The rating is similar to that used in movies, which is based upon the general content and language of each comedian.
A
B
C
Dave Chapelle - Rated R Dave Chapelle is one of the most annoying comedians I've ever known. While he definately has some good ideas and bits of material here and there, it is buried in a steaming pile of the inappropriate. Much of his humor is about being black, but he takes more of an original spin on it (thank goodness - too much of the same thing along that track).
Bill Cosby - Rated G He is one of my most favorite comedians ever. He mostly seems to talk about children and families, which I find to be the best kind of humor, because it can be so true and something people can really relate to. He also seems to have a good understanding of human nature and can put an interesting twist on perspective. This, I think, is real comedy.
D
E
F
Pablo Francisco - Rated R You have to listen to one part of his routine at least once. He's good at voices and impersonations, which is enjoyable and very worth sampling. Unfortunately, the other half of his material isn't really worth listening to. He does the most amazing movie "preview voice" I've ever heard too. While he has some rather trashy material, I think his deep voice and movie material is the highlight of the whole thing. He also handles himself well on stage, and keeps the attention of the audience smoothly.
G
H
Jeremy Hotz - Rated PG Without a question, he is one of the most original and funny comediens of the century. He doesn't have a DVD yet, hasn't had his own show, and doesn't have any albums out either. I've only heard him on a Comedy Central special, and I die every time I've heard it. If you get the chance to hear him, don't miss it! If you're not quite so lucky, I found a transcription of this performance, so you can view whichever you like.
I
Eddie Izzard - Rated R British humor is different than American humor in that they are much less concerned with language than we are here. Not to say that there are a wide variety of comedians that DO care (ugh, the 80s!), but the F word is used as though it were any other word, like tearing off 30 bandaids. Setting his language aside, his content is quite good, and he has a great sense of humor. I'd give him a PG if it weren't for the rare sex-related joke. Darned potty mouth!
J
K
L
Ronn Lucas - Rated G While he technically qualifies as a ventriloquist, he is the best I have ever seen. There is so little of his material available to the general public, as is true of many younger Vegas performers, but you should unquestionably check him out if you get the chance (and send me a copy!). He has a wide variety of dummies, but he goes beyond that and can do ventriloquism with much more, some of which you have to see to believe. He's the only person I know who can sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" in a round with one of his dummies. Incredible.
M
N
O
P
John Pinette - Rated PG-13 This is much more than the traditional funny fat guy. While he is much larger than just about any other comedian I've ever seen, many parts of his routine go beyond eating and being fat (but that's still good material for him too). He once competed in the Comedy Central "Comic's Last Stand" competition and did very well.
Richard Pryor - Rated R This isn't a comedian I'd listen to again, if given a choice. It seems that most of his humor concerns being a black person in the US. Not to say that this can't make good material, but most of the things he talks about aren't very funny, or part of life at all. He had one bit about shoes being too tight and how it makes black people talk too much. I thought that was rather pointless, to say the least. And if that wasn't bad enough, half the rest of his routine talked about being drunk. He pretended to be drunk, then he talked about sex. I gave up listening at that point.
Q
R
Brian Regan - Rated G He has got to be one of the best comedians I have ever heard. Most of his comedy revolves around the dumb, nonsensical things that people do. He laughs freely at human stupidity and ignorance without insulting anyone or bringing them down. Everyone can relate to this humor.
S
Sinbad - Rated PG Sinbad has a lot of what can understandably be called black humor, but unlike most African-Americans, his humor goes way beyond just that. He has a lot of family humor, talking about children and marriage, which makes him a good level comedian.
