In light of the demise of the great Bernard Manning, who would you regard as your favourit comic, past or present.

Personally mine would be the fantastically funny Jim Davidson.

Male: Frank Skinner. I just love the way his mind works.

Female: Victoria Wood. A comic genius and sorely missed off the screen at the moment in her true role as a comic.

Male, Rik mayall
Female, Victoria wood. Comic genius the both of them.

paul whitehouse
ade edmonson / rik mayhall
john inman
ronnie barker
spike milligan
bill bailey

Lee Evans - the funniest bloke on the planet.

Lee Evans - the funniest bloke on the planet.

yeah but norman wisdom did it first

just not on speed

Eddie Izzard - I love his apparent randomness.

Eddie Izzard - I love his apparent randomness.

same with rik mayall and ade edmonson, i love the live bottoms where they completely leave the script, go off on a gret tangent and arrive back at the very same spot

yeah but norman wisdom did it first

just not on speed

And not very amusingly.

paul whitehouse
ade edmonson / rik mayhall
john inman
ronnie barker
spike milligan

Comic Genius ^^^^
John Inman ??????????????:gag: bleurgh Mel my opinion of you is shattered :o

Dave Allen :love:
Eddie Izzard :love:
Lee Evans :love:

Stand up comedian(s) would have to be either Eddie Izzard or Ross Noble, both very random individuals.

As for tv etc then I would say Ronnie Barker (lengend).

As you can see by my signature, I'm a big fan of the late Benny Hill. But my favorite was probably Steve Allen.

My favorite female comedian? Definitely Gracie Allen. (No relation to Steve, just a coincidence!)

My favorite Gracie shtick:
George Burns: You're such a little girl. Could you eat five pork chops alone?

Gracie Allen: No, but with potatoes I could!

Stand up comedian(s) would have to be either Eddie Izzard or Ross Noble, both very random individuals.

As for tv etc then I would say Ronnie Barker (legend).

Les Dawson. :D Best comedy show : Porridge.

Comic Genius ^^^^
John Inman ??????????????:gag: bleurgh Mel my opinion of you is shattered :o

Dave Allen :love:
Eddie Izzard :love:
Lee Evans :love:
and you still had a decent opinion of me even after my ginner jibes?
anyway ive always said i aint perfect :P

take me as you find me baby

Eddie Izzard
Jack Dee
Bill Bailey
Billy Connolly(sp)
There are more but my brain is shot tonight and I can't remember names

Les Dawson. :D Best comedy show : Porridge.

Have to agree with you here, he was a genius along with Ronnie Barker :)

Have to agree with you here, he was a genius along with Ronnie Barker :)

but but

les dawson only had one face, which he pulled all the time
and if were going on dressing up as wimmin i prefered dick emery :)

Misters Stan Laurel & Oliver Norville Hardy

Bill Hicks. No contest.

Marcus Brigstocke also.

For the one live performance it would have to be Robin Williams at New York in the eighties.
He was on stage for about an hour, all ad lib.
He tore Reagan and Thatcher et al up for arse paper.
Absolutely brilliant.

As far as a mdern comedian is concerned, it has to be Paul Merton.
He has a fast one liner for every occasion.
In the old days, Bob Hope, when yopu see the entertaining the troops he was second to non.

Bill Hicks. No contest.

Seconded!

George Carlin is worth a watch too.
As mentioned above, Ross Noble is ace!

Lee Evans - the funniest bloke on the planet.

Hillarious:D , Can't stand Chubby Brown though!:gag:

Will Hay, Laurel and Hardy, George Formby, Norman Wisdom............:hihi:

Eddie Murphy doing stand up is very funny.

Hicks & Noble - Geniuses in their own lifetimes.

yeah but norman wisdom did it first

just not on speed

He certainly did, but he sang to much.;)

ooh i nearly forgot chris morris and mark thomas

two very funny but also very controversial and to the edge / political comedians

For the one live performance it would have to be Robin Williams at New York in the eighties.
He was on stage for about an hour, all ad lib.
He tore Reagan and Thatcher et al up for arse paper.
Absolutely brilliant.

