I think this is the inherent problem with any such threads as this. “funniest” may well be interpreted as “producing the most laughs” in which case a mediocre comedian that appeals to a wide range of people can legitimately fill that role.
But by that measure you have to consider some fairly unadventurous and middle-of-the-road comedy shows as “the funniest” and something like “Titanic” as the greatest films ever.
Ultimately I think we are all arguing for our personal favourites and being an acquired taste is valid as well.
I just posted a story that was just published on Mort.
“The feds ultimately decided not to talk to Sahl about his offending jokes, fearing he would publicly roast them.” – which is hilarious and I wonder how Mort would have relayed this story and HOW he’d roast them.
I do not really care for comedians whose only thing is being dirty or offensive (Bruce, Clay, Lampinelli, De Paolo). I respect their right to free speech. Your opinion may differ, that’s okay. Some are better than others. You can be groundbreaking but lose relevance over time.
Sex is not dirty. Schumer, Redd Foxx and Patrice O’Neal are very, very funny. Being clever and shocking is risky but can be done very well: Jeselnik, Oswalt, Giraldo, MacDonald, Pinette. Not the very best but really good and deserve mention here. Nancharla and Bamford have a deeply skewed and welcome perspective. Skewed views make clever comedy possible.
I know some people have this impression of George Carlin do to his “7 Words You Can’t Say on Television” routine but he really moved past that and frankly the whole routine really is NOT that good compared to his other work.
Driving today, a Carlin routine came on where he was complaining about common expressions and how bizarre they are. “I got handed my walking papers”. “When your father comes home, he is going to read you the riot act”, and such. It was very clever and very funny. “Seven Words” is sort of clever and funny, was influential for sure, but I agree is far from his best. His analysis of why football is better than baseball is very good. His books are brilliant too.
George’s best stuff, at least to me, was the 1990’s. Every single comedy special he released from about 1992-2001 was gold. He was still funny post 2001, but his last couple were a step down.
Of all celebrities who have died, George Carlin is on my short list of the ones I miss the most.
For me, George Carlin was the perfect stand-up comedian. His insightful counter-culture rants were gold. His timing and inflections were impeccable. His comedic chops were second to none. But, the topper was his heavy NYC accent.
If you don’t have a thick New York City accent, become an accountant or an insurance salesman, but stay away from stand-up comedy!
Ok, that was mildly hyperbolic. Bill Burr with his Boston accent is quite funny. David Brenner and Imogene Coca with their Philadelphia accents were likewise quite funny. So, I’ll amend my stance to: only working-class North-East Coasters should venture into stand-up comedy (assuming they’re funny of course).
I can’t verify it, but I believe Brooklyn, NYC has produced a higher number of successful creative talents (particularly comedic) per capita than anywhere else in the world.
After starting to visit the UK thirteen years ago, and developing a mad appreciation for their panel shows, I’d have to drop some names that absolutely slay me: Dara Ó Briain, Frankie Boyle and Rhod Gilbert are all, to me unfailingly brilliant. I can appreciate Michael McIntyre and Jimmy Carr as well.
As for Americans, Dana Gould is tops for me, and I also love Kevin Pollak. I grew up listening to Carlin, and can still find a lot to laugh at with him, though there came a point when his routines were just long lists of stuff. As for the other two parts of the holy trinity (as Jon Stewart once put it), Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor…maybe you had to have been there. Try as I might, and I’ve listened to albums and watched some footage, I just keep waiting for the funny parts to start.
I personally mentioned Schumer, Nancharla, Bamford and Glaser as female comedians I find very funny. I also like Tig Notaro but more as an amusing storyteller. I appreciate DeGeneres clever perspectives on some things, but the first four are more often laugh out loud funny.
But it’s an old thread and I didn’t reread most of it either. The timeworn criticism female comedians are not funny is not true, but I do think they have become funnier with time.
Joan Rivers was briefly mentioned. Women stand-up comedians can be great, but none have reached the top level for me(like, the very top tier of comedians).
Ellen Degeneres had an act years ago, just before her first sitcom show, that was really good.
I enjoy Jo Brand on comedy panel shows, but her stand-up act was horrible.
