I've been introducing my boys (11 and 9) to comedians on Youtube--they needed to develop their sense of humor--and the whole family has been enjoying a good laugh, but we're having a hard time finding good, clean comedy that's longer than 2-5 minute snippets (we've watched maybe a handful of complete acts and probably have seen all of Brian Regan's stuff that is available).

I grew up religiously watching A&E's An Evening at the Improv and then Comedy Central Presents--always got a good variety of comedians with some real gems. Is there anything like that anymore? My searches have turned up comedy specials and comics with adult content. Just wondering if some of y'all have discovered anything I have been unable to find.

tia

There's full episodes of Whose Line on YouTube.

Older....but Bill Cosby Himself......one of the funniest shows I've ever seen

Comedians I find to be "clean":

• Jim Gaffigan
• John Mulaney
• Frank Caliendo
• Brian Regan (maybe? Haven't listened to his stuff in a while)
• John Pinette - pour one out

Now, every now and then one of those comedians will drop in a curse word. But in terms of explicit material I've always noticed they're pretty clean acts.

Gaffigan.
Regan.
Dunham-mostly.

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Brian Regan (maybe? Haven't listened to his stuff in a while)

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We've even re-watched some of his routines set to animation:

Foxworthy.
Engvall.

Just rip the band-aid off and introduce them to Anthony Jeselnick.

That's ripping the bandaid off and pouring salt on it.

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That's ripping the bandaid off and pouring salt on it.

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Yeah, that's a far cry from the little stick figures set to G rated comedy my boys are laughing at right now.


In our house there's comedy before 8:30 pm and after 8:30 pm.

Jerry Clower
Bob Newhart
Henny Youngman

Not stand up, but some of the skits from the Carol Burnett show were pretty dang funny. Especially when Harvey Korman couldn't keep a straight face & busted out laughing.

These are/were all available on Netflix last I checked, and are all PG and/or TV-14 rating level.

Tom Papa (2 shows) - dry sense of humor, don't remember anything strikingly inappropriate for kids under 10. Funny guy. If you've never seen him, I'd recommend watching with or without the kids.

Don Friesen - Ask Your Mom. This is the show I was (and still do) highly recommend but just checked and it's TV-14, but don't remember why. You and your boys I think will really like this one.

Sebastian Maniscalco - What's Wrong with People. There are two shows on Netflix, just do the first one (recall 2nd show being hilarious but probably more inappropriate). I do remember one F bomb, but that was it. Hilarious show focusing on how things were when he grew up and things people do now. I'd say parents watch this definitely, then decide if you want the kids to watch.

Anjelah Johnson -- 2 or 3 shows. Funny and CUTE lady - the boys will probably enjoy watching her. Nothing blatant, borderline material but overall keeps it clean (later material deals with her marriage to a black, Christian singer). Recommended.

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Jerry Clower
Bob Newhart
Henny Youngman

Not stand up, but some of the skits from the Carol Burnett show were pretty dang funny. Especially when Harvey Korman couldn't keep a straight face & busted out laughing.

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The dentist skit.

Jerry Clower is one of the few comedians that could make me laugh so hard I was crying!

Pretty clean material off the top of my head.

That was one of the specific ones I was thinking of.

Check out Nate Bargatzee.

I liked Sinbad when I was a kid.

Maybe too old-lady-ish (her, not me), but Jeanne Robertson has made me chuckle many a time.

Add Joe Bolster to the list. He tours with Brian Regan.
Also, Brian's brother (Dennis) does clean comedy too though I've never seen his stuff.

Also, Brian will be touring Texas in December. Take the kids.

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Check out Nate Bargatzee.

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Dude is hilarious.

If they really are interested in comedy, and you think they can keep up, set them down in front of Duck Soup.

If you want to expand past stand ups, I'd show them episodes of I Love Lucy, **** Van Dyke Show, Andy Griffith and Leave it to Beaver. Can't get much cleaner, good lessons and I found them funny as a kid.

Robin Williams was a wholesome entertainer.

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Tom Papa (2 shows) - dry sense of humor, don't remember anything strikingly inappropriate for kids under 10. Funny guy. If you've never seen him, I'd recommend watching with or without the kids.

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He did a stand-up bit about Whole Foods a couple of years ago on one of the late-night talk shows that had me rolling.

Jim Gaffigan (as many others have already mentioned) is a long-time favorite.

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These are/were all available on Netflix last I checked, and are all PG and/or TV-14 rating level.

Tom Papa (2 shows) - dry sense of humor, don't remember anything strikingly inappropriate for kids under 10. Funny guy. If you've never seen him, I'd recommend watching with or without the kids.

Don Friesen - Ask Your Mom. This is the show I was (and still do) highly recommend but just checked and it's TV-14, but don't remember why. You and your boys I think will really like this one.

Sebastian Maniscalco - What's Wrong with People. There are two shows on Netflix, just do the first one (recall 2nd show being hilarious but probably more inappropriate). I do remember one F bomb, but that was it. Hilarious show focusing on how things were when he grew up and things people do now. I'd say parents watch this definitely, then decide if you want the kids to watch.

Anjelah Johnson -- 2 or 3 shows. Funny and CUTE lady - the boys will probably enjoy watching her. Nothing blatant, borderline material but overall keeps it clean (later material deals with her marriage to a black, Christian singer). Recommended.

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Thanks for taking the time to give a detailed response. I'm going to look them up tonight.


Great suggestions. Reminded me of some people I've forgotten.

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Add Joe Bolster to the list. He tours with Brian Regan.
Also, Brian's brother (Dennis) does clean comedy too though I've never seen his stuff.

Also, Brian will be touring Texas in December. Take the kids.

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I think we could only afford to take one of them.

Pandora- PG Comedy. Many of the aforementioned in short little bits. The other comedy channels on pandora like Today's Comedy for example are very raunchy so be aware of that.

Maniscalco does has a few jokes that aren't for kids. He's one of my favorites. He's like 92% clean. In person this past year there were a ton of f bombs though.

Brian Regan
Jerry Seinfeld
Tom Papa
Jim Gaffigan
Gary Gulman
Sinbad
Bill Cosby


I know there a ton more that I'm forgetting but those are a great start.

If Christian is ok, I know Tim Hawkins and John Branyan. My nephews like this particular Branyan stand-up:

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I liked Sinbad when I was a kid.

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+1 I watched Son of a Preacher a ton as a kid.

2nd for Tim Hawkins. Couldn't remember his name but yes he is very funny with lots of YouTube vids.

I Don't know if it's still on Netflix, but look for "Thou Shalt Laugh".

Seinfeld, regan and gaffigan were the first few that popped into my head...all good recommendations.

Mike Birbiglia is relatively clean, isn't he?

Yes, totally forgot about Birbigs, which is odd because he is easily one of my favorites of all time. Incredibly talented guy. And kid friendly enough.

Caught Bob Stromberg's act two weeks ago and thought it was good. It was at a church with lots of younger kids who enjoyed it along with the adults. His family slide show bit was really funny.

http://bobstromberg.com