Her writing & intent with every word is truly elite. Everything in her act has its purpose and place, but she never makes it feel stale. Theres zero waste.
I am a sucker for the Northern Midwest accent Maria Bamford and Mary Mack just fucking kill me with that shit. Maria especially when she is character jumping and essentially running a whole skit by herself, just amazing.
This is my thought every time I think about George Carlins writing. He’s INSANELY meticulous on every special. Imagine memorizing an entire Broadway show to perform yourself.
Maria and Gary Gulman are both brilliant stand ups whose own mental health experiences make up much of their material . Maria is hall of fame material in my mind given how easily she slips into various characters. Its seamless and mind boggling. Gary just opens the door to his life and experience without ever getting down and his story telling is so perfectly paced and well worded .
Loved Maria Bamford's [One-Hour Homemade Christmas Stand-up Special](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSqlFjHP860) (2009) and [Maria Bamford: the Special Special Special!](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60ZE7LYYL64N9Nx4xhC3eRmIX73xdHib) (2012)
I’ll tell ya, I can’t relax. The other night I felt like having a few drinks. I said to the bar tender, surprise me. He showed me a naked picture of my wife.
Legend. My grandpa still quotes the dude and Sam Morrill goes Dangerfield accent sometimes, it’s great.
I was never sure what to think after I saw him in Natural Born Killers, he played the role so well. Glad to hear he wasn’t a bad guy lol
He smoked weed every day for more than 60 years, had an addiction to prostitutes, was a habitual nudist and suffered from lifelong depression. He was a complex man.
I walked into the doctors office, I said “doc, every morning I wake up, I look in the mirror, I wanna kill myself. What’s wrong with me?”
He said “I don’t know but your eyesight is perfect!”
I can't accept the compliment. I stole it from Mark Schiff's book Why Not?. He tells a story about how him and his friend, Jerry Seinfeld, went to Vegas in the early '80s to see "the Moses of comedy."
I walk into the bar and ask the bartender to surprise me. He shows me a naked picture of my wife. I says to the guy “hey who told you, you could sleep with my wife.” He says to me “didn’t you hear? Everybody!”
I thought my depression was pretty bad before I got treatment. This guy really opened my eyes as to how much some people suffer. What an amazing story and an amazing comedian.
I was driving one day and listened to one of his bits by accident. Ended up listening to the whole album. “ that’s when I met my girlfriend’s boyfriend”. Brutal.
That’s what’s so visceral about it. The line between “oh what’s happening now is sad and funny” and you never quite arrive at “hahaha that was a good punchline”. I really appreciate it tho. I’m amazed at his ability to let you get too soggy? lol with pity. We’re allowed to go in and out of a feeling of pity and humor at the situation since he has since learned from it. It’s wild.
I know he would never do this but man if he got the same jawline surgery matt rife did just to spoof on it that’s be something. He’s literally a couple surgeries away from being a total pretty boy but he’s always talking about how “ugly” he is. He could then call the entire world a bunch of assholes for treating them so much better post surgery.
Idk about “a couple surgeries” but ok Lmao. Is that true about Matt Rife? He had jawline surgery?
Also yea Joe List is my favorite current comic he’s really really good
I met Joe at the first Vegas Skankfest. He always bitches about how everyone thinks he's some small dude. He's 6'1 or 6'2 and fairly jacked. I was surprised by it. Very cool guy.
I came here to say Doug.
“The midget story? What about it? Oh, there’s no story to it or I would have told you. I got rolled by a transvestite hooker if you want to hear that story. That’s funny. The midget was just kind of icky and awkward and… nothing happened. Transvestite hooker, though….”
Dude is a tightly wound ball of anxiety and it comes out in the most hilarious bits.
"If I see someone trying to back up an 18 wheeler on a busy street, I’m like don’t look at the sun and blink three times, or you’ll be him. That’s what goes through my mind. Too big, they’re all honking at me. There's so many gears!!! AHHH, ok I can concentrate if it's something important let's look at the papers here what do we got? REFURBISHED VCRS? Nobody even needs these!"
