Comedy in America

Steve West | July 18, 2009
Funniness is certainly subjective but Forbes Magazine listed the top 10 comedians by earnings through concert ticket sales, DVD sales and movie deals.

Unsurprisingly, Jerry Seinfeld topped the list. But a few surprises come later in the list.

In order:
2. Chris Rock. Not a shocker
3. Jeff Dunham. Dead terrorist ventriloquism. No wonder the Middle East hates us.
4. Dane Cook. Dane Cook?! Poster boy for brain-dead America.
5. George Lopez. Ummmm... okay. If you say so.
6. Howie Mandel. I forgot he was considered funny. Somebody should check that.
7. Larry the Cable Guy. See No. 4
8. Jeff Foxworthy. Are redneck jokes still funny? I can't keep up with these crazy kids these days.
9. Terry Fator. More puppets. America does indeed have talent.
10. Russell Peters. A Canadian! Outsourcing at its most outrageous. We can't find just 10 funny Americans in a country this large? Honestly, if you're going to spend money on a Canadian comedian, there's bound to be Red Green DVD's available. That guy's a riot.

Thankfully, no Carrot Top or Bob Saget although I wouldn't have been surprised. Saddened but not surprised.

Erik Bates | July 19, 2009
[hidden by request]

Samir Mehta | July 20, 2009
[hidden by request]

Amy Austin | July 20, 2009
I second all but the comparison of Dunham to Dice Clay.

Steve West | August 1, 2009
I really miss Steven Wright. How could he retire? If that's what he did. What do I know? But I went to Youtube and found his first appearance on The Tonight Show. Enjoy.

Tony Peters | August 1, 2009
Eddie Izzard is by far my favorite comedian

Scott Hardie | August 2, 2009
Did the article specify what timeframe the money had to be earned in? It sounds like just within the last 1-2 years, not overall. I'm surprised that Sarah Silverman and Carlos Mencia didn't make the list, and Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller if movie deals count.

Steve West | August 3, 2009
I believe it was calendar year 2008. But I'll check.

Steve West | August 3, 2009
Nope. It was the one year period from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009. I was surprised by Will Ferrell's absence, myself. So, their criteria seems suspect. However, I didn't read the Forbes article itself, only commentary about the article. Perhaps that would be enlightening.