Black History Month Special: 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians

[b]9. Damon Wayans[/b]
[img]http://www.eastvillecomedy.com/damon%20wayans%20@%20eastville.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YforhpJIuQ0"]Damon Wayans stand up[/URL]

The final Wayans member to make the list. This Wayans brother started out hos comedy career in 1982. He actually followed his big brother to Hollywood in 1981 during pilot season (Keenen started out in 1978.) In two short years, he was in an Eddie Murphy film and took his ‘Black Pack’ buddies spot as the token black guy on Saturday Night Live in 1985. But by 86, he was fired from the show … but it didn’t mater, he was already making a name for himself in the comedy world. His stand up was showcased on the final episode of his season on SNL (they invited him back for the finale after he as fired) and Robert Townsend’s HBO’s specials. He was now doin’ movies like Colors and Earth Girls Are Easy (where he met future friend …) is friend Eddie Murphy gave him major props, sayin’ he was one of the main reasons he stopped doin’ stand up. “When You see a cat like Damon Wayans at the club, it make you wanna give up“ ”HBO gave him a One Night Stand in 1989. by 1990, was on the hottest TV show in town. His brother (along with Damon‘s help) created the series In Living Color, which featured many comics from this list as one time or another. Many of his character he created in his stand up were used for the show. Anton “the Bum” Handi-Man, the Head Detective, Ed Cash, Homeboys Shopping Network were all character from his mind. That same year, his first HBO Comedy Hour Special, The Last Stand premiered to rave reviews, and it was supposedly his last stand as he said he’s concentrate more on TV and movies. After the Last Boy Scout, he left In Living Color after the 3rd season (though he’d make many appearances in the 4th season.) But once all the Wayans left ILC, he went back to his roots, stand up comedy in 1993. He was back on HBO with another top special, Still Standing. In 2001, he starred in and created the long running ABC series, My Wife and Kids. After it’s cancellation, he returned back to his root, sketch comedy for the Showtime series ‘The Underground’ which featured Aries Spears and Damon Jr. Two years later, He did a comedy special for the first time in over ten year, the great Way Out. It aired on Comedy Central. I mentioned his son, Damon Jr. he is also a stand up comic and is pretty funny in his own right.

[b]8. Flip Wilson[/b]
[img]http://blog.tilos.hu/malestripshow/wilson020203_big.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR8OpOlga-Y"]Flip Wilson stand up[/URL]

“The Devil Mae Me Do It!” the famous words from Flip Wilson. Before Wanda, Sheneneh, The Cafeteria Lady, Juwanna Man and hell, Madea, there was Geraldine. Born Clerow Wilson in 1933 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was one of 23 kids and was actually a trouble maker. He got the name ‘Flip’ after he enlisted in the Armed Forces and would entertain the others. Flip was so good, that other bases would ask for him to entertain them also. Upon returning home, in 1959 he was offered a regular as a comic. Flip than went on to play the chitlin’ circuit around that time, playing the Apollo Theater among others. On the chitlin circuit he met Redd Foxx, in which Redd told Johnny Carson about Flip. He appeared on his show over 25 times. Flip would make his first TV appearance on The Tonight Show in 1965. Other TV shows he appeared on at that time included The Ed Sullivan Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Joey Bishop Show, Hollywood Squares among others. He was a regular on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In in 1968 and appeared on the show after numerous times. Around that time, he’s also cut many comedy albums. Some of those records included “Cowboys and Colored People” and “You Devil You.” He might have been the hottest black comic in that time, and NBC gave him a series, the Flip Wilson Show in 1970. It was an hour long variety series featuring sketches, stand up and musical guest. It was different not only cause he was black, but he was the star of the show. There were no regular or featured cast members, just the guest for that said episode. The show lasted until 1974, but not before featuring some of the top stars of that time like Dean Martin, The Jackson , Redd Foxx, James Brown, David Frost, Bill Cosby, George Carlin, Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor among others. After the series, he did acting gigs here and there like The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, and the game shows. In 1985, Charlie & Co. was his latest TV show staring him and Gladys Knight. It lasted one season. He passed away in 1998.

