Fenxy

This is a tough one Scrivs.

Depending on what era, there are a few that I could think of... Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby... Eddie Izzard, Eddy Murphy... Gallagher with his Sledge-o-Matic... the list could go on.

I agree with you that John Belushi was really good... a lot of the original SNL comedians rock.

Yeah I think Bill Cosby is definitely underrated with his genius, but he didn't really evolve with the times. But back in the days he was definitely brilliant.

As far as comedians that I've watched and enjoyed the most, I'd have to say Chris Rock. He is the funniest guy I've ever heard and things that he says are so true.

Can I nominate myself?

I'm going to rock the wildcard whitey vote here and say that I actually think Chris Rock is hilarious. As for my favourite, I'm going to have to go Dylan Moran or Bill Bailey. Both are geniuses.

I find them all rather sad but if I had to vote I'd say by far from what I have seen over time, and it makes me sorry I missed him, it would have to be Richard Pryor.

When I was around fourteen or so I came across some old vinyl Pryor albums in our basement, I listened to them with a few friends and we laughed so hard we cried. I think I took them out once a year or so to listen to them.

This is like asking who is the greatest artist or designer or musician ever. It's all relative to the person, answering. There can't be a universally agreed upon single person this could be awarded to, it's too subjective.

That said, my personal favorite comedian, happens to be Adam Sandler, for a myriad of reasons, all of them my own.

Chappelle.

I'm seconding Richard with Bill Bailey. Moran is good, but the best ever?

I'm assuming, we're talking stand-up here. If not, the entire output of Monty Python would certainly do as best comedy ever.

Also, I only recently saw 'Man On The Moon' and I have to say: this Kaufman was quite the revolutionary as well.

Hmm let me see..

Mitch Hedberg is an absolute legend.

Currently though Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais, Mitchell and Web come to mind. I'm sure more will pop into my head later on

Then there's the alternative comedy that rocks just as much..

Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt of Mighty Boosh fame and Matt Berry and Rich Fulcher of 'Snuff Box' (a Mighty Boosh spin off) ..

Matthew Holness of Garth Marenghi's Darkplace fame. Richard Ayoade is also brilliant in his execution of funny lines

I agree with jhuskisson, Mitch Hedberg was awesome. Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais are incredible, and so deliciously bittersweet.

Sid Caesar and his TV program 'Your Show of Shows' (with its amazing team of writers and cast of comedians) basically invented modern comedy as we know it--up until Lenny Bruce paved the way for everyone and everything since.

That said, my current favourites are the brilliant, audacious and scathing musical duo Kiki and Herb.

Richard Pryor was an amazing comic. I might have to go with him. While I'm not exactly ga-ga over some of his movies these days, Robin Williams was a force of nature back in his early stand up days. I think he was absurdly brilliant. Of course he was snorting coke by the trash bag but man he could go on a riff like no other.

I remember listening to a Cheech and Chong record around the sixth grade that made me laugh for days. I'm not saying they're titans of comedy but I got a kick out of it. Something with a cop in a classroom and a basketball jones song. My memory fails me. There's a joke in that suppose.

Speaking of comedians, I just got Dave Berry's autograph the other day. :)

After watching this Bernie Mac skit (NSFW) I'm gonna have to place him in my top 3. One of the greatest 5 min skits I've ever seen.

I love Lewis Black; he's probably my all-time favorite. His political style rarely changes, but his content is often new. If we're looking at most innovative/revolutionary in recent times, I think one would have to look along the lines of the writers behind "The Onion" or Stewart (though I don't find him funny) and Colbert. Fake news, a jab at the media on a large scale, is something pretty new; it's been done in the past, but not nearly as well. I think props have to be given to that area and its comedians.

Hard to choose just one. I'm more inclined to name comedians that I know aren't anywhere near funny.

I Love Jim Carrey! He's the best there is in my opinion. He delivers funny bone shattering humour in hot steaming cups right through Youtube! He can imitate ANYONE, act and can make a joke out of anything! Jim Carrey Rocks Bigtime!

Given this resurgence of old threads, I'll go ahead and chime in: For me, it's tied between Bill Cosby (the hell with your "the times" talk: his topics are eternal!), Steve Martin (ever seen his stand-up acts?), and Penn and Teller. (Alright, that last one was a "for the heck of it", but they're awesome.)