Favourite Comedian Escapists?

[Freaky Lou]

George Carlin without a doubt. I didn't like him at first, but I kept watching him regardless, and now he's my favourite easily. I like comedians who talk about real issues and satirize/criticize things that matter.

Chris Rock hasn't been mentioned yet, so I figure I should. He's big enough that singing his praises is kinda pointless now.

But while we're talking about comedians, could someone explain to me what is supposed to be funny about Bill Hicks? He's always hailed as one of the great comics of the 20th century, but I've watched a few of his routines and all he seems to do is spit bile and hatred. It's barely even criticism; he's just really bitter and doesn't form this bitterness into any kind of joke. Just spits it out. It often seems like he disdains his own audience for laughing at it.

 

[Darren716]

It's a tie for me between Dimitri Martin Daniel Tosh and Gabriel Iglasias

 

[Drago-Morph]

Katt Williams, hands down, bar none, yada yada.

The man is hilarious.

 

[Dogstile]

Steve Hughes, especially his segment on offended, as its prompted idiots everywhere to use it in the wrong place.

 

[weker]

Huh no Jimmy Carr from what I can see, bit of a surprise. He is a master of all comedy from what I know, and the king of the offensive.
It's a pity the American guy (I think) at the end tries to ride on the joke and just kills it off a little bit.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Danny Bhoy for me.

 

[Zelcor]

Actually you know what Louis C.k too he's fantastic

http://youtu.be/TG4f9zR5yzY

 

[PotluckBrigand]

George Carlin was an amazing comedian, and the stuff he did from before the mid-nineties was hilarious, but honestly I like his later stuff better.

It's less stand up comedy and more stand-up philosopher (Bea Arthur: "Oh. A BULLSH*T artist!). He made some (oftentimes uncomfortable) observations about the world as he saw it, and had very strong opinions about the importance of critical thinking in the face of a culture that he saw as overbearing and only interested in controlling its populace through their minds and their wallets.

I don't necessarily agree with everything he said, but I can't find any fault in the idea that we should all be not only allowed but indeed REQUIRED to use our brains and think for ourselves.

I won't find any clips on YouTube, but all of his HBO specials are available to stream on Netflix if anyone else but me still subscribes to that. Watch them in order and watch the evolution of a sincerely sarcastic and angry citizen... but very funny!

 

[KefkaCultist]

It's really too hard to choose just one. Nick Swardson, Louis C.K., George Carlin, Steve Hughes, Jimmy Carr, Gabriel Iglesias, and Rick Gervais are some of my all time favorites, but I cannot choose just one from those guys.

Spoiler: A few stand up videos that I enjoy

This guy is great. Instantly gained my respect by coming on stage while Raining Blood by Slayer plays and my respect grew from there.

This guy is really funny, but unfortunately the youtube selection is a bit limited.

I love Ricky Gervais so much. Probably my favorite British comedian although Jimmy Carr is a very close second.

This man is pretty close to a living George Carlin and I love it.

The man himself, George Carlin. He was never afraid to say whatever the fuck he wanted and I admire him so much for it in these days where people are too afraid of public reaction to speak their minds.

All in all I'd have to say George Carlin is my favorite because there will never be a man that can truly replace him.

 

[Thistlehart]

He's not really famous (though he has fans around the world), but 2 the Ranting Gryphon is a riot, and despite there being markedly more developed comedians out there, I love him.

 

[Lev The Red]

in no particular order: Daniel Tosh, Denis Miller, and David Cross.

 

[Dethenger]

George Carlin is my favourite comedian of all time, and he always will be. I discovered him at a young age and without him, I don't think I'd be the same person I am today, or at least not as far in my development.

Bill Hicks, much for the same reason as Carlin. I discovered him much later, only a little over two years ago. I wish he'd stayed alive longer than he did.

Dave Chappelle. I don't consider him a thinker quite in the same league as Carlin and Hicks, but definitely up there. His observations are keen, and really, his delivery itself deserves a mention. Every comedian here has perfect delivery for what they do, but his is... there's something about it.

Lewis Black, much for the same reason as Hicks and Carlin. I haven't heard a whole lot from him, but I loved what I did.

Demetri Martin. I just think he's funny, kind of airy. When I listen to Carlin and Hicks and Black in a bad mood, they leave me in a better mood because by showing me that no situation is so terrible that you can't make light of it ("Fuck you, I think rape is hilarious, how do you like that?"). Demetri makes me feel better just for his sort of lofty onstage persona and almost offhanded observations that you only realize after must have been so finely tuned in order to feel so natural and calming. It's almost like watching perfectly animated water. You know it must've been hard as hell to produce, but goddamn is it a sight to behold.

Steven Wright. As far as I know, he's not an intellectual heavyweight, but goddamn he's funny, and his deadpan voice makes it all the better.

 

[Tiger Sora]

These two are equal for me for 1st. Though I was laughing at John before I was at Ron. So he may have advantage.

 

[Gregg Lonsdale]

Dylan Moran (played Bernard Black in the show Black Books)

Jon Lajoie (a.k.a. MC Vagina)

Jon Stewart

 

[nklshaz]

For me, it's a tie between Dave Chappelle, Augie Smith, and Donnie Baker.

 

[monkeyonnos]

Dj Flula and Dane Cook are my favorites for sure.

 

[Berenzen]

Greg Giraldo I still find is one of my favorite comics. It sucks that he died though, would have loved to see him live again.

Louis Black and Danny Bhoy are up there as well.

 

[Greni]

You gonna make me choose between Dara O'Briain, Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey, George Carlin and Tim Minchin? You evil man!

All of those in first place for me.

 

[Hazy]

Danny McBride. Absolutely perfect delivery.

 

[BrainiacVeins]

Christopher Titus hands down some great stuff

This. I freaking love Christopher Titus. He makes the unfunny hilarious, and seems to do so waay too easily.

Also, Demitri Martin has some great stuff.