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This list features ten comedians who have made anger the cornerstone of their comedic style. They often chose to speak out boldly, even if it meant sacrificing a more conventional career in comedy. Each of these comedians had the potential for greater mainstream success, but their commitment to speaking their truth took them down a different path.
1. Chris Morris [Wikipedia]
Chris Morris stands as one of the most controversial figures in British comedy today. His career began as a radio DJ, where he earned infamy for an incident at Radio GLC involving the release of helium into a news studio. He then delved into the satirical world of radio with 'On the Hour' and the darkly comical 'Blue Jam.' During this time, he earned a spot on BBC Radio 1, Britain’s largest station, but was dismissed after a Boxing Day special packed with explicit language.
Morris eventually transitioned to television, where his work reached even greater success. After the acclaimed 'The Day Today,' which featured a young Steve Coogan, he created 'Jam,' a show that explored taboo subjects such as rape and incest in its dark comedy.
While 'Jam' stirred up its share of controversy, it was Chris Morris' next TV project, 'Brass Eye,' that truly set him apart. Each episode of the show combined the dark humor of 'Jam' with the satirical, spoof-filled newsroom environment of 'The Day Today.'
The 'Brass Eye Pedophile Special' in 2001 created a massive uproar. Chris Morris tricked celebrities into 'warning' parents about a fictional computerized dog that a pedophile might use to observe children, as well as the bizarre special gloves a pedophile could wear to feel a child pressing up against a screen. The British press quickly branded him as 'sick,' with politicians lining up to agree. However, 'Brass Eye' was intended as a critique of media sensationalism, and as the backlash intensified, the show gained even more notoriety and success.
His next project would target the topic of terrorism, offering a satirical take...
2. Peter Cook [Wikipedia]
In 2005, Peter Cook was honored by his peers, being named the comedian's comedian, thanks to his unwavering commitment to the craft. Unlike his comedy partner, Dudley Moore, Cook was never drawn to the glamor of Hollywood. Instead, he focused on elevating his comedy to new heights, with Derek and Clive standing out as his most iconic work, showcasing his ability to improvise.
Critics argue that Derek and Clive was little more than a vehicle for two middle-aged men to misbehave, with Dudley Moore, ever mindful of his career, concerned about Peter Cook's increasingly furious performances. Yet, beyond the anger, there's an undeniable humor, with Cook’s rage so genuine that it blurs the line between performance and reality.
You can find iconic clips like 'Mother,' the horse racing commentary, and Derek and Clive all online, preserving these infamous moments for posterity.
3. Lenny Bruce [Wikipedia]
Lenny Bruce's impact reaches far beyond the world of comedy. His groundbreaking work opened doors for nearly every progressive comedian that followed. It wasn’t until after his death from a heroin overdose that the likes of Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Peter Cook began to embrace the world of alternative comedy.
Lenny Bruce was a martyr for free speech, relentlessly mocking the establishment that claimed the U.S. was a land of freedom, all while exposing their hypocrisy when they arrested him for using the term 'cock sucker' in his adult performance. There was no denying Lenny Bruce's courage. A Jewish comedian who opens his set in a New York club with, 'Are there any niggers here tonight?' only to later win the audience over by discussing how such words can be stripped of their power, deserves to be remembered.
4. W.C. Fields [Wikipedia]
During and right after Prohibition in the United States, W.C. Fields developed a comedic persona as a self-loathing, woman-hating, child-hating drunkard. In reality, Fields was a severe alcoholic. Only a comedian with exceptional talent could pull this off, and there’s no denying that Fields was a unique talent.
Known for his individuality and brutal honesty, Fields' comedy had a depth unmatched by any of his contemporaries. In his performance in 'Man on the Flying Trapeze,' for example, he conveys a deeply emotional and realistic portrayal of his relationship with his daughter. Among the generation that birthed Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd, it’s W.C. Fields whose work still resonates today.
You can find all of his greatest films on Google Videos. The short film 'Fatal Glass of Beer' is particularly worth watching.
5. Bill Hicks [Wikipedia]
This might stir some debate, but Bill Hicks was somewhat overrated. He positioned himself as a pseudo-prophet for the younger generation, but by the time he came onto the scene, much of what he preached had already been established by Lenny Bruce and the culture of the sixties. While his work could be thought-provoking, there’s no denying the raw intensity of his anger.
6. Michael Richards [Wikipedia]
WARNING: The clip above shows the infamous racist outburst that has since defined Michael Richards' reputation.
Michael Richards gained fame as Kramer on the popular TV show Seinfeld, but he is more likely to be remembered for his racist outburst directed at a couple of African American hecklers during a live stand-up performance. It’s unfortunate because, in many ways, he was a talented comedian.
Richards finds a place on this list because that outburst represents one of the most unfiltered and angry moments in comedy. Responding to black and Mexican hecklers, he stunned the audience by launching into a tirade that was essentially nothing more than racial abuse. Despite its shocking nature, it remains a striking example of a person losing control in an extraordinary fashion.
Michael Richards retired in July 2007 and later went on a pilgrimage to Cambodia.
7. Russell Brand [Wikipedia]
Russell Brand is the only younger artist to make it onto this list. Over the years, he’s faced numerous personal challenges, which he weaves into his performances. However, there’s an undeniable, almost psychotic need within Brand to be funny and to maintain his popularity. Watching him rant and rave gives you the sense that, without his performances, he might very well be spiraling into self-destruction.
To experience his natural comedic talent, check out the interview Richard Pryor did on the Jonathan Ross show above.
8. Richard Pryor [Wikipedia]
Out of all the comedians on this list, Richard Pryor was perhaps the most gifted actor, though he never fully showcased his acting prowess. Nonetheless, in his live performances, Pryor's talent for mimicry and his vibrant energy always captivated his audience.
Pryor didn’t initially embrace controversial comedy. He started out performing family-oriented stand-up, inspired by his idol Bill Cosby, yet at that stage, he was still discovering his unique voice.
By the late sixties, Pryor had relocated to California and became involved with Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton. With Newton's guidance and some personal study, Pryor's comedy evolved into a politically charged style, focusing on race relations and the language of the counterculture. It speaks volumes that during the seventies, Pryor was more popular than ever, as the public was finally ready to hear the voice of the black community in the U.S., and Richard Pryor became their spokesperson.
Richard Pryor had a profound impact on the comedy scene, influencing numerous black comedians who came after him, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy, and Chris Rock.
9. Bernard Manning [Wikipedia]
Bernard Manning faced accusations of racism, and when he passed away earlier this year, many expressed a sense of relief. While Manning denied being a bigot, there are parallels drawn with figures like John Lennon and W.C. Fields, who were also suggested to harbor anti-Semitic views. Lenny Bruce, the Jewish comedian, once remarked that, although he disliked W.C. Fields' comedy for its anti-Semitism, he still recognized Fields as a genius on a professional level and as an entertainer.
Though some considered Manning's humor overly simplistic and catering to nationalists, his background was rooted in Irish Catholic and Jewish traditions—two major influences that shaped much of his comedic style.
10. George Carlin [Wikipedia]
Carlin is another comedian who has faced legal challenges. In 1978, the government brought him to court in an attempt to censor his iconic seven dirty words routine. Although it seems tame by modern standards, it included words that comedians like Richard Pryor and Lenny Bruce had been using for years. Yet, when aired on Pacifica radio, Carlin's words offended many listeners.
Still regarded as a controversial figure in stand-up, Carlin showed few signs of softening with age, earning the title of America's second-best stand-up comedian, only behind Richard Pryor.
Contributor: Simon Arms
Technorati Tags: comedy, Humor, comedians
