these were the gigs that have been making audiences laugh for generations
making audiences laugh for generations
making audiences laugh for generations welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 stand-up comedy specials of all time put
stand-up comedy specials of all time put
stand-up comedy specials of all time put this ring on your finger so people know
this ring on your finger so people know
this ring on your finger so people know we have an arrangement
we have an arrangement
we have an arrangement before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re
more great content for this list we’re
more great content for this list we’re ranking the most popular influential and
ranking the most popular influential and
ranking the most popular influential and of course funniest specials from the
of course funniest specials from the
of course funniest specials from the world of stand-up comedy comedians from
world of stand-up comedy comedians from
world of stand-up comedy comedians from all decades will be considered as long
all decades will be considered as long
all decades will be considered as long as they filmed a comedy special in front
as they filmed a comedy special in front
as they filmed a comedy special in front of a live audience we’re excluding
of a live audience we’re excluding
of a live audience we’re excluding comedy specials and audio only specials
comedy specials and audio only specials
comedy specials and audio only specials at this time number 10
at this time number 10
at this time number 10 Bill Hicks relentless a lot of
Bill Hicks relentless a lot of
Bill Hicks relentless a lot of Christians wear crosses around their
Christians wear crosses around their
Christians wear crosses around their necks you think when Jesus comes back he
necks you think when Jesus comes back he
necks you think when Jesus comes back he ever wants to see Bill Hicks abrasive
ever wants to see Bill Hicks abrasive
ever wants to see Bill Hicks abrasive nofilter style has often been imitated
nofilter style has often been imitated
nofilter style has often been imitated but never duplicated the Georgia native
but never duplicated the Georgia native
but never duplicated the Georgia native was a comedians comedian one whose
was a comedians comedian one whose
was a comedians comedian one whose satirical and transgressive approach
satirical and transgressive approach
satirical and transgressive approach served as a huge influence for future
served as a huge influence for future
served as a huge influence for future stars like Denis Leary while a CD with
stars like Denis Leary while a CD with
stars like Denis Leary while a CD with the same name captured his last show
the same name captured his last show
the same name captured his last show before his 1994 death
before his 1994 death
before his 1994 death the relentless show released for home
the relentless show released for home
the relentless show released for home video was filmed at a different time
video was filmed at a different time
video was filmed at a different time during Montreal’s Just for Laughs
during Montreal’s Just for Laughs
during Montreal’s Just for Laughs festival
festival
festival what did Maz bump into before electric
what did Maz bump into before electric
what did Maz bump into before electric light bulbs were invented that’s what I
light bulbs were invented that’s what I
light bulbs were invented that’s what I want to know and it showcased the comic
want to know and it showcased the comic
want to know and it showcased the comic at the peak of his powers smart sharp
at the peak of his powers smart sharp
at the peak of his powers smart sharp and confident
and confident
and confident Hicks never shied away from being brash
Hicks never shied away from being brash
Hicks never shied away from being brash and satirical with his work caring less
and satirical with his work caring less
and satirical with his work caring less about laughs and more about challenging
about laughs and more about challenging
about laughs and more about challenging audiences every step of the way and
audiences every step of the way and
audiences every step of the way and relentless perfectly documents that I’m
relentless perfectly documents that I’m
relentless perfectly documents that I’m Bill Hicks and I’m dead now
Bill Hicks and I’m dead now
Bill Hicks and I’m dead now because I smoke cigarettes cigarettes
because I smoke cigarettes cigarettes
because I smoke cigarettes cigarettes didn’t kill me
didn’t kill me
didn’t kill me a bunch of non-smokers kicked the shit
a bunch of non-smokers kicked the shit
a bunch of non-smokers kicked the shit out of me one night number 9
out of me one night number 9
out of me one night number 9 Comedy Central Presents Mitch Hedberg
Comedy Central Presents Mitch Hedberg
Comedy Central Presents Mitch Hedberg i’ma do an entire special not facing the
i’ma do an entire special not facing the
i’ma do an entire special not facing the camera Mitch Hedberg had a unique
camera Mitch Hedberg had a unique
camera Mitch Hedberg had a unique perspective on comedy and a delivery
perspective on comedy and a delivery
perspective on comedy and a delivery that had fans dying of laughter in the
that had fans dying of laughter in the
that had fans dying of laughter in the aisles more scratching their heads and
aisles more scratching their heads and
aisles more scratching their heads and confusion Comedy Central Presents Mitch
confusion Comedy Central Presents Mitch
confusion Comedy Central Presents Mitch Hedberg may have started out as simply
