by Reg Brittain

Created on: January 18, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

I have been told many times that I am almost never funny. Nonetheless, I hope you put faith in my ability to judge those who make us laugh for a living.

If I were to order this list, the order would change tomorrow - and I would likely add someone to it, and cut another. That said, here are my ten in no particular order:

*Richard Pryor
The king of all equal opportunity offenders, there is not one single Richard Pryor joke I feel "safe" repeating in this article. R.I.P., Richard.

*Tim Slagle
Ten years ago, he was funnier, but here is a guy who should have been big, or at least bigger. Tim is a rare openly Libertarian comedian.

*Bill Hicks
A favorite among his peers, socially critical, politically incorrect Bill Hicks was taken by cancer in the mid-1990s.

*Stephanie Miller
Sure, I agree with most of her politics, but I think this radio host would have anybody - no matter where they fall on the political spectrum - in stitches. Sing with me! "You're a lying sack of crap. You're a lying sack of crap!" (I digress. Sorry!) You can catch this daughter of a one-time candidate for Vice President on progressive talk stations around the country, and on Sirius.

*Steve Martin
A prolific writer, a one-time stand-up genius, and a multifaceted entertainer, Steve Martin is in a class by himself. Anyone want to come over and "get small"?

*Lewis Black
Black makes me laugh for sure, but he belongs on this list if only for making the f-word sound new and unusual again. His commentary is crucial to maintaining sanity in our age.

*Lisa Lampanelli
Oh my! Lisa has a potty mouth - but it is connected to an agile, funny, literate mind. Her website refers to Lisa as "a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker, and a vial of estrogen." She makes me hurt!

*Chris Rock
Honest, intelligent, and hilarious, Rock is the modern day Richard Pryor. I love his bit where he says there is not one white person who would trade places with him - he concludes with, "And I'm rich!"

*Kathleen Madigan
There is no more cutting, sarcastic comedian working a mic today. I hope to catch Kathleen in person one day.

I had better publish this article before I change my mind. I have already thought of five more comics I want to put on this list.

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