My Favorite Stand-up Comedians

Stand up comedy is an interesting beast. If you were to ask people to write down their 5 favorite comedians on one side, and the 5 best of all time on another side, you would have very different lists.  Picking your favorite stand up comedian has a lot to do with how old you were when you first heard them, your state of mind, and your own comedic sensibilities. So with that I add this disclaimer, I'm going to let you know now that George Carlin isn't on my list. Carlin is very funny and widely respected in the industry. I enjoy his stand up. However, his hype was so high  that when I originally heard him, while I laughed, I didn't split my sides. There was no way he could have surpassed my expectation. So yes he is an all time great. On any respectable all time great list he's top 5 easy. But he's not one of my favorites.  Without further ado, here are my top 4 favorite Stand up Comedians. Disclaimer: The language in these clips is for mature audiences only but i'll try to keep the clips on the tamer side.

4. Bill Burr
                                           
                                            On being scared of kids:

                                               
                                            Too many people:

Bill Burr has a really unique brand of comedy.  His go-to method is to take and idea that kind of makes sense and progressively take it farther and farther in the funniest way possible.  And for him, no topic is off limits. He'll talk about race, relationships, animals, Hitler, children, and Oprah.  All the while talking like that loud, drunk guy at the bar who has a gripe with the world.  I'm always surprised that he isn't as famous as some of the others on this list. He would be higher up but he's a Patriots fan.

3. Chris Rock

                                           Robitussin:

Chris Rock was the first stand up comedian that made me laugh hard.  Because of that, Bigger and Blacker will always have a special place in my mind. From 1996's Bring the Pain, to 1999's Bigger and Blacker, Chris Rock was untouchable as the funniest man on the planet. Sadly, his comedy didn't translate to any of his movies (which for the most part have been okay to terrible).  He did rebound by making an amazing, underrated TV show called "Everybody Hates Chris".  There are rumors of a Dave Chapelle/Chris Rock comedy tour. If that ever happens, you can sign me up right now.


2. Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy has had an amazing career. From being on SNL (like Chris Rock above), to staring in blockbuster movies, Murphy has made a lot of money along with fans. However, the best thing he has ever done might just be making Delirious and Raw.  Neither of those stand-up specials are for the faint of heart. In today's world some were very inappropriate and offensive. In fact, some were so raunchy, that Richard Pryor once said they were a little to insensitive for even his tastes. That's saying something if you've ever listened to Pryor's stuff. However, the majority of his stuff was genius. While a new generation might only know Eddie for making really corny family movies, us older people will remember him for being one of the greatest comedic minds ever.


1. Richard Pryor

                                       
                                          On when he set himself on fire during his drug addiction

Richard Pryor. Legend. Forefather. Greatest to ever do it. A funny dude. These are just some comments I got when I asked people what they think when they hear the name Richard Pryor. Never has a comedian been so open with their mistakes and faults.  He invited you to live through his troubles during his stand up.  He pulls no punches and has a flair for storytelling.  He had a debilitation drug problem. He had been hospitalized. He even developed MS, yet he was still able to joke about it. He's the reason everyone else on this list can exist.  Raunchy, raw, real, and direct, Pryor was a comic for the ages.  I don't think I have ever heard a joke he told that hasn't made me laugh.  He's what I use to rate all other comics. Often imitated but never duplicated, Pryor will live on throughout time as the king of comedy.