I’ve spent roughly 20 hours with George Carlin and Robert Klein recently — they’ve both released boxed sets of all their HBO specials. This got me thinking: What are the best stand-up routines ever recorded? Do they include Carlin talking about those seven (or 10) words you can never say on television? (Big-time NSFW warning, folks.) His bit explaining the Persian Gulf War by detailing the U.S.’s "Bigger D— foreign policy theory"? (Still TV-MA. Obviously.) Maybe his timeless — and shockingly clean — dissection of the differences between baseball and football, as viewed below?
Tell me: Which stand-up bits do you consider classics? And have you identified the comics that helped shape your sense of humor? (Mine: Paula Poundstone, Rita Rudner, Judy Tenuta, and Sam Kinison. That explains so much.)
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I loved Ellen’s HBO specials. They still crack me up.
I know I’m relatively young, so for me Chris Rock’s “N—as vs. Black People” in his HBO special “Bring the Pain” was the first time I could remember being legitimately shocked at what I was hearing from a comedian. Oh yeah, it was also hilarious. Just ask Michael Scott (“What you want, a cookie?!)
Another personal favorite is Eddie Izzard’s “Cake or Death” from his special “Dressed to Kill.” Two of my happiest times DVD hunting was when I found these two specials for relatively low prices and now I can watch them whenever I want.
There are two comedy specials that I will watch every time they are on TV. The first is Dave Chappelle’s Killing the softly and Eddie Izzard’s Dress to Kill. I’ve seen them so many times but still funny.
George Carlin at Carnegie Hall. Robin Williams at the Met. Bill Cosby Himself. Eddie Izzard’s everything (things that particularly stick with me include: the cunning use of flags; Hitler never played Risk; la sarge es en la branche; the Death Star cantina). Dennis Miller Black & White. Chris Rock’s first HBO special. And believe it or not the guy who did the “helmet and shoulda ma pads” football routine. My brother and I still quote that.
Kats had all my answers, except I have to add Eddie Murphy’s Delirious, and a random Judy Tenuta bit where she “likes to hunt, because she loves to wear safety orange.”
Any and all Bill Hicks concerts; he was bitterly funny!
I also love Lisa Lampenelli’s stand up, Eddie Murphy “Delirious” and “Raw,” and I agree with kats that Dennis Miller’s “Black and White” was pretty damn hilarious
Oh, one more. Can’t remember the guy’s name but he did a routine about his brother-in-law who was a hunter and a fisherman. Highlights were about the camouflage (sp?) wallet and the bass fishing boat that went 60 mph.
Rosanne’s first special that launched the series.
Lisa Lampanelli’s “Take it Like a Man”
Ron White “They Call Me Tater Salad”
Kathy Griffin “The D-List”
“I got some ice cream… I got some ice cream”
eddie murphy, delirious… hands down
The Dana Carvey special from the mid-90s was the best comedy routine I’ve ever seen. From “Naked Time” to “Framin’ OJ” to “Choppin’ Broccoli” to “Jimmy Stewart picks up a prostitute”, it’s all just brilliant.
Anything by Chris Rock.
I can’t list them all.
Dice’s dirty nursery rhymes.
Bill Cosby- “Dad is great. He gave us chocolate cake!” This is still quoted in my house.
I loved stand up specials when I was younger. Richard Jeni, Brian Regan, Kevin Pollock – HILARIOUS!
Now the only stand up I watch is Kathy Griffin. I get my comedy fix now from Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart (and Conan if I could stay up that late. I loved it when it was rerun on Comedy Central, then CNBC).
The football routine that kats mentioned is great and done by Bob Nelson. You’ll find it on YouTube.