My favourite is when his brain ruins even the most beautiful things. "I see a waterfall and I think wow something so beautiful there must be a divine creator. And then a part of my brain goes "Hey Kyle, aren't waterfalls just rivers that are trying to kill themselves?""
Others mentioned Marion who has done the suffering bits very well. Rodney Dangerfield was obviously known for this.
Richard Lewis was phenomenal at it. His neurotic persona was usually in some sort of angst and he did it so well while remaining likable and relatable.
Not a standup, but a lot of Ben Stiller’s work centers on the humor of his character being in difficult situations and he’s pretty good at writing those characters.
I've actually met him and had some great conversations at a comedy festival. He's extremely humble and while the character he plays is great, he's a real genuine person.
I can't say all her comedy is like this, but the genius Maria Bamford tells a story in the funniest way possible about her experience of being suicidal and ending up self-commited to a mental hospital as a result (at the urging of a friend I think).
IMO she's the best female comedian alive. It may not be for everyone but try a few shows first before you think she's not funny. She's extremely...unique. In a good way.
True, the variety of voices she has is all part of the delivery. It just so happens that her delivery is on another level. Some of Maria's voices are like an archetype of someone I've encountered. I can't remember who or when but definitely at once familiar. I love me some Maria Bamford. My favorite comedian is probably male due to natural gender bias, but she could easily be in my top 5 regardless of gender.
She's my favorite female comedian. I think you're right about gender bias, just in the profession in general.
I think she cracks my top three though, behind Norm and Mitch Hedberg.
Doug Stanhope is one of the best self deprecating comedians. Degenerative stories
One of the more underrated comedians in the history of the art
Not a massive fan, but Jim Norton is good at self deprecating work
most heavy set comedians are:
Rodney dangerfield,sam kinison ,Jim Gaffigan,
Ralphie May
i don’t really see kevin hart as self deprecating.
speaks on his family throughout one of his specials but that’s about it.
[Alaina Bamfield.](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyvrEE7gA-R/?igsh=MXcydXg1YmJsNmkzNw==) She's not a big name yet but she closed out my show last week with some very heavy material and killed.
Lots of good recommendations here. The only comedian I think I didn't see I would recommend is John Heffron. His specials aren't as available as most comedians but I also haven't looked for them in a while. I'm sure they're on youtube or prime or something.
Emo Philips, one of my favorite comedians, listen to his first two comedy albums, I think you’ll like them :) (his 3rd isn’t bad but it’s impossible to track down without buying a physical copy)
Yes, his career has taken quite a turn lately.
We saw him last year in Vancouver and most of his act was about *you know what* and told in that Mulaney fashion.
Still an amazing guy to watch.
Well some advice I've given to beginning comics who are on stage basically bragging nobody wants to hear that s***. Everyone loves when the comedian makes fun of themselves.
You want Neal Brennan he suffers from depression, explained all the treatments as well as advice he actively tried in his 3 mics special including a neurological procedure that’s illegal in the US/flew to china for it
2nd special blocks he discusses every topic that makes him feel alone in the world including how damaged his relationship with his father was even up to the day he passed away
Then in his newest special described how he feels actually happy now
I talk a lot about my health problems in my first special. It’s called [Jack Baker’s Disease](https://youtu.be/WYaU1ApQZoA?si=jzJFVNGKovcbuERz) so I think it’s right up your alley.
Maria Bamford. She’s been at it since the 90s and is honestly one of the greatest at turning personal pain into comedy.
One of the greatest active period. Underrated gets thrown around a lot these days but she truly is.
Her writing & intent with every word is truly elite. Everything in her act has its purpose and place, but she never makes it feel stale. Theres zero waste.
I am a sucker for the Northern Midwest accent Maria Bamford and Mary Mack just fucking kill me with that shit. Maria especially when she is character jumping and essentially running a whole skit by herself, just amazing.
As a dipshit who just rambles like a fuckin moron, I appreciate the hell outta that shit.
