We look to them to laugh. Sometimes they delight; other times... not so much. Yet there are some comedians who will make you laugh almost regardless of what they have to say, mainly because of how they say it.

Everybody has their own top ten comedians, and I'm no exception. Here, then, is my list of favored funny men and women, in no particular order. Enjoy.

- Eddie Izzard: Perhaps not as popular on my side of the pond, this cross-dressing history fan rambles in a way that's just too funny for words. He's one of those gifted few who can talk about utter nonsense for an hour and come out with a successful show in the end.

- George Carlin: It was a very sad day when the world lost this man. Angry and forever complaining, George Carlin turned the absolutely mundane into the uproariously hilarious, tossing in some excellent points about life in general. Nothing was sacred to him, and that's just the way I like it.

- Dane Cook: Loud and crude, I think a lot of people overlook how witty Dane Cook can be at times. Sure, his funniest stuff usually comes with a hearty dose of swearing, but he can be surprisingly subtle in his punch lines, indicating a level of sophistication that won't get old any time soon.

- Ron James: He might not be well known outside Canada, but when it comes to home-grown comedians Ron James is one of the best. He can string out hilarious tongue-twisters for hours on end without pause. Consumed by an ever-present energy, Mr. James is definitely one of the greats.

- Whoopi Goldberg: This lady is one of those few personalities who betters virtually anything she's in, whether it's funny or dramatic. Whoopi Goldberg has a sense for close to deadpan deliveries of such wit that you can't help but like her, even if she's talking about something controversial. Like George Carlin she has a great appreciation for words, and that makes me an instant fan.

- John Pinette: Comedians need to make fun of themselves. The self-conscious have no place on the stage. And, clearly, Mr. Pinette isn't self-conscious: he makes constant and hilarious references to his weight, always resulting in some of the greatest punch lines to grace comedy clubs. His penchant for high-pitched screeching helps.

- Stephen Colbert: not exactly a stand-up comedian, I know, but Colbert is a comedian nonetheless. There's something genius in his voice and his delivery that leaves me laughing every time. He's got pomposity down to a T - which is especially great since he's probably not at all like that in real life.

- Robin Williams: These days he may be a big name star, but I think Robin Williams does best when he's doing his stand up act. He can ad lib in ways that no living person could ever hope to match.

- Jeff Foxworthy: Few comedians manage to take a single topic and run so successfully with it as Jeff Foxworthy. After so many years of mocking his fellow rednecks you'd think he'd stop being funny - yet this southern comedian continues to leave people rolling in the aisles with his back hills jokes and constant pokes at family life.

- Ellen DeGeneres: People may say that coming out was her best career move, but frankly I think she was damn funny before any of that. And still is. Quick-talking and smart as they come, Ellen can outmatch any comedian any day of the week when it comes to ad libbing.

Learn more about this author, Matt Bird.
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