big +1 to this. it's absolutely worth the $5. that set is one of the more beautiful, honest, and hilarious bits i've ever seen/listened to. it's so oddly uplifting and dark at the same time, i keep it on my phone and listen to it every couple weeks

Doug Stanhope is on my list of favorites because he's the only comedian able to push past my personal threshhold of "that's so ****ed up it's not funny."

Other favorites: Louis CK, Bill Burr, Patton Oswald, Dave Chappelle, Bill Hicks, Sebastian Maniscalco, Zach Galifianakis, Chris Rock, Tom Green.

John Caparulo. The best bits are where he talks about his dog. No speakers at work, so can't find the clip.

Rick Rockwell, before he became famous for being a reality show fake millionaire fraud.

And a Robin Williams oldy but a goody:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnFbCCgTo4

Louis CK
David Cross
Dave Chappelle
Dov Davidoff
Mitch Hedberg
Chris Rock
Hannibal Buress
Gary Owen - the "blackest" white comedian
Aziz Ansari
Patton Oswalt

Gary Owen getting slept on itt. Check out his special "Breakin' Out The Park" on Netflix. Tears down your face lol set.

Humble Bundle has a comedy bundle for sale for five more days.

Pay whatever you want and get four albums:

Maria Bamford: The Special Special Special (video)
Tig Notaro: Live (audio)
Hannibal Burress: My Name is Hannibal (audio)
Jim Norton: Please Be Offended (video)

Pay more than the average (currently $8.91) and get more:

Louis CK: Live at the Beacon Theater (audio AND video)
Patrice O'Neal: Unreleased (audio)
Patrice O'Neal: Mr. P (audio)
Todd Glass: Todd Glass Talks About Stuff (audio AND video)
I Am Comic Documentary (video)
Gary Gullman: In This Economy (video)

It's all DRM-free and can also be streamed.

Lots of good names ITT, ldo. I've also always liked Brian Regan. Saw him live once and he was a riot.

Bill Cosby is of course one of the GOAT. Was fortunate to see him several years ago and he didn't disappoint. Master story teller.

Patrice O'Neal


Louis CK


Doug Stanhope


Joe Rogan


John Mulaney


Some lesser known comedians that have some good stuff:
Chad Daniels

(all 4 parts are available, wanted to find one particular joke, but couldn't find it)

Bengt Washburn


Tom Simmons


Darryl Lenox

I think Norm MacDonald is consistently hilarious and original.

Dead guys I liked:
Sam Kinison
Mitch Hedberg

For those that aren't sure what to make of Doug Stanhope, or can't really get into him based on what you've seen/heard, check these two out, then reevaluate:

Something To Take The Edge Off
No Refunds

If neither of those two do it for you, then he's just not for you. But those two are much easier to handle. If they do work for you, then slowly dig a little deeper.

I wouldn't go too far trying to get people into any particular standup comedian, but I think he's worth the work.

+1 jimmy carr, surprised not another person itt mentioned him

-Louis CK
-Dave Chappelle
-Bill Burr
-Norm MacDonald
-Richard Pryor
-Patrice O'neal

I think I'd rank them in that order as well as my favs. I'm sure I missed some.

Thank you. Had not seen this. Damn Louis CK is good.

I consider myself quite the standup comedy connoisseur. I've got the biggest standup collection of anyone I know, and it's probably what I listen to more then anything else. I have most, if not all, of the below's catalogs, and if anyone wants a more detailed opinion on any of them, I shall do such things.

There are the late greats:
George Carlin
Richard Pryor
Bill Hicks
Patrice O'Neal
Greg Giraldo

There are the current greats that everyone agrees on:

Louis CK
Paul F. Tompkins
Doug Stanhope
David Cross
Patton Oswalt
Bill Burr
Maria Bamford
Dave Chappelle
Brian Regan
Christopher Titus
Dana Gould
Dave Attell
Marc Maron
Chris Rock

And the up-and-comers, semi-known old school guys, those that don't have a huge catalog but are worth mentioning, and those that are damn good, but I bring myself to put them on my fav's list:
John Mulaney
Hannibal Buress
Kyle Kinane
Todd Barry
Adam Ferrara
Anthony Jeselnik
Bo Burnham
Brian Posehn
Zach Galifinakis
Chris Hardwick
Eugene Mirman
Kevin Hart
Jim Jeffries

Then, guys I like enough to mention and listen to on occasion:

Demetri Martin
Daniel Tosh
Doug Benson
Mike Birbiglia
Jim Gaffigan
Greg Behrendt
Jim Norton
Mitch Hedberg
Nick Swardson
Todd Glass
Reggie Watts
Aziz Ansari
Dov Davidoff
Michael Ian Black

one of my favorites:



edit: its poetic

Thread has Patton Oswalt but still needs more Patton Oswalt.

The video for the Black Angus bit is dumb but it's all I could find and it's an epic bit so just listen to the audio.

Anthony Jeselnik:

Agree. My comparison was worded rather poorly, while yours was absolutely brilliant.

I will give him a second chance. I admittedly only saw about 10 minutes of his act when I was trying to fall asleep.

Also, my brag. I saw Chappelle do stand up in Eugene Oregon after season 2 of Chapelle's show before he went to Africa. It was the only famous comic I've seen, and probably the hardest I've ever laughed in my life.

Maybe he was right, he doesn't get any respect. RODNEY DANGERFIED
Steve Martin was good in his day as was Eddy Murphy

Really surprised at no love yet for Jim Breuer, Bob Schimmel or Artie Lange... Have laughed harder at all three of these without a doubt than anyone else I've seen live.. Joe Rogan also is very very funny but he talks about some weird ****.. Pryor also one of the GOATs imo

More love for Anthony Jeselnik here. Love his humor!

Richard Jeni: Political parties (this is very good imo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDM_96X40BU

Obv Chappelle, obv Louis CK, and really really liked Eddie Murphy's Delirious and Raw. Haven't seen much new Chappelle in years (though will be seeing him in a week ), so this is probably my current list of favorites:

Hannibal Buress--I think he currently killing it harder than just about any other comedian.
Bill Burr--Just great all around.
John Mulaney--Not quite as famous yet, but his brand of humor is smart, yet easily accessible and fewer cheap shots than a lot of other comedians.
Anthony Jeselnik--when I first heard his shtick I thought he was maybe the best comedian going, but it sort of wears on you and I don't think he will have the same longevity of the others. Still great for first few listens.
Jim Jefferies--probably the hardest I've ever laughed at a live event.

There are others at or just under their level, but if I'm wanting to laugh and listening to stand up (I listen to a lot of stand up) these are my aces in the hole.

Yeah, saw him in Vegas. Fantastic.

Also seen live - Sam Kinison (very good), Rick Rockwell (almost lost bladder control), Galagher (very good), Joan Rivers. The last deserves expanded commentary. I saw her in Vegas also, back when she was popular in the 80's. She was crude and disgusting - people were actually walking out on the show. I've never seen that before or since.

Yeah, people cant even spell the guys god damn name right

Jim Gaffigan is my favorite. I love the jokes, the delivery, his whole persona. Plus it's clean enough to be caught watching it at work or with your family.