I was just reviewing some Goerge Carlin on Youtube and got to thinking - if I had to pick one special of his as my all time favorite, what would it be? Jammin in NY? Life is worth losing? Would be a tough call for me - vs say Chris Rock's Bring the Pain which is clearly above and beyond all his other specials. I know BBI has a huge love for new comedy recs, but I'm wondering what your all time comedy specials might be.
go
Killin them softly - chapelle
Bill hicks - revelations
On Netflix and an instant classic
i loved that special, and i actually called a comic out once at a club for ripping off one of James' bits from that show during his set. one of those moments where one less beer and I wouldn't have said anything... felt bad after. but he came up after his set and i stood up to clear the air and he goes "hey was that from kevin james?" the fucker
Bill Cosby- Himself
Brian Regan- Live
Mitch Hedberg and Rodney Dangerfield- I mainly had assorted bits and not a full album to comment on but both legends.
Impossible to rank all time greats over so many generations, but I think Carlin takes it for me. His intellect, and word play can't be beat. He perfected every joke to a sharp, perfect point.
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I think if I remember correctly, it was right around the wedgie at the mall bit. I'm not positive. It was like 16 years ago... but I do know this - I looked at my friends who also knew that special inside and out, they gave me the knowing look, so I stood up and yelled out "THAT's NOT YOUR MATERIAL!!"
again, pitchers of beer on keep your cup night - not my finest hour. but I guarantee we and the comic will never forget that experience. had a great night otherwise!
That one put me to sleep.
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Both Chappell
The first 3 Rock HBO specials are there too.
Also Gilbert Gottfried has a HBO half hour that's hilarious.
Colin Quinn is always funny. I never seek him out but he always cracks me up.
This is a good one - in the pantheon of comedy albums with Murphy's Delirious, Dangerfield and Carlin for me.
Richard Pryor Live on Sunset Strip and George Carlin (several including You are all diseased) both near the top of the list too.
Honorable mention to
Eddie Izzard Dressed to Kill - mostly because I expected to hate it
Chris Rock Bigger and Blacker
Louis CK Chewed Up
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If you can get your hands on an old Dangerfield album, it's fantastic - just all action and the crowd is part of the act.
Rowan Atkinson Live is a personal favorite - his Broadway show with sketches that showcased his really sharp wit and also integrated the beginnings of the Mr. Bean character.
People all know Dice's original album, but the Day the Laughter Died is a personal favorite because he recorded a holiday gig at Dangerfield's where he refused to do any of his old material. So he essentially bombs but it's funny because he rips the crowd the entire time. And the album still went gold I think.
I've seen Tosh and Aziz twice (there sets were a full hour, where the others I've seen were part of comedy festivals, so their sets were brief) and my biggest complaint is that the second show was fairly similar to the first show.
I have seen Jerry Seinfeld twice, probably 5 years apart and it was practically the exact same show both times.
When he started the show the second time I thought to myself, I've heard him say that before and then 15 min. in I realize it's nearly word for word the same show.
maybe there was some way to know this, but I guess the thought never crossed my mind 5 years later he was still doing the same act.
Also loved Richard Pryor. Live on the Sunset Strip was great.
As great as Eddie Murphy was, his act does feel a little more dated than most. His gay bashing is just so over the top, which is ironic considering who he was caught with. Still, hard not to laugh.
If you can get your hands on an old Dangerfield album, it's fantastic - just all action and the crowd is part of the act.
Rowan Atkinson Live is a personal favorite - his Broadway show with sketches that showcased his really sharp wit and also integrated the beginnings of the Mr. Bean character.
People all know Dice's original album, but the Day the Laughter Died is a personal favorite because he recorded a holiday gig at Dangerfield's where he refused to do any of his old material. So he essentially bombs but it's funny because he rips the crowd the entire time. And the album still went gold I think.
it was actually worse than that. Dice went on unannounced. It was billed as something like Special Anonymous Performer, so the audience was not a Dice audience and were completely offended and angry
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Dave Attell's Comedy Central special that launched him around 2000 - in album form as Skanks for the Memories. That's his peak.
If you can get your hands on an old Dangerfield album, it's fantastic - just all action and the crowd is part of the act.
