The 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches of all Time

[Uncle Fezster]

Another List. I would have included some more "In Living Color" and at least some mention of the "The Ben Stiller Show"

http://www.nerve.com/dispatches/nerveeditors/50GreatestComedySketches/01/

Here is the top ten.

10. "Synchronized Swimming," Saturday Night Live, 1985
9. "Not for Ladies Only," Saturday Night Live, 1976
8. "Consumer Probe," Saturday Night Live, 1977
7. "Nairobi Trio," The Ernie Kovacs Show , 1956
6. "The Idiot in Rural Society," Monty Python's Flying Circus, 1970
5. "The Coneheads at Home," Saturday Night Live
4. "Samurai Hotel," Saturday Night Live, 1975
3. "Argument Clinic," Monty Python, 1972
2. "Who's On First?" Abbott and Costello, 1942
1. "Dead Parrot," Monty Python, 1969

[Mike Teacher]

Ernie Kovacs was a genius. Glad he made the list.

[underdog]

I'm sorry, but "More Cowbell" being only #50 is a fucking travesty.

[RhinoinMN]

Ronnie mentioned this on the show a few days ago and I agree.:

Chris Farley the interviewer.

Paul McCartney.

priceless.

[tupper65]

What !?! No Shweaty Balls!?!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7865626202253802708

[Marc with a c]

the head crushing from kids in the hall

taco mailman from the state

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Not nearly enough Mr. Show for my taste. I'd put in The Audition myself but the entire episode was fantastic.

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[underdog]

the head crushing from kids in the hall

Its in the Top 50.

[Marc with a c]

Its in the Top 50.

face!!

[Tallman388]

I can't believe that they missed "Upper Class Twit of the Year" from Monty Python!

[keithy_19]

What !?! No Shweaty Balls!?!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7865626202253802708

Perhaps because that sketch sucked.

Just my opinion.

[keithy_19]

A personal favorite of mine is the "Where's My Pen" skit that Kids In The Hall did.

[Doctor Manhattan]

Dead Parrot is the Python's Stairway to Heaven. It's the one everyone knows and has been played so much Python fan's may not want to see it again. But it is still funny. I love the other Michael Palin behind a counter upsetting the costomer played by John Cleese sketches they did as well.

Argument Clinic is probably my favorite from the one's listed here. I'm surprised Ministry Of Silly Walks didn't make the top 10. Eric Idle in Nudge Nudge too

[underdog]

face!!

Its actually Head Crusher v Face Squisher, which probably should be top 5.

[Mike Teacher]

By my quick count three shows make up about 50% of that list; and 1/3 from one show; SNL.

Deep as a puddle.

[MagillaGorillaz]

It's funny, this post got me thinking of ohter sketch shows. Remember theDana Carvey Show? I forgot Steve Carroll was in it. Steve Colbert was a cast memebr too.

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[drusilla]

so happy the pudding sketch from the state made it



(but schwety balls is funnier)

[Doctor Manhattan]

It's funny, this post got me thinking of ohter sketch shows. Remember theDana Carvey Show? I forgot Steve Carroll was in it. Steve Colbert was a cast memebr too.

Louis CK as well!

[Nobody's Hero]

Not nearly enough Mr. Show for my tastes.
Absolutely. I don't know how there aren't any Mr. Show skteches in the top 10. "Van Hammersly", "F.F. Woodycook's", "Change For a Dollar", 2 Times 1 Minus One. Fuck, almost everything they did was phenomenal.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I am SO GLAD Kids in The Hall placed a few trimes!

[fezident]

I agree with GRUNT.

For my money... it just doesn't get any better than "The Audition" from Mr. Show.

With "The PreTaped Call In Show" as a close 2nd.




HONORABLE MENTION: "Welcome Home Cln. Angus" featuring Christopher Walken, the original "Debby Downer" featuring Lindsay Lohan, and "Soft Teeth" featuring Will Ferrell and Juliana Marguelies... all from SNL.

[KnoxHarrington]

Ernie Kovacs is one of those old guys you're constantly told is funny, but I'm not laughing.

I mean, here is the Nairobi Trio sketch. Wow, it's dudes in gorilla masks hitting each other with sticks. I am neither LMAO nor am I ROFL.

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[BrentfromTN1]

Did you notice that Louis CK was the guy in the begining of that clip taking the tickets? His name was on the credits and was apparently a producer of that show.





It's funny, this post got me thinking of ohter sketch shows. Remember theDana Carvey Show? I forgot Steve Carroll was in it. Steve Colbert was a cast memebr too.

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[DolaMight]

Ernie Kovacs is one of those old guys you're constantly told is funny, but I'm not laughing.

I mean, here is the Nairobi Trio sketch. Wow, it's dudes in gorilla masks hitting each other with sticks. I am neither LMAO nor am I ROFL.

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That was trippy.

[MagillaGorillaz]

Did you notice that Louis CK was the guy in the begining of that clip taking the tickets? His name was on the credits and was apparently a producer of that show.

Good call. They also had the first cartoon of the Ambigously Gay Duo. Robert Smeigel was also a writer.
There was another sketch show from the early 90's on Fox. Jennifer Aniston was in teh cast of that one.

[ADF]

Ernie Kovacs is one of those old guys you're constantly told is funny, but I'm not laughing.

I mean, here is the Nairobi Trio sketch. Wow, it's dudes in gorilla masks hitting each other with sticks. I am neither LMAO nor am I ROFL.

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Yeah, I don't think it holds up. I think there was a lot more that could've been done with that sketch. Maybe that was all you needed back in the day.

[hammersavage]

this list is bullshit without DOUG...so i'm oooouttttaaa he...heeeerrrrreee

[hammersavage]

good to see 'ass pennies' get love though. that blew my mind when i first saw it.

[dino_electropolis]

Not nearly enough Mr. Show for my taste. I'd put in The Audition myself but the entire episode was fantastic.

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Mr. Show, in my opinion, was hands down the funniest shit I've seen on a consistent basis.
Ronnie Dobbs, Titanica, Senator Tankerbell.....shit, i could go on.....

Classic, classic stuff.

[fezident]

Mr. Show, in my opinion, was hands down the funniest shit I've seen on a consistent basis.
Ronnie Dobbs, Titanica, Senator Tankerbell.....shit, i could go on.....

Classic, classic stuff.


I agree 100%.
MR. SHOW is as good as it gets. Super talented... super funny.... really well written.

HUMAN GIANT is fantastic. Kinda picks up where MR. SHOW left off.

[NewYorkDragons80]

Ernie Kovacs is one of those old guys you're constantly told is funny, but I'm not laughing.

I mean, here is the Nairobi Trio sketch. Wow, it's dudes in gorilla masks hitting each other with sticks. I am neither LMAO nor am I ROFL.

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Never heard of the guy, but it wasn't an awful sketch. Yeah, a little trippy and not too funny, but it's a musical type sketch from the 50s. Music-centered sketches usually aren't that funny to begin with, but maybe it was edgy for the time. Look at the SNL sketch "Love is a Dream" with Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks. It's not necessarily funny, but it's well-made, cute, and moving. Just my $.02

[NewYorkDragons80]

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39?????