Good thread, I had missed this one.

I think Gordo on the ticket summed up RW pretty well. Not just as a comedian, but really as an entertainer, he really had a full tool kit. He's generally regarded as one of the best improv comics of all time, his impressions were great, his original characters were great and all of that is on top of his incredible acting ability. Definitely makes him a genius in my opinion.

I'd say Steve Martin is the king of just understanding what makes people laugh. It's simple, but it's easy to lose track of that fundamental aspect of comedy when you're trying to analyze it.

Louis CK is a personal favorite of mine and I think he's genius for the way he tears down social pretenses. Definitely not the first to do it, but I've always thought he was funnier than Carlin while still bringing up the same types of points.

6 year old thread on comedic genius and not a single mention of Lucille Ball. Just shows how women are easily overlooked when it comes to the entertainment biz.

Matt Stone and Trey Parker

Absolutely brilliant

Tina Fey never fails to make me laugh. 30 Rock is one of my favorite shows.

^ southpark should be studied in colleges as an example of perfect satire.

South Park is hit or miss and it's been more miss the last few seasons, but the show had a run starting about season 6 that was among the funniest shows ever. Their musical Book of Mormon may be the funniest thing I've ever seen.

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South Park is hit or miss and it's been more miss the last few seasons

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I think South Park is a victim of it's own genius. It is so brilliant and hilarious that when an episode doesn't live up to the ridiculously lofty standards it's set for itself, people feel let down.

It's still almost always better than anything else, and the fact that they make the shows in about a week is incredible. With that kind of timeline and making it as funny as it usually is while also skewering some ridiculous person or trend in our society and doing so intelligently, it just blows me away.

And then they went and made one of the most acclaimed broadway musicals ever, which happened to make fun of a religion, but still somehow managed to not totally piss Mormons off. They are geniuses.

Seinfelds comedy has stood the test of time and earns the genius label.

Chris Rock hasnt been mentioned and is funny - maybe not a genius.

Early Letterman - not old bitter left winger - was truly genius.

Newhart.

Norm Macdonald.

Love Chris Rock.

I would say Mitch Hedberg was very original and still makes me laugh when I watch his stuff on youtube.

Robin Williams was one of those people who not only could kill at stand up but was also just a funny person. I think there's a difference, if that makes sense.

Bob Hope
Johnny Carson
Bob Newhart
Richard Pryor
Andy Kaufman
Steve Martin
Bill Murray
Robin Williams
Bill Hicks

Almost all of them gone.

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6 year old thread on comedic genius and not a single mention of Lucille Ball. Just shows how women are easily overlooked when it comes to the entertainment biz.

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She was on the previous page. Don't know if she was on other pages or not, but she's been mentioned.

Steven Wright, to me, is the funniest comedian. I love him!

Benny Hill
Red Skelton

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WOW, that franco clip didnt even make me smile, much less LAUGH. WTF. Young people have awful taste...

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Weed makes dumb things funny.

I'll throw out a couple of names - not for standup - but for comedic acting.

Leslie Nielson
Dick Van Dyke

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6 year old thread on comedic genius and not a single mention of Lucille Ball. Just shows how women are easily overlooked when it comes to the entertainment biz.

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She was on the previous page. Don't know if she was on other pages or not, but she's been mentioned.

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When I think of LB I think slapstick. Her squishing grapes, her having a food fight in the kitchen.

I don't think you can classify slapstick as genius. Sure there are those that did it well from the stooges to Jim carey, they might even be iconic in those roles. But to label them genius is something I'm unwilling to do.

Tom Cruise is actually a really funny dude. Maybe not genius level but close.

Terry Crews > Tom Crews

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I don't think you can classify slapstick as genius.

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As far as physical comedy goes, Buster Keaton and Chaplin are definite comedy geniuses.

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Terry Crews > Tom Crews

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Professor Frick < Professor Fr...I got nothing

Professor Frick < Professor Frink

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Professor Frick < Professor Frink

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Glavin!

Jerry Lewis

The Nutty Professor (1963)
The Geisha Boy (1958)
The Bellboy (1960)
The Errand Boy (1961)
Rock-A-Bye Baby (1958)
The Family Jewels (1965)
The Disorderly Orderly (1964)
Cinderfella (1960)
Artists and Models (1955)

non-standup, I'd go with Mel Brooks, Harold Ramis, the Monty Python troup, and I gotta throw the Coen Brothers in there. And could I get a second for Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker?

Matt Groening?