Stand up!

Top ten stand up comedians (in no particular order)

1. Bill Bailey

This self described part troll hobbit look alike has a rambling style that appeals to the surrealist in all of us. His earlyer shows are pure genius and a highly recommend them to anyone, however it does feel like he is phoning it in on some of his later Dvds. But if you catch him on “Have I got news for you” or “QI” you know its going to be a good show.

2. Dara Ó Briain

I have always liked Dara's work on shows like Mock the week and QI, but its stand up where he really shines, an unparalleled control of a crowd and an astonishing quick wit make Dara O'Brien one of my favourite stand ups working today. His humour is filled with intelligent observations and geek references. If you get the chance go see him live, if not watch his DVDs and if you can't even manage that go watch him on Mock the week its almost always showing on Dave.

3. Dylan Moran

An Irish comedian best known for “Black books” or his film rolls like “Shaun of dead” or “Run fatboy run” But I will always first think of his stand up. I was lucky enough to get to see his last tour and it did not disappoint, he somehow takes the normal setup-punch delivery system and makes it seem like he is telling you a story. Well worth checking out if you get the chance.

4. Eddie Izzard

Growing up Eddie Izzard was by far my favourite comedian and me and my younger brother can probably still quote most of his jokes word for word. I also got the chance to see him live on stage in his latest tour. However I don't enjoy his shows as much now as I did when I was younger, either I just got older or I am just so familiar with his shows they don't make me laugh any more. Still go give him a go, you will either wet yourself laughing or its not for you. Either way its worth a go.

5. Jimmy Carr

Another comedian I have been lucky enough to go and see. One of the hardest working British comedians. He is almost always on tour as well as appearing on many British TV panel shows. His act is sure to offend you in one way or another, but your sure to laugh out loud a few times also. Go see him, i'm sure he will be on tour near you in the near future.

6. Michael Mcintyre

A new one to any list like this I would be making, But he is hard to avoid at the moment, he seems to be everywhere. Tuesday Shanice first got me into him and I have to say the first time I saw his act I was in stitches but his stuff has been shown so much lately its just not funny any more but I look forward to his next show.

7. Ross Noble

This is one you can thank Sunday Matt for getting me into. If you want to see a comedian with more energy and total madness than any other go see Ross Noble. He is so good at reacting to the audience that you can go to two shows on the same tour and still be guaranteed a totally different show. When I went to see him live my face has never hurt so much from laughing so long. Don't miss out on Ross Noble, his DVDs will never be as good as he is live, but they are still more than worth looking at.

8. Russell Peters

A extremely funny stand up, his show focuses most on racial sterotypes, but he manages to do it in a strangely affirming way despite poking fun at almost every race in the world manages to pull in a very mixed race crowd. Very much worth checking out, his DVDs quite offten end up in my DVD player.

9. Stewart Francis

Another one Tuesday Shanice is to blame for. This Canadian comedians style is quick and clever. He some how manages to seem self pitying and self affirming at the same time. A master of puns and one liners his shows are worth checking out and you should go buy his DVDs

10. Lee Mack

Wrapping up this list is Lee Mack, another comedian that is no stranger to anyone familiar with British panel shows. His stand up is hilarious and well worth watching, If you prefure you can watch “Not going out” a sit-com that is essentially his stand up turned into a TV show.

This list is far from compete I could keep going all night, but I am always looking for new stand up to listen to, so if you have any suggestions for new stand ups to watch, please let me know in the comments.