Get us in your inbox

Search

The essential New York stand-up comedian

Ricky Gervais, Harlan Harper and D.L. Hughley tell us which comedian gets the last laugh.

Advertising

Jane Borden, Comedy editor:
"New York offers no rug under which to sweep the unpleasantries of life, which is good, because base human tendencies are fodder for the deepest kind of laughter. And when they are aired with candor instead of shame, we all get to feel better. Now, replace New York with Louis C.K. and reread."

Ricky Gervais, comedian:
"Louis C.K. is not just New York's finest comedian, but probably America's. We have become friends and send more insulting e-mails to each other than you can ever imagine. He is original, brave and honest. But he is fat, bald and ginger."

Harlan Harper, cofounder of Comix:
"Jim Norton, Greg Giraldo, Jim Gaffigan and Dave Attell have come up through the ranks of comedy. They epitomize what New York comedy is, as say, compared to L.A. It's thinking person's comedy. Louis C.K. is probably the best working comic today who isn't in the stratosphere of Chris Rock or Jerry Seinfeld. He's gonna be there, [Jane Borden] is right on. The industry always knew that he was an exceptionally talented and smart comic. His comedy was just ahead of itself."

D.L. Hughley, comedian and 98.7 KISS-FM host:
"Essential pick—I would say Paul Mooney. He's always fresh and relevant, even into his sixties. He not only embodies New York, he's a huge part of a counterculture that's cool for me to watch. He's also one of the few comedians that can sell out a show in the city at 1:30 in the morning."

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising