American Comedy

Only the huge, contradictory, and insane United States could produce the quality comedy found in these cuts. Our playlist, highlighted by maverick geniuses such as Richard Pryor, Woody Allen, and Lenny Bruce, will induce belly laughs heard all the way across the Atlantic. If comedy were any sharper, you'd be bleeding.

The new wave of confrontational American comedians includes Lewis Black and Doug Stanhope. They both dissect the stupidity of modern life, ditching subtlety for lightning strikes on the short and curlies. Don't neglect the old guard, though, like seasoned duffer Jonathan Winters, who played Robin Williams' infant son on Mork and Mindy.

Lurking in the nether regions of our selection is Sam Kinison, the hard-living '80s comic legend who was killed in 1992 in a head-on car collision. The curious will be rewarded by Bill Engvall, part of the post-millennial redneck renaissance, and Robert Schimmel who puts the filth and the fury of Lenny Bruce in a world-weary overcoat.

Laugh? When confronted with our selection of America's finest and dirtiest comic minds, you have no choice. Take your pick from an immense list that includes the ultra-dry Bob Newhart, an unassuming Chicago accountant by trade whose "hobby" was writing comedy sketches for radio (until he made it big with stand-up classics like "Bus Driver's School"), and George Carlin, voted in 2004 the second-best stand-up comedian of all time behind Richard Pryor. Listen and laugh like a drain.