# Who is your favorite stand up comic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 28, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948 "2017-08-28T17:45:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [August 28, 2017, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/21 "2017-08-28T20:43:50Z")
Favorite stand-up solo: Stephen Wright, followed closely by Eddie Izzard. Favorite stand-up duo: Peter Cook & Dudley Moore. ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/22 "2017-08-28T20:44:49Z")
Not mentioned yet - \*\*Jake Johannsen \*\*. He’s best live and is still touring. From the moment he started until the end of his act I was laughing so hard I could not take even one sip of my drink. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/23 "2017-08-28T20:48:01Z")
A couple of guys not mentioned yet: Robert Schimmel. He was the dirtiest comedian I’d ever heard; he told familiar stories about travel and family and whatnot that everyone tells, but all filtered through his twisted, perverted mind and he was fucking hilarious. Dave Attell’s first CD _Skanks for the Memories_ was brilliant, but he was never that funny again. . ---
**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:** [August 28, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/24 "2017-08-28T20:50:40Z")
Probably not my all-time favorite, but Paul F. Tompkins is a riot! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/25 "2017-08-28T20:54:17Z")
My favorite is still the late John Pinette. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/26 "2017-08-28T20:54:56Z")
I like several who’ve already been mentioned, but here’s one : Daman Wayans. Before the movies and tv sitcoms, he did some stand up specials on HBO that were hysterical. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/27 "2017-08-28T22:02:45Z")
I really like: [ul] [li]John Mulaney (ton of writing talent, and his delivery is pitch-perfect)[/li][li]John Heffron[/li][li]Angelah Johnson[/li][li]Patton Oswalt[/li][li]Don Friesen[/li][li]Brian Regan[/li][li]Maria Bamford (the women’s voices that she does, especially that of her mother, are hilarious)[/li][li]Mike Birbiglia (I really, really like his delivery style)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/28 "2017-08-28T22:33:35Z")
Woody Allen George Carlin Bill Hicks ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/29 "2017-08-28T22:44:42Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Greatest living comedian - Doug Stanhope > > Greatest comedian ever (living or dead) - George Carlin > > Really good comedians - Patton Oswalt, Louis CK, David cross, Bill burr, mitch hedberg. Doug Stanhope? I grow very tired of his act. He is a funny guy, but he grows tiring. Carlin is the greatest of all time and my favorite. His routines on airports hold up today and are some of the best minutes of comedy I’ve heard. I still love his “people who oughta be killed” routine. I also like: Brian Regan(best clean comedian ever), Jim Gaffigan, Mitch Hedberg, Steven Wright, and Demetri Martin. > [@Icarus](#): > > Geez - talk about a sausage party… > > How about Maria Bamford, Tig Nataro, Sarah Silverman, or Iliza Schlesinger. None of the women you listed are all that funny. Paula Poundstone is the funniest female stand-up out there. Ellen Degeneres was very funny when she did comedy in the 1990’s. Does she even do that anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/30 "2017-08-28T22:51:53Z")
> [@Bobdavis](#): > > Very nice. You know your comics. I was on a flight to I don’t remember where and I noticed that George Carlin was sitting a couple of rows back. I wanted to talk to him but it looked like there was this wall all around him so I didn’t say a word. > > Despite the fact that he was quite close to me and I looked directly at him, there was never any eye contact between him and I. > > I will never forget that. Comics have this rare ability to communicate without saying a word. I don’t regret giving him his space even though I was itching to hear that voice. I met Carlin once, after a show in town. Fantastically nice guy. Signed autographs, took pictures with fans, etc. One of my comedic idols. Another favorite was the late [Ron Shock](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2wG3sUy7YE). And Greg Giraldo is an all-time favorite. [Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymltNm4p2VY) he is owning Denis Leary. And a very [NSFW](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2SEmaDRjaE&t=1447s) collection of his Roast appearances. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/31 "2017-08-28T23:00:22Z")
