Comedy Racists.

[Rengori]

I don't know what your exposure to American comedians in England is, but if it's like America's exposure to British comedians than you're probably only getting the most mainstream comedians. Somehow Carlos Mencia, Sarah Silverman, and Larry the Cable Guy are all mainstream and they all suck. They spend more time thinking of stuff that's not funny but seems ballsy to say and they know people will agree with. They spend more time getting an applause from a retarded crowd then getting laughs from said crowd.

Jimmy Carr is the only British comedians who's names come to mind, but I've seen plenty of British comedians that were pretty funny. For American comedians I like that haven't been said, I like Daniel Tosh. Oh yeah, inb4Ceej.

[XxSephirothxX]

Not so much nationality, but definitely by gender/race. My general reaction to black comedians is that all the jokes will be about how hard it is to be black and funny impressions of white people in business suits. It's not that racial comedy is bad, but Richard Pryor did it better 30 years ago than most people do it today. Obviously not all black comics are like that, and I like some, it's just my initial bias.

Same with female comedians. I'm not sure I could name one I really found especially funny. I do like Sarah Silverman's show, and her style is really out there and I think it can be pretty funny, but Jesus Is Magic wasn't that great, from what I watched of it.

[Fonzie]

Jim Gaffigan is so damn funny.

[Shoeberto]

Not so much nationality, but definitely by gender/race. My general reaction to black comedians is that all the jokes will be about how hard it is to be black and funny impressions of white people in business suits. It's not that racial comedy is bad, but Richard Pryor did it better 30 years ago than most people do it today. Obviously not all black comics are like that, and I like some, it's just my initial bias.

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm the same on that front. Black comedians often all have the same material. Obviously there's exceptions, but in years of watching stand-up, the majority tend to stick with what you described.

I haven't seen much English stand-up. There's a lot of crap in America, but there's also some truly standout performers. I'd imagine it's the same over there. We just don't always get to see the full extent of the other's.

[Resha]

Not really, I like comedy in general quite some But I do know that stuff I find really, really hilarious like Russell Peters, others have never even heard of.

There's some comedians and some shows I just dislike because it grates on my nerves. Like freakin CATHERINE TATE SHOW. Brilliant though she is. Shut up. Aurggh.

But, like Hilter in England~ "I!!! Am not a RACIALIST!!"

[Rengori]

Not so much nationality, but definitely by gender/race. My general reaction to black comedians is that all the jokes will be about how hard it is to be black and funny impressions of white people in business suits. It's not that racial comedy is bad, but Richard Pryor did it better 30 years ago than most people do it today. Obviously not all black comics are like that, and I like some, it's just my initial bias.

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm the same on that front. Black comedians often all have the same material. Obviously there's exceptions, but in years of watching stand-up, the majority tend to stick with what you described.

I've seen some modern black comedians pull it off. And it's not Dave Chappelle.

[edczxcvbnm]

Not so much nationality, but definitely by gender/race. My general reaction to black comedians is that all the jokes will be about how hard it is to be black and funny impressions of white people in business suits. It's not that racial comedy is bad, but Richard Pryor did it better 30 years ago than most people do it today. Obviously not all black comics are like that, and I like some, it's just my initial bias.

It is that way with everyone. Chinese make fun of being chinese. Blacks make fun of being black. Latinos make fun of being Latino. Then they all make fun of how white people don't understand.

Women do the same thing but it is how men don't understand and the rest is sexual issues.

I like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld. They both have a similar style in that they make fun of everyday things you normally wouldn't think about. I think Jerry is the more friendly PC version of Carlin though.

As for which comedy program I prefer...American? I love According to Jim right now. Best sitcom in years...to bad it is over with I think ;_; I never get into this stuff until they start airing reruns on some other channel.

[Heath]

I'm generally not a fan of American comedies though recently there don't seem to be many great British comedies out there. Stand-up is generally of a better quality than what's on television, I've found with the likes of Bill Bailey and Ricky Gervais usually being good for a laugh. I don't suppose I've seen much American stand-up, certainly not enough to be able to judge properly, but I don't imagine it would change my opinion much.

I'd concur with Paul non-Merton about Paul Merton being great. Have I Got News For You and Just a Minute simply wouldn't be as awesome as they are if it weren't for him.

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

I think part of the American vs. British is exposure and there's probably a definite cultural aspects, where some jokes only do well with Americans and vice-versa.

That said I'm open to anything if I find it funny.

[Venom]

Stand up comedy sucks.

[Jimsour]

Are you ever biased to a comedian/comedy program because of where it's from?

I've noticed that English people aren't too fond of most stand-up American comedians. It could just be the whole different sense of humour bollocks, but I reckon part of it is because we think we're better than them, so refuse to laugh at some bits which could be funny.

I, personally, don't like American comedians. I remember hearing Sarah (I think) Silverman, and she sucked. She made one of two good lines, which I laughed at, but the rest was rubbish. Bad timing, bad jokes, bad everything.

I would much rather watch any English comedy thing than an American one. Or any other nationality, to be honest.

So, several topics here I think. Do you purposely not laugh at some jokes just because you don't like the comedian? Do you prefer English or American stand-up comedians? Do you prefer English or American comedy programs? And, finally, can you name a particularly good comedian, and state why you like them so much?

I'm Irish and I'm not that fond of American comedians that I've heard, they're a bit too hyper and not crude enough, or sometimes just crude for the sake of it. It doesnt work.

Theres a show on Paramount comedy (1, 2?) that has stand up comedians from around the world and I hadn't laughed so hard in ages when this (very) fat black guy came on, he was a genius, absolute legend, but I forget his name.

In saying that, George Carlin is probably one of the best comedians I've heard in years. He knows the bloody score. Maybe one of the only American comedians I can sit and listen to and genuinely laugh.

None will ever compare to Billy Connelly, he's king. Overall, I prefere Irish and English comedians. Irish comedians can be as crude as they want and it'll always work, they can take the piss out of the Irish diaspora and get away with it, they can take the piss out of europeans, english, americans and the irish themselves and get away with it. Some English comedians are great too.

[Lawr]

One of my favorites is Pablo Francisco. Especially his impressions.
But, Jim Gaffigan isn't that funny to me for some reason. o_0