100 Greatest Stand-Ups - Vote Now

simisker said:
To save a little bit of face, I'm glad you mentioned Bob Monkhouse. Like Benny Hill, he had an undeservedly bad rap from the press and 'hip' young comedians despite immense talent. He was incredibly quick with ad-libs and comebacks.
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He used to ask the audience to give him 3 subjects and on the spot he would make a joke up.
The guy is (or was!) a genius.
 
I honestly don't understand the point of all these things, particularly with comedy. What is totally hilarious to one person might be boring, or even annoying to someone else, it's in the ear of the beholder. Plus, I'm not even near successful yet, so I'm jealous :p

Would probably go with Jimmy Carr for a recent comedian personally, the amount of material he generates is just mind boggling and he's a great deadpan, even though most wouldn't consider him to be. You've only got to look at how much he laughs at 8 out of 10 cats to see him out of stage persona.

Michael McIntyre has somehow made stand-up comedy much more in the public eye and it's quite a trendy scene to be involved with (luckily for me..) so he will probably win. It's just easy going, if not the cleverest or funniest stuff out there. :)
 
DailyGeek said:
I honestly don't understand the point of all these things, particularly with comedy. What is totally hilarious to one person might be boring, or even annoying to someone else, it's in the ear of the beholder. Plus, I'm not even near successful yet, so I'm jealous :p
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Y'know how it is... people are always going to want to square the circle, quantify the infinite etc. These sorts of things are primarily to fuel discourse; they're clearly of no actual worth, as Stewart Lee mock-bitterly pointed out on his "41st Best Standup" tour.

Hey -there's something to aim for, DG!

Would probably go with Jimmy Carr for a recent comedian personally, the amount of material he generates is just mind boggling and he's a great deadpan, even though most wouldn't consider him to be. You've only got to look at how much he laughs at 8 out of 10 cats to see him out of stage persona.
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Completely agree, even though his stand-up act is really not my cup of tea. There's more than a little talent and hard work behind that oversized cackling slick head. I think he's also much more of a comedy student than he'd ever let on, too.

One of my favourite up-and-comers isn't yet on this list: Kevin Bridges, the young Glaswegian comic who employs sarcasm and deadpan delivery to great effect.

I also saw Simon Amstell before Christmas, and he was really good; completely self-obsessed - and, contrarily, full of self-loathing - but he had the comedy nous to make it the main feature of his act.
 
Anyone like Jerry Seinfeld as a comedian?

I always loved the show but never found his standup all that great until I randomly listened to a gig of his on my iPod on a flight. Absolutely hilarious observational stuff. Think I'll go vote for him a couple of times so he doesn't end up behind someone stupid like Alan Carr.
 
No fans of Russell Brand then? As much as I can't stand his persona, I think he is very funny and his wit is up there with the best.
 
People like Rik Mayall, Jack Dee, Lee Evans, Billy Connolly are ledgendary, but I don't really find them that funny anymore, sadly.
Much more tempted by the lure of regular comedians on these panel shows (Mock The Week!), exception being Paul Merton, who is just flat out genius.
Bill Hicks is always fantastic, some new film of his should be coming out soon I believe. Richard Pryor is the guy Eddie Murphy copied, isn't he? Hes good too.
Daniel Kitsen I've seen live and completely forgotten about, I will need to review.
 
I prefer comedy from the days where something didn't have to be offensive to be considered fresh or edgy. Making people laugh at somebody elses expense is too easy - comedy which can make you laugh without resorting to degradation is the sign of true comedy.

I like Jasper Carrott and Michael MacIntyre :)
 
thing is half of the nabs they put up on the tv show for this (i watched it ) were either on channel four or associated with chann 4.

in order of best

1.richard pryor
2.eddie murphy
3.richard prior
4.richard prior
5 richard prior

thats about it :p

some they mention i laugh at just cause how unfunny they are .
 
mr.sly said:
It was Billy Connolly who won last time I think not Peter Kay. He hasn't done anything in awhile, so I can't see him climbing the rankings.
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Was he ?

Ah damn I should have finished watching it, my friend won't stop going on about Kay obviously being the best because of that.

Jimmy Carr
Rhod Gilbert
Mitch Hedberg
Jack Dee
Ricky Gervais
Sean Lock
Stewart Lee
Lee Evans
Chris Rock
Eddie Murphy


Would get my vote I guess
 
simisker said:
[...] Stewart Lee mock-bitterly pointed out on his "41st Best Standup" tour. [...]
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Sorry for a combined self-reply and bump, but I went to see Stewart Lee perform his "If you prefer a milder comedian, please ask for one" show in Sheffield last night.

Never mind 41st best; he's top 10 without a doubt. Of all time.

Brilliant, thought-provoking entertainment, and the icing on the cake is that Simon Munnery [Alan Parker, Urban Warrior; The League Against Tedium; Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle] is supporting.

If you're a stand-up fan - and if you can still get tickets - I strongly recommend it :)
 
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