Everyone loves to laugh, I’ve always enjoyed comedy, not just for it’s capacity to make people happy, but also for it’s ability to poke and prod at the social fabric, and tackle topics which otherwise might be taboo. In particular I like stand-up comedy, there’s something just so engaging about someone up on stage, and delivering their carefully crafted material that I just find so admirable. So with that in mind, I decided to do a Top 10 list of my favourite comedians working in the UK today, I’ve broken them down into Male and Female, you are currently reading the male version and you can click here to check out the female version. Also because of the substantial response these Top 10s I’ve recently completed counterparts for Male and Female comedians from America, which you can check out here and here respectively. If these posts get enough attention I will also do similar lists for Australia and Europe, so please engage with these posts on the site or on social media if that sounds like something you’d like to see. Okay, so that’s us all warmed up, time for the list, check that out below.
1. Frankie Boyle
Frankie Boyle is noted for his dark humour, insults and satire, and I just felt he obviously had to take the top slot. He was easily my favourite panelist on Mock the Week, and I was of the opinion that the show was significantly less enjoyable once he left. I suggest if you haven’t already that you check out his sketch show, Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights. I also strongly suggest you check out these videos here and here so you can see why I love his comedy so much, they are both full stand-up routines though so make sure and clear a couple of hours.
2. Jimmy Carr
Jimmy Carr much like Frankie Boyle, is also known for dark comedy, insult/put-down humour and satire, although I feel that they go about it differently, or at least their delivery is distinct. Speaking of distinctive, Jimmy also has a very recognisable laugh, that has become part of his comedy. You might be familiar with him from 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year. You can check out some of his stand-up routines on YouTube as well, by clicking here and here.
3. Greg Davies
Greg Davies is a former drama teacher and now comedian and actor, noted for his self-deprecating approach and humorous personal anecdotes on himself and his family. You may be familiar with him from Cuckoo, Man Down or The Inbetweeners which he has previously starred in. You can check out one of his stand-up routines by clicking here and here.
4. Dara Ó Briain
Dara Ó Briain is noted for his back and forth style with the audience, his quickfire delivery and his broaching of topics ranging from religion to science to human nature. He has been the host of several panel shows including The Panel, The Apprentice: You’re Fired! and most obviously Mock the Week. You can check out some stand-up routines by clicking here and here.
5. Russell Howard
Russell Howard is noted for his observational comedy, and surreal humour style, you may be familiar with him from his appearances in Mock the Week or from hosting his TV shows Russell Howard’s Good News and The Russell Howard Hour. You can check out his stand-up here and here.
6. Jon Richardson
Jon Richardson is noted for his grumpy persona and his personal comedy style, relating to his love life, anxiety and living with OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder). You may have seen him on 8 Out of 10 Cats and its spin-off 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Check out his stand-up by clicking here and here.
7. David Mitchell
David Mitchell is noted for his acerbic wit, social commentary and for his dark comedy. You may have seen him on Bruiser, The Mitchell and Webb Situation and also That Mitchell and Webb Look, where he and his long term comedy partner Robert Webb write and perform a variety of sketch comedy. You might also be familiar with him from the movie Magicians as well as TV Shows Peep Show and Back. I also strongly suggest you check out his series on YouTube, David Mitchell’s Soapbox. You can check out some of his comedy by clicking here and here.
8. Daniel Sloss
Daniel Sloss is noted for becoming an established comedian while still in his teens, he has attributed, getting his start to Frankie Boyle, although since that point he has firmly built up his career on his own merits. He has made multiple television appearances on shows such as Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, The Rob Brydon Show, Jason Manford’s Comedy Rocks, 8 out of 10 Cats, Russell Howard’s Good News Extra, The Pete Holmes Show and The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson to name a few. You can check out some of his stand-up here and here.
9. Romesh Ranganathan
Romesh Ranganathan is a comedian and former mathematics teacher who is noted for his deadpan comedy, and you may be familiar with him from his appearances on Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie to You?, Big Fat Quiz of the Year, QI and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. Check out some of his stand-up by clicking here and here.
10. Nick Helm
Nick Helm is noted for confrontational delivery style, musical influences and how he gradually becomes more enraged as the performance progresses. You may be familiar with him from his appearances on Russell Howard’s Good News, Show & Tell, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Boyle Variety Performance and Live at the Apollo. Check out some of his stand-up by clicking here and here.
Honourable mentions go to Joe Lycett, Bill Bailey and Billy Connolly who I also really enjoyed but didn’t quite make the top 10 list.
First Published on: https://offtherecordblog.org/
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