As far as a mdern comedian is concerned, it has to be Paul Merton.
He has a fast one liner for every occasion.
In the old days, Bob Hope, when yopu see the entertaining the troops he was second to non.

Oh, dear. Forgot about my very favourite comedian of all. :roll:Robin Williams.

What about Richard Pryor?

ooh i nearly forgot chris morris and mark thomas

two very funny but also very controversial and to the edge / political comedians

I agree... a very topical dude, but not the funniest. I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Thomas on his previous tour. Nice man, he is!!!

I agree... a very topical dude, but not the funniest. I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Thomas on his previous tour. Nice man, he is!!!

hes funny but in a devious sort of **** taking way

I'm not sure I have a fave but top runners would be Mark Thomas, Jeremy Hardy, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, earlier Eddie Izzard (I think he has lost his edge somewhat) and the utterly fabulous Linda Smith. Basically anyone likely to (or has) appeared on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue!!!

Jackie Masons good but talks very quick.

Jackie Masons good but talks very quick.

He's good, (with subtitles)

Laurel and Hardy,
Dave Allen,
Bill Hicks,
Bob Monkhouse(live)
Peter Kay

All great.

...............

Peter Kay without a doubt, i watch his dvd's over n over and never tire of them. Also like Lee Evans but not as much.
Female, think theres only one - victoria wood.

jasper carrot, lee evens is mine, not only do i laugh at the jokes, but also of the facial expressions they pull:)

current: lewis black (if any of you actually watch the daily show on more4, youve seen his segment "back in black") absolutely hilarious. nothing is held back and hes just angry. i was lucky enough to see him live in dublin last year and i almost wee'd myself

patton oswalt (hes on the king of queens and plays the leads brother) and hes really great and under appreciated in the states.

jack black, will ferrell, norm mcdonald and tina fey.

past: steve martin, gilda radner, robin williams, dan akroyd, john belushi, george carlin, jerry seinfeld

Lee Evans - the funniest bloke on the planet.

Here Here. Definately

I'm with the William Melvin Hicks fan club. He remains unrivalled to this day. Was watching the Letterman show a few weeks back, marvelling that David was a contemporary of Hicks. He sucked so horrendously that they might as well have come from different planets. Which, in some senses, they did.

Who before or since has had the sense to take on idiots such as the American pro-life lobby on their own terms, telling them that if they are so pro-life they should link arms and picket cemetaries. Tis tragedy he's in one himself. The world would be a better place were he still here to pour scorn on it.

So many

Id find it really hard to decide between these few

Eddie Izzard - I like my coffee like I like my women. In a plastic cup.
Bill Bailey - Axis of evil gag is brilliant.
Jimmy Carr - Very dry and sometimes a little too far but he just has me in stitches sometimes.

Peter Kay and Billy Connolly are my favourites

The chancellor of the exchequer!!! has me in stitches every time he opens his mouth on budget day :hihi: :hihi: oh and TOBY FOSTER cracks me up too :hihi:

Eddie Murphy's stand up was amazing, Peter Kay is mint as well

Eddie Murphy's stand up was amazing, Peter Kay is mint as well MUUUUUM ME BISCUITS FAAALEN IN ME BREEEEW :hihi: :hihi:

What is it with people liking Victoria Wood's middle class purile mianderings ?

Lee Evans also, seen him be kinda funny about twice.

Just now maybe Jack Black and Nick Doody.

Previous, Sam Kinison, obviously Bill Hicks, Greg Proops, Richard Pryor, Peter Cook, Rick and Ade together, so so many.........

I'm not sure I have a fave but top runners would be Mark Thomas, Jeremy Hardy, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, earlier Eddie Izzard (I think he has lost his edge somewhat) and the utterly fabulous Linda Smith. Basically anyone likely to (or has) appeared on I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue!!!

