Ladies and gentlemen, the TRIVIA CLUB COMEDY 100 has arrived! So let's dive right in, and start with the final twenty-five of the TCC 100:
100. Karl Pilkington
Points: 160
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 21st (Patrick & Leah)
PATRICK: Karl Pilkington isn't a comedian in the traditional
sense. His funniest bits aren't the scripted and rehearsed lines of a seasoned
comedian, but the disgruntled and flighty musings of a man who always seems to
be at odds with the world. His recent stint on BBC's Derek was technically
speaking his first official comedic role. While 2014 didn't showcase
Pilkington's talents are much as previous years, he was on the scene, so he
makes our list.
99. Michael Swaim
Points: 161
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 6th (Patrick)
Chance upon Cracked.com and you'll be treated to a
treasure trove of poignant and hilarious pop culture commentary, a good portion
of which features Michael Swaim. The California-based internet comedian lends
his talents to a number of web series, the most notable of which is the
deliciously self indulgent and Webby Award winning After Hours.
98. Tatiana Maslany
Points: 162
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 14th (Rob)
ROB: What is the greater comic creation: Allison Hendrix or
Helena? Scientists say we’ll never know.
96. Matt Gourley
Points: 163
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 10th (Rob)
BRIAN: Matt Gourley appeared on my radar when he brought his
HR Giger character to "Comedy Bang Bang" for the "Exorcism of
Cake Boss" (possibly my favourite single podcast episode of the past year)
. Often dark and bizarre, his amazing character improv work was also featured
in the "Andy Daly Podcast Pilot Project" and "The Dead Authors
Podcast".
His "Superego" podcast (which he also
painstakingly edits) also features some of the best character based improv
happening in comedy. Matt also hosts 2 other podcasts of his own: "James Bonding" where his
life-long devotion of James Bond gets to be explored with co-host Matt Mira and
"I Were There Too" where he talks with actors who played small roles
in iconic movies.
See HR Giger at home with his son on "Superego":
96. Jerry Seinfeld
Points: 163
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 7th (Kevin)
As shown by his
documentary simply titled “Comedian”, even after making an infinite amount of money thanks
to his sitcom this is one stand-up that won’t stop working. Won’t stop
thinking. Won’t stop having fun. As evidenced by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,
an interview series of people you will see on this very list, or people that
could have very well been on the Comedy 100 had our tastes been different, Seinfeld is at his best when he's keeping busy making a whole lot of... nothing.
RUSSEL: Can we talk about his appearance in Top Five? I won't count it as a spoiler anymore, I'll count it as a reason to see a pretty excellent movie if you have't already!
RUSSEL: Can we talk about his appearance in Top Five? I won't count it as a spoiler anymore, I'll count it as a reason to see a pretty excellent movie if you have't already!
95. Chris Rock
Points: 164
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 18th (Leah)
LEAH: I will never forget watching MTV Video Diary as a
teenager and seeing Chris Rock proclaim, “ Sometimes, I just like to steal
shit.” and run out of a record store with a bunch of cd’s. To this day, few things have made me
laugh quite so hard. His perspective
on life and the world is always fresh and something of an enlightening take on
things. Rock is someone that has
evolved so much throughout his career, and doesn’t disappoint. The last few
years turning out, maybe, some of his most interesting work yet. With his turn in “Two Days in New York”
and his brief but fun appearances on “Park Bench with Steve Buscemi” to the recently released “Top Five”,
Chris Rock is someone I will look forward to seeing what they choose to tackle
next and how they are going to do it.
94. Chelsea Handler
Points: 167
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 7th (Laura)
93. Will Forte
Points: 171
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 12th (Megan)
RUSSEL: Ladies and gentlemen, Independent Spirit Award nominee…
WILL FORTE!
92. Chris Wilson
Points: 173
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 11th (Brian)
BRIAN: One of half of the sketch team "Peter n'
Chris" I've seen him do a few shows with his comedy partner Peter Carlone
and I was instantly blown away. So much so that I saw one show for a second
time at JFL 42 just because I loved it so much. I also got to play with them
when they asked for an audience member's help during one show. It was bad luck
that my help only served to get their characters killed no matter what I said.
I first saw Chris as part of the "Get Some" live shows in Toronto
which features sketch performers from various groups, working together to work
on new material each week. Chris was a stand-out favourite from that first show
and I have happily followed him to his other work, including Peter n' Chris' in
development webseries "Hardly Men".
Boy Detectives grow up in the "Hardly Men"
trailer
91. Grace Helbig
Points: 177
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 11th (Hannah)
KRISSY: Do you know about this really cool video website on
the internet called YouTube? (Find
it at http://www.youtube.com) Once you've watched all of the adorable puppy and
sloth videos over there, you should search out Grace Helbig. She's been posting vlogs (yeah, that
word makes me uncomfortable too) for years now and Wikipedia tells me her
channel has changed names from Daily Grace to It's Grace in a long-winded
explanation that I didn't feel like reading. All I care about is the funny and if you like funny too,
here's a sample of some of her more recent stuff. I especially enjoy her tutorials.
