10 Comedians Who Should’ve Bought the Farm Before Their Careers Did [Part 2]
February 20, 2008 Posted in Features
Robin Williams
Back in the ’70s and ’80s, when Robin Williams did a lot of stand-up (and coke), he was one of the best in the business. His fast-talking, freak-the-hell-out kind of comedy was one of the most scorching acts on the scene. But since cranking out a long line of family-friendly crapfests like Mrs. Doubtfire and Patch Adams, Williams has become more like a giant flaming grizzly bear on meth than a comedian. So please, Robin, for the love of all that’s good in this world, stop screaming at us. We’re not laughing.
Robin Williams in his prime
Robin Williams past his time
Martin Lawrence
After being hand-picked for Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, Martin Lawrence quickly became one of the top comedians of the 90′s. His series, Martin had a good run from ’92 to ’97, featuring gut-busting characters, like Mama Payne and Sheneneh Jenkins. And his string of box office blockbusters are certainly impressive. But from 2000 on, Lawrence began spewing serious piles of crap like Black Knight and National Security. And no, Big Momma’s House doesn’t count – anyone can thrown on a fat suit and squeeze out a couple of laughs.
Martin Lawrence in his prime
Martin Lawrence past his time
Mike Myers
Mike Myers is arguably one of the funniest men of all-time. Most everything he did while on SNL is some form of comic genius, and Wayne’s World will forever have a special place in our hearts (right next to beer and side-boobs). And his Austin Powers franchise was surprisingly funny from start to finish. In fact, we don’t have many complaints. That is, until the vile, soul-sucking waste of time that is The Love Guru came to be. Seriously, this one is unforgivable. Sorry, Mike, you f**ked up.
Mike Myers in his prime
Mike Myers past his time
Andrew Dice Clay
One of the most offensively hilarious comedians of all-time, Andrew Dice Clay’s searing comedic genius was as good as it got for a couple of years. But instead of changing up his jokes as times changed, Dice just kept telling the same old schtick while getting fatter and balder by the minute. Then came his reality show Dice: Undisputed, which was supposed to be his relaunching pad, but instead revealed him to be the washed-up asshole he is.
Andrew Dice Clay in his prime
Andrew Dice Clay past his time
George Carlin
Ok, ok, settle down. We know pretty much everyone ever has a hard-on for the late George Carlin. But that doesn’t change the fact that after “Seven Dirty Words,” all Carlin did was a bunch of bit rolls and a lot of righteous complaining. We know, he did 14 stand-up specials and is considered one of the greatest comedians of all-time, but that’s mostly because anytime someone mentions that he might be anything less than Einstein and Richard Pryor rolled into one, his fans start screaming like little girls. In fact, we can already hear them now…
George Carlin in his prime
George Carlin past his time
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I'm glad you put George Carlin at #1. He is definitely the most overrated comic of all time.
Are you smoking crack and driving a short bus? Carlin was a freaking genius and his insights were often years ahead of their time. Dozens of the best comics in the world credit Carlin as being one of the best ever in the genre. But, I assume an internet blogger would know better than those who ply the craft every day.
In fairness, the rest of your list and commentary is spot on. I would have suggested Dane Cook, but, you set the standard as actually HAVING a heyday.
…you call Andrew Dice Clay a genius and put Carlin as number #1? Thank you for proving twice that you don't know your ass from your elbow.
RE: adam Thank you for pointing this out – i have been wiping the shit from my elbow for years. THIS IS NOT A TOP 10 LIST- this is 10 comedians who should've bought the farm before their careers did – in no particular order.
I guess that you can think what you'd like about Carlin but I would think that not only his fans, but most people in the stand up comic community would agree that he was a genius. I think he is up there in there #1 spot more to elicit outrage than because anybody really thinks he was overrated. Besides he was funnier than most things I've read on this site.. Ohhh Sick burn!
This is pretty much the worst list ever. Robin Williams done in the 80's? Please, you apparently are not aware of his "Live On Broadway" performance in 2002.
Mike Meyers career is over because of one movie? Even Scorcese has made more stinkers than that. You're two bad movies too short.
And why the hell are you comparing "Seven Words" to "Bill and Ted's excellent adventure." The only reason I can discern why is that if you were to actually compare it to his recent work such as "It's Bad For Ya" or "Life is Worth Losing" your point would be instantly decimated and revealed for the crap it is. Carlin's "Seven Words" is definitely iconic but he got better with age.
