this question will definitely have a huge debate on it, but the GOAT is dead: George Carlin
Honorable mention to Bill Hicks.
He was the best. He still is, but he was, too.
Got the chance to see him a year or so before his passing.
He was still on fire. Killer set right until the end. There will never be another of his like again I fear.
It’s a pity Carlin is dead. He could have run with Stewart as Veep.
My favorite living comedian is Patton Oswalt.
My favorite up and coming comedian is Stavros Halkias.
As amazing as past comedians such as George Carlin were, Jon Stewart remains on the air today and I think that gives him the edge:-).
I don’t follow standup as closely as I used to, so I wouldn’t hazard an opinion about the best. But I know that I always make a point to watch a Kyle Kinane set when I see one.
Kyle Kinane is excellent!
Brian Regan
Shane Gillis
For the living, I’m going to throw in Gary Gulman. His structure is unbelievable.
matt rife is pretty good with an audience