Top 25 Stand-Ups of the 2000's
Jun 11, 2026 · 1h 53m
Summary
In this episode of "Why Are You Laughing," host Mike ranks the top 25 comedians of the 21st century based on influence, impact, and humor. He discusses entries 25 through 17, including Dane Cook, Jim Jefferies, Gary Gulman, Jim Norton, Rory Scovel, Anthony Jeselnik, Cat Deeley, Shane Gillis, and Daniel Tosh. The hosts analyze each comedian's unique style, cultural significance, and body of work while debating their placement on the list.
Topics discussed
Introduction and criteria for the Top 25 list
Rank 25: Dane Cook's influence on arena comedy
Rank 24: Jim Jefferies' unique style and catalog
Rank 23: Gary Gulman's observational storytelling
Rank 22: Jim Norton's influence on modern comedy
Rank 21: Rory Scovel's improvisational mastery
Rank 20: Anthony Jeselnik's dark humor and stakes
Rank 19: Pete Davidson's prolific output and style
Rank 18: Shane Gillis' resilience and impressions
Rank 17: Daniel Tosh's format and influence
Rank 16: Maria Bamford's unique alt-comedy voice
Rank 15: Nate Bargatze's clean comedy and stage presence
Rank 14: Mitch Hedberg's one-liners and delivery
Rank 13: Jim Gaffigan's consistency and family themes
Rank 12: Bo Burnham's artistic evolution and songs
Rank 11: Greg Giraldo's roasting skills and style
Rank 10: Patrice O'Neal's unique personality
Rank 9: John Mulaney's storytelling and visuals
Rank 8: Brian Regan's clean comedy and longevity
Rank 7: Colin Quinn's one-man shows and NY perspective
Rank 6: Bill Burr's specials and authentic anger
Rank 5: Dave Chappelle's influence and specials
Rank 4: Norm McDonald's voice and Conan era
Rank 3: Louis C.K.'s output and influence on the industry
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