Groove’s right: we forgot Rock. Good call my man.
Did anyone ever catch Damon Wayans HBO special? It was around the mid-90’s just after In Living Color.
He’s very talented but seems to have lost his way in sitcom land. Oh well. I still love those Wayans kids! (I’m Gonna Get You Sucka->still a classic, up there with Coming to America)
Good point groove
you guys have mentioned a lot of funny comedians. some realy good ones are richard pryor or how ever you spell it, robin williams, bill cosby as himself that still gets me rolling with laughter, chris rock and some that you guys havn’t mentioned yet was guys in kings of comedy. now that was FUNNY!
CMC,
I have not done standup, I have written stuff but for various reasons haven’t used it.
I HAVE participated in improv ensembles in the past. (After all, Chicago is the “home of improv” even though the Harold was actually invented somewhere else I think and they just brought it back).
Basically, I would read some books by Judy Carter, she is great on how to write comedy.
Other than that, just be yourself. If the purpose you asked those questions is to get ideas for your act then you need to do some self-evaluation. You have to be true to yourself or your act will suck (if you are trying to be someone else).
From years of playing bass for various bands, one thing I learned is the audience will come to you, just do your best, if the audience doesn’t like it, it was just the wrong audience, and you don’t necessarily need to change anything.
I was going to mention Chris Rock, but cut it out. When I was mentioning the blue humor it reminded my of when Chris Rock hosted Def Comedy Jam. I only saw it a couple of times, but the one I remember was Chris Rock came out, got the audience up, then the next comedian would come out and expect to get laughs just because they could cuss. Bombed bad, the Rock would come back out and get the audience up again. The next comedian did the same thing, and bomb again, and Rock got the audience up again. I think there were three bombs and Chris Rock. They should have just kicked the other three off.
I later heard some good comedians came from this show, but after what I saw, I didn’t watch again, though I would catch Chris Rock’s own comedy specials.
About 6 months ago I saw John Leguizamo on a behind the scenes special, following him from gig to gig.
When I was a kid, I memorized a few of Bill Cosby’s bits. Had his entire Noah routine down pat.
Ahhhh the Noah bit…
good times, good times
Patricia is dead on about Kinnison. ( “you used me! I want my fucking records back!” – too fucking funny. But the best is his old appearances on the Stern radio show, where he would blow in with a hottie on each arm, completely coked out of his mind and drunk at 9 am! Sam was at his best just being Sam.) Wright is funny too. ( If I figure out how to melt dry ice, can I take a bath without getting wet?)Caught Dave Chappel on an old Late Night with Conan yesterday, and his material talking with Conan was superior to anything on his own show. But the best thing I have heard recently is David Cross. His double CD “Shut up you Fucking Baby!” is awesome. Warning to those on the conservative side: Your ox is almost certainly gored here. DG is an atheist liberal who apparantly hates everybody. Fine with me. I’m an atheist libertarian who does hate everybody. As for advice to the original poster, I think the funniest comics are the ones that go with their strengths, and develop their own styles. (carrot top is an exception). good luck.
Take a listen to Doug Stanhope. He’s got some good clips on his web site (Search Google). He’s definitely the funniest fuck I’ve ever heard. (A sick fuck too.) I’ve talked to him a few times, and he actually encouraged me to put his stuff up on Kazaa – so don’t feel guilty about downloading him. He’s going to be a new co-host of “The Man Show” now too.
I know as an engaged guy, the only hope I have for pleasure in the future is the big piece of chicken.