The Funniest Stand-Up Comedy


   

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Stand-Up Comedy Sets sorted by Recently reviewed (descending) / page 7 of 14


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Eddie Izzard: Force Majeure Live posterEddie Izzard: Force Majeure Live
      2013 | U.K. | Laughs: 4.5 | imdb: 7.4
      wikipedia

Despite being an Izzard fan and watching with a lot of goodwill, I must admit to sitting through much of the show without laughing. Eddie's pacing, delivery, miming were as finely tuned as in his finest shows, but the material just didn't excite either of us. Have we reached an "Izzard saturation threshold"? Probably not, as older shows still work for us. Maybe we were just tired, or maybe Eddie wasn't as inspired as in the late 1990s. (Last viewed: December 2014)

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Jim Jefferies: BARE posterJim Jefferies: BARE
      2014 | Australia | Laughs: 6.8 | imdb: 8.1
      

(Warning: foul language, adult themes.) This show didn't seem as polished or original as Jim's earlier ones. It seemed to me that the "smarter themes" had been removed (the remaining segment on gun control would hardly be controversial in Boston), leaving the bulk of the show to focus on bedroom material. In other words, it seemed to me like Jim had sold out. The language and themes are cruder than ever (too crude for my taste) but if you can get over that, you might just enjoy Jim's bright mind and some aspects of his unique blend of comedy. For my part, I don't watch stand-up comedy to hear a lot of bedroom jokes, and overworked themes such as airport security don't interest me either. Despite these shortcomings, the show made me laugh and there were still lots of bits to enjoy, such as the South African accent Jim puts on in one of the segments.

If you haven't seen Jim yet, I'd recommend you start with another of his shows, such as Fully Functional or I Swear to God. (Last viewed: December 2014)

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Bill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That WayBill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That Way
      2014 | USA | Laughs: 8.5 (Laugh Out Loud) | imdb: 8.4
      

When I saw that Bill Burr had a new show out I was really excited to watch it. After they've done a few specials, most stand-up comedians peter out—and who can blame them? Coming up with new material is hard work. But Bill still has it: this show didn't disappoint and left me with a tingly feeling in my laughing spot for many hours after.

Stand-up comedy has a lot to do with being smart, and Bill is one of the brightest guys around. Although he swears a lot, he's not gratuitously filthy and dedicates most of his stage time bravely tackling taboo topics ranging from religion to various of our civilized hypocrisies. Hearing a bit of sanity every once in a while really hits the spot, and I'm grateful to Bill not only for the endorphin rush but also for recharging my philanthropic batteries. (Last viewed: December 2014)

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Russell Brand: Messiah Complex posterRussell Brand: Messiah Complex
      2013 | U.K. | Laughs: 3.0 | imdb: 7.3
      

I enjoyed Russell Brand in Get Him to the Greek but hadn't seen him in another context until this show. For me, it was similar to listening to a kid who is quite bright (but not that bright) excitedly share his latest views. The kid may make you break out a smile, but if you've had a chance to entertain all sorts of ideas over your long life, the kid's ideas are probably not that interesting. Russell is not a kid, of course, but that's a way to describe what watching the first twenty minutes of the show. I walked away at that point, so I can't comment on the overall performance, but for the intended audience, this is probably a fine show. (Last viewed: May 2014)

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Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra posterBill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra
      2009 | U.K. | Laughs: 2.5 (Light-Hearted) | imdb: 7.7
      

This is not a traditional stand-up set, but rather a humorous musical tour (with some elements of stand-up) with the full support of the BBC concert orchestra. Those who are familiar with Bill's material will recognize many of his humorous songs, whose recycling is not always enhanced by the orchestral backing. The funniest part was the very end of the show, when Bill and the orchestra compete for who will play the final measures.

