What deceased comedian are we most lost without?

Cafe Society
21

Nope, never heard of the fella. When was he popular? Maybe it was when I was TV-less in college, or in the shower washing my hair or something . . .

22

In that case, you’re in for a treat. Rent a DVD of him or something. He was a bastard, raw, vitriolic, cynical, truthful, and a genius. It’s the ultimate humor of anti-establishment anger, taking the baton directly from Lenny Bruce. All IMO, of course - some people hated him for the same reasons.

23

For the proverbial record I never heard of Bill Hicks either. I’m 38.

It’s funny, I too miss John Candy but I never really think of him as a comedian, but as an actor who did comedy, if you would allow me to make that distinction. I would describe Phil Hartman the same way.

24

Eric Morecambe. Tony Hancock. Bill Hicks.

25

Those who have never heard of him, may find www.billhicks.com to be of interest.

26

Bill Hicks’ IMDB entry seems to suggest he was more famous in the UK than the US:

I already like him because of his apparent disdain for the alleged “comedian” Gallagher.

27

Another vote for Bill Hicks and Phil Hartman.

28

We really, really need Bill Hicks right now. Of course, Bush would have probably declared him and enemy combatant and locked him away underneath Guantanamo Bay.

If anybody gets Trio, I highly recommend The Censoring of Bill Hicks, their original documentary. I watched it again late last night in a fit of insomnia. It’s very sad, but there’s lot of great footage of him throughout his career, including his last performance before he died of pancreatic cancer.

29

. . . So I’m the only one who misses Gilda Radner? How about Danitra Vance, Madeline Kahn . . . There were some funny ladies, too!

30

Phil Hartman and Madeline Kahn.

31

Andy Kaufman

32

Phil Hartman
Chris Farley

33

I really miss Phil Hartman.

34

As usual, I’m showing my age, but I thought Ernie Kovacs’ stuff was brilliant. Letterman, Monty Python, Satuday Night Live and Andy Kaufman all owe a debt to Ernie Kovacs in one way or another. His medium was television, and in 1962 when Kovacs died in a car crash at the age of 42, television was still in its technical infancy. It’s conceivable he could still be alive today at the age of 83, and who knows what he could have graced us with over the last 40 years?

35

  1. Andy Kaufman

  2. Phil Hartman

  3. Sam Kinison

  4. John Belushi

  5. Chevy Chase (yeah, I know, but it feels like he left us years ago)

36

On that note, I would have to mention Graham Chapman.

But for “most lost without” it’s a toss up between Bill Hicks and Lenny Bruce.

37

Though he was much more than a comedian, my vote goes to Douglas Adams.

Hey, nobody said he or she had to be a stand-up comic…

38

Definitely Bill Hicks and I’m with Mr. Blue Sky on the “Denis Leary” thing.
I’d also say Peter Cook and Graham Chapman.

39

Another Bill Hicks fan over here. Also miss Phil Hartman.

40

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