Today, since Game of Thrones is finished and we have literally nothing to talk about, let’s talk about our favourite stand-up comedy.
I’ve always enjoyed watching stand-up comedy specials, and I would like some recommendations. This is pretty much the main reason why I’m doing this, so don’t let me down!
Some of the stand-up I’ve really liked in the past…
Chris Rock
Louis CK
Billy Connolly
Frankie Boyle
Kevin Bridges.
Dave Chappelle
There’s actually a helluva lot of stand-up comedy on Netflix right now, which is partly why I made this post. Anyone got any recommendations?
Comments
127 responses to “Off Topic: Best Stand Up Comedy”
Other than Louis C.K, Bill Burr is one of my favourite comedians working today. He is smart and so angry all the time. His podcast is also VERY enjoyable. Check out his “I am sorry you feel that way” special on AU Netflix.
Totally agree. Bill Burr sure is some entertaining angry.
I love Bill Burr
Yep, I clicked just to mention Bill Burr.
This guy reminds me of Denis Leary – another awesome stand-up comedian.
I think your confusing Denis Leary with Bill Hicks
Nope – Definitely Denis Leary.
If you are in fact a fan of him then you really should check out the other comedians mentioned above.
Bill Hicks talking about Dennis Leary: “I have a scoop for you. I stole his act. I camouflaged it with punchlines, and to really throw people off, I did it before he did.”
Louis CK on Dennis Leary: “F***ing talentless c**t.”
Edit: Also, have a listen to where that Louis CK quote came from and his claims about Leary’s “I’m an asshole” song. https://youtu.be/iHqw54sQZgE
Bill Burr hands down 😀
Lewis Black – Black On Broadway is pretty awesome. Haven’t seen much of his other stuff.
There is this Fluffy guy on Netflix who isn’t bad either.
That’d be Gabriel Iglesias 😀
Lewis Black, Ross Noble and Jim Jeffries are some of my favourites.
Yup, i’ll put in a +1 for Jim Jeffries, bloody hilarious!
But really, really, really innapropriate.
My mum and sister refuse to watch his stuff, but I and my brother in law love it.
Agreed, not for the parents/grandparents, that is for dam sure. My GF loves it though lol
Bill Hicks
Failing that:
George Carlin
Robin Williams
Chris Rock
Eddie Murphy
I actually found Ricky Gervais stand up to be pretty funny too
RIcky Gervais first couple of dvds were good (even if the best jokes were all from his radio shows which are the best things he’s ever done) but his last dvd was terrible. He just came across as arrogant and spent half the show whining about his fans being losers and how happy he is that he isn’t fat (he still is chubby) any more.
Yeah, as he’s gotten more famous I’ve found him less and less funny.
It used to be himself he poked fun at or his life & now he sits behind his desk wearing designer sunglasses poking fun at other people’s expense.
It’s almost cruel instead of funny.
It’s a shame because I used to enjoy his work.
totally agree, he always had the smug side too but it was counter balanced by when he’d joke about himself and he seemed more genuine. I guess it’s hard to stay grounded when you make as much money as he has.
Gervais got you there – those setups are also satirical 🙂
If he’s do I g it on purpose, then it’s worse. I don’t find him funny anymore
OK.
Man, autocorrect mangled ‘doing’ there, I wonder what I actually typed
I’ve only ever seen his stand up bit in GTA IV – it wasn’t funny which is really noticeable in a game like GTA
ROWAN ATKINSON
This is the only Rowan Atkinson stand up I’ve ever seen, it’s fairly old, but it’s pretty damn funny.
If that includes the teacher in front of class, so good!
Yeah, it does. It starts at about 59:20.
Loved that one, one of my other favourite sketches from that routine is the Indian restaurant.
THIS!!!
Funny guys is funny! Yes!
Patton Oswalt is one of my faves. Also really loved Harris Wittels (RIP).
Dave Chapelle. I wish the Chapelle show was still on the air. Sigh.
Rick James, bitch!
CHARLIE MURPHY!
WHAT DID THE FIVE FINGERS SAY TO THE FACE!!?!?!?!
SLAP!
FUCK YO COUCH!!!!
Watch his skit on MTV cribs, it’s my fav thing of all time!
Hulk Hogan choked out a polar bear….
Aziz Ansari is great
Really? I thought his standup on Netflix was pretty average… and I love AA.
