
One of the things TV does really well is to sponsor great comedy, and send it straight to your home. After all, not every town has its own comedy club -- and even if there is a local Chuckle Hut in your community, you usually have to sit through one or two lame, ancient or belligerent routines for every good one. TV, on the other hand, is full of comedians working at their best -- on Comedy Central, on HBO and on every late-night talk show, not to mention Comic Relief and Last Comic Standing.
We've selected footage from eight of the funniest comedians ever, performing at various times over the past 25 years. And we can pretty much guarantee that they'll make you laugh -- although the two-drink minimum is at your own discretion.
George Carlin on a Comic Relief benefit special in the '80s
Jerry Seinfeld returns to standup on Late Show With David Letterman
Richard Pryor on the '70s music show Midnight Special
Sarah Silverman on Evening at the Improv in 1992
Steve Martin performs "magic" on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show
Mitch Hedberg on The Late Show
Young Steven Wright on an unknown standup show
Jim Gaffigan on Comedy Central
Image: Fox
Previously:
Comedy Central Finally Lets Go of TV Funhouse
RIP: George Carlin
Gentlemen, Sarah Silverman Is Single Again