Bullz-Eye.com's Stand-Up Comics Hall of Fame
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"Anybody can say 'I've got cancer' and get a rise out of a crowd. But how many of us can do five minutes of good stand-up comedy?"
– P.J. O'Rourke
Man, P.J., talk about preaching the gospel.
Anyone who’s attended an open mic night at their local comedy club can testify to the fact that just because you think you’re funny and you can make your friends laugh does not automatically mean that you’re a comedian. You’ve got to have good material, you’ve got to have a sense of timing, you’ve got to have a stage presence, and…well, actually, that’s pretty much the holy trinity. It might seem easy when you’re sitting in the cheap seats, but it’s a rare individual who can bring all three of those qualities up to the mic and use them to bring the house down. After all, as Peter O’Toole said in “My Favorite Year” (though lord knows he didn’t say it first), “Dying is easy; comedy is hard.”
We decided to create a Stand-Up Comics Hall of Fame to pay our respects to those comics who, in their careers, have made us laugh ‘til our sides hurt and then some. While there are some individuals whose inclusion is a given, with each induction into the Hall, we’re going to try and mix things up by throwing in a bit of a wild card. In some cases, it might be a more recent comedian; in other cases, it might be someone who wasn’t all that famous but who was nonetheless tremendously influential to those who followed in their footsteps. Rest assured, however, that anyone who makes it through these hallowed doors has unquestionably earned their place here, and if you doubt us, don’t worry: We’ll also provide recommendations of their best material for your listening and viewing pleasure.
As we prepare to examine the entrants into Bullz-Eye's Stand-Up Hall of Fame, in closing, let us just offer a final reminder: There is a two-drink minimum, and, as ever, don’t forget to tip your bartenders and waitresses, because they’re working hard for you.
And, now, on with the comedy….
Induction Classes
NOTE: Click the names or pictures below to read about each inductee.
INAUGURAL CLASS
Inducted: May 26, 2006
The five individuals selected for our inaugural induction into the Stand-Up Hall of Fame are, let's face it, not all people you might necessarily have picked. Certainly, Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor would be a given in most people's minds, so there's unlikely to be argument with either of them. Rodney Dangerfield is such a recognizable figure that most will probably say, "Okay, I can buy into that." And if you know anything at all about Lenny Bruce, then you know he broke so many First Amendment barriers that he deserves to make in on the first ballot just as much as Pryor or the Cos. But Bill Hicks? Really? Yes, really. In a perfect world, Bill Hicks would have become as popular a political comedian as Bill Maher. But, then again, if this was a perfect world, Bill Hicks wouldn't have had any material.
Oh, right, and he, uh, also wouldn't be dead.
Richard Pryor
"I went to Zimbabwe...and I know how white people feel in America now: relaxed! ‘Cause when I heard the police car, I knew they weren't coming after me!" |
Rodney Dangerfield
“Oh, this your wife, huh? A lovely lady. Hey baby, you must've been something before electricity.” |
Bill Cosby
“My father established our relationship when I was seven years old. He looked at me and said, ‘You know, I brought you into this world, and I can take you out. And it don't make no difference to me, I'll make another one look just like you.’” |
Lenny Bruce
"Take away the right to say fuck and you take away the right to say fuck the government." |
Bill Hicks
"George Bush says ‘we are losing the war on drugs.’ Well, you know what that implies? There's a war going on…and people on drugs are winning it! Well, what does that tell you about drugs? Some smart, creative motherfuckers on that side." |