The Comedians Call It! 45 Great Comics Tell Us Who Will Be the Next Big Thing in 2018

All month we’ve written about the very best in comedy in 2017, and it’s time to move on already!  What matters now, who is going to kill on stage NEXT year in 2018, and we’ve got the inside scoop. We asked some of our favorite headliners and up and coming comedians who is going to crush, kill and break out in 2018 for our fourth annual, The Comedians Call It.

In 2014, our comedy friends told us that Joe List and Nate Bargatze were going to be the guys to explode in 2015, and they did- in fact Nate went on to win Stand Up Comedian of the Year in 2015. In 2015, everyone was talking about Greg Stone and he’s become one of our favorite young comics. Last year the word on the street was, that Tim Dillon was going to be big, and now everyone knows how great he is.   You can read last year’s predictions for 2017 here to see who was right and who was wrong. This year, Tim Dillon, Dina Hashem, Ryan Hamilton and Ian Fidance are getting the most love.  Find out who else the buzz in the comedy-verse as these great comics tell us who is going to pop this coming year.

Also don’t forget to vote on the best of everything in comedy this year- books, albums, specials, stand up of the year and more! And read all of our 2017 year in comedy coverage here.

Nate Bargatze (@natebargatze)

I think the breakout of 2018 will be Chris Laker. He just did Jimmy Kimmel to end out 2017, and I think its going to build in for a strong 2018. I’ve been friends with Laker for a long time, he’s been doing comedy for about 43 years so look out for next year. 44 is the big one for him.

Tim Dillon (@timjdillon)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is going to be a guy named Ismael Loutfi.  He’s a comic in LA, he just did Kimmel. I did Montreal with him last year, really funny guy, his material is personal, its great. He can do well anywhere, he’s likeable, nice kid, and Louis C.K. I think both of them are going to have great years.

Monroe Martin III (@monroemartinIII)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is going to be Dave Temple.  He just dropped a fire album on itunes called The First One, and I think the guy really got what it takes and he has  a perspective that a lot of people haven’t seen in a long time. And it’s refreshing.

Dave Temple (@imdavetemple)

These are people that I know cause I’m out there every day but you don’t know because they haven’t been in your living room yet but they will be. First comic I’m gonna say is Chris Jurell, young man from out of Lancaster Pennsylvania, honed his chops in Philadelphia and this kid has got charisma, energy and he doesn’t stop. He’s tearing it up in movies, every time I see him on Instagram he’s always coming out of some sort of audition. Could be fake. I don’t know but the fact that he’s willing to put it out there on the line, I”m sure you guys are going to hear from him also. Next, is Reggie Conquest, cause Reggie used to be fat and now he’s skinny. And if you know anything about entertainment, when people get in shape, its because someone is taking a liking to them.

Tommy Johnagin (@tommyjohnagin)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is Ryan Hamilton. He has a special on Netflix that I think is one of the funniest hours ever put on tv, or the internet, and I mean it. And he’s a great person, and I think he will share his success with me so its beneficial to me, also.

Jim Florentine (@mrjimflorentine)

My breakout star that I’m going to predict for 2018 is a comic –  female comic out of LA, Kate Quigly.  I’ve done a bunch of shows with her recently and she’s great on stage and very likable, funny, and I really think she’s going to get to the next level next. She’s a superstar waiting in the wings.  Kate Quigly.

Krystyna Hutchinson (@krystynahutch)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is going to be Wendi Starling. She is one of the funniest human beings I’ve ever met and she has material in her act that is constantly evolving but its very extreme. And the one thing I love about Wendi is no matter who her audience is, whether its a bunch of young women or a bunch of 75 year olds, she just forces people to accept her world and they do and watching people be enthralled in her jokes no matter where they’re from, how old they are, what their gender is, is a true treat.

Corinne Fisher (@philanthropygal)

I think the breakout comedy star of 2018 is going to be Blair Socci because she’s been on the brink for some time, and she’s too fucking whimsical not to.

Bert Kreischer (@bertkreischer)

I think the breakout comedian of the year is going to be Nate Bargatze. I think people already know of him because of his Netflix half hour that he just did, but I’m telling you. When I watch people do stand up, he’s one of the people that does it better than a lot. He tells jokes, he’s clean, he talks about his family, I without withotu a doubt to be the breakout comedian of the year. I can’t imagine Nate Bargatze not making over a million dollars- I hope I’m not jinxing it Nate, but I can’t see Nate Bargatze not making over a million dollars doing stand up. My favorite comic to watch, no questions asked.  And the best part of Nate is he’s got a dark little hidden side of his personality that only comes out at 2 in the morning when he’s had like 13 beers. And that is what makes a great comedian. When you got that hidden spot too but you can work a corporate clean.  No questions asked. BOC of the year, Nate Bargatze.