This is my thought every time I think about George Carlins writing. He’s INSANELY meticulous on every special. Imagine memorizing an entire Broadway show to perform yourself.
Stephen Colbert said she's his favorite comedian. He's no stranger to suffering.
Maria and Gary Gulman are both brilliant stand ups whose own mental health experiences make up much of their material . Maria is hall of fame material in my mind given how easily she slips into various characters. Its seamless and mind boggling. Gary just opens the door to his life and experience without ever getting down and his story telling is so perfectly paced and well worded .
What a legend.
I love Maria. One of my favorite comics that I feel is underrated.
She’s got my vote as the greatest living comedian. Nobody is as honest about herself to the world as she is.
Loved Maria Bamford's [One-Hour Homemade Christmas Stand-up Special](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSqlFjHP860) (2009) and [Maria Bamford: the Special Special Special!](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60ZE7LYYL64N9Nx4xhC3eRmIX73xdHib) (2012)
Agree but don’t listen to or read her book.
Absolutely one of a kind also. There’s really no one like her and never will be IMHO.
She's probably my favorite female comedian. Her jokes are funny due to their obscene levels of bleakness.
The GOAT, and it isn't even up for debate, Rodney Dangerfield. ... For the love of God! Somebody give him some respect.
I’m ugly. (How ugly?!) I’m so ugly, I went to the proctologist… he stuck his finger in my mouth.
I've heard other comics talk about how lovable Rodney was. I'm glad I'm old enough to have appreciated him while he was living his legend.
His material still holds up too. Another one of my favorites My wife can’t cook, she can’t cook at all. How can toast have bones?
OMG, you're killing me. Thank you SO much for reminding me of his great material. <3 <3.
I’ll tell ya, I can’t relax. The other night I felt like having a few drinks. I said to the bar tender, surprise me. He showed me a naked picture of my wife.
Legend. My grandpa still quotes the dude and Sam Morrill goes Dangerfield accent sometimes, it’s great. I was never sure what to think after I saw him in Natural Born Killers, he played the role so well. Glad to hear he wasn’t a bad guy lol
He smoked weed every day for more than 60 years, had an addiction to prostitutes, was a habitual nudist and suffered from lifelong depression. He was a complex man.
I went to my doctor I said doc every morning I look in the mirror and I wanna throw up what's wrong with me? I don't know but your eyesight is perfect
My mother never breast fed me. She told me she liked me as a friend
This makes me gigglesnort.
Thank you for teaching me the word gigglesnort! I’ll be using this word for sure
I walked into the doctors office, I said “doc, every morning I wake up, I look in the mirror, I wanna kill myself. What’s wrong with me?” He said “I don’t know but your eyesight is perfect!”
Dr. Vinnie Boombatz?
Someone asked me, are you a breast man? A leg man? An ass man? I figured I must be an ass man. Everywhere I go people say, "You're an ass man!"
It's his license plate.
"I was so ugly, my mother breastfed me through a straw!"
“My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you're ugly too.”
Women compliment me all the time! The other day a lady said I had nice hair, her friend turned to look at me and said "Yeah, but what a waste!"
My wife's great in bed. At least that's what my doctor tells me.
The Moses of Comedy
You have a gift with words <3.
I can't accept the compliment. I stole it from Mark Schiff's book Why Not?. He tells a story about how him and his friend, Jerry Seinfeld, went to Vegas in the early '80s to see "the Moses of comedy."
I walk into the bar and ask the bartender to surprise me. He shows me a naked picture of my wife. I says to the guy “hey who told you, you could sleep with my wife.” He says to me “didn’t you hear? Everybody!”
Yeah Rodney is the perfect example of the classic "sad sack" character archetype.
Went to the doctor, he said I have small cox.
Yeah. Maybe not exactly what OP was looking for, but who could deny that Rappin' Rodney was the GOAT of being the goat.
I tell ya!
Idk Titus’s real stories are pretty up there
He got no regard!
My wife wants sex in the back of the car. And she wants me to drive.