Hedberg may have started out as simply
Hedberg may have started out as simply another half-hour of comedy from the
another half-hour of comedy from the
another half-hour of comedy from the channels long-running series but it
channels long-running series but it
channels long-running series but it ended up as an early showcase for one of
ended up as an early showcase for one of
ended up as an early showcase for one of stand-ups most promising stars like
stand-ups most promising stars like
stand-ups most promising stars like wearing a turtleneck is like being
wearing a turtleneck is like being
wearing a turtleneck is like being strangled by a really weak guy the
strangled by a really weak guy the
strangled by a really weak guy the special was simple and to the point
special was simple and to the point
special was simple and to the point broadcasting Hedberg shy stoner stage
broadcasting Hedberg shy stoner stage
broadcasting Hedberg shy stoner stage presence with a barrage of wordplay
presence with a barrage of wordplay
presence with a barrage of wordplay one-liners that were instantly quotable
one-liners that were instantly quotable
one-liners that were instantly quotable head Burke’s 2005 death may have robbed
head Burke’s 2005 death may have robbed
head Burke’s 2005 death may have robbed the comedy world of his great potential
the comedy world of his great potential
the comedy world of his great potential but at least we have these laughs to
but at least we have these laughs to
but at least we have these laughs to remember him by I thought myself hard to
remember him by I thought myself hard to
remember him by I thought myself hard to play the guitar which was a bad decision
play the guitar which was a bad decision
play the guitar which was a bad decision because I didn’t know how to play it so
because I didn’t know how to play it so
because I didn’t know how to play it so I was a shitty teacher number 8 Sam
I was a shitty teacher number 8 Sam
I was a shitty teacher number 8 Sam Kinison breaking the rules
breaking the rules was released right at
breaking the rules was released right at the cusp of Sam kinnison’s major
the cusp of Sam kinnison’s major
the cusp of Sam kinnison’s major mainstream success as the louder than
mainstream success as the louder than
mainstream success as the louder than hell voice of heavy metal comedy the
hell voice of heavy metal comedy the
hell voice of heavy metal comedy the 1987 HBO special brought together all of
1987 HBO special brought together all of
1987 HBO special brought together all of the comedian’s fantastic early material
the comedian’s fantastic early material
the comedian’s fantastic early material with a delivery which by this point was
with a delivery which by this point was
with a delivery which by this point was honed to perfection making the rules
honed to perfection making the rules
honed to perfection making the rules touched upon such taboo subjects as
touched upon such taboo subjects as
touched upon such taboo subjects as religion and necrophilia while at the
religion and necrophilia while at the
religion and necrophilia while at the same time making the most of kinnison’s
same time making the most of kinnison’s
same time making the most of kinnison’s early life as a Pentecostal preacher Sam
early life as a Pentecostal preacher Sam
early life as a Pentecostal preacher Sam was all fire brimstone and hilarious
was all fire brimstone and hilarious
was all fire brimstone and hilarious anger possessing an almost effortless
anger possessing an almost effortless
anger possessing an almost effortless connection with his audience that even
connection with his audience that even
connection with his audience that even today is absolutely remarkable I love
today is absolutely remarkable I love
today is absolutely remarkable I love those churches out there I saw when the
those churches out there I saw when the
those churches out there I saw when the other date says where the church where
other date says where the church where
other date says where the church where everybody somebody but Jesus far
everybody somebody but Jesus far
everybody somebody but Jesus far number seven Robin Williams live on
number seven Robin Williams live on
number seven Robin Williams live on Broadway and sweating like crazy up here
Broadway and sweating like crazy up here
Broadway and sweating like crazy up here right now but his HBO cos it’s live
right now but his HBO cos it’s live
right now but his HBO cos it’s live Robin Williams had nothing to prove when
Robin Williams had nothing to prove when
Robin Williams had nothing to prove when he released his fourth HBO special the
he released his fourth HBO special the
he released his fourth HBO special the actor and comedian was already a
actor and comedian was already a
actor and comedian was already a certified star at this point and long
certified star at this point and long
certified star at this point and long removed from his Mork & Mindy days as
removed from his Mork & Mindy days as
removed from his Mork & Mindy days as such live on Broadway showcases a
such live on Broadway showcases a
such live on Broadway showcases a supremely confident Williams onstage in
supremely confident Williams onstage in
supremely confident Williams onstage in front of a ready and willing New York
front of a ready and willing New York
front of a ready and willing New York crowd and if you’re ever in Amish
crowd and if you’re ever in Amish
crowd and if you’re ever in Amish country to see a man with his arm buried
