Comics You Should Know

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• February 2, 2014

People often ask me who my favorite comics are.  There are so many.  Often times I’ll name comics who, unless you’re a huge comedy fan, are under the radar.  Of course I love Jim Gaffigan, Louis CK, Bill Burr, and Colin Quinn.  They are remarkable comics.  But there are so many comics out there that are so brilliantly funny, I thought I’d share a few with you.  This is certainly not all of them, but I heard people get bored with lists if there are more than ten.  So here it is… Ten Comics You Should Know (Part 1).

1. Jake Johannsen

I didn’t know who Jake was until I was doing comedy for a year.  Since then, I’ve seen him a couple times live, and he quickly became one of my all time favorites.  Jake has been on Letterman over 40 times.  I can’t believe I didn’t hear of him before I did comedy.  Jake’s style and material is very unique.  He’s one of the most original comics out there.

His website is www.jakethis.com, and his twitter is @jakethis.

2. Maria Bamford

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge Bamford fan.  I loved her long before I thought about doing stand-up, and then even more when I started comedy.  Even if you’re not familiar with her stand-up, you probably would recognize her from Target commercials, Arrested Development, and Louie.  She’s a master of characters and the weird.  Bamford’s stand-up is not only character heavy, but she talks about depression and anxiety, in a way that is not only hilarious but insightful.  If you don’t like Bamford, we can never be friends. There, I said it.

Her website is  www.mariabamford.com, and her twitter is @mariabamfoo.

3. Ted Alexandro

As a New Yorker, I almost feel guilty that the first two comics I posted are west coast people.  If you’re in New York City, and want to see one of the greatest comics around, go see Ted Alexandro.  He performs all around the city all the time.  I once met a girl for the first time and we talked about comedy.  I asked her who her favorite comedians were, and I was expecting the usual big names, but instead she said Ted Alexandro.  I knew immediately that this girl could be my best friend based on that answer alone.  When I think of a prolific comic that is not only smart and original, but actually has something to say within the punchlines of his beautifully crafted jokes: it’s Ted. Go see him.  You will thank me.  But don’t thank me.  Thank Ted.

His website www.tedalexandro.com, and his twitter is @tedalexandro.

(My Long Island peeps, Ted will be at McGuire’s Valentines Day weekend, go here for tickets: http://tickets.mcguirescomedy.com/show.cfm?id=284459)

4. Ryan Hamilton

When I first started doing comedy, I went to a ton of comedy shows, because I hadn’t really been to live comedy shows before then.  I remember seeing Ryan Hamilton open for someone, and I loved his comedy.  He’s clean and clever, and a great writer; the type of comedy I really enjoyed.  Then, I hadn’t seen Ryan for a while, until I saw him on The Muppet Gala in Montreal.  And holy shit, he blew the roof off the place.  I laughed my ass off.  You may not have heard of him, but I think in the not too distance future, you will know his name.

His website www.ryanhamiltonlive.com, and his twitter @ryanhamiltone

5. Joe DeVito

Hmm… What do I say about Joe?  Joe is my good friend and one of the funniest comics I know.  He works harder than almost any comic I know, and it shows.  When you’re living comedy, a lot times, you can see where a comic is going with a bit.  Especially when they’re your friend.  That’s not the case with Joe.  Despite the fact I watch his act all the time, and know him as a person, his material continues to catch me off guard and makes me laugh.  If you see Joe in February, you can see him again in March and he’ll have new material that is great.

His website www.joedevito.com, and his twitter @JoeDeVitoComedy

6. Jessica Kirson

It is impossible for me to watch Jessica and not laugh.  She is so animated, Jess is like a force of comedy when she’s on stage.  I really don’t have much to say about Jessica on here, except that you have to go see her.  Really.  Go.  Jessica’s comedy is just one of those things you have to see.

Her website is www.jessicakirson.com, and her twitter is @JessicaKirson/

7. Dan Naturman

Dan’s jokes and cadence made him one of my favorites when he did a guest spot on a bringer show I did when I first started out.  Dan is one of those comics who, not only do I laugh hysterically while watching his set, but the following days I find myself laughing at random times just thinking about his jokes and telling them to friends and co-workers.

His website is www.dannaturman.com, and his twitter is @DanNaturman.

8. Dennis Regan

You probably know his brother, Brian Regan, but Dennis Regan is hilarious also. For me, one of the best compliments to get is “I wish I wrote that bit.” Dennis wrote one of my all time favorite bits about the media’s coverage of an airplane crash.  He’s a great writer.  Almost all of his jokes, I think; Damn, I wish I wrote that.

His website is www.dennisregan.com, and his twitter is @dennis_regan.

9. Mike Yard

When I think of comics that should have hour long specials on TV, Mike Yard is one of the first comics that comes to mind.  Mike is overall such a solid comic.  Mike is also one of the funniest comics I know off stage.  Both off stage and on, you can really see how much Mike loves the art of stand-up comedy, and he’s perfected it.

His website is www.mikeyard.com, and his twitter is @mikeyardcomedy.

10. Pete Correale

Sometimes I watch a comic, and their material and performance is good, it makes me want to drop out of comedy and inspires me to do it more at the same time.  Pete is definitely one of those comics for me.  He’s so talented.

His website is www.petecorreale.com, and his twitter is @mycorreale.

I want to keep going.  But I will stop here (for now).  You should make it one of your goals to see some of the people on this list, and then spread the word!  If you’re a comic reading this, and my friend, don’t be upset I didn’t put you on here. That would be douchy because then you know as well as I how great the comics on this list are.

I have had the pleasure of at least meeting everyone on this list.  Most of them I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and some are my friends.  So not only are they all great headliners, but they’re good people.  Support them, and laugh your ass off.