[b]7. Martin Lawrence[/b]
[img]http://www.bb9videoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/martin2.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sos8Ch-AyLY"]Martin Lawrence stand up[/URL]

[QUOTE]he got on as Maurice on What

[QUOTE=Tarik One]The Big Shirley character on Martin was supposed have been played by Shirley Hemphill, the waitress from What's Happening. She had gotten sick and was unable to play the part which is why she was always mentioned but never seen. However Martin did choose to compensate Ms. Hemphill for each time the name "Big Shirley" was mentioned. It was his way of paying her back because she took him in and provided him room and board when he first arrived in Hollywood flat broke.[/QUOTE]
Cool, didn't know that. Shirley is on the list also ...

Homey D Clown is some classic sh!t

[b]6. Dave Chappelle[/b]
[img]http://www.frontrowking.com/Concert_Tickets/Pics/dave-chappelle.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgyIv4U1ok4"]Dave Chappelle stand up[/URL]

[b]5. Eddie Murphy[/b]
[img]http://www.moviecritic.com.au/images/coming-to-america-eddie-murphy.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_n5JWzj6yU"]Eddie Murphy stand up[/URL]

The most famous stand-up comedian ever, made stand-up what it is today. Mr. SNL, this guy was so big, he hosted SNL as a cast member. Eddie Murphy was born in 1961 on Brooklyn, New York. Eddie was always watching TV and tryin’ to be whoever was n the tide, meanwhile older brother Charlie was the complete opposite. Eddie started performing comedy at the age of 16. After getting his name know across town, he started to perform more and more, improving his skills. At this time he befriended many who’d he go on to form an association with, these included Arsenio Hall, Keenen Wayans and Robert Townsend. Another comic Charlie Barnett couldn’t read well, so they passed over him. Robert auditioned for the new season of Saturday Night Live and got the spot, until walk-in Eddie won he executives over. He was a featured player in the 1980 season but by the next, it was all Eddie., and I mean all Eddie. Eddie was all over the show, Gumby, Mr. Rodgers, JAMES BROWN, Buckwheat … you name it. By 1982, he was starring in films now like 48 Hours. 1983, was just another year for Eddie, more TV (hosting SNL!), more films which all led up to his premier stand up special on HBO. The year before, he dropped his first comedy album Eddie Murphy Live, now you could visualize it. Delirious was a monster hit. The next year would be his last on SNL and Beverly Hills Cops was released. Around this time, he would get with the hottest young black comics in the game at that time, and form a pack, ‘The Black Pack’, Robert Townsend, Paul Mooney, Keenen and Damon Wayans (Damon would slide in as the token black guy once Eddie left the series) ‘Little Money’ Arsenio Hall and ‘Eddie Money’. These brothers would work together on various project and run Hollywood. In 1987, him and various ’Black Pack’ buddies worked on films. He was with Arsenio for Coming to America, and Keenen and Robert were big parts on the biggest concert comedy ever, RAW! Also that same year, he’d produce an HBO comedy special Uptown Comedy Express. It featured Arsenio, Robert and a little know fella named Chris Rock (who Eddie had discovered a few years back and would hang with the ‘Black Pack’.) Eddie was now the man in Hollywood. In 1989, his first and only directing job Harlem Night. It featured many a comic. Eddie, bro Charlie, Robin Harris, Reynaldo Rey, Arsenio, Redd and Rich. That year, he retired from comedy. His reasons, controversy and Damon Wayans. He told Arsenio on his show “When I see cats like Damon, it make you wanna stop.” Since, he starred in many films (good and bad), recorded music and did animated series The PJs.

Delirious was one of the funniest stand ups I've seen. Eddie used to be so good.