Oh dear lord, I'd forgotten about Linda Smith, may she rest in peace. Was driving when they were discussing the mislaying of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction on that show. "I have that problem at home with scissors," she deadpanned. I'm sure a little bit of wee came out, and I very nearly crashed the car as I was crying with laughter. The North Circular wasn't the place to be right then...

Bill Hicks - no competition

StarSparkle

ooh i nearly forgot chris morris and mark thomas

two very funny but also very controversial and to the edge / political comedians

Mark Thomas - excellent choice, Mel.

ok, as I said above, Bill Hicks is unquestionably da man, but I also like, in no particular order

Bob Hope - a legend
Peter Cook
Morecambe and Wise - superb timing
Dave Allen
Jasper Carrott - some of the funniest 'stories' ever
Ben Elton - in his day, a genius
Jack Dee
Paul Merton

StarSparkle

Dara O'Briain is bloody hilarious live!

Bill Hicks
Richard Pryor
Eddie Murphy- back in the days of stand up of course

...Ben Elton - in his day, a genius...
It's easy to forget just how good Ben Elton was in the late 80s, such is the extent of his selling out these days. His hyper, sparkly-suited persona on Saturday Night Live was perfect for that era. Let's not forget that he joined Richard Curtis to turn the rather dull Blackadder I into the brilliance that was the final three series.

I guess I should have anticipated the path he'd follow when he started sitting in for Wogan.

Oh, and I'd forgotten Linda Smith too, plus Tony Slattery, Rob Newman and David Baddiel (pre-Frank Skinner and football) and Jeremy Hardy.

It's easy to forget just how good Ben Elton was in the late 80s, such is the extent of his selling out these days. His hyper, sparkly-suited persona on Saturday Night Live was perfect for that era. Let's not forget that he joined Richard Curtis to turn the rather dull Blackadder I into the brilliance that was the final three series.

I guess I should have anticipated the path he'd follow when he started sitting in for Wogan.

Oh, and I'd forgotten Linda Smith too, plus Tony Slattery, Rob Newman and David Baddiel (pre-Frank Skinner and football) and Jeremy Hardy.

Indeed. I was lucky enough to see him live at the City Hall in the very early 90s and he was beyond brilliant. I was laughing so much I think I stopped breathing on a few occasions. I was literally crying with laughter, and my tummy was aching the next day.

Such a hugely talented man - it's a stinking shame he's so very badly lost his way.

StarSparkle

My top 10 (in no particular order):

1. Bill Hicks
2. Eddie Izzard
3. George Carlin
4. Bill Bailey
5. Jack Dee
6. Victoria Wood
7. Jeff Foxworthy
8. Billy Connolly
9. Peter Kay
10. Ronnie Barker

richard pryer, that man had demons!

bill bailey, intelligent and base humour mixed perfectly.

ross noble, mr tangent.

dave allen, spans generations.

there are othersi could mention and i remember a mark thomas sketch about americans in vietnam which had me in fits...

im going to have to add mark thomas. when i seen him it was about 2 days before the big anti war march in london (that seems an age ago), and there was a buzz in the atmosphere which was electric.

Many of the above plus...Andy Kaufman and David Cross.

This thread confirms my long-held belief that women just aren't funny :P

This thread confirms my long-held belief that women just aren't funny :P

Women can be incredibly funny and witty - but for some reason, just don't work as stand-up comedians

StarSparkle

SleepyHead! :D

What a clown! :hihi:

David Cross.
im sooo hoping you watched the glory that is arrested development?

Bill Hicks
Jasper Carrott
Mark Thomas
Robert Newman
Frank Skinner


top 5.

Bill Hicks.

Another one for Bill Hicks here.

I also really like Jon Richardson who is on the Russell Howard show on 6 Music on Sunday mornings. Something about him just cracks me up.

Not a stand-up, but Simon Pegg is also a big favourite (although Hot Fuzz was very disappointing).

Bill Bailey
Dylan Moran
Adam Hills
Eddie Izzard
Ross Noble

(I'm going to see Bill Bailey on his tour later in the year and will see Adam Hills at the Edinburgh Festival as well so I'm a very happy bunny :clap: :clap: )

I like Victoria Wood as well. As well as Julie Walters. Her mannerisms and voice adds to her overall humour.