Adam Ray (@adamraycomedy)

I think the breakout comic of 2018 is going to be Preacher Lawson, yeah baby. If you haven’t seen him live, then you probably don’t know why I’m going with this. He is infectious, charismatic, energetic, hilarious comedian with original material- its personal.  Very few people in comedy that when I start watching their set I can’t take my eyes off, and I’m hanging on every word. He’s one of those dudes. Nice, easy to listen to, and I think he’s going to have a big year coming off of America’s Got Talent. The sky’s the limit as Simon Cowell would say but in a British tone.

Ari Shaffir (@arishaffir)

I think the BOC of 2018 is going to be the guy that everybody is going to be talking about this year, and that guy is Louis C.K. I really see him being a topic of conversation across the comedy community.  And then I’d like to make another pick that Luis Gomez, middle name omitted will again not be a breakout star this year. I want to make that very clear. That Luis J. Gomez again, will wallow in mediocrity for yet one more year.

Matteo Lane (@matteolane)

I believe that the breakout comedians in 2018 will be Marie Faustin and Sydnee Washington.  Marie and Sydnee are very unique comedians because one, they work so well with each other, everybody likes them, they’re so beautiful, they’re the funniest people on the face of the planet.  We have closed down diners by talking about Whitney Houston till 4:00 in the morning. I know this has nothing to do with anything but I really think that these girls are so talented, they are so smart, they are so funny they are taking over the world, they have a great podcast called Unofficial Expert. If you get a chance to see them in NY you’ve got to see them.  I just can’t imagine 2018 not being their year.  They’re just a great great great comedy duo and individually they’re funny. I can’t say enough good things about them. You gotta check out their act, check out their podcast. They make me laugh so hard I love them so much that is my pick.

Gary Gulman (@garygulman)

I think the breakout comic of 2018 will be Ryan Hamilton who has a sublime special on Netflix called Happy Face and he has been embraced by Jerry Seinfeld and Gad Elmaleh from France and he’s just going to continue to build an audience and be embraced by America, because he’s an absolute delight and a killer on stage. Ryan Hamilton 2018 will be his year.

Liza Treyger (@glittercheese)

The comedian that I pick to have a breakout year in 2018 is Megan Gailey. She is funny she has been funny for so long, she’s about to do her half hour. I think it’s going to be great, I think she’s going to wear a great outfit, she’s such a good actress, works hard, knows all sports facts so there’s lots of chances to succeed and selfishly she’s hopefully going to be in my pilot and she looks so hot. She looks the best she’s ever looked. Great haircut, her bod looks great too.  So I think 2018 is Megan Gailey’s year.

Jim Norton (@jimnorton)

I think the break out comedian of 2018 is going to be Rich Vos. I think Vos has taken a beating for so many years and he’s pitched so many things that this poor kid is due. So Rich Vos is my pick.

Greg Stone (@gregstone_)

I think the 2018 breakout comic is going to be Nathan Macintosh. He got a Conan this year, a Colbert this year, he’s a killer. He’s always been so funny and he deserved it about four years ago. I think this is finally going to be his year., where he gets it. And he owes me a bunch of money so he has to get it or I’m going to…break him up.

Doug Benson (@dougbenson)

I think the comedian who is going to break out in 2018 is a dude named Dustin Ybarra. Super funny dude, intiially out of Texas, moved to Los Angeles, has a big career in tv. He’s on a show called Kevin Probably Saves the World, I think just got picked up for a few more episodes. But he’s a super funny dude adn I think you guys are going to see and hear a lot of him in 2018.

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Derek Gaines (@derek1gaines)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is the one and only Monroe Martin III because I think he’s the funniest dude out here. His writing style is very deep and very honest. It goes from foster care all the way to politics and I just appreciate his writing style because there’s levels to it. It’s very raw realism that he has, that all comedians should reach. Honesty ladies and gentlemen, honesty. that’s what we’re all here for.

Dan Soder (@dansoder)

As always I like to play it safe and make two picks every year. Old double down Soder.  My pick for 2018’s break out comic is from the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Mr. Shane Gillis. And Queens’s own, Jordan Temple. Those are my two picks. I’m breaking glass over here.  Shits getting real.  Shane Gillis is a super fucking funny stand up comic and Jordan Temple also super funny and does a bunch of great plays like Hidden Fences, and a bunch of his original…the Color Urkle. Yeah those are my picks.