[b]4. Bill Cosby[/b]
[img]http://thehiphopconsultant.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/cd-billcosbyinsidemind.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcIQ0pl4N90"]Bill Cosby stand up[/URL]

The greatest story teller ever. Bill was born as William Henry Cosby in Philadelphia in 1937. We met any of his friends early in his like Fat Albert, Mush Mouth and of course his brother Russell. As a youngin

[b]3. Chris Rock[/b]
[img]http://www.exodusnews.com/Photos/Rock,%20Chris99.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui6-Wc0PDc4"]Chris Rock stand up[/URL]

Another associate of the

Chris Rock doesn't belong in the top 20.

His last few years have just been relying on blatantly racist jokes to get laughs.

[QUOTE=plowking]Chris Rock doesn't belong in the top 20.

His last few years have just been relying on blatantly racist jokes to get laughs.[/QUOTE]
Name a racist joke ...

[QUOTE=plowking]Chris Rock doesn't belong in the top 20.

His last few years have just been relying on blatantly racist jokes to get laughs.[/QUOTE]

Doesn't belong on the list because he makes racist jokes?

The criteria should be whether they are funny or not, this isn't the all time non-racist black comedians list, because then there wouldn't be a list.

[QUOTE=LJJ]Doesn't belong on the list because he makes racist jokes?

The criteria should be whether they are funny or not, this isn't the all time non-racist black comedians list, because then there wouldn't be a list.[/QUOTE]
And what's considered a racist joke?

White guy does it like this vs. black guy does it like this?

[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]And what's considered a racist joke?

White guy does it like this vs. black guy does it like this?[/QUOTE]

Come on dude.....

[QUOTE=LJJ]Come on dude.....[/QUOTE]
Kill whitey jokes ... I live next to a white person ... white people don't run fast enough ... what's a racist joke dude?

[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]Kill whitey jokes ... I live next to a white person ... white people don't run fast enough ... what's a racist joke dude?[/QUOTE]

You really don't know what racism is? :eek:

[QUOTE=LJJ]You really don't know what racism is? :eek:[/QUOTE]
I know what racism is ... making fun of white people who can't dance is not racist.

Wow, so I guess you don't. Some sad shit.

[QUOTE=LJJ]Wow, so I guess you don't. Some sad shit.[/QUOTE]
Wow, I'm sad and you think making fun of someone's dancing ability is racist ... I'm pretty sure people back in the day weren't saying, "Hey, this dude can't dance, let's beat him." It was much more serious than that bro.

Racism vs. Stereotyping. I guess when Damon Wayans made that joke about Asian's and rice, he's racist, or when George Lopez said that joke about black basketball players, I guess they're all racist?

[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]Wow, I'm sad and you think making fun of someone's dancing ability is racist ... I'm pretty sure people back in the day weren't saying, "Hey, this dude can't dance, let's beat him." It was much more serious than that bro.

Racism vs. Stereotyping. I guess when Damon Wayans made that joke about Asian's and rice, he's racist, or when George Lopez said that joke about black basketball players, I guess they're all racist?[/QUOTE]

[URL="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/racism"]Noun
racism (uncountable)
The belief that each race has distinct and intrinsic attributes.[/URL]


You're welcome.

[QUOTE=LJJ][URL="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/racism"]Noun
racism (uncountable)
The belief that each race has distinct and intrinsic attributes.[/URL]


You're welcome.[/QUOTE]
[URL="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stereotype"]stereotype[/URL]

[QUOTE=LJJ][URL="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/racism"]Noun
racism (uncountable)
The belief that each race has distinct and intrinsic attributes.[/URL]


You're welcome.[/QUOTE]

That's more like discriminating or stereotyping. Racism involves malicious intent of another person because of their race, IMO.

[QUOTE=xcesswee]That's more like discriminating or stereotyping. Racism involves malicious intent of another person because of their race, IMO.[/QUOTE]
Good answer.

