Bill Hicks Isn't Very Funny...But I Know Who Is

[Laurel]

All right people...this is a challenge. Everyone tells me how funny Bill Hicks is, but when I finally listened to a couple of clips of him online, I laughed like twice.

On the other hand, one of MY favorite comedians - Robert Schimmel - makes me roar with laughter (kinda like pictures of dogs with hats) even when I just listen to short clips found on the web.

So, I'll give you some links to Robert Schimmel comedy and you give me links to some other funny comedian's audio on the web.

I'd prefer that people don't attach files, because that would be violating some sort of copyright code as they would be uploaded to our server. Instead, post some links to files found somewhere, anywhere, on the web.

These Schimmel clips are super-short, as they're samples being used to try to sell one or more of his CD's. (Side note: don't be posting your Amazon affiliate code or I'll give you a whuppin'. )

On Sea World:
http://www.tunes.com/media/assetaudio_old/9/54/95423/250_95423_2_2250_4500_19540_9_5_265.rm

On Daughter's Boyfriend:
http://www.tunes.com/media/assetaudio_old/9/54/95423/252_95423_4_2250_4500_31838_9_5_265.rm

On Cybersex:
http://www.tunes.com/media/assetaudio_old/9/54/95423/254_95423_6_2250_4500_27625_9_5_265.rm

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

Well, some guys you just have to see live. I used to work with Bill, in the rooms and on the road, and he's funny. There were a lot of guys who were killer in the clubs, but didn't come off so well on TV. One of the funniest guys I ever saw was Alan Havey. He's done Letterman and Seinfeld and a bunch of other shows, but you've probably never heard of him. He didn't do half as well on TV as he did in front of a live crowd.

For some guys it's the other way around. Jon Stewart is much funnier on TV than he was in the clubs (where he just came off like he didn't want to be there, even though his material was great)

I was always just okay on TV. I was much better in the clubs (and killer at the colleges). I felt more at home there.

I'll never forget a gig I did once for national daytime talk show (never mind which one). I came out to do my weird little act at 10am in front of a bright room full of blue-haired little old ladies in the studio audience. To make matters worse, the co-host that week was Richard Simmons who kept laughing and gasping and commenting during my act like a hiccuping possessed little girl.

I had paid $400 for a new suit and everything, and I sucked. (I looked at the tape a little while ago and decided I wasn't that bad, but at the time I was sure I'd killed my career.) Thank God nobody saw it.

So maybe Bill's just one of those better in the rooms guys.

 

[Laurel]

You may be right. If I'd had a chance to see him live, I might have liked him. Or if I heard a full routine...but I can generally get a good feel for whether I think someone's funny by listening to clips, and I didn't 'get' him. Of course, I think George Carlin is overrated, so what do I know.

 

[Guest]

Laurel,

(and Laurel only!) Go out and order a copy of Bill Hicks "Rant in E Minor" from Amazon or somewhere else. If you don't like it, then I'll buy the CD from you

(Am I really this confident? Not sure, find a pinch of salt).

Bill is someone you need to listen to IMO for a long time. He's more a preacher than a comedian, highlighting the lunacy of the world.

As to other guys, most of the people I like are still on the club scene in London and don't have clips around, although an mp3 search may turn up some good songs by either Bill Bailey (pretty big in UK) and Mitch Benn (slowly getting there).

 

[Dianno]

That was me

up there!

 

[alexander tzara]

I've seen a couple of Bill Hicks videos and when you watch one the whole way through he's twisted, funny and somehow profound. I don't think any of his "jokes" work well taken out of context of the full-length show.