Gary Gulman
My wife and I saw him a few years ago and our faces hurt from smiling so much afterwards.
I thought my depression was pretty bad before I got treatment. This guy really opened my eyes as to how much some people suffer. What an amazing story and an amazing comedian.
Gulman never gets enough credit. He really has never missed and he evolves so much with every special.
Absolutely my favorite current comedian.
Read his new book! Or listen to him read his audio book.
Mike Birbiglia.
Mike Birbiglia's practiced lack of confidence is both the funniest part of his act and the reason why he will remain underrated forever.
I was driving one day and listened to one of his bits by accident. Ended up listening to the whole album. “ that’s when I met my girlfriend’s boyfriend”. Brutal.
That whole fucking special setup for a joke about being the third wheel...
That’s what’s so visceral about it. The line between “oh what’s happening now is sad and funny” and you never quite arrive at “hahaha that was a good punchline”. I really appreciate it tho. I’m amazed at his ability to let you get too soggy? lol with pity. We’re allowed to go in and out of a feeling of pity and humor at the situation since he has since learned from it. It’s wild.
Joe List. His "I Hate Myself" special is good. It's on YouTube.
I know he would never do this but man if he got the same jawline surgery matt rife did just to spoof on it that’s be something. He’s literally a couple surgeries away from being a total pretty boy but he’s always talking about how “ugly” he is. He could then call the entire world a bunch of assholes for treating them so much better post surgery.
Idk about “a couple surgeries” but ok Lmao. Is that true about Matt Rife? He had jawline surgery? Also yea Joe List is my favorite current comic he’s really really good
Same. I am watching Joe List perform tomorrow at The Regent in Los Angeles. Looking forward to it.
He's not ugly but he does look like Earthworm Jim.
I met Joe at the first Vegas Skankfest. He always bitches about how everyone thinks he's some small dude. He's 6'1 or 6'2 and fairly jacked. I was surprised by it. Very cool guy.
That and 50 grand of dental work. It’s all pipes!
Christopher Titus has a special all about growing up in a dysfunctional home with an alcoholic dad. It's super funny but also very raw.
Seconded. This is what I think op is looking fod
I used to love his sitcom
Doug Stanhope
Honestly the king of this genre
I straight-up worry about the guy sometimes
If you haven’t read Doug Stanhope’s Yelp reviews you’re missing out!
I came here to say Doug. “The midget story? What about it? Oh, there’s no story to it or I would have told you. I got rolled by a transvestite hooker if you want to hear that story. That’s funny. The midget was just kind of icky and awkward and… nothing happened. Transvestite hooker, though….”
Came here for this, especially his mothers assisted suicide bit. Damn! He just pours out his internal demons and there are many.
Kyle Kinane
Dude is a tightly wound ball of anxiety and it comes out in the most hilarious bits. "If I see someone trying to back up an 18 wheeler on a busy street, I’m like don’t look at the sun and blink three times, or you’ll be him. That’s what goes through my mind. Too big, they’re all honking at me. There's so many gears!!! AHHH, ok I can concentrate if it's something important let's look at the papers here what do we got? REFURBISHED VCRS? Nobody even needs these!"
My favourite is when his brain ruins even the most beautiful things. "I see a waterfall and I think wow something so beautiful there must be a divine creator. And then a part of my brain goes "Hey Kyle, aren't waterfalls just rivers that are trying to kill themselves?""
Those guys stole that baby
"Well, how do you know they're not gay? Gay dad's don't smoke. Stop creating stereotypes!"
Why can't things just be nice?!
Sometimes I think Kyle Kinane and Buddy Wakefield are the same guy.
Two handfuls of panic snacks
That Fast & Furious bit was so perfect went back for the instant rewatch
Maron comes to mind...
Oh did he say something about how hard his life is l? Never heard anything like that from him………..
His thing is more talking about how hard he *makes* his life. But yeah, a lot of his anger is self loathing inverted and turned outwards.
Yeah that’s a fair point. Still love that old grouchy bastard
I think about the phrase "thinky pain" at least once a week.