As we see from those Idiotic snippet-shows from 'E' with Lief Gerret and Kato Kaelin expounding on topics so far above their heads they need safety nets,everyone loves to talk sh*t.And now we have these semi literate little weblogs of HIGHLY dubious merit and/or value cluttering up the internet like cyber doodles in an untended-to catbox….ugh.Remember,Boys and Girls,its better to be a Has-Been than a Never-Was….Go finish your Homework!
Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick, you need to take the day off work tomorrow and watch everything Carlin has done. I'm certain you'll change your opinion at that point.
Agreed somewhat with S.A.
The first I had ever seen of Carlin(besides as the Conductor on Thomas the Train Engine or whatever it was) was his last 2 comedy specials….and they are brilliant. Afterward, I went back and watched a lot of his older stuff, including 7 Words….and while good, I didn't find it nearly as funny.
And really….bashing comedians because of bad movie roles is just silly. Chris Rock has never been in a good movie….and he's still a great comedian.
I think you get George all twisted. He only started getting really funny after he started doing the grumpy old man routine. His earlier stuff is after school special snoozefest material.
You feel that someones career is “over” when they put out a bad movie? Wow! Eddie Murphy’s career must have died a couple of times. Remember Best Defense (before Beverly Hills Cop)? But the most offensive thing about you is you post Dice with Carlin, and your comment show that your humour is toilet humour. It takes a brain to understand Carlin – you need to think about it, as for Dice, you just need to be an insensitive twit who gaffas, “It’s funny cause it’s true!” as a defense you’re enjoying it.
If your taste in food is anything like your taste in standup, I bet you consider McDonald's fine dining. Seinfeld is still brilliant. Did you even see Bee Movie? It was hilarious. Just 'cause its animated doesn't mean all the jokes weren't for adults. Its like a 2-hour Seinfeld episode, only he can do whatever he wants with it.
And Carlin was brilliant right up to the end. Everyone here's already flamed you for it, but you're either retarded or just trying to up your hit count by including him. The man was over 60 and I still have tears rolling down my face every time I hear *any* of his bits… which is more than I can say for this article. Enjoy your life as a wannabe blogger. I love how awesome college kids think they are.
Seinfeld? The guy is so successful that he can afford to do what he wants. What the hell does being in an American Express commercial have to do with anything?…And another joke about New Jersey from another person who has never been there – how fresh and edgy!
How can u say Robin Williams, Mike Myers isn’t funny now and gorge Carlin when has he ever not been funny u just said that 3 of the greatest comedians of all time arn’t funny any more
#1: Andrew Dice Clay never had a moment in the sun, with the exception of those who are beer swilling trailer park trash idiots. For them, I suppose Andrew Dice Clay was the end all be all for humor for awhile. At least until they discovered their dicks, or Beavis and Butthead.
#2: Mike Myers – Great guy, great comedian, great actor. When did his work suck? I haven't seen him in any role since Austin Powers – and good god he did a fantastic job lampooning British agent movies with that.
#3: Robin Williams – Fantastic comedian, but sadly, he just can't stop. He's past his prime, he KNOWS he's past his prime, but he'll never grow up, just old. I'd have to agree with you on this one, if only for the fact the poor bastard can't stop with the jokes.
#4: George Carlin – He went from comedian to activist at some point in his career, this is true…but he was one hell of a FUNNY activist. His insights and opinions were very often thought provoking as well as humorous. Which may be the problem for you, since you thought Andrew Dice Clay was the end all be all of comedy for a short period of time.
Provoking thought may cause you pain.
In short, stick to figuring out which end of a beer bong to suck, and which end of your dorm mate to blow.
Leave critiquing professional comedians to their peers.
Cheers,
Ghost|BOFH
way to go sticking a HULU clip in so most of the world can't view it, FUCK HULU
that wasn’t 10
yeah, you guys suck. that list was horrible
Most of the list is accurate but you shot yourself in the foot when you included Carlin. The man was a genius.
I agree with pretty much everything on this list, but you totally blew it by including Carlin. The man was a genius, and never stopped being one until the day he died. Watch "Life is worth Losing" and see if you don't agree. Came out in 2005, and the guy was still as sharp and on top of it as ever (okay, he stumbled over a couple of words, but the wordplay in his act is so intricate and rapid-fire that it's ridiculous to expect note-for-note perfection in his delivery).
So what if he had a tame cameo in Bill and Ted's? That in no way detracts from the spot-on satire and brilliantly inventive linguistc gymnastics of his writing and stand-up.
Carlin was great YEARS ago but up until his death he was just an angry self righteous douche bag. Williams was never good he'll always be Mork.