Was like 12 when I first heard it. What can I say, always have had a soft spot for it. Most likely has to do with it being the first special I can remember listening to intently.
Your Comedian Mount Rushmore
- Thread starter discydisc
- Start date
I originally put Eddie Murphy on my list here. I had to come back and edit it, as I rewatched both of his specials recently, and just do not find them that funny. He's got a few good bits, and I think he's naturally an hilarious human (and great comedic actor). I just don't find the stand-up itself that great.
I get it. I'm overly sensitive to it. Bill Hicks is the greatest stand up comedian of all time in IMO, so I have a special level of disdain for Leary.
Agreed. For me, the nostalgia of his stand-up specials makes me remember them as funnier than they were.
There are so many sub-categories of comedians that I love
Story tellers: Jim Jeffries, Mike Berbiglia, Patton Oswalt, John Mulaney
Joke tellers: Steven Wright, Dimitri Martin, Mitch Hedberg, Deon Cole, Brian Regan, Jim Gaffigan
Personalites: Norm MacDonald, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Dave Chapelle, Tim Conway, Don Rickles, Lucille Ball
I don't find Theo Vons standup funny at all but when I come across a clip of his podcast, it's must watch especially if he starts it with "I grew up with this one kid." That's his format. His standup just isn't that great for me.
I'm actually kind of surprised how similar responses are. I guess I didn't think stand up comedy would find a consensus as I figured different styles would appeal to different people. Gaffigan is another guy that I enjoy but wouldn't consider for a mount rushmore but I could see someone else using him because of his style.
Go back and watch The Johnathon Winters show. He was one of the best improv comics of all time.
I agree on the nostalgia. I remember being little and seeing his outfits, knew he was this bigger-than-life personality at the time. He brought theatrics, and I think a lot of his legend is in response to that rock-star persona.
That's a really good breakdown of categories. I've been on a Lucille Ball kick lately, I have no idea why, and while I think a lot of it is nostalgia - she broke down huge barriers by insisting her husband of a different nationality be on her show. And then again by showing her pregnancy on the show. That was a tough chick at the time, and moved TV forward in addition to being a great physical comedienne.
Agreed. His specials are atrocious, and that's coming from a big fan. But when I've seen him live in a venue I've really enjoyed it.
Not well versed in the stand up world so I've picked up most of my favorite comedians from podcasts.
Man, thanks for bringing him up.
My 4:
Hicks - Another dead hero
Kaufman - The greatest performance artist of all time
Nealon - Maybe not the most prolific, but I love his style
Robin Williams - I've never laughed so hard
Chapelle is an incredible orator and story teller, but his last 2-3 specials were just him complaining. I get it and I agree with much of what he says, it's just not funny.
If Cosby wasn't such a damn rapist, I'd have him on the list.
Tough to do, but...:
Emo Philips
Norm MacDonald
Richard Pryor
Nate Bargatze
Bill Cosby*
*Non-rapist version would bump someone
Emo Philips
Norm MacDonald
Richard Pryor
Nate Bargatze
Bill Cosby*
*Non-rapist version would bump someone
The movie on Albert Brooks brother Bob Einstein is really great. It was great watching comedians appreciate others craft.
They haven’t aged well, his sketch and movie stuff has actually held up better. I probably should have put him in my top 4 comedic actor or sketch category I did if I thought it over again, but really no longer enjoy the standup specials.
Some of the stuff he did on SNL like going undercover as a white guy laid the ground for Chapelle show, but as a standup it’s almost painful to watch at times to me now and I’m somebody who wore out my audio tapes of Raw and Delirious in the 80s.