Professor of Logic

Comedy Legends We Lost

Bits from comedians who left us too soon. Their material lives on — still sharp, still relevant, still funny.

“Because the light was on.”

The Moth Joke

Norm Macdonald

Late Night with Conan O'Brien, 2009

Storytelling Absurdist Anti-Comedy

“And that's when the teacher fainted.”

Dirty Johnny

Norm Macdonald

Various appearances

Storytelling Anti-Comedy Absurdist

“I am a professional.”

The German Guy

Norm Macdonald

Norm Macdonald Live, various talk show appearances

Storytelling Anti-Comedy Dark Humor

“Her time is more expensive than your time.”

Elephant in the Room - Time

Patrice O'Neal

Elephant in the Room, 2011

Relationships Social Commentary Observational

“Ain't that better?”

Ain't That Better

Patrice O'Neal

Various live performances

Crowd Work Relationships Dark Humor

“Sorry for the convenience.”

Escalator Temporarily Stairs

Mitch Hedberg

Strategic Grill Locations, 1999

Observational Absurdist

“I still do, but I used to, too.”

I Used to Do Drugs

Mitch Hedberg

Mitch All Together, 2003

Self-Deprecating Dark Humor Confessional

“Golf is the only sport where a middle-aged white man can dress like a pimp and get away with it.”

Golf

Robin Williams

Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, 2002

Character Work Observational

“To be or not to be—THAT is the question, brother!”

Shakespeare as a Wrestler

Robin Williams

Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, 2002

Character Work Absurdist

“I don't get no respect. When I was born, the doctor slapped my mother.”

I Don't Get No Respect

Rodney Dangerfield

Various Tonight Show appearances / It's Not Easy Bein' Me, 1986

Self-Deprecating Observational

“When I was a kid my parents moved a lot. But I always found them.”

My Childhood

Rodney Dangerfield

Various performances

Self-Deprecating Storytelling

“Death said: 'Richard... you know you done fucked up, right?'”

The Heart Attack

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor: Live in Concert, 1979

Confessional Dark Humor Character Work

“When you're on fire and running down the street, people get out of your way.”

The Fire

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip, 1982

Confessional Dark Humor Storytelling