Greg Proops and Ryan Stiles from Whose Line is it anyway.

I also like Steven Chow's gags too.

Harry Hill.....


Jim

I absolutely agree with so many already mentioned - Will Hay, Spike Milligan, Jeremy Hardy, Linda Smith, Mark Thomas, Jack Dee and many more - but have to add Tony Hancock, Emo Philips and the entire Pythons team - all of whom have contributed something unique to comedy.

Paul Merton, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy (early stand up!), Dave Chappelle, Celia Imrie, Chris Morris, Mark Thomas, Bill Hicks, Julie Walters, Dave Allen, Stephen Fry.

Bender, Zap Brannigan, Homer, Krusty, Mr Burns and Stewie. :hihi:

Bob Hope, Jackie Mason, Frank Carson (the quickfire repartee particularly)

Bill Hicks
Woody Allen
Ricky Gervais

And Miniminch - he's funny

Bill Hicks (The guy needs to update his material though)
George Carlin (stuff between ~1990 & 2003)
Mitch Hedburg (See Bill Hicks)
Woody Allen
David Cross (Best I've heard lately)
John Shuttleworth

Bill Hicks (The guy needs to update his material though)
George Carlin (stuff between ~1990 & 2003)
Mitch Hedburg (See Bill Hicks)
Woody Allen
David Cross (Best I've heard lately)
John Shuttleworth

I really hope you're being sarcastic about Bill Hicks there! lol

I really hope you're being sarcastic about Bill Hicks there! lol

The lazy sod's not toured since 94 ;)

Two of my favourite stand-up comedians are Eddie Izzard and Dylan Moran.
Peter

The lazy sod's not toured since 94 ;)

I'm relieved that you were joking my friend. ;)

By the way, missed one off my list:

Bob Newhart. I reckon everyone should hear the Driving Instructor, the Bomb Disposal and the Retirement Speech sketches before they die. Absolutely awesome! (Like hot dogs :))

Yeah Stephen Fry, just heard Simon Munnery, he is very funny.

Yeah Stephen Fry, just heard Simon Munnery, he is very funny.

Ah, sorry, as for women stand up, Sarah Silverman.

What about Gordon 'Chubby' Brown? His deadpan delivery of the joke about Neo-Keynesian Endogenous Growth Theory never fails to have me in stitches.

Peter Kay!!! all the way.... legend :)

(in no particular order)
Bill Hicks
George Carlin
Ricky Gervais
Joan Rivers
Diceman - not sure if he's well known but i saw a bit of his material and it had me in stitches
Lee Evans
Eddie Murphy

i think the most clever comic out there would have to be DAVE GORMAN.

his shows are so clever, and funny - so my vote is for him!

Stand up comedians.........Chubby Brown, Jimmy Jones, Bernard Manning...........in no particular order.

peter kay / lee evans,
chubby brown
sheffields jimmy carol is so funny tho

peter kay & lee evans

The Divine David (David Hoyle) is the funniest man alive. He makes me want to drink-drive down the wrong side of the road in a Volvo.

Peter Kay, Lee Evans, Bill Bailey, Ricky Gervaise, Jimmy Car, Dave Spiky and Lee Hurst.

Lee evans and Peter Kay.

Prince Charles.

Bill Hicks, Richard Pryor, Dave Allen in no particular order.

Milligan, Hicks, Carlin, Newheart, Kay, Spikey, Mr Laurel & Mr Hardy, Victoria Wood, Dykan Moran, Ardal O'Hanlon, Will Hay, Marti Caine, Eddie Izzard ......ad infinitum

Like:
The Monty Python gang (my wife says it's a man thing).
Bob Newheart (am I really that old)
Jim Tavare.
George Formby.
Ronnie Barker
Matt Lucas/David Walliams.
Victoria Wood
Can't Stand:
Ricky Gervaise
Russell Brand.