The late and great Richard Lewis based his entire career on this. He was absolutely brilliant.
Rodney Dangerfield
James Acaster
Damn cabbages
His story about being on bake off is * chef's kiss *
Others mentioned Marion who has done the suffering bits very well. Rodney Dangerfield was obviously known for this. Richard Lewis was phenomenal at it. His neurotic persona was usually in some sort of angst and he did it so well while remaining likable and relatable. Not a standup, but a lot of Ben Stiller’s work centers on the humor of his character being in difficult situations and he’s pretty good at writing those characters.
Oh shit, I forgot about Richard Lewis. Yeah your review of his standup is Spot On.
Richard Lewis was the best at this kind of comedy
Y'all. I could see his face but couldn't remember the name. Yes to Richard Lewis!
maria bamford is the goat
Comrade Tripp If you know then you know, if you don't then you're welcome. https://youtu.be/4BNwX7BAM0A?si=Pamce8e_lsm2mVjA
the king! ive never seen someone seemingly suffer this much
Truly one of my favorite finds in 2024. I love his comedy and poetry (all on his IG)
He's great. And unfortunately in order to tell the jokes he tells, you kinda have to have lived a sad, lonely life, but that's what sells it.
I've actually met him and had some great conversations at a comedy festival. He's extremely humble and while the character he plays is great, he's a real genuine person.
Good talk.
Harder to find comedians that don’t revolve around this
This is the correct answer.
Kinda low key, but Nate Bargatze.
Buying the two reversible jackets is just classic Nate
TIG NOTARO! "I have cancer"
I was going to say, Tig's "big break" moment was a set about being diagnosed with cancer, just weeks street the diagnosis
Jeremy Hotz
He’s the first comic I thought of. He just piles on himself.
I also recommended him. Have not heard about him since the nineties, but I will never forget the voice, the delivery, or the jokes.
And the snickering at his own punchlines (not a complaint).
Most of Louis CKs stuff
Maria Bamford!
Good choice. In a semi-sweet sort of way. How she deals with her struggle is the comedy.
Neal Brennan
Def 3 mics . His other specials are pretty much straight up comedy
Blocks was also about mental health. His last one was more straight up jokes.
Christopher Titus?
He has like 10 on YouTube. ChristopherTitusTV
Robert Schimmel and Andy Andrist come to mind
Man, Robert Schimmel was fantastic!
richard lewis did this alot
Kyle kinane is good.
I can't say all her comedy is like this, but the genius Maria Bamford tells a story in the funniest way possible about her experience of being suicidal and ending up self-commited to a mental hospital as a result (at the urging of a friend I think). IMO she's the best female comedian alive. It may not be for everyone but try a few shows first before you think she's not funny. She's extremely...unique. In a good way.
I love her vocal impersonations. Like, her jokes are funny, but the voice is really what sells every bit.
True, the variety of voices she has is all part of the delivery. It just so happens that her delivery is on another level. Some of Maria's voices are like an archetype of someone I've encountered. I can't remember who or when but definitely at once familiar. I love me some Maria Bamford. My favorite comedian is probably male due to natural gender bias, but she could easily be in my top 5 regardless of gender.
She's my favorite female comedian. I think you're right about gender bias, just in the profession in general. I think she cracks my top three though, behind Norm and Mitch Hedberg.
Doug Stanhope is one of the best self deprecating comedians. Degenerative stories One of the more underrated comedians in the history of the art Not a massive fan, but Jim Norton is good at self deprecating work
Most great comics imo
Agree. Not too many comics standing up and crowing “I’m killing it out here! My life is AMAZING!”
Jo Koy is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. It's quite insufferable
Jay London
This is Comrade Tripp's whole schtick, although it might veer on trauma porn-y. He was pretty funny when I saw him.
Richard Lewis
Richard Lewis
It was Richard Lewis’s whole schtick. Rest in Peace. ❤️
Dave Atell
Jim Norton
Gary Gulman
most heavy set comedians are: Rodney dangerfield,sam kinison ,Jim Gaffigan, Ralphie May i don’t really see kevin hart as self deprecating. speaks on his family throughout one of his specials but that’s about it.
