The E Man Top Nine List

David Letterman does a top ten list, there are lists everywhere.

After 21 years in the business, I thought I would give you my top nine comedians or funniest entertainers.

Why? Because it is different than the standard list of ten. My favorite sport is baseball, and there are nine positions.

The most asked question by others: Who makes you laugh? I have never done a list, but I thought in honor of this anniversary maybe I did have a few favorites.

To be honest, I hardly ever watch Comedy. It is my passion, but I really think that you cannot be your best unless it comes from you. But there are some people I have seen, come across, or worked with that have genuinely made me laugh.

I am sure I am forgetting someone, and it is a flexible list, but here we go. done in the form of postions on a baseball field...

Catcher. Louis CK – just caught him on a channel flipping night on Conan. Clearly the funniest comic working at present.

First Base. Billy Chrystal – Enjoyed him more in movies than stand-up. Watch the movie titled Mr. Saturday Night, he wrote, directed, and produced. This is as close to a real life career comedian that has ever been done.

Third Base. John Heald- Yes, it may seem like I am kissing up here. But there is not an entertainer on this planet that has the sense of stage and comic timing. When I write for him, his material is pretty good too. Most of you know John is the top Cruise Director for Carnival. I have watched, and shared a stage with him. He is a real talent.

Second Base. Jay Leno- I worked with Jay on a number of shows in the 1990s when he was hot on Letterman. I am not about the politics or the interview skills, but a pure stand up and a writer, and a guy who can deliver a perfect joke…well, he is the best.

Right Field. Bill Cosby- He is a storyteller. He is able to take the hardest audience, and does the thing that is most important in the business…bring the crowd to him, and not pander to them.

Center Field. George Carlin- He got a little bitter late in his career, but he is a guy who wrote all his own stuff, and had a unique style that worked for him.

Left Field. Johnny Carson- Showing my age here, but those of you who remember him, knows that he made funny out of saying nothing. He could take the hokiest material and make it funny by the audience NOT laughing.

Short Stop. Richard Pryor- Probably goes without saying; many people were offended and laughing at the same time. No one gives him the credit he deserves for doing stories and not just jokes.

Pitcher. Steve Martin- This man will forget more talent than any 100 comics will ever have. He walked away from actual stand up, because he said he said all he could. He wrote movies, stories, books, musical talent. It is just amazing.

Yes, I know, if you are reading this, you have come up with at least 20 others. I probably would have a different list tomorrow. The only southern comic that I would list as honorable mention is Ron White.
I also stayed with celebrities. One day I will give you a list of the funniest comics you never heard of. Of course, I did not include myself on the list, because I am one of a kind!

Make sure you continue to laugh…and send me any well wishes or presents you might like to do to honor the fact that I have stayed out of jail, out of debt, and away from a day job for 21 years…