Rowan Atkinson Live is a personal favorite - his Broadway show with sketches that showcased his really sharp wit and also integrated the beginnings of the Mr. Bean character.
People all know Dice's original album, but the Day the Laughter Died is a personal favorite because he recorded a holiday gig at Dangerfield's where he refused to do any of his old material. So he essentially bombs but it's funny because he rips the crowd the entire time. And the album still went gold I think.
it was actually worse than that. Dice went on unannounced. It was billed as something like Special Anonymous Performer, so the audience was not a Dice audience and were completely offended and angry
The people walking out is probably the best part of that album. "Was it the ass-eating that offended you?"
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In comment 13252859 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
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Dave Attell's Comedy Central special that launched him around 2000 - in album form as Skanks for the Memories. That's his peak.
If you can get your hands on an old Dangerfield album, it's fantastic - just all action and the crowd is part of the act.
Rowan Atkinson Live is a personal favorite - his Broadway show with sketches that showcased his really sharp wit and also integrated the beginnings of the Mr. Bean character.
People all know Dice's original album, but the Day the Laughter Died is a personal favorite because he recorded a holiday gig at Dangerfield's where he refused to do any of his old material. So he essentially bombs but it's funny because he rips the crowd the entire time. And the album still went gold I think.
it was actually worse than that. Dice went on unannounced. It was billed as something like Special Anonymous Performer, so the audience was not a Dice audience and were completely offended and angry
The people walking out is probably the best part of that album. "Was it the ass-eating that offended you?"
YES!!!! Priceless
Give me Delerious or Carlin in his prime. Both were amazing.
And if you're old enough, Dice Clay at the the was huge. Sold out stadiums for that guy.
#3. Eddie Murphy - Raw
#etc... the rest are up for debate. Except for Kevin Hart standup. I hate it. He was forced on us after Chapelle went nuts by some decision maker in entertainment and he really shouldn't have. Just my opinion but I am not a fan.
Of today's comics, I have been enjoying Sebastian Maniscalco of late.
On Netflix and an instant classic
Richard Pryor was totally off the reservation. Not for the kids, like me, but he was huge.
Eddie Murphy was probably the biggest comedy act ever right? He was big on SNL, sold out arenas, had tons of record sales (and I'm not talking about "my girl likes to party all the time") and the he had a long blockbuster movie career.
Richard Pryor was totally off the reservation. Not for the kids, like me, but he was huge.
Eddie Murphy was probably the biggest comedy act ever right? He was big on SNL, sold out arenas, had tons of record sales (and I'm not talking about "my girl likes to party all the time") and the he had a long blockbuster movie career.
Interesting to see Steve Martin's 70's peak in record sales, arena shows, etc. vs. Eddie because Steve was a pretty big deal. But Eddie was just a phenomenon - SNL, movies and stand-up all in the same few years.
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Interesting to see Steve Martin's 70's peak in record sales, arena shows, etc. vs. Eddie because Steve was a pretty big deal. But Eddie was just a phenomenon - SNL, movies and stand-up all in the same few years.
You're right - Murphy was gigantic. I was thinking though that Steve Martin may have been bigger over the long run of his career? Martin did a lot of movies (none as big as several of Eddies) but I think Steve Martin may have done more or continued to work longer than Eddie who kind of feel off the map.
Richard Pryor was totally off the reservation. Not for the kids, like me, but he was huge.
Eddie Murphy was probably the biggest comedy act ever right? He was big on SNL, sold out arenas, had tons of record sales (and I'm not talking about "my girl likes to party all the time") and the he had a long blockbuster movie career.
Don't forget "Boogie in the butt", Eddie Murphy's musical career wasn't total failure. "Boogie in the butt" was a masterpiece.
"..put a clock in your butt, but a big rock in your butt..." you don't find lyrics like that anymore.
"Put a bumble bee in your butt..."
Eddie Murphy is the king!
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WC Fields
Charlie Chaplin
Marx Bros
Laurel and Hardy
Hangman: Any last requests?
Fields: I'd like to see Paris.
Crowd: Hang him!
Fields: Philadelphia would do!