I found myself laughing along to the whole thing, but i guess diffrnt Strokes
Same here, I really enjoyed those specials on Netflix. Makes me want to buy his new book now!
Tig Notaro is incredible
Everyone is saying all the people I like.
So i will let you know who I can’t stand.
– Tim Minchin (WEAR SOME F***ING SHOES, DUDE!)
– Jerry Seinfeld (What’s with your “what’s with” jokes that aren’t funny, JERRY!)
– Kitty Flannigan – It was cute when you started – but now you are just so lame and overdone it’s insane… It’s always the same stuff…
I also dislike Tim Minchin. *high five*.
*high five!*
I don’t think Iv’e ever laughed at Jerry’s standup on seinfeld, always thought he was just constantly trying to make the obvious funny.
Oh God, there’s just so many.
Just off the top of my head, (in no particular order)
Billy Connolly
Robin Williams (RIP)
Richard Pryor (RIP)
Bernie Mac (RIP)
Eddie Murphy
Chris Rock
Russell Peters
Anh Do’s pretty good too
How did I forget Richard Pryor, he’s so good!
If you like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle then check out Eddie Murphy (early stuff) that guy is a laugh (pretty racist in some areas, but that’s 80’s/90’s for ya).
Definitely not for the easily offended, but Raw and Delirious are funny as fuck.
Ha ha yup, good thing I am far from easily offended.
Yeah there’s some guy whose got a special on Netflix who wishes he was Eddie Murphy but he’s nowhere near!
Also if you like incredibly offensive stand up Ralphie May is your guy
Yeah Ralphie May is gold.
Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive had me and my gf in tears. It’s on Netflix.
Other than that I like Ricky Gervais, Bill Bailey, Jim Jeffries, Lee Evans, Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre.
Bill Engvall
Eddie Griffin
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias <—- A top 5, must watch comic
George Carlin
John Pinette
Katt Williams
Lewis Black
Margaret Cho
Comedy Central Roasts – Pamela Anderson, William Shatner, Bob Saget, Joan Rivers & David Hasselhoff
Also check out a series called “The Green Room”. It’s all on Youtube and features comedians just sitting and talking about all sorts of stuff, but they are funny at the same time. Here’s a link to episode 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQtUMVJW0zo
+1 for The Green Room! The Jim Jefferies episode is particularly good.
jim jeffries! Also great list mark I’m very impressed. Ive seen billy and dave I would love to see Louis one day
Jim Jefferies hand down!!! Just don’t be a pussy and leave your sensibilities at the door 😉
… and to save time, here’s a clicky.
https://youtu.be/JqAR2-lDULc
louis ck
jim jeffries
dylan moran
bill hicks
Doug Stanhope
Yep. Been a fan since 08. Saw him in Canberra last November, was not disappointed! Check out the unbookables. Crazy shit.
+1 to Doug Stanhope
I discovered Doug in december only to find out I just missed his Perth show.
man – i love Carl Barron
if you want to count Umbilical Brothers as stand up as it is live comedy.
and Russel Peters had me in stitches the first time i ever saw him.
+1 for Umbilical Brothers
also David Strassman
both are fantastic live but their shows don’t translate well to DVD.
Mike Birbiglia’s special My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend is brilliant. What I Should Have Said Was Nothing is also very good.
I just relistened to these albums recently, and they are still solid.
My man!
Also Sleepwalk With Me.
Dylan Moran, definitely. Absolute legend.
But a huge shout of to Jim Jeffries. While he’s made a joke or two that’s rubbed me the wrong way, that gun-control segment is downright artful.
– Kyle Kinane (holy shit both of his last shows have made me cry in public)
– Jim Gaffigan
– Maria Bamford
– Blaine Capatch
– Paul F. Tompkins
– Eugene Mirman
Godddd I love me some stand up.
Great list!
If you ever want to see something powerfully un-funny go watch an old Jamie Fox stand up.
Chris D’Elia’s special on Netflix is pretty great, too. Some of it is a little bit miss, but the hits are great.
I’m not a huge fan of his standup, but I listen to the Ten Minute Podcast religiously. Ever given that a go?
No I haven’t, but I’ll add it my stable, thanks!
Billy Connolly and Bill Bailey. Been a huge fan of Billy since around the age of 8, watching his world tour series’, and got into Bill Bailey upon discovering Black Books.
