Ernie Kovaks,
Sid Ceaser (sp),
Steve Allen;
Carlin, Bruce, Berman, Newhart;
Brooks, Baluchi, Radner, Chase;
Even the gang that surrounded (gag) Carol Burnet (choke);
Even Jim Carey and (when they were good) Robin Wiliams and the dork that did "sleeper" and "Everything you wanted to know..." before he went over the edge:
Comedians.
Andy Kaufman; poser, side show, sometimes clever, always insulting and rarely as much as his intro suggested.
If he's coming back now, its only because the Kerry campaign needs a headliner.
I will agree with you on the old timers, Shelly Berman is a genius (now appearing on "Curb Your Enthusiasm". But I think Kauffman was a genius, he pushed the enevelope out of the box, and always, always left you guessing.