as you might have noticed, i like comedy. and i like comedy in all it's forms: movies, tv shows, books, stand up, crazy person on the street, whatever. i've been fortunate enough to go and see a good amount of stand up comedy so far in my life. i even got to see George Carlin and Mitch Hedberg live. so i thought i would share my personal favorites here.
possibly my very favorite: Eddie Izzard
i've seen Dressed To Kill so many times. i can easily recite a good 5 minutes at a time if i want to. i think it still surprises my parents. they'll remember a line from it and i'll just continue on and on. just the perfect kind of stand up for me. smart, silly, weird, and overall positive in tone. i haven't been as fond of every other stand up show, tv show, or movie he has done. but overall i'd love to be his friend and get to hang out with him on a regular basis.
more favorites in no particular order:
Dylan Moran:
i first learned of him when he did a show in britain called Black Books. it was on for 3 seasons, 6 shows per season, and it is now out on dvd. he played a crazy, drunken, messy, self-centered book store owner. he then did a couple movies with Simon Pegg. but what i like him best for are his stand up specials. i've only ever seen them on youtube. and you can see the full show like the one above. he kind of reminds me of his Black Books character if he were slightly more well adjusted and had a wife and kids. he likes to smoke and drink. he's smart and sarcastic. he has a very strong point of view and he's gotten better and better with each stand up special he does.
George Carlin:
i think part of why i love george carlin is that he reminds me so much of my dad. ive been watching his stand up since i was little and my dad would always laugh till his face was bright red. carlin was very smart and talented. could go from silly and weird to sarcastic and angry. he really liked to play with language. he gave us a lot of good material in his lifetime and inspired many people. i may not get him the way my dad does, but i do enjoy his work a lot.
Lewis Black:
he's another comedian that reminds me of my dad for much of the same reasons. i've always enjoyed his stand up and all the funny finger pointing and angry outbursts. but i think the moment he became one of my favorites is when i read his book Me Of Little Faith. it's so well written. it's so smart. and he can make all these crazy people, who would normally make someone like me angry, and make them funny and get me to laugh at the whole thing. if you are the sort of person who doesn't like organized religion, like me, you will probably love that book.
Flight Of The Conchords:
i would marry either of these guys! agh, i love them so much! so funny and creative. creating these hilarious songs and then they turned them into a tv show. i wish i had seen them perform live. i'm always busy with school when they actually do a tour. i'm not sure i could pick a favorite song. i'm just gonna watch this video and giggle now :)
Stephen Root:
i absolutely loved the show he was on in the 90's called News Radio. it was an amazing cast and he could still steal the scene damn near every time. he's done many movies and tv shows, being a wide range of characters over the years, and every time he is the funniest motherfucker in the room. i always look forward to what else he can do.
John Cleese:
My favorite python who not only was in all of my favorite monty python scenes but also had a hilarious tv show called Fawlty Towers. he's done many different things since then that were also good. but my favorite tv episode of all time has to be the episode of Fawlty Towers called The Germans (the three videos above). his intensity and inflection, as well as the fact that he just completely gives himself to whatever scene he is in, is all part of what makes him a genius.
Craig Ferguson and Josh Robert Thompson from The Late Late Show:
i normally am not a fan of the late night format. most shows have a boring round of jokes during the monologue that are told by stiff hosts and then they later ask celebrities questions they have rehearsed for days. there is not spontaneity. but The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is not like other late night shows. he loves deconstructing the format. he is silly and smart and really quick on his feet. and since the addition of Josh Robert Thompson as Geoff Peterson his side-kick skeleton robot, the show has only gotten better. he is just as smart and quick and he can do an amazing amount of spot-on impressions. the two work amazingly well together to make me giggle every show. i've wanted to go to a taping of the show for awhile, but i can never seem to make it happen. it's hard with school and the schedule of the show's tapings. and when i actually am free to see it i can't find anyone else to go with me. but hopefully i will get to go soon, and maybe even sit in "lesbian row." i'd also love to dress up in costume and march with the horse and other girls. and i'd really love to go back stage and press Geoff's buttons ;)
i also have to mention Craig Ferguson's biography American On Purpose. i love it! it's a really good read. i literally laughed out loud and cried within the first 2 chapters. go read it if you haven't yet. and watch the show if you don't already. we could all use a little more absurdity in our days. it's good for the soul.
i also have to mention a couple tv shows that i love. the cast and writers for the shows Gilmore Girls and New Girl are absolutely fabulous. Gilmore Girls was my favorite show back in the day with strong lead female characters who were smart and funny. they talked super fast, which i know annoys a lot of guys but i dont care, and they had great taste and were genuinely nice and thoughtful while also saying hilarious things that made me giggle like a little girl. New Girl is my new favorite show with Zoey playing an awkward but super sweet woman who i totally identify with sometimes and her awesome friends and roommates prove to be just as smart and funny. i think Jake Johnson as Nick is one of my new favorite actors. he says his hilarious lines perfectly and i love his turtle face. i really look forward to seeing where they take this show. to all those that worked on those shows to make them as awesome as they are, i tip my imaginary hat to you. Kudos!
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