Loved Mitch Hedberg, but he was pretty much doomed. Seemed a wreck, but I loved his style. Greg Giraldo. Man, he was sharp. And angry. Sharp and angry, two great ingredients in a comedian. I miss him a lot. I remember being bummed out when I heard Richard Jeni died, but I don’t remember his work now. I wonder what would have become of Sam Kinison. Probably would have popped a blood vessel by now. Robin Williams needs to be retired from lists like this. What comedian, BESIDES Robin Williams, do you love? Louis CK seems to be fading, for me. He used to be my fav, but the last couple of specials didn’t do as much for me. Not sure if it’s him or me. I’ve been watching a lot of British panel shows on Youtube, and like Jimmy Carr made me laugh a lot. Bill Burr makes me think he about to say something to annoy me, then he makes me laugh. He does that quite a bit. Either I’m pretty touchy, he’s pretty good, or both. Hard to pick a FAVORITE now, but I guess it’s Bill Burr. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/32 "2017-08-28T23:12:40Z")
I’m not a huge fan of stand-up in general, but I enjoy Eddie Izzard so much that I have see him four times. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/33 "2017-08-28T23:17:53Z")
Bill Engvall and Jeff Dunham ---
**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:** [August 28, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/34 "2017-08-28T23:23:02Z")
[Greg Giraldo](https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=561_1339137559) was the best roaster ever! Probably not good to listen to at work. LiveLeak provides a second-click warning. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/35 "2017-08-28T23:58:52Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > Loved Mitch Hedberg, but he was pretty much doomed. Seemed a wreck, but I loved his style. > > Greg Giraldo. Man, he was sharp. And angry. Sharp and angry, two great ingredients in a comedian. I miss him a lot. > > I remember being bummed out when I heard Richard Jeni died, but I don’t remember his work now. > > I wonder what would have become of Sam Kinison. Probably would have popped a blood vessel by now. > > Robin Williams needs to be retired from lists like this. What comedian, BESIDES Robin Williams, do you love? > > Louis CK seems to be fading, for me. He used to be my fav, but the last couple of specials didn’t do as much for me. Not sure if it’s him or me. > > I’ve been watching a lot of British panel shows on Youtube, and like Jimmy Carr made me laugh a lot. > > Bill Burr makes me think he about to say something to annoy me, then he makes me laugh. He does that quite a bit. Either I’m pretty touchy, he’s pretty good, or both. > > Hard to pick a FAVORITE now, but I guess it’s Bill Burr. I trust you’ve seen his epic takedown of a crowd in [Philadelphia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jMhoGUiIkk). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/36 "2017-08-29T00:07:29Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I met Carlin once, after a show in town. Fantastically nice guy. Signed autographs, took pictures with fans, etc. One of my comedic idols. > . I never met or saw him, but I have heard the same. I know his “angry guy” routine was just an act, a very small part of him. I would have loved to meet him. ---
**Author:** ![Renz\_Medicinal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Renz\_Medicinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renz_Medicinal)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/37 "2017-08-29T00:13:24Z")
I grew up with Bob Hope, who was also a great romcom actor. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/38 "2017-08-29T00:39:32Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Doug Stanhope? I grow very tired of his act. He is a funny guy, but he grows tiring. > > Carlin is the greatest of all time and my favorite. His routines on airports hold up today and are some of the best minutes of comedy I’ve heard. I still love his “people who oughta be killed” routine. > > I also like: Brian Regan(best clean comedian ever), Jim Gaffigan, Mitch Hedberg, Steven Wright, and Demetri Martin. Brian Regan and Gaffigan are also good comedians, and they are among the few that I can watch with my nieces and nephews and they are still funny (being a family friendly comedian isn’t easy but they both do it). Don’t care for Wright or Martin myself. As for Stanhope, its hard to explain. He is a love him or hate him comedian, but to a lot of people he is the best living one out there (even though his shows barely sell out mexican restaurants and 99% of people wouldn’t recognize him on the street). On the subject of female comedians, Kathleen Madigan is great. Eddie Pepitone’s special ‘in ruins’ is also pretty good. Its on netflix. So is Chad Daniel’s special ‘footsprints on the moon’ ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/39 "2017-08-29T00:53:04Z")
I watch a good bit of British programming through YouTube, so I have a few that aren’t super well-known here in the USofA. I’ll just mention two, because I’m lazy. Dara O’Briain (clever, personable Irishman) Frankie Boyle (Scots, very offensive, but smart) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948/40 "2017-08-29T01:15:35Z")
One of the better sets I’ve seen was from Carol Leifer. “I have no children. That I _know of_.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-favorite-stand-up-comic/794948.md?page=3)