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.
Class of 2009
Eddie Murphy
This ‘80s superstar owned the mic with cocky charm, slaying with raw, hilarious tales of life and pop culture in specials like Delirious. His larger-than-life energy and infectious laugh made him a rockstar who redefined comedy cool.
Sam Kinison
A screaming ex-preacher, Kinison unleashed primal rants on love, religion, and rock ‘n’ roll, shaking stages like a wildman in the ‘80s. His in-your-face intensity was a middle finger to the tame, inspiring every loudmouth comic since.
Steve Martin
The “wild and crazy guy” brought brainy absurdity to the ‘70s, rocking a banjo and arrow-through-the-head gags in sold-out arenas. His clever, goofy genius made comedy feel like a party you didn’t want to leave.
Bob Newhart
This deadpan master spun quiet, stammering stories of everyday awkwardness, killing with subtle wit in albums like The Button-Down Mind. His low-key charm proved you don’t need to shout to own a room.
Don Rickles
The king of insult comedy, Rickles roasted everyone from Sinatra to hecklers with razor-sharp zingers, all with a lovable smirk. His fearless, in-your-face style made every show a hilarious brawl you couldn’t look away from.
Class of 2006
Richard Pryor
The king of raw, Pryor turned his gritty life into comedy gold, riffing on race and addiction with fearless wit. His storytelling was a gut-punch of truth and laughs, inspiring every comic from Chappelle to Murphy.
Rodney Dangerfield
“I don’t get no respect!” was Rodney’s battle cry, his bug-eyed one-liners about his lousy life slaying audiences on The Tonight Show. This lovable loser’s rapid-fire gags made him the hero of every underdog who kept swinging.
Bill Cosby
Before the fall, Cosby was the clean-comedy champ, spinning hilarious family tales with goofy charm. His universal stories of kids and marriage made everyone laugh without a single curse.
Lenny Bruce
This rebel comic shocked the ‘60s with taboo-busting rants on sex, politics, and religion, getting arrested for his truth bombs. Bruce’s fearless satire paved the way for every edgy comic who dared to speak real.
Bill Hicks
Hicks was comedy’s chainsaw, slicing through society’s BS with dark, biting rants on war and hypocrisy. His raw truth and fearless edge made him a cult hero for guys who hate the status quo.