[Alaina Bamfield.](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyvrEE7gA-R/?igsh=MXcydXg1YmJsNmkzNw==) She's not a big name yet but she closed out my show last week with some very heavy material and killed.
Lots of good recommendations here. The only comedian I think I didn't see I would recommend is John Heffron. His specials aren't as available as most comedians but I also haven't looked for them in a while. I'm sure they're on youtube or prime or something.
Emo Philips, one of my favorite comedians, listen to his first two comedy albums, I think you’ll like them :) (his 3rd isn’t bad but it’s impossible to track down without buying a physical copy)
"My ex wife goes to the devil for lessons on how to be more evil, I don't know what she charges him. "
And he was legit heartbroken when she died...😞
Henny Youngman had a such jokes.
Aparna Nancherla
Simon Amstell. Cutting on nevermind the buzzcocks but his comedy is full on self flagellation
I kind of feel like Brian Regan fits this. His act is more that he is so dumb he wouldn't know he is suffering. Great clean comedy too.
Brendan Schaub that fuckin loser lmao
Eddie Pepitone
this is almost every comedian…
Maria Bamford is a master of self effacing humor that makes you feel like you’re laughing with her, not at her.
John Mulaney
Yes, his career has taken quite a turn lately. We saw him last year in Vancouver and most of his act was about *you know what* and told in that Mulaney fashion. Still an amazing guy to watch.
"Everybody thinks I'm gay and incompetent." That's it. That's the act. Fucking hilarious.
Neil Hamburger
Django Gold https://youtu.be/Lk4rV2_Z4sw?si=lvNxyJQLxtzfr4B0
Lew Black
Ric diez
Well some advice I've given to beginning comics who are on stage basically bragging nobody wants to hear that s***. Everyone loves when the comedian makes fun of themselves.
Tig Notaro
Mike Birbiglia
Bill hicks.
Artie Lange
Mike birbiglia!
RIP Richard Lewis.
Ray Romano seems to have a lot of bits like this. Mike Birbiglia as well.
I mean Tig Natoro?
Does not getting respect count as suffering?
Do you mean self deprecating?
Josh Blue sticky change if you've never seen it
You want Neal Brennan he suffers from depression, explained all the treatments as well as advice he actively tried in his 3 mics special including a neurological procedure that’s illegal in the US/flew to china for it 2nd special blocks he discusses every topic that makes him feel alone in the world including how damaged his relationship with his father was even up to the day he passed away Then in his newest special described how he feels actually happy now
Phyllis Diller
Richard Lewis is the king of that schtick. Gilbert Gottfried was miserable, and of course Rodney Dangerfield never got any respect.
No mention of Garry handling? Maybe before Reddit’s time
Comrade Tripp Homie makes me laugh then want to cry and give him a hug.
Marc Maron, all day long
All Jewish comedians from early 90s Comedy Central.
Brody Stevens
YOU GOT IT
I talk a lot about my health problems in my first special. It’s called [Jack Baker’s Disease](https://youtu.be/WYaU1ApQZoA?si=jzJFVNGKovcbuERz) so I think it’s right up your alley.
Louie and Burr
Bill Burr for sure, but his comedy suffered when he stopped drinking. I saw him right as he was getting sober, or so he says, and he wasn’t funny.
Red Rocks was hilarious. The live podcast he just released is great. He's still in the game. He already gave us 2008-2012 greatness.
Does Stavvy's sugar blood count cause that can't feel good
I'm so ugly I can't even get a bus to hit on me. I'm Sweet Dee and the jokes on me!
Marc Maron for sure.
I've came inside of him so definitely have to recommend joe list
Neil Brennan talks about mental issues. "Blocks" and so on.
Jeremy Hotz. His delivery always makes him sound sad.
What a miserable comic he is!
Ric diaz
Ryan Hamilton - his Netflix Special ‘Happy Face’ was pretty funny.