I’m a big Ross Noble fan, he is great and works off the crowd, with not much swearing. Other than that,
Bill Hicks
Dave Chapelle
Bill Bailey
Katt Williams aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand
ROBIN WILLIAMS
I’ve seen Ross live. A cockroach was running around on stage so he made some good humor with that – Maybe upset a few people too. He’s a funny guy for sure.
True story – Ross bought his Xbox 360 off me when I worked at EB.
Came in for the midnight launch, all excited to get some split screen Perfect Dark on with his entourage.
Really nice, quiet dude in person.
Jimeoin – The guy can say absolutely nothing and still be hysterically funny. He has a pretty unique comedic style that is just fantastic.
Sammy J and Randy – Arguably my favourite Aussie comedians, at least at the moment. Their live gig is one of the best I’ve ever been to.
If we’re talking about top 5 best gigs of all time, Robin Williams Live on Broadway, Eddie Murphy Delirious, Louis CK Shameless, Chris Rock’s Bring the Pain, and probably Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip.
Jimoen does the best eyebrow humour in the business
Do you know where the toilets are??
I remember seeing Jimeoin on TV ages ago (can’t remember the show), he was telling a story about how he was doing stand-up in America and did this joke that went something like “Do you ever get the urge when you’re in a lift by yourself to just drop your trousers and dance around”. He said the crowd went dead silent because Americans didn’t know what a lift was.
Also, if you like Live on Broadway try A Night at the Met, friggin’ hilarious. Also Chris Rock: Bigger and Blacker and Never Scared.
+1 for Sammy J and Randy. Saw it with my wife and an older couple who joined our table. It was far more ‘blue’ than I expected the show to be much to me and the older guy’s amusement … his wife didn’t seem too impressed though which only made it more funny.
I think the puppet throws people. They expect it to be PG-rated because it’s got a muppet in it, when in fact it is anything but.
Tony Abbott…
I laughed… Then I cried.
Still crying.
Yeah, it’s hilarious how much of a friggin’ joke that guy is.
Eddie Izzard is one of my favourites, saw him at the beginning of the year at the opera house, was fantastic.
Eddie Izzard so much.
How do we get to page 2 of comments before someone mentions Eddie Izzard?
heh… amen
Bill Bailey
Dylan Moran
Adam Hills (mostly because he only has a vague outline of what his shows are going to contain then fills it with random musings and including the audience)
Stephen K Amos
Arj Barker (as the only guy who does stand up and shouts loudly that I can stand)
Bob Frankin
Carl Barron, hands down. It’s just really good for big belly laughs. It isn’t very sophisticated, it doesn’t make you think much, it’s just there to make you laugh. Hurry up and release another DVD already!
Mitch Herberg.
Easily one of the greatest, gone far far far too soon. I’ve seen all his acts numerous times and they’re still just as funny. Surprised he didn’t make it on here already.
I am utterly shocked that no one has included the late great MITCH HEDBURG!!!! Do yourselves a favour and google this man. died in his prime, not alot of material but he is HILARIOUS!!!
I absolutely cannot stand Carl Barron, i had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting him in the pub on day with his “entourage” and was the rudest “c u next tuesday” Tried to shake his hand and get an autograph but that didn’t happen, his head was so far up his own arse, then had the audacity to just keep ripping on some bloke the entire time he was there, he was very lucky he wasn’t glassed. A few other i hate are Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock and 90% of other american comedians who think they are so funny.
A few i like are Bruno Lucia, Rich Hall, Arj Barker, Robin Williams, Dave Chappelle, Ross Noble and Brendon Burns, there are a few other i can’t name off the top of my head.
In no particular order my favs are
– Louis CK
– Marc Maron (standup, not so much WTF but he did get Obama on there so that’s pretty impressive)
– Mike Birbiglia
– Amy Shumer (Women Who Kill is well worth a watch)
– Laurie Kilmartin
– Patton Oswalt
– Brian Posehn
– Sarah Silverman
– Todd Barry (The Crowd Work Tour is one of my favourite comedy specials ever)
and no doubt a whole bunch more.
Schumer’s ‘Mostly Sex Stuff’ special is 10x better than women who kill, worth a watch if you havent seen it.