[b]2. Redd Foxx[/b]
[img]http://www.thefunkstore.com/CurrentCDs/August2006/CD-ReddFoxxYouGottaWash.jpg[/img]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgYqinSPAvU"]Redd Foxx stand up[/URL]

The original dirty comic. This brotha goes so far back, so far back he was friends with Malcolm X before he was Malcolm X. Redd was born in 1922 in St. Luis, Missouri as John Elroy Sanford. His father left him early in his life and he dropped out of high school after the 9th grade. He went on to play ina washboard band as a drummer and then moved to New York. This is where he met Malcolm. He met him as they were both dishwashers, he was Chicago Red (the funniest dishwasher in town) and Malcolm, Detroit Red. Around this time he started doing comedy. He first teamed up with friend comic Slappy White from 1947 to 1951. His first release was in 1956 for Dooto Records titled

Lavell Crawford and David Alan Grier both suck.

Eddie Murphy >>>>> Chris Rock

Chris Rock is probably the most overrated comedian ever.

Yeah I was okay with this list until I saw Chris Rock ahead of Bill Cosby and Dave Chappelle and Eddi Murphy.

I would slide Chris down to Dave's spot and bump everyone up a spot. I would have to think hard about Bill and Redd too.

[QUOTE=Timmy D for MVP]Yeah I was okay with this list until I saw Chris Rock ahead of Bill Cosby and Dave Chappelle and Eddi Murphy.

I would slide Chris down to Dave's spot and bump everyone up a spot. I would have to think hard about Bill and Redd too.[/QUOTE]
5 through 2 could have gone any way.

5. Ed
4. Bill
3. Chris
2. Redd

or

5. Chris
4. Redd
3. Eddie
2. Bill

And at number 1, no explanation really needed, NICK CANNON!!

















[b]1. Richard Pryor[/b]
[IMG]http://www.indiancomedian.com/RichardPryor.jpg[/IMG]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtLN6le8R4g"]Richard Pryor stand up[/URL]

Rich was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1940. Richard grew up in a brothal, so he was surrounded by many things at a young age. In his early years, he joined U.S. Army in 1958. His first job in the entertainment industry was working at a bar as a drummer. Pryor started performing stand up in 1963. He was inspired by Bill Cosby and his act was totally different than what he would be known for. He started getting TV appearances like on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan an his first performance in 1964 of the Kraft Music Series. He was a regular on the Vegas strip, around this time things started to change for Richard. The real Rich started coming out and in a performance, just walked of stage. His first album released in 1968, was simply titled Richard Pryor.


Now, it was the 1970, and he was in Berkley hanging out with hippies and the Black Panthers. He signed with Stax Records and was on the film WattsStax and the album That Ni[B]g[/B]ger's Crazy. Now he was big time, appearing on Midnight Special, Flip Wilson Show and writing for Sanford and Son and other series. Now he was with Warner Bros and the album, Is It Something I said dropped. His Saturday Night Live appearance was legendary in it's first season on NBA. NBC liked him so much, they gave him a special, and a short lived series that included Paul Mooney, Tim Reid, John Witherspoon, Robin Williams, Sandra Bernheard and Marsha Warfield. He started to get into movies at this time also. Lady Sings the Blues, The Wiz, The Mac, Stir Crazy and Silver Streak with Gene Wilder.


His stand up was starting to get filmed. First on the WattsStax special in 1973 and then a few years later with Live In Concert in 1978, Live on the Sunset Strip in 82, Here and Now in 83. Live and Smokin' was done in 1971 but released in 1985. In 86, his life story Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling and Richard played himself. He'd do a few more films over the years and stand up and received various awards up until his death shortly after his 65th birthday in 2005. Marlon Wayans is tapped to play Richard in a bio-pic directed by Chris Rock.

[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]
[b]61. Patrice O

[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]I did this almost 2 years ago.

Was this a good spot for him, too high or too low?[/QUOTE] He has his moments. Where's Kevin Hart at?

