The late Richard Jeni was one of my favorites. His last HBO special was outstanding.
The late Mitch Hedberg. Wasn't famous - just a Comedy Central routine or two. He was like watching Kurt Cobain making random observations while stoned.
The first Chris Rock HBO special was classic - one of the funniest hours of television I've ever seen.
Okay, I'll add Russell peters and earthquake
Was also pleasantly surprised by the guy who opened for him at the Bushnell last year, Gary Gulman. He did a great bit about the Karate Kid.
I put Carlin in front of Robin Williams, but those two are just freaking genius minds at work. It's simply amazing not just how smart they are but how fast their brains work(ed). I could listen to Carlin forever and Williams improv stuff where he asks the audience for pieces that he puts together is beyond ridiculous for brain power. Chris Rock not so much.Robin Williams, Carlin & Chris Rock. In that order.
I was a big Greg Giraldo fan as well. I saw him once in NYC and sadly, he was so stoned, he had no idea where he was and got in a shouting match with someone in the audience.Greg Giraldo, how the duck is there a 3 page thread and nobody mentions Greg Giraldo, makes me sad. RIP to a genius.
I must be old-school.
Definitely Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, & George Carlin.
On my personal stand-up Mt. Rushmore I'd also add Sam Kinison.
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(48"X48" acrylic painting I did of Sam in 2008)
Rodney's best line was "My wife and I decided we'd only smoke after sex. She's up to half a pack a day. I haven't had a cigarette in months!".On Dangerfield, he had a one liner I always remembered. He says, 'My wife gives me no respect. Last week, she cut me down to once a month. But that's okay, I know a guy she cut our altogether."
I'm old enough to remember when hardly any comedians used profanity and they could be pretty funny. Pre-Lenny Bruce, nobody used profanity unless in relatively obscure ways. Belle Barth was as profane as they got and very funny. A Redd Foxx type. Seinfeld is the only modern comedian I know of who won't use profanity.
Right now I am on the Bill Burr bandwagon. Would love to see if there are funny people out there who I don't know of. Who makes you ROTFLYAO?
Boeheim in a presser.Syracuse's basketball program in a big game.