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 individuals 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".
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[]
Publicity photo of Don Rickles, a well-regarded insult comedian, in 1973.
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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[2]
- Bob Saget
- Brad Garrett
- Gaius Valerius Catullus, ancient Roman poet [3][4]
- Chelsea Handler
- Colin Quinn
- Daniel Tosh
- Dave Attell
- D. L. Hughley
- Don Rickles[2]
- Dustin the Turkey
- 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
- 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
- Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog
- ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's characters Walter and Peanut
- Vice Ganda
- Vinnie Favorito
- 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, https://books.google.com/books?id=G2nZzPKpwjkC&pg=PA167
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 W. McCaffrey (2005), The road to comedy, ISBN 978-0-275-98257-7, https://books.google.com/books?id=gcKC3Ht5aEUC&pg=PA13
- ↑ Davis, Lauren. "A Latin Poem So Filthy It Wasn't Translated Until the 20th Century", Gizmodo, June 11, 2014
- ↑ Higgins, Charlotte. "Catullus still shocks 2,000 years on", The Guardian, November 24, 2009
- ↑ Alan Havig (1991-10-10), Fred Allen's Radio Comedy, ISBN 978-0-87722-810-3, https://books.google.com/books?id=6HxBhNQcJBUC&pg=PA141
- ↑ O'Connor, Anahad. "Greg Giraldo, Insult-Humor Comic, Dies at 44", The New York Times, September 30, 2010
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