Let me ask the Carlin haters (because I really am curious)

[erika]

Which comedians are/were your favorites?

[jbissell]

My bold prediction for the top 3:
Patton
PFT
Zach G


Which are probably my 3 current favorites.  And I like Chris Rock, although I haven't heard him in a long while and I'm not sure if it would still stand up for me.

I can't honestly claim to be some big comedy expert and I don't actively seek out the super unknowns.  Basically it comes down to if I hear something I think is funny from a specific comedian, I'll check out more of their stuff.  I generally find that when I listen to "classic" comedy, a lot of times I just don't find it that funny.  I'm not sure if it's a case of not relating to the material or a failure to match the hype, but from my limited experience most standup just doesn't age well. Obviously there are exceptions.

So I also like Eugene Mirman, Todd Barry, Doug Benson, Jimmy Pardo, and a bunch others I'm sure I'm forgetting.  Oh, and anyone recommended by Byron Allen.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

Erika, you didn't list yours...let's hear it!


my favorites (in no particular order):

David Cross
Zach Galifianakis
Maria Bamford
Brian Posehn
Patton Oswalt
Todd Barry
Dave Chapelle
Sarah Silverman
Eugene Mirman

[Forrest]

Erika, you didn't list yours...let's hear it!


my favorites (in no particular order):

David Cross
Zach Galifianakis
Maria Bamford
Brian Posehn
Patton Oswalt
Todd Barry
Dave Chapelle
Sarah Silverman
Eugene Mirman

How very safe.

[Forrest]

I'm sorry!

[erika]

What about when you were younger? When Carlin was popular? Are there any comedians you liked back then?

My current favorites are Patton and Louis CK. As far as stand-up goes... those two guys are really the kings. PFT and Zach are really good too. But Patton and Louie get me laughing to the point of tears consistently and are constantly coming up with new material.

Back "in the day" I liked Carlin the most I think.

[Spoony]

Fair enough.

Chris Rock
Early Bill Cosby was great. I saw him do a show a few years ago and I was amazed at what he pro he was.
Dimitri Martin is a clever lad.
Of course, PFT and Gen. Patton.
H Jon and Brendan Smalls aren't really 'stand-up,' but I've seen them on stage and it was great.
Paul Mooney is great, but not in a "ha ha" way.
Eddie Murphy's "Delarious" is one of the funniest things I'd ever seen, but I think it was the last thing he ever did that was funny.
Eugene Mirman is amazing.
Ron White is a goon, but he cracks me up.
Limited doses of Lewis Black.

[erika]

Oh yeah and Chris Rock always used to crack me up! I was really into him the same time I was into Carlin.

[jamesp]

From the people who are bringing their A-game and my current favorites

Chris Rock
Patton Oswalt
Todd Barry
Louis CK
Zach Galifianakis
Ricky Gervais

The Up-and-Comers: The people who are on to something good and will be up there with my favorites very soon

Mike Birbiglia
Eugene Mirman
Paul F. Tompkins
Tracy Morgan

Then the people who were my favorites but I haven't seen any new stuff from in quite some time

David Cross
Dave Chappelle

[jamesp]

What about when you were younger? When Carlin was popular? Are there any comedians you liked back then?

My current favorites are Patton and Louis CK. As far as stand-up goes... those two guys are really the kings. PFT and Zach are really good too. But Patton and Louie get me laughing to the point of tears consistently and are constantly coming up with new material.

Back "in the day" I liked Carlin the most I think.

Louis CK was the first comedian I've seen multiple times and I saw him last summer before his HBO special and saw him probably 6 months later and he already had 90 minutes plus of great new material. It was just unbelievable to hear no repeat jokes. 

[Spoony]

And I like Chris Rock, although I haven't heard him in a long while and I'm not sure if it would still stand up for me.

I'm with you on that one. I have a problem with comedians who who get too angry. The genius stems from the anger, but when it goes too far, it just becomes rants. That's what I didn't like about Mr Carlin.

Chris Rock walks that line really well, but I thought "Never Scared" was starting to lean too far to the angry meter. I'm eager to hear his new work to see how he's evolving.

As if I'm going to be stroking a beard and filling out a report card or something...

[ian]

Maria Bamford
Andy Kindler
PFT

[ian]

Oh, and Rickles.

[Spoony]

Oh, and Rickles.

How could I forget Rickles!

[ian]

Midnight Pajama Jam