Upcoming Comedy CD Releases

I love listening to a great comedy CD just as much as music. Whether I'm driving, workingor chilling at home after a long day, sometimes I actually perfer a laugh over music. Here's some upcoming comedy releases:

5/19/2009

Obama Mia by The Capitol Steps

Isolated Incident (plus DVD) by Dane Cook

6/16/09

Pimp Chronicles Part 1 by Katt Williams

American Hustle by Katt Williams

FiOS Comedy Channel

So, as of Saturday, we are officially rocking with Verizon's supposedly epic FiOS service in my household. I can't really tell the difference, but now Verizon controls the Internet, cable and phone. They basically own the communication in my house. Whatever.

One thing that I did notice was that the very last channel, 1951, was dedicated to 24-hour uncensored comedy radio. It's great, the station bills itself as "great comedy, without the two drink minimum." All the classics are on there (George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby) as well as plently of others. It'll be great to have on in the background while I'm cleaning up. Actually, I'm just kidding; I don't clean.

Music in Stand-up

What's up with this trend of comedians also trying to showoff the fact that they're musicians as well? I'm not completely sold on the idea. That doesn't mean I'm 100 percent against it, I'm just not sure if it works for everyone.

Jon Lajoie, Demetri Martin and Stephen Lynch all like to incorporate song/instrumentation into their stand-up routines. What do you think? It is funny or annoying, or does it depend on the comic and why?

Demetri Martin



Stephen Lynch



I do love Mitch Hedberg background bass line though.

Favorite Comedian?

I want to know, who is your favorite comedian and why? What makes that person stand out against the rest? What about their style is so unique? How do they appeal to your sense of humor? Do you identify with that person or their experiences?

Basically, what are you, my audience, into?

My four favorite comedians of all time are featured above: Richard Pryor, Mitch Hedberg, Dave Chapelle and Katt Williams. I love the fact that they can all make fun of themselves, yet they have a universal appeal to make you sit back and say, "Shit, that definitely happened to me too!"

I also respect these comedians because they have a talent that many of us are lacking. Yes, they are hilarious, but they have the ability to use humor to shift focus on actual social issues. Whether it's drug use and laws, race, or the dynamics in various relationships, they bring the laughs while still getting the point across.

So, who does it for you, and why?