Byebyegeegee wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 11:04 am
Of the older end for me, it would be a toss up between Tommy Cooper or Bob Monkhouse. Tommy, as you say 64 could make you laugh by just appearing he didn’t have to say anything. But he was very reliant on props rather than being purely a gags man. Bob Monkhouse on the other hand, as well as having the sharpest wit, was a masterful deliverer of very funny gags.
Lee Mack, who has become more well known for being a panelist on “would I lie to you” and writing and acting in sitcoms was and still is a superb stand up comic. He is brilliantly quick witted as shown on “would I lie to you” and a very good situation comedy writer as indicated by the first half dozen or so series of “Not Going Out” although it’s now we’ll past it’s sell by date - typical BBC to keep plugging away.
Ricky Gervais another brilliant and inventive comedic all rounder, superb and fearless stand up and excruciatingly funny sitcom writer.
Peter Kay a good modern, down to earth, northern (although from the wrong side of the Pennines) stand up comedian par excellence. A story teller really (rather than a gags man) but with superb timing and an innate and flawless ability to work an audience. The gentle sitcom “Car Share” too was beautifully written and performed and one of the only good things the BBC have done for the last 10 years.
Jimmy Carr a fearless stand up comic who delivers well crafted routines impeccably and, like Ricky Gervais, doesn’t have to pander to the cancel mob.
So:
Bob Monkhouse
Lee Mack
Ricky Gervais
Peter Kay
Jimmy Carr
There are/have been, of course, lots of other very fine and very funny standup comedians over the years but I think, admittedly after relatively brief consideration, the above are the best of the best.
I enjoy Peter Kay & Lee Mack.
I'm an old sod, so I love the comedians I grew up with, the majority wouldn't get away with their material nowadays as people's sense of humour has changed over the last few decades.
Modern comedy in the main does nothing for me, as for American humour I'll say no more!
1964white wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 12:20 pm
I enjoy Peter Kay & Lee Mack.
I'm an old sod, so I love the comedians I grew up with, the majority wouldn't get away with their material nowadays as people's sense of humour has changed over the last few decades.
Modern comedy in the main does nothing for me, as for American humour I'll say no more!
Funnily enough I’ve been watching a few “The Comedians” episodes from the 70’s on t’internet lately which I’m not sure has completely stood the test of time, some of the comics are more character than substance (Charlie Williams, Ken Goodwin, Frank Carson, Mike Reid for example) but I still find it funny. And, dare I say, (probably not but I’m going to anyway), in my opinion, the best and most consummate of that bunch, with his dry delivery and again superb timing was, the now, much maligned by the chattering classes, Bernard Manning.
Joan Rivers
George Carlin
Richard Pryor
Paula Poundstone
and because he’s a personal friend,
Dennis Blair
Quote from Joan Rivers:
“Michael Jackson. Such a lovely boy, but oy! What pedophile!
“You know how much money he settled on that one family? Fifteen million dollars! If I had known he was going to do that I’d have sent (daughter) Melissa over years ago.”
John in Louisiana wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 1:42 pm
Joan Rivers
George Carlin
Richard Pryor Paula Poundstone
and because he’s a personal friend,
Dennis Blair
Quote from Joan Rivers:
“Michael Jackson. Such a lovely boy, but oy! What pedophile!
“You know how much money he settled on that one family? Fifteen million dollars! If I had known he was going to do that I’d have sent (daughter) Melissa over years ago.”
Hadn't heard of her but have now..she's really good..
"Never debate an idiot, they'll only drag you down to their level and they have the advantage of experience"
mentalcase wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 1:37 pm
I'd never put "American" and "Humour" in the same sentence.
Because in America we spell it “humor.”
Try reading “The Devil’s Dictionary” by Ambrose Bierce or watching Duck Soup with the Marx Brothers.
Examples from Bierce:
Egoist. (n) A person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me.
Christian. (n) One who believes the Bible to be a divinely inspired document perfectly suited to ruling the life of one’s neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ insofar as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.
mentalcase wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 3:24 pm
Didn't think it would take long for a cheeky nibble
One of my favourite / favorite comedians is Robin Williams so there
Well you have Oliver Hardy nominated also...
"Never debate an idiot, they'll only drag you down to their level and they have the advantage of experience"
Some old school selections, who came out of the working men's club circuit:
- Bernard Manning
- Charlie Williams
- Mike Reid
- Stan Boardman
- Duggie Brown
1) Roy Chubby Brown. The rudest crudest man on the planet.
2) Frankie Boyle. Cutting...but with a butter knife.
3) Jimmy Carr. I am a sucker for smut.
4) Richard Pryor. A livewire who didn't need a fuse
5) I will go with Peter Kay for the family addition.
Loads a funny men woman online on the fringe sites. Comedy unleashed is a good one. There is a crude American version aswell.
John in Louisiana wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 1:42 pm
Joan Rivers
George Carlin
Richard Pryor
Paula Poundstone
and because he’s a personal friend,
Dennis Blair
Quote from Joan Rivers:
“Michael Jackson. Such a lovely boy, but oy! What pedophile!
“You know how much money he settled on that one family? Fifteen million dollars! If I had known he was going to do that I’d have sent (daughter) Melissa over years ago.”