In a superior stand-up comedy performance called Dress to Kill, Eddie Izzard spins free-flowing jokes about San Francisco (where the comedy concert was filmed), transvestitism, squirrels, American optimism, Hitler, the British royal family, mass murder, and Stonehenge–and that’s only the first 30 minutes.

The centerpiece of the performance is a retelling of British history from Stonehenge through to the Reformation. This is done with Izzard adopting a very Italian accent (and miming riding on a Vespa) to signify the Pope talking to Henry VIII (“who is Sean Connery for this film”) and explaining that he can’t marry as many wives as he wants to.

This is set against the backdrop of Martin Luther pinning his 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg Cathedral, a paper that reads “Einen Minuten bitte. Ich habe einen kleinen Problemo avec diese Religione.” “He was from everywhere,” explains Izzard to great cheers from the audience. Similar to his use of Sean Connery as the voice of Henry VIII, he uses the voice of James Mason as the voice of God.

His mercurial patter is sprinkled with four-letter words, but his twinkling glances make this more mischievous than crude. Izzard has delivered some excellent performances in movies (like Velvet Goldmine and The Cat’s Meow), but it’s on stage that he really explodes with daffy wit and charisma. Simply brilliant and completely addictive; you will want to watch this over and over.

It’s as if this ingenious comedian says whatever comes off the top of his head, but giving that impression demands cunning and skill; Izzard romps through human history and transforms surprisingly complex ideas into biting satire–as well as knockout bits of sublime frivolity, like describing the movie Speed entirely in French. — (more…)

About the Author/Founder of The Stand-up Comedy Professional

Steve Roye is the author of the Killer Stand-up Comedy System and author of the content made available in the Comedy Pro Membership Program available on this site.

Over the past decade, Steve has established himself as a leading, globally recognized expert in the field of stand-up comedy material development, delivery and entertainment business strategies for comedy entertainers as well as speaking professionals.

For more information about Steve, please check out the About The Author section on this site.

In my opinion, there is only one objective way to determine who the funniest comedian in the world may be, and that is…

By using the Comedy Evaluator Pro software and determining which comedian can produce the highest PAR Score over a sustained period of time.

Please review this article before passing judgement on the information and assessment provided below regarding who the world’s funniest comedian is and how that determination was made.

What I am about to share with you may create some controversy, but I don’t care. Accurate numbers don’t lie and I have made a determination of who is the very first “World’s Funniest Comedian” (actual laughter generation for a particular audience–not subjective likes or dislikes of the content presented or “style”).

Now before I tell you who it is, please note that when I evaluate a comedian using Comedy Evaluator Pro, I’m NOT looking at:

• Popularity or size of fan club
• TV credits, movie appearances, etc.
• Years of performance
• Type of content delivered
• Any other subjective attribute

With my software, I evaluate as closely as possible  how many seconds of laughter a comedian can generate for each minute that they are on stage. It’s actually based on simple math that any 5th grader can do.

Up to now, the highest PAR Score I have ever recorded was from super star comedian Bill Cosby with an incredible PAR Score of 58 – and over the years I have recorded dozens and dozens of the most popular comedians you know of today.

IMPORTANT: It is important to note that Bill Cosby doesn’t perform in 300 seat venues. He performs in 1500-5000 seat venues. You will see why this is significant in just a moment.

Now, drum roll please — the funniest comedian in world, based on their PAR Score is…

Native American comedian J. R. Redwater, who will be featured in a Showtime comedy special in November 2009.

J. R.’s PAR Score? An unbelievable 62 for a 9 minute evaluation period.

Click here to read my press release about this incredible laughter milestone.

Now here are the parts of the story the press release don’t reveal…

1. There were two individual minutes where J. R. Redwater’s PAR Score was ABOVE 70. Ka-Pow! Here’s the video:

2. There were only 300 people in the room for the video I reviewed. Had there been 1000 or more, I am convinced J. R.’s overall PAR Score would have been 70+.

3. Old school, “set-up/punchline” comedians will NEVER hit this kind of PAR Score mark I can assure you. Only the story tellers like Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy, Eddie Izzard, etc. will ever be able to hit this sort of laughter milestone.

Note: J. R. Redwater has been a Killer Stand-up Comedy System comedian from the very beginning of his comedy career.

So now, in order for someone to take over the title of “World’s Funniest Comedian”, they must have a PAR Score of at least 63, sustained over at least a 9 minute, uncut and unedited performance period.

If you know of anyone who can meet that PAR Score criteria, please let me know using the comment box below.

But until then…

Native American comedian J. R. Redwater is hands down the current World’s Funniest Comedian based on PAR Score until I can verify otherwise.

Cheers,
Steve Roye
The Professor of Funny for Money

About the Author/Founder of The Stand-up Comedy Professional

Steve Roye is the author of the Killer Stand-up Comedy System and author of the content made available in the Comedy Pro Membership Program available on this site.

Over the past decade, Steve has established himself as a leading, globally recognized expert in the field of stand-up comedy material development, delivery and entertainment business strategies for comedy entertainers as well as speaking professionals.

For more information about Steve, please check out the About The Author section on this site.