No, “Back to School” wasn’t on the list and neither was “Porky’s”, both of which should’ve been. I’d have rather ranked them by decade, because each has its own sensibilities. Some of those films I’ve never heard of (and recent). I was floored that “Step Brothers” was on the list. It was utterly vile and I switched it off about 10 minutes in.
Eddie Murphy was in top form in the ‘80s, but seemed to drop off due to his poor choices of films. Has he even done stand-up in 25 years ? His brother Charlie was great at telling stories, sadly he just passed recently. Chappelle was great, too. Alas, he burned out doing his show. It would be interesting to see if he could do it again, but it’s hard to recapture the magic.
George Carlin could probably be put in the giants category, and he has also since passed. Gallagher was more amusing in the ‘80s (plus both he and his brother were doing the same schtick).
I’ve seen some of Red Skelton’s stuff, but I think it’s silly and dated (the latter, of course, is hard to avoid). Abbott & Costello I put in the same category. I don’t think it’s fair, however, as I cited above, to put different era films and comedians into the same competitive category.
Jackie Mason still does some bits, though he gets ignored because he’s Conservative.
Sarah Silverman I regarded as “OK”, but the older I get, the closer I seem to feel that Jerry Lewis was right and that most women aren’t funny in the comedic sense. Other than for Lucille Ball, who was often a bit too slapstick, a lot of women have to cross the line into obscene in order to register as funny. Once they’ve done that, they’re not really ladylike. Cursing women is a decided turn-off to me.
Bill Cosby should be in the giants, but his dark and twisted personal life as a sex predator/serial rapist has and will cast a permanent shadow over him and his work.
With respect to Seinfeld, I enjoy Larry David’s show, even though Larry David himself is a prick. I wonder how much different “Seinfeld” would’ve been if David had taken on the Costanza role that he was the model for instead of Jason Alexander. I think David would’ve overshadowed Seinfeld himself.
True. True.
Sarah Silverman I regarded as “OK”, but the older I get, the closer I seem to feel that Jerry Lewis was right and that most women aren’t funny in the comedic sense. Other than for Lucille Ball, who was often a bit too slapstick, a lot of women have to cross the line into obscene in order to register as funny.
Carol Burnett and Phyllis Diller were very funny without resorting to obscenity. Joan Rivers was very funny too, but she did occasionally get a little risque. Ruth Buzzie was okay but not "great".
I was never a big "Lucy" fan, but I recognize that others found her to be very funny.
Bill Cosby should be in the giants, but his dark and twisted personal life as a sex predator/serial rapist has and will cast a permanent shadow over him and his work.
Despite his personal life, as a talent he was quite good. Also among the "giants" I believe we should have George Burns, Jack Benny, and Groucho Marx. Groucho didn't really do a standup routine, but he as much did one as the host of "You bet your life." Close enough, and he was absolutely witty off the cuff.
I wonder how much different “Seinfeld” would’ve been if David had taken on the Costanza role that he was the model for instead of Jason Alexander. I think David would’ve overshadowed Seinfeld himself.
I don't know. Jason Alexander did make a very good character, and I'm not really familiar with Larry David as a comedian, but he did produce a very good show. I still try to catch an episode just about every night.
It's not the funniest comedy show i've seen, (My favorite is Beverly Hillbillies) but it was pretty good. (Honorable mentions are "Big Bang Theory" and "2 1/2 Men.")
"Delirious" is still as funny today as it was back in 1983, and Eddie probably could never get away with half of that material today (especially stuff like, Gay Mr. T)