People here seem to know about this funny business. I don't know jack about this funny business. Is there a generally accepted canon? Does it divide on generational lines? Are there great American comics that the Brits don't get or vice versa?

Who deserves attention? Why?

Okay, (please) go!

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Coincidence!

I have spent tonight and last night reading this thread and looking up all the comedians mentioned on youtube.

Neil Hamburger is shit.

Mitch Hedberg is funny but I don't quite get his persona.

I don't think they have any John Novotny.

mitch hedberg
rodney dangerfield
....thats about it. the rest can suck my ballz

especially that silverman girl. take away her potty mouth and shes nothing.

Rotten Tanx wrote: this thread

Hey, there's the thread for me. I wasn't on the internet at all last May.

While I'm not sure if the criteria is for them to be current or alive, I would go with the following.

1. Richard Pryor (simply put, the best, the measuring stick for all other comics)
2. Bill Hicks
3. The first couple of Steve Martin records are incredible. Also surprising considering what he has done with his career.
4. Eddie Murphy (equally biting, but less intelligent than Richard Pryor)
5. Either/Or Neil Hamburger & Dave Chappelle (they're on two totally different ends of the spectrum but both have the ability to be great & "meh", usually during the same set)

6. David Cross

HTH

-Jeremy

h. jon benjamin
david cross
mitch hedberg

Hard question.

Sloppy/quick answer:

(stand-up)
1. Richard Pryor
2. Lenny Bruce
3. Steven Wright
4. Dave Attell
5. Bill Hicks

There is a particular order, I'm sure. But I'm no expert. Also, I'm aware that there are many deserving comics that should be included in that list. But that's the quick 5 off the top of my head.

Leftovers: Don Rickles, Mitch Hedberg, Triumph the Insult Comic, Robin Harris, Sarah Silverman, Dave Chappelle, Eddie Murphy, David Cross, George Carlin, Lisa Lampinelli...and many more.

1.Dame Edna Everage

I'll throw in a few others after Bill.

1 Bill Hicks
2 Ross Noble
3 Bill Bailey
4 Joan Rivers
5 Warren Ellis

b

1) lenny bruce
2) bill hicks
3) eddie izzard
4) david cross
5) emo phillips

i also like mitch hedberg, doug stanhope, stephen wright, sarah silverman, jerry seinfeld, woody allen, richard lewis, richard pryor and janeane garofalo.