For those who are familiar with Bill's earlier material there is not much else to laugh at—but there is lots to smile at, and this is still a fun and worthwhile performance. If nothing else, the idea of having Bill (the epitome of "casual" in past days) in charge of an orchestra in full pomp—and in a grandiose setting—is a delicious premise, and the contrast created thus is the only humor this show needs. (Last viewed: January 2014)

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Jimmy Carr Live posterJimmy Carr Live
      2004 | U.K. | Laughs: 6.9 (Watch Once) | imdb: 7.8
      

Jimmy Carr seems to belong to the tradition of stand-up comedians who deliver unrelated jokes in rapid-fire, rather than the tradition of those who take the audience through an exploration of loosely connected themes. I find this style harder to follow, and it may well be harder to perform as well. Jimmy also interacts with the audience. His use of written material, his businesslike presentation and the desk on the stage reminded me of Bob Newhart's Button Down Concert. But where Newhart is likeable, Carr is (by choice) unlikeable, less because of his foul mouth than because he picks on easy targets, as Ricky Gervais often does. It's hit-or-miss, but when it hits, it really works. I laughed and smiled, I was entertained and I'm glad I watched this set—but I probably won't run out to look for more of Jimmy's material. (Last viewed: December 2013)

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Dara O Briain: Craic Dealer posterDara O Briain: Craic Dealer
      2012 | U.K. | Laughs: 5.5 | imdb: 7.7
      

This tape felt like the fast-food of Dara O'Briain stand-up sets: high in fat and low on nutritional value. Much of the show feels less like watching stand-up than like watching an MC amping up the crowd about the main act that's about to come on stage. Sadly, the main act never shows. Yes, there are good moments, but far too much filler in between. Perhaps that is digestible in a land where sandwiches contain half an inch of butter (my memories of England), but I doubt this formula would work overseas. The last quarter of the show is probably the strongest.

ps: Yes, I know the show was taped in Scotland. You can put down that world map. (Last viewed: December 2013)

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Jim Gaffigan: Mr Universe posterJim Gaffigan: Mr Universe
      2012 | USA | Laughs: 7.8 | imdb: 7.8
      wikipedia

Stand-up comedians often lose inspiration as their career advances, so it was a great surprise to discover that six years after Beyond the Pale, Jim Gaffigan defied the usual trend by creating a far stronger show. The language was clean, the topics fairly mundane, but I found myself chuckling and laughing more than during some sets by comedians whose work I prefer on artistic (!), intellectual (!!) or ideological (!!!) grounds. Jim's shows might seem like fast-food (a topic he covers in this set)—they are enjoyable yet not very nourishing… but there is no guilt afterwards. So treat yourself to Mr Universe without giving it a second thought. (Last viewed: December 2013)

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Bill Bailey: Tinselworm posterBill Bailey: Tinselworm
      2008 | U.K. | Laughs: 7.0 | imdb: 7.3
      

This is my least favorite Bill Bailey show so far, though Bill's standards are so high that the set is still very good in the context of contemporary stand-up comedy. In the first place, doing a good stand-up show at Wembley must be a challenge. The venue is so large and impersonal that comedians must find it hard to "feel" the audience. I've seen a few stand-up shows shot there: none were excellent.

If you haven't seen much of Bill Bailey yet, I suggest you start with one of his earlier shows, which were filmed in more intimate settings.

A good portion of the material in Tinselworm was recycled; another portion was new but not quite as crisp as usual. Yet there were some very funny bits, and bits of Bill's trademark dazzling brilliance that I just love regardless of whether I find them comical.

I was impressed by a segment where Bill tackles the idea that our beings are all made of different fragments—perhaps a psychologist would call that some kind of Gestalt line of thinking. What impressed me was that I'd never seen that idea pursued so aggressively or successfully in popular culture. That alone earns a "hats off" for Bill: he doesn't treat his audience as a pack of morons.

