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Ron White a genius? LMFAO. Dude has ZERO talent.

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In a thread where people like Bill Hicks and Mitch Hedberg (good Lord...really? a genius of comedy????) are getting jocked, Ron White is certainly worthy of having a spot in the discussion. Dude's probably made more money than both of those elrods combined and has a much higher degree of name recognition. The fact is, none of them belong in a discussion of comedy genius.

Bill Cosby
Christopher Guest
Redd Fox
Bob Hope
Will Ferrell (dude is overexposed, but some of SNLs greatest sketches were his creation)
Peter Sellers
The Three Stooges

Im going to add Conan OBrien to that list. SNL, The Simpsons and his show make up a darn good resume.

Also, Leslie Neilson and Llyod Bridges can/could do no wrong in my book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-S-eeInJVk&feature=related

And mentioned on an earlier thread Bob and David from Mr Show always killed with their different and original sketch comedy

My favorite stand up comic is Mitch Hedburg. I love the delivery. But i think hands down, Larry David gets the title of genius..

I would also agree with the Conan O'Brien nomination. His comedy seems to hit in a different way than most. Smart and immature at the same time. That's hard to do.

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Dude's probably made more money than both of those elrods combined and has a much higher degree of name recognition.

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By your standard and definition, Britney Spears is one of the true geniuses of music.

I suppose that settles that. No need for the Entertainment board. Whoever makes the most money is the best.

Bob Hope

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I suppose that settles that. No need for the Entertainment board. Whoever makes the most money is the best.

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If Spears was actually popular because of her music, maybe you'd have a point.

da Vinci is a legend because even laypeople knew he was a remarkable talent. I know this is alterna-chic heresy, but Hedberg's stream of consciousness stoner humor isn't genius. Dude, just like Bill Hicks, is more famous for having died than for what they did when they lived.

Woody Allen and Mel Brooks haven't been mentioned but deserve it.

Not sure about his standup (I've never seen any) but Phil Hartman had great comedic timing mixed w/his impersonations.

Edit: And Kevin Smith, while not a stand-up comic, is a great story teller. If you've seen the videos of his college speeches, he is greatness.



[This message has been edited by Adam Ag 98 (edited 5/6/2008 5:35p).]

Judd Apatow

Paul Rudd

Seth Rogen

James Franco is getting up there.

You guys are forgetting the best comic of this decade: Dave Chappelle.

For physical comedy, John Ritter was great.

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James Franco is getting up there.

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No. Please stop.

Mel Brooks (History of the World, Part I, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein)

The Zucker Brothers (Airplane!, Top Secret!, Kentucky Fried Movie, Naked Gun)

Groucho Marx

Bill Hicks performing Charlie Hodge live in Chicago. Funniest 6 minutes of all time.

Christopher Guest/Harry Shearer: This is Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show

unless i missed it, did it really take this long for someone to say LENNY BRUCE.

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If Spears was actually popular because of her music, maybe you'd have a point.

da Vinci is a legend because even laypeople knew he was a remarkable talent.

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And we're not talking about legends, either. We're talking geniuses. Big difference.

Steve Martin

Mel Brooks

Don Rickles is an oldie that cracks me up. Dude is in his 80's & is still performing.

Hicks & Pryor were the first that came to my mind... but Pryor is heavily influenced by Redd Foxx.

Ernie Kovacs

he was way, way, way ahead of his time

THANK YOU APACHE!!! I arrived way too late to the party to contribute to this thread and as I read it, I kept waiting and waiting for Don Rickles' name to pop up. He effin' KILLS me.

Henny Youngman should be added to the list too.

I'm surprised nobody said Jeff Foxworthy. He really did create a new kind of style.

No he didn't. He picked up where Jerry Clower left off.

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CincyAg
user level: Veteran posted 6:47p, 05/06/08this user's public profilesend private message to useredit this replyobject to this reply



quote:James Franco is getting up there.



No. Please stop.

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http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f12ee4dfcf

Proof

Here's 3 nobody has mentioned yet and are also 3 of my favorite:

Brian Regan
Rodney Carrington (especially his early stuff)
Jim Gaffigan

"Genius" is an interesting classification, rather than "favorite"...

Robin Williams is definitely in the few I could put in this category. Richard Pryor, certainly. George Carlin.

Rickles, Jackie Mason

Bill Murray
Mike Nelson
Three Stooges

Sellers
Rickles

I find Murray to be funny in everything, but I'm not too educated about any stand up career. He was in 2nd City.

stephen lynch is pretty good, and while he may not be as funny as some others, no one really does what he does.

Sacha Cohen (Borat, Ali G) is a comedian that I would probably consider a genius. I don't like him that much, but he's an Andy Kaufman type with a grotesque streak.

Carrington can be funny, but he's no genius and he's not original.

Mel Brooks.

Blazing Saddles (w/ help from Richard Pryor)
Young Frankenstein
History of the World Part II
The Producers (Springtime for Hitler! Wow!)

I nominate the creators of South Park