I'm of the opinion that Bob Newhart is the funniest human being walking the earth right now.

If you're interested, he wrote an autobiography, I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This, that's worth reading. He discusses his technique and how he developed it.

I always drive by Jerry Lewis's home... no stalker either.

Danny Thomas used to tell this Apple Pie and Coffee joke that cracked me up every time. It went something like this:

An new guy to America had trouble with his English. He couldn't even order food. To help him out his friend teaches him to say something simple , “Apple pie and coffee.” So now when he goes to lunch he is able to order “Apple pie and coffee." But after several months of "apple pie and coffee" and "apple pie and coffee" and "apple pie and coffee" over and over again he was getting tired of it. Finally he tells his friend that "apple pie and coffee" is driving him crazy and asks his friend to teach him something else. So with some effort he learns "ham and cheese sandwich.” The next day at the restaurant he is real happy to say for the first time: “Ham and cheese sandwich.” The waitress responds, “White, whole wheat, or rye?” After a long stare, his shoulders sag, his head drops, and he mumbles back, “Apple pie and coffee.”

mack, i hung out at the pool room in hackensack for years before i heated west..

you may have been my paper boy. sorry i never tipped you at christmas. :-)

Seen Mel Brooks mentioned several times. IMO History of the World was one of the funniest movies ever made.

I loved Newhart's albums when I was a kid, then later his TV shows and still think "Newhart" was one of the best ever. But I saw him live in Atlantic City about 20 years ago, and he was absolutely terrible on-stage. I still have no idea how he was so flat. I still enjoy watching the old re-runs of "Newhart" though.

I've been there. There was also a room in Lodi (or was it Nutley?) where Jack Breit and Billy Incardona used to take customers to keep them away from the other sharks.

cue time in lodi. bowler city in hackensack. red mostly played in new york. but traveled more than most players.

stand up mono logs was the prevalent comedy routine back then or with one straight man helping out. now it has moved to tv shows with a cast. but used to have so many more to choose from in a night.

Interesting. I was never a big fan of Newhart. I'd watch it every now and then, but definitely wouldn't go out of my way to see it. Now, The Bob Newhart Show on the other hand, I believe is an all-time classic.

And to tie them both together...

I believe that the ending scene of Newhart is definitely, without a doubt, the GOAT for any type of tv show.

Yes.

Without a doubt!

Newhart was good, but I much prefer The Bob Newhart Show. Bob and Emily, Jerry, Carol, Howard. Top 5 all-time comedy for me.

Larry, Darrell and Darrell plus Stephanie and Michael ftw imo!

Tonight or tomorrow my family and I will be continuing our annual tradition of watching the "Thanksgiving Promotion" episode of WKRP in Cincinnati. It is the funniest single episode in television history imo.

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

Classic.

My 10 funniest all time, roughly chronological
Chaplin
Groucho
Danny Kaye
Jerry Lewis
Mel Brooks
Zero Mostel
Walter Matthau
Woody Allen
George Carlin
Robin Williams

Honorable Mention:
Billy Crystal
Don Rickles
Bette Middler
Steven Wright
Gene Wilder
Martin Short

Most overrated:
Bob Hope
W.C. Fields
Abbott & Costello

Just one man's opinion . . .

I used the line yesterday, "it's good to be the king." I don't think anyone got it.

w.c.fields was before all our time really but those guys were comedians in a different era and funny then isnt funny now so much for most.
abbot and costello were of the stupid funny type and you have to be into it to like it.
kind of like laurel and hardy and the 3 stooges.
and even the 4 marx brothers

For me, some people just seem naturally funny and some have to work too hard at it. Danny Kaye vs. Bob Hope for example. I once heard Bob Hope tell a talk show host (probably Carson, don't remember, maybe Dick Cavett) that he travels with his team of writers. When the host asked why he replied something like "Well only if I want to say anything." That was my impression of Hope: he just wasn't a naturally funny comic. Not saying there isn't a place for craft; no craft, no comedy. But it sure helps if you're naturally funny. The best there is now, for me, is Melissa McCarthy.

Ray Zee is also funny.

What do you mean he's funny?
What do you mean, you mean the way he talks?
Is it the way he tells a story and everything?
Funny how? What's funny about it?

Funny stories at the poker table.