BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) DAVE ATTELL
I saw Dave Attell on TV recently and he looked homeless. His hair looks like something a cross between Doc Brown from “Back to the Future” and Cookie the Clown from “Bozo”. I’m not judging him. I’m applauding him. This dude lives life like a 1970’s rock star with a death wish. He’s still kicking and he’s still being hilarious whenever I see him. He had the Comedy Central show for awhile, but he’s funnier when he’s not being the happy-go-lucky booze guy. He’s got a darker edge to him and I think he needs an hour special again soon to open some more eyes. If there is any justice, he’ll get his props.
(THREE) LISA LAMPANELLI
She’s not my favorite comedian. I do enjoy her in small “Roast-sized” doses. I can enjoy her for twenty minutes tops. I don’t think she’s a hateful person so her “raunchy” and “oh so over the top” shtick doesn’t bother me. Some of it’s pretty funny at times. I still must give her fair respect. She has made a name for herself and has carved out a big following. Her specials are on Comedy Central all the time, she’s always on tour, and she’s definitely paying her dues. I always wondered why she never had a movie role or television role. I’d imagine she’d be pretty awesome with the right character.
(TWO) JIMMY PARDO
Jimmy Pardo is someone that I’ve taken notice of way more in the past few months than before. I think I always knew he was around, but I caught an interview with him online and he was awesome. He writes, shows up for a lot of interviews, and still does stand up. He’s a busy guy, but he seems to be having a great time. He’s not overly vulgar or gritty and political. He’s kind of a genuine funny guy in the old school way. He’s got the style and delivery that would be funny any time during the last 50 or 60 years. I don’t mean that as “he’s old and shticky”, but that his work is on the timeless side.
(ONE) LOUIS C.K.
I have trouble believing that Louis C.K. was ever a child. I imagine him just magically showing up a disgruntled 40-something with great stories. Louis C.K. is vulgar, crud, and dark and hell but at the same time he’s a likeable guy so it’s easier to take. You feel his pain. When he’s on stage it’s like he takes off his shoes, throws them at you, and makes you walk a mile in them. He’s popping up in movies all the time, has his great series on FX, and has been pretty consistently rocking his stand up specials. He’s on fire right now. He wrote and did all the normal stuff and after all that he’s finally getting the attention he deserves.
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