Insult comedy
Insult comedy is a comedy genre in which the act consists mainly of offensive insults directed at the performer's audience or other performers.[1]
Typical targets for insult include people in the show's audience, the town hosting the performance, or the subject of a roast. An insult comedian often maintains a competitive and interactive relationship with his or her audience. The style has been described as "festive abuse".[citation needed]
The style can be distinguished from an act based on satire, or political humor. Insult comedy is often used to deflect or silence hecklers even when the rest of the show is not focused around it.
Notable performers[]
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- Al Murray
- Andrew Dice Clay
- Andy Kaufman, particularly when portraying his character Tony Clifton
- Anthony Jeselnik
- Austen Tayshus, moved into the genre with his later material
- Bernie Mac
- Bianca Del Rio
- Bill Burr
- Bill Hicks
- Bill Maher
- Billy Crystal's character Buddy Young, Jr.
- Bob Hope[4]
- Bob Saget
- Brad Garrett
- Chelsea Handler
- Chris Rock
- Colin Quinn
- Daniel Tosh
- Dave Attell
- Dave Chappelle
- D. L. Hughley
- Denis Leary
- Don Rickles[4]
- Dustin the Turkey
- Doug Stanhope
- Eddie Murphy
- Ed the Sock
- Frankie Boyle
- Fred Allen, especially whenever he referenced his longtime friend, Jack Benny, as per their "feud."[5]
- Gilbert Gottfried
- Goundamani, especially referenced his partner Senthil
- Graham Norton
- Greg Davies
- Greg Giraldo[6]
- Groucho Marx
- Hans Teeuwen
- Harry Hill
- Hasan Minhaj
- Howard Stern
- Jack E. Leonard
- Jackie Gleason
- Jackie Mason
- James Rolfe
- Jeffrey Ross
- Jerry Sadowitz
- Jim Jefferies
- Jimmy Carr
- Jim Norton
- Joan Rivers
- John Szeles AKA The Amazing Johnathan
- Jonathan Ross
- Judy Tenuta
- Kapil Sharma
- Kathy Griffin
- Lenny Bruce
- Lisa Lampanelli
- Louis C.K.
- Marcus Valerius Martialis, ancient Roman poet
- Neil Hamburger
- Santhanam
- Otto and George
- Patrice O'Neal
- Paul Kaye, better known as "Dennis Pennis"
- Phyllis Diller
- Redd Foxx
- Richard Pryor
- Ricky Gervais
- Robin Harris
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Rodney Rude
- Roy 'Chubby' Brown
- Russell Peters
- Sam Kinison
- Sarah Silverman
- Trevor Noah
- Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
- ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's characters Walter and Peanut
- Vice Ganda
- Vinnie Favorito
- Whitney Cummings
- Yucko the Clown
See also[]
- Roast (comedy)
- The dozens
References[]
- ^ James Mendrinos, Jim Mendrinos (2004), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Comedy Writing, Penguin, ISBN 978-1-59257-231-1
- ^ Levin, Gary (April 6, 2017). "Master of the insult: Comedian Don Rickles dies at 90". USA Today.
- ^ Rickles, Don (October 13, 1967). "From the Archives: A 1967 interview with Don Rickles, the ever-busy insult comic who never writes anything down". Los Angeles Times (Interview). Interviewed by Don Page.
- ^ Jump up to: a b W. McCaffrey (2005). The road to comedy. ISBN 978-0-275-98257-7.
- ^ Alan Havig (1991-10-10), Fred Allen's Radio Comedy, ISBN 978-0-87722-810-3
- ^ O'Connor, Anahad. "Greg Giraldo, Insult-Humor Comic, Dies at 44", The New York Times, September 30, 2010
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Categories:
- Comedy genres
- Abuse
- Roast (comedy)
- Stand-up comedy