Hey I've seen John Pinette, you're right Plawrence, he's a funny guy., that's the sort of alternative comedy I like anecdotes boundering on truth. Frank Skinner is a pure genuis at it though.

Observational comedy is a favourite of mine too, I should have mentioned it earlier. The problem with it though is that it isn't very appealking to a widespread audience because you have to relate to it. A few years back Peter Kay was one of my favourites because, like me, he was from a Northern England working class backround. He'd say stuff only we really understand. Just as Def Jam Comedy is to black people.

Jack Dee, Ricky Gervais, Jasper Carrot. They're all bloody amazing, but Jack Dee steals the show. Jimmy Carr's very good, but I haven't seen him much. These guys are all british, so you Americans probably aren't too familiar with em.

Neither have I. [/b][/quote]Rita Rudner is "ok". She's not fantastic, but she's good for a laugh or two.

I always thought Margaret Cho was OK. And I guess most of you guys are too young to remember Phyliss Diller, altho that was a different kind of comedy.

Joan Rivers wasn't bad either.

I don't watch a whole lot of standup, but I find Robin Williams extremely funny! He talks so darn fast you have to listen really good, but he many times, has one joke after another.

I remember Joan Rivers. She used to be really funny when she first came out. She's gotten sickening and not so funny anymore. I can't stand hearing her talk.

Also, remember Don Rickles? You either hated him or liked him. Took me a while but I got to like his "insulting" humor at times. Also, Alan King?


TIS

Well TIS, if you wanna go back to the days when we were young and mention some of the great comedians of those wonderful bygone days, how about...

Shelly Berman
Bob Newhart (most only know him from his TV shows)
Bill Cosby (same thing for him)
Myron Cohen
Flip Wilson
Jackie Vernon
Jackie Mason (still around, and I love hm)
Woody Allen (started in stand-up, long before his fim career)

I know most of them. Does that mean I'm part of your generation? Flip was mainly funny when he was Geraldine. Cosby is too dry for me. He's more PC. Although, these days he doesn't seem to be.

You're over forty, aren't you?

Bite your tongue. I won't be over 40 until next year. I oughta slap you.

Alan King is one of the best comics ever. Comedy Central had a special on the 100 greatest comedians, and he ranked relatively high, as he should have. Paul Rodriguez has always been a favorite of mine, and he is THE Latin King of Comedy.

I've always been a fan of Jasper Carrott. I used to like Royston Vasey (Roy "Chubby" Brown) but I now don't really like those who rely on excessive profanity--and I despite any of the (usually more recent) comedians who insist on the humiliation of those in the front row. How is that funny?

Anyway, although I admittedly watch little stand-up, I watched Peter Kay live in Bolton the other night: absolutely tremendous stuff!

Mick

I reckon it's important for the comedian to interact with the audience. I find if the jokes against people in the croud are spontanious they're usually funny, but if they're planned that's crap. Just like heckling, the good comedian knows how to deal with it spontaniously and not practiced comebacks as "I guess you've drank too much". The best comeback I heard was when I saw a comedian on holiday. It was in a fairly small club and the guy had to walk past the stage, maybe to the toilet or bar. The comedian took the piss and the guy returned with "I'm on tablets, you know" He wasn't happy and people were shocked. We didn't know how the comedian could deal with that, but he almost immediately came back with "So was Moses".


Probably one of those things where you'd have to be there.

Does Jay Leno count? I absolutely love him. He is just hilarious.... something about his delivery - really good.

Dave Chapelle, George Lopez, Bill Cosby, Seinfeld, Bill Hicks are among my USA favorites.

Theres a bunch of other stand-ups from Mexico I love.

Giorgio Luigi Gambino

Pablo Francisco
Jerry Seinfeld
Jones DeGrant
Bill Cosby

Seinfeld smashes on all though....flippin hilarious

George Carlin
Eddie Izzard
Dave Chappelle
Robin Williams
Ellen DeGeneres

Lately I have been on a stand up binge. Here are some of my new favorites...

Lewis Black
PATTON OSWALT
Dane Cook
Richard Pryor
Ron White

By far, Richard Pryor. It's a shame that his M.S has caused him to lose his ability to speak. Funniest man alive, in my opinion.

-Jerry Seinfeld
-Chris Rock
-Sam Kenison

Dara O'Briain
Peter Kay

Dara O'Briain
Peter Kay

Roy "Chubby" Brown
Joe Pescarli
Jim Davidson