country to see a man with his arm buried
country to see a man with his arm buried in a horse’s ass that’s a mechanic
in a horse’s ass that’s a mechanic
in a horse’s ass that’s a mechanic remember that Robin touches upon then
remember that Robin touches upon then
remember that Robin touches upon then topical subjects like Michael Jackson
topical subjects like Michael Jackson
topical subjects like Michael Jackson and Anne Heche but it’s Williams
and Anne Heche but it’s Williams
and Anne Heche but it’s Williams observational humor and natural delivery
observational humor and natural delivery
observational humor and natural delivery that are the real gold live on Broadway
that are the real gold live on Broadway
that are the real gold live on Broadway is all manic and relentless energy a
is all manic and relentless energy a
is all manic and relentless energy a portrait of a comedic artist that makes
portrait of a comedic artist that makes
portrait of a comedic artist that makes his absence all the more poignant today
his absence all the more poignant today
his absence all the more poignant today Irie man
Irie man
Irie man Jamaica would never make an atomic bomb
Jamaica would never make an atomic bomb
Jamaica would never make an atomic bomb they may make an atomic bomb number six
they may make an atomic bomb number six
they may make an atomic bomb number six louis c.k shameless okay we’ll address
louis c.k shameless okay we’ll address
louis c.k shameless okay we’ll address the elephant in the room in 2017 louis
the elephant in the room in 2017 louis
the elephant in the room in 2017 louis c.k confirmed multiple reports of sexual
c.k confirmed multiple reports of sexual
c.k confirmed multiple reports of sexual misconduct tarnishing his reputation as
misconduct tarnishing his reputation as
misconduct tarnishing his reputation as one of the great comedians of his
one of the great comedians of his
one of the great comedians of his generation
generation
generation however taken on its own merits his 2007
however taken on its own merits his 2007
however taken on its own merits his 2007 stand-up special shameless still
stand-up special shameless still
stand-up special shameless still resonates as a prime example of ck’s
resonates as a prime example of ck’s
resonates as a prime example of ck’s power as a comedic auteur
power as a comedic auteur
power as a comedic auteur nobody wants to blow a guy and then go
nobody wants to blow a guy and then go
nobody wants to blow a guy and then go to Ikea with him all day that’s not many
to Ikea with him all day that’s not many
to Ikea with him all day that’s not many comics have reflected upon the minutiae
comics have reflected upon the minutiae
comics have reflected upon the minutiae of everyday life but none has done so
of everyday life but none has done so
of everyday life but none has done so with quite the same skill you’re all
with quite the same skill you’re all
with quite the same skill you’re all looking each other
like a silent movie of impatient people
like a silent movie of impatient people y’know Louie is a master of redirection
y’know Louie is a master of redirection
y’know Louie is a master of redirection starting down such normal paths as
starting down such normal paths as
starting down such normal paths as marriage and Parenthood but ending up
marriage and Parenthood but ending up
marriage and Parenthood but ending up with punch lines that are revealing in
with punch lines that are revealing in
with punch lines that are revealing in dark yet simultaneously side-splitting
dark yet simultaneously side-splitting
dark yet simultaneously side-splitting it’s a wonder to behold and essential
it’s a wonder to behold and essential
it’s a wonder to behold and essential viewing for anyone interested in the art
viewing for anyone interested in the art
viewing for anyone interested in the art and pathos of comedy who can get past
and pathos of comedy who can get past
and pathos of comedy who can get past the general akina’s that is I love to
the general akina’s that is I love to
the general akina’s that is I love to shit it’s my favorite thing I don’t know
shit it’s my favorite thing I don’t know
shit it’s my favorite thing I don’t know why they call it number 2 I think it’s
why they call it number 2 I think it’s
why they call it number 2 I think it’s easily the best one it’s my orchestra
easily the best one it’s my orchestra
easily the best one it’s my orchestra boy number 5 Richard Pryor live in
boy number 5 Richard Pryor live in
boy number 5 Richard Pryor live in concert choosing the best of Richard
concert choosing the best of Richard
concert choosing the best of Richard Pryor’s work is a difficult task but
Pryor’s work is a difficult task but
Pryor’s work is a difficult task but live in concert ranks up there not only
live in concert ranks up there not only
live in concert ranks up there not only in priors and evil career but also among
in priors and evil career but also among
in priors and evil career but also among the finest stand-up performances of all
the finest stand-up performances of all
the finest stand-up performances of all time by anyone
priors influence as a comedian cannot be
priors influence as a comedian cannot be understated and live in concert
understated and live in concert
understated and live in concert showcases Richard at the height of his
showcases Richard at the height of his
showcases Richard at the height of his prowess as a cultural commentator and
prowess as a cultural commentator and
prowess as a cultural commentator and storyteller sure it’s profane as hell