Some good stuff in these threads that I will need to check out, but one of my go to’s is also Rhod Gilbert, that guy has me in stitches… Or I have a terrible sense in humour… Yeah that’s probably it
Here’s a long list of great comedy:
Ed Byrne
Dara O’Briain
Andy Parsons
Greg Giraldo
Greg Proops
Christopher Titus
Marc Maron
Adam Ferrara
Todd Barry
Bob Oschack
Tom Papa
Greg Fitzsimmons
Jimmy Carr
Bil Dwyer
Steve McGrew
Stephen Lynch
Rich Vos
Jim David
John Caparulo
There ya go, enjoy.
John Pinette is probably my favourite of the ones not listed. No hate and anger or disrespect.
One of the best
Michael McIntyre, I got several of his DVDs and I’m just left in stitches
Jim Norton
Patrice O’neal (RIP)
Robert Kelly
Bill Burr
Louis CK
Amy Schumer
All some of my Fav’s. Patrice O’neal I think is one of the best comics in history, a modern day Prior.
David O’Doherty
Mitch Hedberg
Demetri Martin
Just a few that I have enjoyed and are yet to be mentioned (maybe!)
Excellent recommendations.
Page 2 before Mitch comes up! An outrage!
If you’re so inclined, the Documentary ‘Super High Me’ starring Doug Benson is on Netflix and is probably the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen (in the right *ahem* “environment”).
The stand-up might not be for everyone, but I swear I can feel that film aching down my sides for days after I’ve watched it. Not from coughing either.
Russell Howard is definitely my favourite stand up comedian
How has nobody mentioned Jimmy Carr?
The mind boggles.
Jimmy Carr!!! (seen live so many times, his ‘most offensive jokes’ and ‘best comebacks’ are well known. Simply a smart, brilliant comedian)
Peter Kay (misheard lyrics a highlight for the 25+ y.o.’s)
Anthony Jeselnik (if you like that dry sense of humour)
Louise K (;)
Mitch Hedberg
Aziz is pretty good if you get the right gig
Billy Connolly is a classic.
And you kind sir, are done. If I’m on an all day road trip these make the time absolutely fly. Strongly recommend for your next big drive, much better than listening to music.
The lists have been good with two exceptions.
-Ed Byrne
-Stewart Lee.
Anyone reading this who hasn’t heard of either of these two dudes really should check Pedantic and Whimsical from Ed, or Stand Up Comedian from Stewart.
Incredibly great:
Mitch Hedberg
Doug Stanhope
Steve Martin (back in the day)
Regular great:
Bill Hicks
Maria Bamford
Bill Burr
Brian Posehn
Andy Kindler
Steven Wright
Jimmy Carr
C’mon peeps, what about:
Joe Rogan
Joey Diaz
Whitney Cummings
Jim Norton
Iliza shlesinger
All savages!
One my favourites, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGVL_reIuJM
Anthony Jeselnik is my favorite at the moment. I’ve seen him twice and he’s super smart and offensive which ticks my comedy boxes. Louie ck, Jim gaffigan, Doug Benson, hannibal buress are all great too
Based on the comedians you listed, I feel like you’d like Kevin Hart. I don’t think anyone else has mentioned him yet, but I liked similar people to you, and I laughed a lot more through Hart’s routines than anyone else on Netflix.
I really enjoy Dara Obriain. (Yes – he’s the guy who hosts Mock the Week)
I’m just glad noone’s mentioned Dane Cook.. awful awful awful!
I wanted to mention some names, but they’ve already been said(George Carlin, Mitch Hedberg, Lewis Black, Bill Hicks). But I just remembered two others that I didnt’ check for.
Greg Giraldo
Arj Barker
And another absolute legend? Rodney Dangerfield
Just about all my favs have been mentioned, but one I can’t see is a guy named Danny Bhoy, I really like his style.
I’ll add;
Dylan Moran https://youtu.be/7ox6d1cKru8?t=20m15s
Bill Bailey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-NgNvq5e_g
Eddie Griffin https://youtu.be/_RcqKGCIRiU?t=11m38s
Jim Jeffries is awesome, though as was said, fairly inappropriate and a bit sexist. (by bit, read a lot)
Kevin Hart as well, ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT! His show on netflix is great, i’d recommend watching the preamble as well about where he grew up, makes the comedy jokes even better with the context.
Already mentioned a couple of times, but Jim Gaffigan is absolutely hilarious.