90. Pete Davidson
Points: 180
Ballots: 4
Highest Vote: 20th (Johnny)
JOHNNY: During the preseason SNL casting some unknown 21 year old kid
from New York, was surprising to say the least. What was more surprising,
however, was how funny he turned out to be. His set on Kimmel was amazing, and
while SNL is still figuring out what to do with him, his few moments on the
show always stand out (perhaps most so when playing himself). Seriously one to
watch!
89. Larry David
Points: 183
Ballots: 2
Highest Vote: 9th (Saad)
87. Max Greenfield
Points: 188
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 30th (Megan)
87. Matt Stone
Points: 188
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 33rd (Patrick & Saad)
If he could've been reached for interview by phone,
we're sure funny man Matt Stone would've claimed to have no qualms about being
ranked behind his South Park co-creator. We like to think that Stone would be
honoured to even appear on this prestigious list.
86. Adam Driver
Points: 190
Ballots: 4
Highest Vote: 20th (Russel)
RUSSEL: Adam Driver, gif'ered with two other members of the TCC100:
RUSSEL: Adam Driver, gif'ered with two other members of the TCC100:
And my controversial opinion? He had a funnier year then the both of 'em!
85. Ike Barinholtz
Points: 192
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 21st (Krissy)
KRISSY: Ike Barinholtz plays nurse Morgan Tookers on The
Mindy Project. If you guessed that
with a name like Morgan Tookers, this guy plays a total goofball, you'd be 100%
correct. Full disclosure, I don't
have a functioning TV and downloading content illegally on the internet causes
me great anxiety, so I haven't actually watched any episodes from season 3 of
The Mindy Project yet. But I'm
going to go out on a limb and say he's just as funny as he was in seasons 1 and
2. Wow, I think I just totally b.s'd
my way through this review! Nailed it!
84. Will Arnett
Points: 193
Ballots: 4
Highest Vote: 7th (Sam)
SAM: Screw his random appearance in the Ninja Turtles movie
or his hacky sitcom We're The Millers. Arnett's year is dominated in my mind by
three words: "Darkness! No parents!" Best. Movie Batman. Ever.
RUSSEL: Simply: BoJack Horseman. And also, let me remind you that The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret is returning for a third series in 2015!
RUSSEL: Simply: BoJack Horseman. And also, let me remind you that The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret is returning for a third series in 2015!
83. Dave Chappelle
Points: 194
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 1st (Saad)
RUSSEL: Chappelle is doing comedy again, of course he’s on
this list! The minute Dave left the ranch and got back on the road, he was
destined for the TCC 100. As much as we want to count “year of”
accolades for 2014, the best comedy doesn’t age. The Chappelle Show is 10 years old, and
Dave is finally ready to be funny again. It makes me feel something very specific, but I'll let Dave let Kanye West say it.
82. Bill Murray
Points: 197
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 7th (Leah)
RUSSEL: Between Chappelle and Seinfeld, and Rock and Murray,
the bottom 25 of the TCC 100 is the “Legends” zone, but if the (out of voting
contention) SNL40 proves anything, Murray is as funny as anyone alive if he
wants to be! I mean, come on, I know it’s a meme… but it’s BILL F’N MURRAY!
81. Chris Gethard
Points: 198
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 13th (Brian)
ROB: I rated him highly based only on his opening act for Mike
Birbiglia at JFL42 - an act that rivaled the headliner. This is without
experiencing his acclaimed New York cable access show, live improv appearances,
and many podcast guest spots. He’s just great, and it sucks he’s seemingly had
every potential big break pulled away just as it’s been dangled before him.
80. Nikki Glaser
Points: 199
Ballots: 4
Highest Vote: 5th (Laura)
79. Kristen Schaal
Points: 200
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 8th (Sam)
SAM: Schaal's work on the Daily Show has been solid this
year, but her work as Louise on Bob's Burgers is really what puts her near the
top of this list. Every parent's worst nightmare, and every kids dream of what
their childhood could be, Louise is a loud, brash anarchic brat. Schaal's
voicework manages to keep Louise grounded as a lovable rascal rather than a
plain old meanie though, wise beyond her years, and plays off of the other cast
members beautifully.
78. Lamorne Morris
Points: 201
Ballots: 3
Highest Vote: 30th (Saad)
76. Gillian Jacobs
Points: 206
Ballots: 4
Highest Vote: 27th (Laura)
76. Jim Rash
Points: 206
Ballots: 4
Highest Vote: 40th (Megan)
And just like THAT the Comedy 100 has begun, celebrating and spotlighting so much funny! SO MUCH FUNNY! We'll return with #50 through to #26!
Russel Harder hosts Trivia Club at Cardinal Rule (5 Roncesvalles Ave) every WEDNESDAY, at Hitch (1216 Queen St East) every other MONDAY of the month, and Lou Dawg's near Ryerson (76 Gerrard St E) every TUESDAY!