storyteller sure it’s profane as hell
storyteller sure it’s profane as hell and not the least bit politically
and not the least bit politically
and not the least bit politically correct but it’s also a hilarious and
correct but it’s also a hilarious and
correct but it’s also a hilarious and vital moment of the man’s career and is
vital moment of the man’s career and is
vital moment of the man’s career and is an essential part of any proper comedy
an essential part of any proper comedy
an essential part of any proper comedy education
can you turn on some water please
can you turn on some water please number four Chris Rock bring the pain he
number four Chris Rock bring the pain he
number four Chris Rock bring the pain he may be a household name in comedy today
may be a household name in comedy today
may be a household name in comedy today but it was a slightly different story
but it was a slightly different story
but it was a slightly different story when rock shot his second HBO special
when rock shot his second HBO special
when rock shot his second HBO special bring the pain the performance
bring the pain the performance
bring the pain the performance solidified the inimitable Rock delivery
solidified the inimitable Rock delivery
solidified the inimitable Rock delivery we know and love and also shot the
we know and love and also shot the
we know and love and also shot the comedian into the public eye completely
comedian into the public eye completely
comedian into the public eye completely rebounding his career in a glass case
rebounding his career in a glass case
rebounding his career in a glass case Chris didn’t shy away from anything and
Chris didn’t shy away from anything and
Chris didn’t shy away from anything and bring the pain commenting on touchy
bring the pain commenting on touchy
bring the pain commenting on touchy subjects like race with a voice that was
subjects like race with a voice that was
subjects like race with a voice that was both humorous and furious Rock would
both humorous and furious Rock would
both humorous and furious Rock would double down only two years later with
double down only two years later with
double down only two years later with bigger and blacker a performance that
bigger and blacker a performance that
bigger and blacker a performance that only echoed the comic status as one of
only echoed the comic status as one of
only echoed the comic status as one of the premiere stand-up voices of his
the premiere stand-up voices of his
the premiere stand-up voices of his generation yo baby number three on
generation yo baby number three on
generation yo baby number three on location George Carlin at USC I mean
location George Carlin at USC I mean
location George Carlin at USC I mean most of the time ass is alright on
most of the time ass is alright on
most of the time ass is alright on television you can say well you’ve made
television you can say well you’ve made
television you can say well you’ve made a perfect ass of yourself tonight but
a perfect ass of yourself tonight but
a perfect ass of yourself tonight but you can’t say yo half-ass George Carlin
you can’t say yo half-ass George Carlin
you can’t say yo half-ass George Carlin was a true wordsmith a man whose usage
was a true wordsmith a man whose usage
was a true wordsmith a man whose usage of the English language was honed to a
of the English language was honed to a
of the English language was honed to a razor’s edge and a hunter’s accuracy
razor’s edge and a hunter’s accuracy
razor’s edge and a hunter’s accuracy live at USC was Carlin’s first HBO
live at USC was Carlin’s first HBO
live at USC was Carlin’s first HBO special and as such he was basically
special and as such he was basically
special and as such he was basically exploring what could be considered new
exploring what could be considered new
exploring what could be considered new territory in 1977 going to the
territory in 1977 going to the
territory in 1977 going to the supermarket in the head neighborhood and
supermarket in the head neighborhood and
supermarket in the head neighborhood and take a look at the cookie section in
take a look at the cookie section in
take a look at the cookie section in fact network execs were so worried about
fact network execs were so worried about
fact network execs were so worried about Carlin’s famous seven dirty words bit
Carlin’s famous seven dirty words bit
Carlin’s famous seven dirty words bit that they actually froze the feed and
that they actually froze the feed and
that they actually froze the feed and included a message informing audiences
included a message informing audiences
included a message informing audiences about the language used before
about the language used before
about the language used before continuing with the special it may seem
continuing with the special it may seem
continuing with the special it may seem quaint
quaint
quaint today but this is just a small example
today but this is just a small example
today but this is just a small example of how much impact Carlin had as one of
of how much impact Carlin had as one of
of how much impact Carlin had as one of comedies finest voices can’t say yeah
comedies finest voices can’t say yeah
comedies finest voices can’t say yeah you can say teats teats is ok if you’re
you can say teats teats is ok if you’re
you can say teats teats is ok if you’re on at five in the morning and a cow is
on at five in the morning and a cow is
on at five in the morning and a cow is your guest number two dave chappelle