Cool thread.

10. Tyler craig
9. alex thomas
8. Patrice oneal
7. Deon cole
6. Michael colyer
5. Damon wayans
4. Jamie foxx
3. Bernie mac
2. paul mooney
1. Dave chappelle

[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]I did this almost 2 years ago.

Was this a good spot for him, too high or too low?[/QUOTE]

[I]Elephant in the room[/I] alone puts him top 5.....

[QUOTE=ballsohard247]He has his moments. Where's Kevin Hart at?[/QUOTE]
Hart #65. They both will be higher on my updated list coming soon.

[QUOTE=plowking]Chris Rock doesn't belong in the top 20.

His last few years have just been relying on blatantly racist jokes to get laughs.[/QUOTE]

This omfg Kven hart is top 5 He is way better than ****in Dl hugley and ****ing Chris rock and some others


Kevin hart>>>>>>>>>>>SINBAD

Chappelle>>>>>>>>>>>>Chris rock

3.Kevin hart
2.Dave
1.richard/eddie ****in murphy.

Red foxx is funny so yea he can get #2 my dumb ass didnt look at the ****in Date this was made.

*insert Kevin hart's I eat ass face here*


Chris rock is not funny he is barley he relies to much on race jokes way to ****in much.

**** it this deserves two post.

Bill Cosby isn't funny to me what so f[B]uc[/B]kin ever

Bill cosby is what rappers delight is to rap. He very f[B]uc[/B]kin Basics
and his show wasn't funny either

Sanford and son/Fresh prince>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

shit even steve urkel show.

[QUOTE=Saintsfan1992]**** it this deserves two post.

Bill Cosby isn't funny to me what so f[B]uc[/B]kin ever

Bill cosby is what rappers delight is to rap. He very f[B]uc[/B]kin Basics
and his show wasn't funny either

Sanford and son/Fresh prince>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

shit even steve urkel show.[/QUOTE]
I don't care if Bill Cosby is funny to you or not, learn your history kid.

Pretty sure you've never even seen Bill Cosby in stand up and how important he is to the craft, black or white. Not many folks are gonna sell out for black audiences, than come back and sell out a white audience too. When every single comic on this list list BILL COSBY as one of their influences (even the cats that came before him) that should tell you something, he's probably the greatest story teller ever.

You're either really uniformed or you're showing your age and judging by the previous post you made, you're showing your age with your love for Kevin Hart. Nothin wrong with Hart, but he hasn't done anything to earn a top 5 ranking.

Lol at him being better than DL Hughley or Chris Rock.

No Alonzo "Hammmmburrrrger" Jones? :wtf:

[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]I don't care if Bill Cosby is funny to you or not, learn your history kid.

Pretty sure you've never even seen Bill Cosby in stand up and how important he is to the craft, black or white. Not many folks are gonna sell out for black audiences, than come back and sell out a white audience too. When every single comic on this list list BILL COSBY as one of their influences (even the cats that came before him) that should tell you something, he's probably the greatest story teller ever.

You're either really uniformed or you're showing your age and judging by the previous post you made, you're showing your age with your love for Kevin Hart. Nothin wrong with Hart, but he hasn't done anything to earn a top 5 ranking.

Lol at him being better than DL Hughley or Chris Rock.[/QUOTE]


Well to bad this isn't about influences [B]GRANDPA[/B]

Its about whom is funnier.

DL hugley nor Chris is funnier than KEVIN HART
and I stand by my comment.

Like I said

Bill Cosby is a Curtis ****in blow
Richard pryor is RAKIM
Eddie Murphey a damn Nas/Jay z

Bill is the very basic.
He maybe a good story teller but being a f[B]uc[/B]kin story teller doesn't mean your funny.

At the end of the day being a stand up comdian is being funny and have people relating to you. and BIll f[B]uc[/B]kin Cosby doesn't do neither for me.