Despite the show's real shortcomings, there is a lot to like, and true fans won't want to miss out on the good bits. (Last viewed: December 2013)

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George Carlin: Jammin' in New York DVDGeorge Carlin: Jammin' in New York
      1992 | USA | Laughs: 6.0 | imdb: 8.7
      wikipedia

Although it is not one of the funniest, this is one of Carlin's very best shows. In some sets, the material feels a bit used and tired. Not in this one. Masterfully, George weaves his comical critique of assorted topics offering windows into human stupidity, topics such as American foreign policy, superfluous words, safety instructions in airplanes, golf, and the planet. By watching this set two or three times, a young mind could improve her thinking far more than by reading the New York Times for a year. A classic for the ages. (Last viewed: October 2013)

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Eddie Griffin: Voodoo Child DVDEddie Griffin: Voodoo Child
      1997 | USA | Laughs: 2.0 (Don't Bother) | imdb: 8.0
      

This show was my introduction to Eddie Griffin. I found him fairly likeable but not very funny. The strongest aspects were Eddie's ability to switch voices and a cute story about attending school as a stoned teenager. The show started not funny, shifted into the appallingly vulgar after thirty minutes, and ended with a long bit where Eddie rides the wave of a just-average Michael Jackson impersonation—ripping off Michael's genuine talent while deriding him, if you ask me. I won't be seeking out more of Eddie's material, but the audience was wildly enthusiastic, so his humor might just be your thing. (Last viewed: October 2013)

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Dara O'Briain Talks Funny: Live in London posterDara O'Briain Talks Funny: Live in London
      2008 | U.K. | Laughs: 7.1 (Laugh and Smile) | imdb: 7.9
      

This show is not in the same league as the hilarious Live at the Theatre Royal from two years earlier, but it is still funny. At the beginning, Dara takes some time to explain the format of what's about to follow—a bit like presenting a user's manual to the show. When presenting complex data, the famous three-step formula is "tell them what you're about to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you just told them". In comedy, there's no need for this, and it makes for a weak opening. In this recording, the way in which Dara weaves audience interaction with rehearsed material also feels less fluid than in Theatre Royal. But Dara set high standards in that earlier show, and Dara Talks Funny is still well worth a watch, as it easily outshines the gutter comedy that seems to dominate the field these days. Our favorite part was Dara's repeated friendly jabs at a teen who aspires to become an electrician but hasn't yet learned the basics of the trade. (Last viewed: October 2013)

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Bill Bailey: Bewilderness posterBill Bailey: Bewilderness
      2004 | U.K. | Laughs: 5.0 (Watch Once) | imdb: 8.0
      

This show could have been subtitled "a relaxed evening with comedian Bill Bailey, who has recorded some of the funniest performances in stand-up history". It was indeed a pleasant evening, and there were laughs, but it was not the high-octane mixture of Part Troll or Cosmic Jam. Throughout the show, Bill referred to the aloofness of his Welsh audience, and one can wonder whether that aloofness rubbed off on Bill—but surely that wouldn't have influenced the material itself. We were glad to watch this show but probably won't watch it again. (Last viewed: October 2013)

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Michael McIntyre: Hello Wembley! DVDMichael McIntyre: Hello Wembley!
      2009 | U.K. | Laughs: 4.0 | imdb: 7.4
      

My review for this set is essentially the same as for his earlier Live and Laughing. In short, Michael gets top grades for energy, but his humor is not my thing—nothing personal, we're all different. This time, even though the beginning of the show gave me some good chuckles, I soon became bored and had to turn it off around the thirty-minute mark. (Last viewed: October 2013)

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Dara O'Briain: Live at the Theatre Royal posterDara O'Briain: Live at the Theatre Royal
      2006 | U.K. | Laughs: 8.6 | imdb: 7.9
      

This show was my introduction to Dara O'Briain. He made us laugh harder than we had in a while, so he entered this list with a bang. Dara has a beautiful Irish accent that is not too hard to understand. Unlike comedians who try to make you think at the same time they make you laugh, he uses everyday material, but it's very effective, probably because of the amount of audience interaction. Indeed, the back-and-forth with a handful of spectators is very much part of the show, and it is very funny. It also gives the show a very pleasant improvised feel. What with his fast delivery, his capacity to improvise and his ability to remember details about the spectators he picks on during the show, it's obvious that Dara is extremely bright—in the first place, to be a great stand-up you have to be at least very bright. When I read that he has a university degree in math and physics, I thought "Ah, that fits". I'm excited to see more of Dara's shows. (Last viewed: October 2013)

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(This section: Stand-Up Comedy Sets)


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