your guest number two dave chappelle
your guest number two dave chappelle killing them softly no cokehead
killing them softly no cokehead
killing them softly no cokehead president
president
president maybe selling nuclear secrets for twenty
maybe selling nuclear secrets for twenty
maybe selling nuclear secrets for twenty thirty dollars and shit before Chappelle
thirty dollars and shit before Chappelle
thirty dollars and shit before Chappelle show turned him into a household name
show turned him into a household name
show turned him into a household name Dave Chappelle was slaying audiences
Dave Chappelle was slaying audiences
Dave Chappelle was slaying audiences with his inaugural HBO special killing
with his inaugural HBO special killing
with his inaugural HBO special killing them softly comedy ages and some
them softly comedy ages and some
them softly comedy ages and some specials don’t hold up but killing them
specials don’t hold up but killing them
specials don’t hold up but killing them softly is just as funny today as it was
softly is just as funny today as it was
softly is just as funny today as it was back in 2000 a real and honest
back in 2000 a real and honest
back in 2000 a real and honest collection of material from one of
collection of material from one of
collection of material from one of modern comedies defining voices
modern comedies defining voices
modern comedies defining voices yeah Astor era grouch
yeah Astor era grouch
yeah Astor era grouch it’s like a little trash can the voices
it’s like a little trash can the voices
it’s like a little trash can the voices of Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx echo
of Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx echo
of Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx echo loudly in Chappelle’s work while his
loudly in Chappelle’s work while his
loudly in Chappelle’s work while his delivery is smooth and conversational
delivery is smooth and conversational
delivery is smooth and conversational like a close friend killing them softly
like a close friend killing them softly
like a close friend killing them softly is low-key and unassuming but like all
is low-key and unassuming but like all
is low-key and unassuming but like all great comedy it’s also personal real and
great comedy it’s also personal real and
great comedy it’s also personal real and honest David We Need to Talk
before we unveil our number-one pick
before we unveil our number-one pick here are some honorable mentions three
here are some honorable mentions three
here are some honorable mentions three things you could see from outer space
things you could see from outer space
things you could see from outer space you could see the Great Wall of China
you could see the Great Wall of China
you could see the Great Wall of China you can see ah the Grand Canyon you can
you can see ah the Grand Canyon you can
you can see ah the Grand Canyon you can see Oprah Winfrey’s air so though I’m
see Oprah Winfrey’s air so though I’m
see Oprah Winfrey’s air so though I’m not a one-night thing I think a person
not a one-night thing I think a person
not a one-night thing I think a person should get to know someone and even be
should get to know someone and even be
should get to know someone and even be in love with them before you use and
in love with them before you use and
in love with them before you use and degrade them 30 Asians are blacks in the
degrade them 30 Asians are blacks in the
degrade them 30 Asians are blacks in the back that’s gonna be the name of the DVD
back that’s gonna be the name of the DVD
back that’s gonna be the name of the DVD that’s it that’s the name number one
that’s it that’s the name number one
that’s it that’s the name number one Eddie Murphy delirious
is there any stand-up special as popular
is there any stand-up special as popular or influential as Eddie Murphy’s
or influential as Eddie Murphy’s
or influential as Eddie Murphy’s delirious this 1983 performance turned
delirious this 1983 performance turned
delirious this 1983 performance turned Murphy into a legitimate comedy badass a
Murphy into a legitimate comedy badass a
Murphy into a legitimate comedy badass a rock star decked out in iconic red
rock star decked out in iconic red
rock star decked out in iconic red leather and he already made serious
leather and he already made serious
leather and he already made serious waves during his tenure on Saturday
waves during his tenure on Saturday
waves during his tenure on Saturday Night Live but delirious was when the
Night Live but delirious was when the
Night Live but delirious was when the stars aligned just right
stars aligned just right
stars aligned just right and Murphy truly broke out into the
and Murphy truly broke out into the
and Murphy truly broke out into the mainstream although the AIDS and
mainstream although the AIDS and
mainstream although the AIDS and homosexuality material hasn’t exactly
homosexuality material hasn’t exactly
homosexuality material hasn’t exactly aged well delirious on the whole is
aged well delirious on the whole is
aged well delirious on the whole is something combustible and cosmic a
something combustible and cosmic a
something combustible and cosmic a perfect storm of look talent and
perfect storm of look talent and
perfect storm of look talent and delivery that has rarely been equaled by
delivery that has rarely been equaled by
delivery that has rarely been equaled by any comic past or present
any comic past or present
any comic past or present goonie-goo-goo-foofie
”
Be First to Comment