Jim Norton
another Izzard vote!
I’ve got tickets to see him next month in Boston.
Minor related note, my friends that have a radio show had a great call-in from Dane Cook today. I think he’s talented, but not one of the greats 
I can’t believe no one’s mentioned Cosby. Early Cosby at least, he did wonderful commentary on family life.
Billy Connelly is definitely among my favorites. I’d like to get my hands on a copy of the show he did in NY with Whoopie Goldberg. Late 80s/early 90s timeframe. I laughed so hard at that I thought I’d puke.
Other than that, Bob Nelson’s football routine is classic. Bill Cosby’s “Himself” is fun. Robin Williams will always be a king of improv and audience interaction. And I found Carlos Mencia pretty funny at one time, but I haven’t seen any of his recent material.
At the moment, Patton Oswalt. And Lewis Black is no slouch, either.
I like dozens of different men and women but my newest discovery is an old act. I saw a special about Sam Kinison and that’s all I’ve ever seen of him. I laughed 'til I hurt. His songs, his routine about starving people…I gotta find me a tape or DVD.
There’s a great comic who’s pretty new but has been doing a lot of gigs in L.A. recently. His name is Joe Lavelle. He’s a guitar comic, does some really fuuny songs- you Izzard and Cho fans will probably dig him. He’s also got some good Steven Wright-like one liners.
I don’t think he’s done much T.V. yet but he has a really funny CD that you can get through his website.
Check him out.
www.sexysexyjoelavelle.com
Strange- Eddie Izzard doesn’t even make me crack a smile. Billy Connelly on the other hand. That bit he did on the wildebeests and lions had me rollin’.
-Apoptosis
Sam Kinison, may he rest in peace, safe from homosexual necrophiliacs.
Izzard is excellent. I also love Lee Evans, another Brit. Lee Evan’s show is as much about performing as it is telling jokes. He never fails to crack me up. He is a genius!
Put me down on the list of Eddie Izzard fans. The executive transvesite bit along with the rest of Dressed to Kill has me in tears, literally, every time I see it. The man is, quite simply, a genius. Not to mention educational. I had no idea how much of my high school French I had retained until I saw this special.
I also like Stephen Lynch. He’s got a great singing voice, yet rather than becoming a “serious musican” he’s opted to make people laugh, albeit in a somewhat juvenile, very politically incorrect way. As far as I’m concerned, there’s simply not enough songs about necrophilia, hermaphrodites, or single-testicled men. I saw him at the Stone Pony recently, and I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. If you’re not familiar, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Go go go go go. I saw her show here in April and even got to gush a bit and get an autograph after. You will bust a gut over her routines. She is great to her fans too.
I’m a big fan of Eddie Izzard and Steve Wright but I’m surprised Bill Bailey hasn’t been mentioned by anyone yet - I guess he’s not well known in the US. He’s a very talented musician, a skill that he works into his act very well.
If any of you Yanks get a chance to see any of these, just do:
Bill Bailey (from England) does comedy quite unlike anything you’ll ever see - he’s a musical genius and works music into his act in all sorts of bizarre ways.
Rich Hall (from North Carolina but seems to spend most of his time in the UK) incredibly intelligent and funny standup from who also does shows as his alter ego Otis Lee Crenshaw, a singing redneck ex-con, singing some of the funniest songs I’ve ever heard - Women Call It Stalking (‘It’s Just Selective Walking’); He Almost Looks Like You (a ballad about prison rape); The Scrabble Song (‘You could have given me roses but you gave me sores’).
Tommy Tiernan (from Ireland) is exceptionally funny.
I swear Armilla’s post wasn’t there when I previewed!
Robert Schimmel - funnier than a human should be
Chris Rock - Certainly was the best…could be again
Sam Kinnison - Funniest of the dead ones
Richard Pryor - Most skilled at the craft to ever live
Oh, forgot to chip in my two cents about Eddie Izzard…I wasn’t impressed. He was interesting enough to watch the entire HBO special, but only just barely.
The whole “executive transvestite” or whatever it was he kept harping on was tiresome.
That’s just MHO, naturally.
Hmm, good one…
Sam Kenison was always good for a laff (what was her name? *WHAT WAS HER NAME!!!)
and my new fave is Zack Galifinakis. This dude is a riot. Total deadpan comedy, with singing! (“Touch my vagina” “What?!?” "That’s what you’re supposed to say. . . ")
OTOH, I can’t stand Eddie Izzard or Lewis Black, but whatever floats your boat. . .
I may. She’ll be here on my wedding anniversary, though, and I’m not sure that’s what we wanna do that day. Plus I’m not too crazy about her Christian bashing, something I’m seeing her do more and more.
I love it when she imitates her mom, though!
Gotta get a vote in here for the late great Dennis Wolfberg.
I’ve seen a few favorites mentioned here, Black,Carlin, Williams,
We’re a bit low on chicks. Elaine Boozler"Peeps" Judy Tenuna,“Stud Muffin”
If you love to listen to comedy and do not mind streaming feed, go check out Netscape Radio (formerly Spinner) this plays at least 2 nights a week at this house.