Kathleen Madigan

Madigan, who now has both a Comedy Central and an HBO special under her belt, is proof that a straightforward, hardworking stand-up doesn't have to be a throwback. She creatively blends matter-of-fact observations with confessional tidbits while scrutinitzing everything she happens upon with a well-honed sarcasm. One of her biggest fans is Lewis Black, who made her a regular on Root of All Evil.