Wot comedians make you laugh?

[Firkragg]

Preface: I have searched and searched but couldn't find any topics covering the above. If indeed there is one and I have missed it, I most sincerely apologise.


Having a laugh! Science tells us this is a healthy activity. Isn't that part of the reason we visit this glorious blog? :P So what could be more natural than to share favorite comedians. The idea behind this post is to share such knowledge; I myself only know of a handful of comedians outside my country's borders, but wish to expand my repertoire.

So, lets get this ball rolling! My favorite comedians are (in no particular order):

- Eddie Izzard
- Bill Bailey
- Dylan Moran
- Billy Connolly
- Lewis Black

I highly recommend all of the above. Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Izzard for their clever, oddball sort of humour. Billy Connolly for his incredible ability to improvise and just talk and Lewis Black for when you want long, angry rants.

[Lukasz]

i love QI. so various panelists on that show make me laugh... some more some less yet I enjoy the variety.

[Ravelle]

i love QI. so various panelists on that show make me laugh... some more some less yet I enjoy the variety.

I love most of them on panel but I'm not really fond of stand up because it's just joke after joke after joke.

[fiddlesticks]

Same with me. I don't watch a lot of stand-up anymore, but I'm a big fan of British panel shows, particularly "QI" and "Would I lie to you?". Rob Brydon, Johnny Vegas, Sandi Toksvig, Phil Jupitus, Jimmy Carr, David Mitchell, Lee Mack, there's a lot of genuinely funny people featured on the BBC.

I'm also a big fan of the duo Ursus and Nadeschkin, but I doubt many people outside of Switzerland have heard of them.

[The JG Man]

Jimmy Carr's stand-up is very entertaining if you don't mind things a little rough. Considering your list, Firkragg, I also recommend Ricky Gervais' stuff, as well as Tim Minchin (I'm 99% sure based off your list you'll like him):

[mrpier]

Rowan Atkinson - Primarily for Blackadder and this solo-show he did.
Ricky Gervais - More for the standup than the Office.
Eddie Murphy - Raw and Delirious
For some reason I really dug Simon Amstell's run as host of Never mind the buzzcocks, never seen much of the show otherwise, or Simon Amstell for that matter.

[Ian]

I'm a sucker for panel shows. QI, 8 out of 10 Cats, Would I Lie To You?, Have I Got News For You, all that stuff.

There are comedians whose stand up had previously irritated me (Jimmy Carr being a prime example) but I got into it more after having seen them on panel shows/in interviews.

[Maknol]

Seven posts in, George Carlin hasn't been mentioned yet. What has the world come to?

[mashakos]

Seven posts in, George Carlin hasn't been mentioned yet. What has the world come to?

this. and Chappelle

[Dubbill]

Louis CK makes me laugh very hard. NFSW clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmban3Fio14

[NathanH]

I used to like QI but it's a bit stale now.

For stand-up I only really like Tim Vine: unending puns well-delivered.

[Sketch]

Dara O'Briain, especially his bits on games:

[doctor_roxo]

Louis CK is great.
Anthony Jeselnik.
Gallagher.
George Carlin.
Daniel Tosh.
Jon Reep, Metro Jethro

[bad guy]

Bill Burr
Mitch Hedberg
Katt Williams
George Carlin

[Kelron]

I don't like much standup, but:

[Bettymartin]

Someone should probably mention Doug Stanhope. So that's sorted then.

[Xercies]

Stewert Lee is great because he makes you laugh and think about the world and its problems. Louis CK is similar in his style especially on his show.

[Fumarole]

The holy trinity of Bruce, Hicks and Stanhope.

[Jockie]

Stewart Lee and Bill Hicks for when you want to laugh, then think afterwards.

I also rather like Sean Lock, just think he has fantastic joke delivery and I like comedians who seem to hate pretty much everything. See also Dylan Moran and Jerry Sadowitz.

[Henke]

Seconding and thirding CK and Stanhope.

Also: Patton Oswalt, Todd Barry, Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford and Mark Maron. And David Cross. And Aziz! And a few others I'm forgetting.