody else needs to spend years paying their dues.
But I just listened to Steven Wright’s “I Have a Pony” the other day and every single line on it was brilliant. If not the best album ever, then the one with the highest batting average of funny lines.
Ok, I might be a “redneck”, but I frickin’ love Jeff Foxworthy’s standup comedy.
OTOH, I think Richard Pryor (in his heyday) was rib-shattering-ly funny.
I love Sinbad’s standup, but his television show left much to be desired…same as Foxworthy’s.
But the love-o-my-life, whether drunk, sober, stoned or straight, is and always will be George Carlin. I can hear him…and immediately “see” his facial expressions. Even when I’m reading his books. Watching him is only escalating the hilarity.
Eddie Izzard. I’ve seen “Dressed to Kill” many times and every time I watch it I’m laughing.
Phil hartman was one of my all time favourites.
Ben Elton. When he’s on: he can get tedios sometimes.
Ryan Stiles :).
Robin Williams’ early stuff I like, his later stuff, not so much. Same with George Carlin.
And Dennis Leary. Specially his observations about how useless cigarette warnings are!
Red Skelton was good, but then I was young when I used to watch him. One great and funny clown.
Of course! How could I forget! :smack: 
"I’m working on a maneuver "
origanally posted by Max Carnage :
There was a young kid on Comedy Central by name of Nicholas something who had a hilarious bit on video games. I hope to see more of him soon.
I think you mean Nick Swardson. His Grandma called him Nicholas when she was amazed at his strength when picking up a gallon of milk. He was funny. He can also be seen as a sidekick to Jamie Kennedy in that god awful “Malibu’s Most Wanted”.
Derek Edwards
I’m showing my age, but Alan King at his peak was great.
Steven Wright is my favorite stand-up comic. I’ve done open-mike stand-up before, and my schtick, especially my delivery, owes a lot to him.
I also like Janeane Garofalo (my dream girl), Margaret Cho (I have to be in the right mood), Chris Rock, and the classics: Eddie Murphy, Woody Allen, George Carlin, Steve Martin. I only wish Bill Murray had done more stand-up, as he is one of the naturally funniest people ever.
I used to love Harry Anderson and MST3K’s Joel Hodgson, who combined excellent magic shows with stand-up comedy. I wish they were doing more stuff now, or others would follow suit.
I’ve seen Carlin, Bill Cosby, Richard Jeni, Howie Mandel, and Craig “The Lovemaster” Shoemaker perform live.
I have a comedian question for all Straight Dopers! There is this one guy who always gives a tired, neurotic, nebbishy “I’m such a schnook, I can’t get a date” routine. I know he was on Seinfeld once, and he’s make occasional SNL appearances in the '80s. Kind of a tall, skinny, tired, Germanic-looking guy? His name might be Fred, and I keep thinking it is Fred Wolf, but that’s not it. I have been trying to figure out his name for years! Can anyone help?
These come to mind:
George Carlin (definetly #1)
Lewis Black
Bill Maher
I’ve not seen enough Mitch Hedberg to satisfy me.
I remember seeing a Jon Stewart stand-up bit, and thought to myself “Damn! He’s like a young, Jewish George Carlin.” Turns out it was part of a Carlin special, and Stewart was the MC/opening act. Wa-hoo!
I also like Dave Attell’s stuff, and his attitude. “I tell jokes.”
I like Christopher Titus, but some of his stuff is a little too soul-baring.
And, of course, I agree with everyone else here. 'Specially the Cosby.
Lots of good choices here, although I’ve never really enjoyed Carlin, not sure why.
I’ve only ever seen Brian Regan once, on one of those 1/2 Comedy Central bits. Effing hilarious. But why don’t they show more of him? Anyone know if he’s got a DVD or anything out?