The Best Comedian of All-time Tournament
 

My role model once remarked "...ideas are bulletproof...", and how true he was. The most talented of individuals chance upon instant ideas and give them shape according to their best talents, and the most talented of this lot are comedians.

Whether stand-up or general, in movies or stage shows, they are remarkably brilliant in making the public go wild in hysterical laughter and doubling up in fits with each word they speak, and each action they make. Often the most talented but not necessarily the most recognised, comedians carve their own niches amongst their fan followings. They are the best of the trade, and throughout their lives they strive to be exactly that.

But who is the absolute best? The topper among all the comedians, from history till now?

Let's find out.

I have been reading mentions of comedians here and there sporadically in HDC. And I am sure Newb, Zero, Elvis and Urge, amongst countless others here, will love this idea.

But first, I ll need plenty of suggestions. I have a few 100 in mind, but I need more. As soon as we have enough talent to fill the brackets of the tourney format, the first match will be off.

Can we include duos and comedy teams? There are so many that made their marks as such- Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Monty Python, New Kids in the Hall, etc.

Mitch Hedberg
H. Jon Benjamin

For sure.

I am still debating on whether to include some of them as separate entities, or as a team. For example, Groucho Marx.

Would it be fair to pit a team against an individual though?

Sure, I think it would- they each have their own body of work and a matchup between Monty Python & Gerge Carlin would be pretty even, I think.

Bill Hicks
Sarah Silverman
Dave Chappelle
Chris Rock
Dom Irrera
Kevin Meaney
Louis CK
Kevin Nealon
Rodney Dangerfield
Jon Stewart
Stephen Colbert
David Cross
Bobcat Goldthwaite
Russell Peters
Denis Leary
Lewis Black
Dane Cooke

Good work, MD.

Keep thinking of more.

Wow, good lists, don't forget Steve Wright though. You cannot deny Robin Williams his spot either, I was just watching Inside the Actor's Studio with him... phenomenal. Hmmmm, let's see, why has nobody mentioned Lenny Bruce or George Carlin yet? Tim Conway too, funny as hell that guy. Damn, keep having to add to the list, Milton Burle was a RIOT. Thank God for the edit button: W.C. Fields, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx, Mel Brooks, Leslie Nielson, Harold Lloyd, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, Bill Cosby, Carol Burnette...

Russel Brand. I know he doesn't stand a chance but I think he's hilarious
Mitch Fatel
Matt Lucas and David Williams from Little Britain
Pretty much anyone from Second City television.

eddie izzard
mike myers
john cleese

Richard Pryor
Andrew Dice Clay

so is this going to be standup comedians or comedy actors in general. I think there should be a seperation even tho a lot of stand up guys went onto film/TV

I am thinking of including all of em under one roof. Pretty sure a stand-up will win in the end.

A lot of the Python guys can easily stand on their own but the only guy that even approaches Cleese solo is Eric Idle in my opinion. Jim Gaffigan is great and Jay Leno's stand-up is solid if you ever get a chance to see it. I doubt any of those guys would win but why not throw them in there? Bob Sagat and Joe Rogan are two you might consider throwing in as their stand-up takes you totally by surprise.

How could you separate folks like Robin Williams who has had a hugely successful career in both categories?

I always liked Joe Rogan.

Norm MacDonald

Hell yes, I love his stand-up and Dirty Work is one of my favorite comedies to this day.




Haven't seen that clip MD, funny stuff! Rogan's always been pretty good but nobody expects the style of comedy he busts out.

Okay I think we are pretty much set to go...

First match up in a few...

Round 1 Match 1



Christopher Guest

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...opherGuest.jpg



vs.



Joey Bishop

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...bishopshow.jpg



vs.



Rodney Dangerfield

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...eld-quotes.jpg



First to 5 wins.

I never knew Joe Rogan did standup comedy I always thought of him as the Fear Factor guy. So he did comedy before that show or after?

Well you would rate Williams on his standup performances not his film roles

denis leary
patton oswalt
jerry seinfeld
janeane garofolo
mitch hedburg
dave chappelle
george carlin

Rodney Dangerfield

Joe Rgan has been a stand up comedian for years, way before NewsRadio or Fear Factor.


I'll go with Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield

He started before I believe, he was doing locker room interviews in the UFC at the same time which was also way before Fear Factor.








Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield

I don't get no respect!

5-0-0, Rodney wins in a rush.

Round 1 Match 2



Carol Burnett

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...olburnett2.jpg



vs.



John Cleese

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...hnCleese61.jpg



vs.



Roseanne Barr

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k6...seanneBarr.jpg



First to 5 wins.

John Cleese

John Cleese. Sad seeing Carol Burnett go so soon though.

since john cleese will win for sure anyway, i'll throw a vote at roseanne barr

john cleese

I think I'll do the same

Cool new tournament!! John Cleese ftw please!:cool:

John Cleese

5-2-0, John Cleese wins easily.

Round 1 Match 3



Dana Carvey

http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/h...all/carvey.jpg



vs.



John Pinette

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ohnPinette.jpg



vs.



Sam Kinison

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...f/kinison1.jpg



First to 5 wins.

ahh-ahhhhhhhh

I hate all of them, but Sam Kinison gets my vote because he is dead now so is far less annoying.

Sam Kinison

He was Al Bundy's guardian angel in one episode wasn't he?

Dana Carvey, but only cause I got the nickname Garth when i dyed my hair blonde.