Keep in mind that this is a very subjective list. I know there are a lot of great, young comedians out there now, but they need to do a little more to make an all time list. If you’ve got other favorites I’d love it if you’d share them in the comments. If anyone mentions Dane Cook you’re banned from The Phil Factor.
10. Bobby Collins: He may not be an all-timer as far as the entirety of his career, but once I was watching his stand-up special and I was laughing so hard tears were streaming down my face and I couldn’t breath. I’ve never laughed that hard at anything in my life. “I coughed up a french fry, and I hadn’t eaten french fries in weeks.”
9. Phil Taylor: Of course I had to put myself on the list. Notice my modesty in not putting myself #1. Before the internet I used to tell my jokes in front of live audiences. Not big ones, but people laughed. I swear. Sadly, my last time was in 2001 before cell phone cameras and YouTube. This is a caricature of me.
8. The Amazing Jonathan: When you think prop comic you naturally think of Penn and Teller right? Find a video of The Amazing Jonathan.
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7. Eddie Murphy: His live show Raw is one of the best HBO comedy specials ever. As a young teen I had the misfortune of watching the expletive, sexual joke laden special for the first time with my mother. Awkward. Too bad Eddie grew into someone who thought he was too good to do a skit on the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary show.
6. Kevin Hart: Funniest human for his height ever.
5. Louis C.K.: Some people only know him as the cop Leslie dated on Parks and Rec.
4. Jim Gaffigan: Considering that he and his wife live in a small NYC apartment with five kids I’m surprised that his comedy isn’t angrier. Nobody loves bacon as much as Jim.
3. Brian Regan: Look him up and watch some of his stuff. His ability to contort his face as if it’s made of Playdoh is the cherry on top of the sundae of his brilliant material. “If you were to second guess your decision to book time to visit a Native American community, that would be a reservation reservation reservation.”
2. Steve Martin: It’s possible some of you reading this are young enough that you’ve never seen Steve Martin do stand-up comedy. Like most comedic actors, that’s where he got his start. When I was young I had his first two comedy albums on cassette tape.
1. Robin Williams: His spontaneity and improvisation are unequaled in the history of mankind.
So who are your favorites? Are there any great ones I should know about from other countries? Have a great Tuesday!~ Phil