Koldcast.tv is a great site for digital content of all sorts, but today I found a simple blog post that I found incredibly interesting. As a MONSTROUS comedy nerd, I tend to value and follow certain comedians that most people don’t care at all about, if they’ve ever even heard of them. Which is quite a shame. Because for every unfunny JB Smoove and Pauly Shore character out there that has struck enormous mainstream success, 30,000,000 other MUCH-funnier, MUCH-more-cerebral, MUCH-more-deserving comics are still struggling with a fan base not much bigger than their immediate friends and family. That’s why this list of the Under-Appreciated made me so happy! And while certain people on here have just recently blown up (or are just about to) the list still mostly rings true for these funny people. First, here’s the actual link to the post itself. Below I have quickly and succinctly gone down the list and analyzed Koldcast’s suggestions. If for nothing else, it would be a small victory if just one of these artists received a smidgen of recognition off of this list. So, without further ado:
1. Andy Kindler
While Andy Kindler IS great, he just recently landed the VERY cushy, coveted title of being a judge on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Kindler has been doing comedy for YEARS and after all the writing gigs and stand-up, it is extremely refreshing to see him in such a great position.
2. Matt Berry
Berry is actually one of my favorites from this list. I fully agree that his voice is like a soothing chorus of angels against a light thunderstorm in the background of my mind. He is absolutely hilarious on Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, and exceptional, as well, on my favorite, The Mighty Boosh. American audiences need to wise up to this man’s incredi-mazing-ness right quick.
3. Peter Serafinowicz
Another incredibly talented Brit who seems to appear all across the board, but still hasn’t achieved that massive name success that so many comedians bank on to further their careers.
4. JB Smoove
This entry I outright disagree with (as referenced above). His style of EXTREME over-the-top comedy punctuated with random yells and the most trite, predictable comedy I have seen in years, keeps you rolling your eyes and groaning through his entire set. To add insult to injury, Comedy Central just recently gave Smoove a half-hour special to MC. While I love Comedy Central dearly, they do have a problem with just handing loud, overbearing, unfunny people money (i.e. Carlos Mencia).
5. Andy Daly
Andy Daly has been plugging away at the comedy scene for years now. While he’s not quite my brand of ha-ha, he has been at it for years continues to weave in and out of random groups and circuits with relative ease.
6. Aisha Tyler
Tyler is hilarious and represents a demographic with almost zero representation in the comedy world, the demographic of fangirl. Tyler’s comedy is hilarious and generally tends toward the nerdy side, which usually leaves audiences either scratching their heads or simply disregarding what she says as not true, because the woman looks like an Amazonian. She’s incredibly tall and gorgeous, to boot, so when she starts on a Slave Leia Cosplay story, many have trouble imagining her going to lengths to perfect the tin bikini. Content aside, she is INCREDIBLY deserving of greater recognition and more roles in front of larger audiences.
7. Michael Hitchcock
Hitchcock I, myself, have not heard of, yet I have seen Waiting for Guffman. That being said, an acolyte of Guest’s is usually not right up my alley. His humor is generally too dry for my tastes (and as an avid fan of Stephen Wright, that’s TRULY saying something). What I’m trying to say is that I can’t pass judgment, though I would like to.
8. Jessica Walter
Walter is someone I know when I see her, but, once again, I don’t know enough to comment!
9. David Pasquesi
Ditto.
10. Terry Crews
Terry Crews has always been hilarious. With his Old Spice campaign and his role in the upcoming move The Expendables, I don’t know if this man needs much more exposure. Mr. Crews may be right where he needs to be.
11. Molly Shannon
While I do dearly love Molly Shannon, I will say this, she has had more than her time to shine. Shannon was a formidable presence on SNL during its third most popular streak, in which Tina Fey was writing and Will Ferrell was still performing every minute of. Shannon even had multiple engagements after SNL, with movie and TV deals (remember Kath and Kim, anyone?) yet simply couldn’t capitalize.
12. Kristen Schaal
Schaal is an all-around talent, more-often-than-not actually taking to the stage, rather than the screen. Her work transcends SO many different formats, however, and it would be lovely to see what she could do on a larger scale.
13. Nick Swardson
Swardson is hilarious. His illustrious stand-up career has never seen a lull and he has consistently had his hand in Happy Madison’s productions, either writing, performing, or both. In the Fall, however, Swardson will finally get his own sketch show on Comedy Central!
14. Amy Sedaris
Sedaris seems to have been everywhere and seems to have done it for the last 15 years. I first came across her on Stranger’s With Candy, but between hawking her book and just making guest appearances, she pervades ALL FORMS OF MEDIA. She even narrated a PBS special on the history of American comedy.
15. Robert Smigel
Smigel has written for SNL and Conan and is responsible for Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, The Ambiguously Gay Duo, and DAAAAAAAAAAAAA BEARS! In some form or another, people know Robert Smigel. They just don’t know…Robert Smigel. I’d be very interested to see what the man is up to currently, and what he has in store for the future.
