My go-to author bio is a two-sentence summary: “Zachry Wheeler is an award-winning science fiction novelist, screenwriter, and coffee slayer. He enjoys English football, stand-up comedy, and is known to lurk around museums and brewpubs.”
Funny enough, the most common follow-up question I get has nothing to do with my writing. Nine times out of ten, someone asks, “So who are your favorite comedians?”
I love this question because we are currently experiencing a new golden age of stand-up, thanks in large part to the utter chaos plaguing the real world. Comedians are struggling to poke fun at the present reality, which is often more outlandish than any joke. The end result is a gulf of quality where mediocre comics are failing to make an impact while the truly talented are rising to new heights.
There is also the recent prevalence of Netflix, which has brought a tidal wave of comedians to the masses. An argument can be made that this has tainted the stand-up experience. Getting a good laugh is often an ambient effect. There is a big difference between sitting in a dank bar watching a small stage and sitting on your couch watching a polished production. I get that. But even so, the best of the best can get you to laugh at a funeral.
With that in mind, I would like to highlight my top five favorite comedians working today. Note that I said “working today,” an important distinction. My all-time favorite comedian will always be George Carlin. He had more of an impact on my worldview than most professors did. It’s an easy choice, but also boring in this context because nobody is going to challenge the greatness that was Carlin. Same goes for Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks, and many others. This list is limited to the comedians that you can still see live on stage.
And with that, let’s get to it …
Patton Oswalt
In my opinion, Patton is the most polished and whip-smart comedian in the business. His routines are sharp, his stories are engrossing, and his wordsmithing is second to none. The first time I heard “Take you down to Uncle Touchy’s naked puzzle basement,” I nearly pissed myself with laughter. He packs a brutal combo that most comedians would kill for: affability and ruthlessness. He will make you smile and applaud while systematically dismantling your most cherished beliefs.
Recommended special: Talking for Clapping
Bill Burr
Bill is a rare breed of comic, in that he has built a reputation for battling PC culture. He is also one of the very few who can withstand the inevitable blowback, mostly because he could not care less about your opinion. His points are weighted, his delivery is savage, and he practically dares his audience not to laugh. His material has become a rallying cry for stand-up fans who are sick of the Twitter outrage monster. Comedians are supposed to poke the bear and Burr has one of the sharpest sticks in the business.
Recommended special: I’m Sorry You Feel That Way
Gabriel Iglesias
Some comedians are an acquired taste, given their edgy vibes or blunt material. On the flip side, “safe” comedians can be boring performers due to their unwillingness to rock the boat. And then there’s Gabriel Iglesias (a.k.a. Fluffy), a mold-breaking comic who figured out how to capture mass appeal while being tenderly hysterical. He’s a high-energy performer with a vast arsenal of nutty characters and relatable stories. It’s impossible not to love the guy and his bits are more quotable than a Coen Brothers movie.
Recommended special: I’m Sorry For What I Said While I Was Hungry
Doug Stanhope
The most underrated comic on the planet. Doug Stanhope is a comedian’s comedian, a lawless talent that pushes boundaries until they shatter into a million pieces. His material is extremely honest, extremely curt, and extremely dangerous to the coddled mind. Stanhope is the current Bill Hicks, the unrepentant prodigy that blazes the trail for everyone else. His No Refunds show is a master class of biting humor, a must-watch for fans of courageous comedy. In a just world, this man would be selling out arenas.
Recommended special: No Refunds
Randy Feltface
“Uuuh … one of your favorite comedians is a puppet?” Yes, yes he is. Randy Feltface is the brainchild of Australian comedian Heath McIvor and is easily one of the most hysterical acts that you can see today. I remember stumbling across his infamous “Randy buys a bookshelf” bit on YouTube, which remains one of the most spectacular examples of effective storytelling that I have ever seen. This on top of a genius-level physical comedy that is truly astounding to watch. Kermit, eat your heart out.
Recommended special: Randy Writes a Novel
Honorable mentions: Tom Segura, Tig Notaro, John Mulaney, Iliza Shlesinger, David Cross, Dave Attell, Ali Wong, Ron White, Lewis Black, Christopher Titus, Mike Birbiglia, Ricky Gervais, Sebastian Maniscalco, Anthony Jeselnik, and many more I’m likely forgetting.
