Comments on: Bill Simmons’ List of Comedy MVPs Since 1975

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:30:03 +0000

So only Americans are funny? That’s about all I can get out of this list.

By: Jhoh

Jhoh — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:55:54 +0000

Obviously this is just purely my opinion, but 2010 is the year of Louis CK.

By: zxcvb

zxcvb — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:27:58 +0000

Where the fuck is Andy Kaufman?

I guess Jay Leno could be justified on Tim Duncan-like grounds. They both “get the job done” in the most boring way possible.

By: Jackie G.

Jackie G. — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:01:04 +0000

@Martin:

Yes, it’s obvious that Pryor was alive in 1975, but the quote is: “Best stand-up comedian alive (and the most respected),” not “Best stand-up comedian alive in 1975.” Simmons loses either way— either he’s oblivious that Pryor is dead, or he simply can’t write.

And come on— Robin Williams, ever? What original material did the guy ever come up with. Don’t you know that if Williams was in the house at the Coemdy Store, that nary a soul would step on stage? He was the Mencia before Mencia.

Speaking of fat-boys, when was Chris Farley funny, ever? TOMMY BOY was his shining moment? Get real.

I’m not going to argue that Parker and Stone don’t deserve accolades on this list (because frankly, they dominated comedy on TV the 2000s), but 2001? Just because they did a 9/11 episode? Come on, those guys are pushing the envelope all the time, and that episode wasn’t all that funny compared to others that season.

Where is Seth MacFarlane? As much as I think his shitty show jumped the shark when it was picked up again, he had more success with “Family Guy” in 2005 than “The Office” did in its first year. Who else gets canceled by Fox and then gets picked up again?!

Admit it: this list is as ignorant of real comedians as much as a 13-year-old girl is ignorant of real music. It’s a populist BS list for people who still think of a talented comedian like Joe Rogan as “that guy from ‘Fear Factor” or David Cross as “that guy who used to have that show on HBO,” if they’ve heard of either at all.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:17:11 +0000

Robin Williams has to get the nod in 1986 or 1987 for the Night at the Met performance or Good Morning Vietnam. Also, as much as I hate to say it, but 1989 belonged to Dice.

By: pdizzle

pdizzle — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:13:17 +0000

Steven Colbert for White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Please, Tina Fey is not even funny.

By: Halloween Jack

Halloween Jack — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:44:15 +0000

Even for a subjective list, it’s dubious that Dana Carvey (as much as I enjoy a lot of his stuff) was “carrying” SNL; yeah, he had the Church Lady and a few other characters, but Phil Hartman was much more important to the show (and enjoyed a successful post-SNL career, unlike Carvey, whose solo show flopped).

By: Daryl

Daryl — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:39:46 +0000

Louis CK could work as 2010… He’s the next incarnation of Seinfeld!

What, no Ricky Gervais? and where’s George Carlin?!

By: brownponcho

brownponcho — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:17:19 +0000

Looking over this list I think you should have called the article “Bill Simmons’ List of American Comedy MVPs Since 1975″

By: Angry Sam

Angry Sam — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:08:00 +0000

Louis CK won’t get MVP, but he deserves a comedy Cy Young for 2010. Funniest show on TV right now.

2011 will go to Conan, making a triumphant return to TV after a successful 2010 guerrilla campaign.

By: Barry Ritholtz

Barry Ritholtz — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:21:48 +0000

Stephen Colbert just DESTROYED at the National Correspondents Dinner in 2006. He crushed it, mocked a president to his face, and owned that year because of it.

Borat came out late 2006 — it opened big, but exploded in 2007, so you can move Sacha Baron Cohen to that year.

And Larry David should be in the 2001-02-03 period — really 2007, was Larry Davids? Not.

Last, I saw Bill Hicks in 1990 — unbelievably intelligent, funny and insightful. My sides hurt for 3 days afterwards. But he never really met the random qualifications for Simmons. Same with Louis CK (unbelivably funny guy as well).

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:47:00 +0000

I have to say, I think it’s hilarious that two of the big dissenters here have their facts wrong — of course Pryor was alive and dominant in 1975, and Bill picked Leno (probably accurately) in a pre-Tonight Show year. I would love to say that David Cross, Garofalo, Patton Oswalt, LCK should be there, but really, I think Bill got most of it right.

By: Jason M

Jason M — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:36:45 +0000

Where the hell is George Carlin?

By: Iain K. MacLeod

Iain K. MacLeod — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:21:53 +0000

2010: Louis CK

By: Jackie G.

Jackie G. — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:37:29 +0000

Bill Simmons giving advice about comedy? Now THAT’S FUNNY. Who wants to clue him in that Richard Pryor is no longer the “best comedian alive” since he’s been dead for five years?

What is the criteria for this list? Highest paid comedian? Critically acclaimed? I guess this is pretty spot-on if you’re a pop culture-challenged jock.

By: Jimmy Walker

Jimmy Walker — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:48:02 +0000

Jay Leno is not funny. Jay Leno is a hack. If Jay Leno ever was funny, it was before The Tonight Show. And simply because Leno back-stabbed his way onto the The Tonight Show, does not make him funny. Unfortunately influential in his mere presence, yes. Funny, no.

By: John

John — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:39:26 +0000

I vote Jon Stewart in 2010.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:59:13 +0000

While Dane Cook has become a love him/hate him personality, his record-shattering album sales and concert attendance in the mid-late 2000′s should place him in consideration. NOT that these are all that should determine success, but still…

By: Steverino

Steverino — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:42:52 +0000

That’s a pretty SNL-heavy list, doncha think? And it trends away from stand up stuff and towards TV/movies. Larry David’s a stretch if we go by the standards stated for eligibility. And, what, no Bill Hicks? Stephen Wright? Roseanne Barr? (Only one women at all.) Tracey Ullman, Whoopi Goldberg, Amy Poehler, Lily Tomlin, Kathy Griffin, Ellen Degeneres? Sarah Silverman, Brett Butler, Janeane Garafolo, Sandra Bernhard?

But, yeah, sure, Wil Ferrel, Chris Farley, and Rodney Dangerfield. Yeah, they top Bill Hicks and Lily Tomlin.

By: hellsattik

hellsattik — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:37:34 +0000

This is a great list! George, are you kidding? http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5043958564827525972#