With Carlin gone...

[jackstar7]

I've been watching all the George Carlin I could find on YT and thinking about the comedians that have all benefitted from his life of productivity and honesty.

I'm just wondering who you see as the funniest or most clever of the current living comedians.

A brief list for me includes:
Louis C.K.
Patton Oswalt
David Cross
Chris Rock
Lewis Black
and I see potential in Daniel Tosh

I could probably come up with more... but those are off the top of my head that I still see working more or less regularly.

I don't imagine any of these guys will end up in court for anything they say... but I think they put a lot of craft into their stand-up and that's something I think George (and other greats) really proved was needed to be a good comedian.

I suppose I wanted a thread to remind me that comedy isn't dead without George... because what he did for comedy, and for this country, will hopefully never be undone.

[JackAssterson]

I'm a member of the Colbert Nation, myself.

[kontrol]

I've been watching all the George Carlin I could find on YT and thinking about the comedians that have all benefitted from his life of productivity and honesty.

I'm just wondering who you see as the funniest or most clever of the current living comedians.

A brief list for me includes:
Louis C.K.
Patton Oswalt
David Cross
Chris Rock
Lewis Black
and I see potential in Daniel Tosh

I could probably come up with more... but those are off the top of my head that I still see working more or less regularly.

I don't imagine any of these guys will end up in court for anything they say... but I think they put a lot of craft into their stand-up and that's something I think George (and other greats) really proved was needed to be a good comedian.

I suppose I wanted a thread to remind me that comedy isn't dead without George... because what he did for comedy, and for this country, will hopefully never be undone.
I like that list. And definitely think the Colbert/Stewart tandem is a good one.

[jackstar7]

I certainly didn't mean to leave off Jon and Stephen... they always contribute so much, and clearly owe a debt to Carlin (and others).

[Peers]

Once you go Black...

Altho Lewis channels 'angry George' much better than he does 'insightful George'.

[pxb006]

Tim Wilson

[jackstar7]

Awww man, I forgot my love of J. Gaffigan. He doesn't always go to the edge, but he gets there sometimes and does some pretty good stuff.

Also added: Z. Galifinakis and D. Martin.

[docpound]

Joe Rogan he's a funny guy

[Grinner]

For stand-up comedy, I'd have to say my two favorites are most likely Billy Conolly and Eddie Izzard.

[SLVRSR4]

I fancy myself something of a Stand up Comedy Buff. I have at least 100 comedy CD's and it has gotten to the point where I needed a whole carrying case JUST FOR THEM. I came to a realization this morning, though. Unfortunately I can only say that I've ever seen 3 comedians live, but out of the three of them, only one is still living.

I have seen:

Stephen Lynch (Who deserves a spot on your list by the way, Alive)
Mitch Hedburg
George Carlin

[llyrghmnghyll]

Stupid Bill Hicks dying young, Idiot.

[jackstar7]

I imagine Bill would be co-starring on Rescue Me if he were alive today.

And that would be a good thing.

[Xero Boy]

Chris Rock. No one else makes social commentary in the same way that George did, but Chris comes the closest.

[tchad]

Sorry, but George never impressed me that much, nor struck me as funny. Dirty jokes are really too easy.

Don't get me wrong. I am very sorry to hear of his death and hope the best for his family and close friends.

[jackstar7]

Sorry, but George never impressed me that much, nor struck me as funny. Dirty jokes are really too easy.

Don't get me wrong. I am very sorry to hear of his death and hope the best for his family and close friends.

Yeahbuhwhuh?

Check out Baseball vs. Football for something not "dirty" (whatever that means to you, I have to guess) and not easy. I would never call George Carlin ahead of his time, because he was the guy leading everyone into the present more often than not.

[CustomCreator]

Unfortunately I can only say that I've ever seen 3 comedians live, but out of the three of them, only one is still living.

I know how you feel. I have only ever seen four comedians live, and only one is still living. I have seen:

George Carlin
Sam Kinison
Richard Jeni
Gallagher

[BudPalmer]

It's a tie between Gallagher and Carrot-Top. :rolleyes:

[CustomCreator]

Carrot Top stole Gallagher's act. He's not even original.

[BudPalmer]

And Gallagher took quite a bit from Carlin. Hence the joke!

[CustomCreator]

I never saw that much similarity between Gallagher and Carlin, actually. Gallagher is more prop-reliant, more physical schtick. He does have his observational humor, too, though. I love his comments on mildew cleaner.

[BudPalmer]

He liked to do the "words don't mean what they should" schtick too. I'm fairly certain Carlin started that.

[Badgerbite]

Lenny Bruce opened the door for every comedian of this style. (Carlin said so himself)

Right now the biggest political comedian would have to be George Bush. (ba da bump)


and also forgotten cutting edge, but gone.

Red Foxx
Jonathan Winters
Richard Pryor

Don Rickles is still alive and mean as ever.
Like all other comedians of this type, what we see on TV, is not what these guys were really like, they have to hold back big time.

Anyone ever see Bob Sagat?
One of the foulest and funniest out there, but you would not expect it from his tv dad image.

Gilbert Godfrey is also much better when he's free to say what he wants.
Try his version of "The Aristocrats"
I'd post it, but I don't feel like getting banned.

[CustomCreator]

He liked to do the "words don't mean what they should" schtick too. I'm fairly certain Carlin started that.

True, true. Ever see Gallagher's routine on spellings? Tomb, bomb, comb, etc?

[jackstar7]

I don't know how I forgot Dave Chapelle.

"Smooth as eggs" still kills me.

[ThorOdinson]

He was the hardest working man in comedy.
I just heard of his demise and I can't believe I didn't know sooner.
Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac are sad deaths but finding out about Carlin was absolutely shocking.
I was speechless.
Rest In Peace Cardinal Glick.

[invisibo]

basically, pretty much everyone associated with "The comedians of comedy" are great. So I'd throw Zach Galifanackus (spelling???), Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford, etc. on the list.

I also think Katt Williams is really funny. one of his specials was on Comedy Central tonight, and I always enjoy it no matter how many times I watch it.

Of course, people seem to want to open up to non-standup folks as well. I think the people behind Reno 911 are pretty hilarious, Tim and Eric from "tim and eric awesome show great job" do some interesting things, and I loved John Hodgman's book as well as his appearances on the daily show (he's also PC in the Mac/PC commercials)

[HCannonFodder]

I would like to thank the members of HCRealms.com for NOT mentioning the abomination on stage, Dane Cook.

Someone needs to tell him that a pre-requisite for stand-up is being FUNNY.

Besides that, I agree with pretty much all of the names previously listed, and would like to add one more to the comedians that were great & died before their time:

David Wolpher (sp?)

[SLVRSR4]

When talking about cutting edge comedians who died before their time, you should never forget Bill Hicks.

[jebus_2099]

I can't think of any other comedians off the top of my head. George was the greatest comedian ever. If you are looking for more of his stand up you could download them off the net, i found it out there.