Duncan Trussell (@duncantrussell)

I think the comedian who is going to break out in 2018 is Ian Fidance. My guess, he’s going to be put into a Martin Scorsese film, probably. That’s going to happen within the first couple months. After that I’m thinking, some kind of massive stadium tour, probably by the end of the year he’ll play the garden. He’s going to be a massive… When I think of Ian Fidance, I think of the Yellowstone Super Caldera. I’m sure you’re aware that this is a volcano that any moment is going to explode and wipe out North America. I think comedically a similar thing is going to happen this year with Fidance. So probably don’t get too close to him because there’s a chance that you’ll actually be obliterated by his ascent into comedy superstardom. He is a brilliant funny amazing, sweet bisexual man.

Christina Pazsitzky (@christinap)

The comedian I think will break out in 2018 is Ian Bagg. He’s so goddamn funny and I don’t know why people are not on board with him yet. Ian’s one of these comics who does amazing crowd work. He has amazing jokes but he’s also very skilled at crowd work, kind of the way that Don Rickles was, and maybe it wont translate to a special yet.. I don’t know. You guys need to go see him cause he’s so funny. Keep your eyes peeled for Ian Bagg.

Chad Zumock (@chadzumock)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is gonna be…drumroll…Ryan Sickler. You know him from the Crab Feast podcast with Jay Larson. He’s so funny. Los Angeles, check him out if you can. Ryan Sickler on all social media.  Guy makes me laugh.

Avery Pearson (@averyfunny)

The breakout comedian of 2018 is gonna be the very talented Adam Ray. Because he is an incredible improviser, he’s a killer writer and impressionist and producer and actor and actor and he knows everybody and you should tune into About Last Night podcast.

Amy Miller (@amymiller)

I think the breakout comic of 2018, well one of them will be David Gborie.  David’s someone I started it in Oakland. We started comedy in 2010 together. He is one of the funniest people I know. Super charming. He’s popped up on a lot of stuff already, but I really feel like this is his year.  People have been sitting on it and he’s ready to bust out.

Anthony DeVito (@anthonydevito_)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is going to be Dina Hashem.  She just annihilated on Conan, she’s a great joke writer, she’s got a unique stage presence, she works in every room, and she’s probably the funniest comic who is also in ISIS.

Mike Lawrence (@themikelawrence)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 – is me if you mean acne.  I’m 35, I still have it.  No, I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is going to be Yamaneika Saunders. I think she’s so unbelievably funny, super talented, I think that someone is going to cast her in a movie and she’s going to steal the show and eveyrbodys hearts and get the success she’s always deserved.

Joe List (@joelist)

I think the breakout comedian of 2018 is going to be Tom Thakkar. Because I just learned his new last name. He’s sexy, he’s hilarious, great comedian, he just did Conan and I heard he has a nice penis. Those are the main reasons. Don’t show anyone though.

Ian Fidance (@ianfidance)

I think the comedian who is going to break out in 2018 is Evan Williams. He’s, first of all he’s just a handsome man. He looks like  wrestler turned wonderful joke writer. But he’s just so interesting. He’s got a great backstory. He does great voices, impersonations, he’s just like a five tool baseball player. He’s got a lot of things about him that make him special and I always enjoy his comedy and he’s a killer hang. What more could you ask for.

Damien Lemon (@dlemoncomedy)

I think the breakout comedian for 2018 is going to be Rae Sanni. Rae Sanni is funny as shit, she’s been getting strong on the stand up set, killing twitter, writing for dope shows, just kind of stepping out into her own. I think she’s gonna make the move. So pay attention to Rae Sanni.

Big Jay Oakerson (@bigjayoakerson)

The comedian I think is going to break out in 2018 is Sam Jay. I had a chance to watch Sam Jay on the Oddball tour on the small stages over the course of two years, work her way up and now she’s a writer on SNL. I just think the sky’s the limit for her.

Chris DiStefano (@chrisdcomedy)

I think its going to be Mo Amer.  Because he’s not a straight white male piece of shit, like the rest of the comics. I think he’s fantastic, I think he’s one of the best comics I’ve seen in a long time.  He’s so funny and his haircut? He’s got the same hairstyle as my grandmother, but he’s literally one of the funniest comics I’ve ever seen.  Every time I have to follow him, it’s terrifying.  He blows the lid off because he’s a good comic, not because he’s Muslim.

Paul Scheer (@paulscheer)

I think the comedian of 2018 is going to be Mike Lawrence.  If you don’t know Mike Lawrence, he is the ultimate nerd comedian. he knows everything about super heroes, comic books, total nerd culture. He plays directly to the stuff that I love.  He’s not pretending to be one. He is one, and he’s fucking hilarious.

Luis J. Gomez (@luisjgomez)

I think the breakout of 2018 is gonna be the one and only Tim J. Dillon.  Why? Tim is one of the funniest motherfuckers out there, period. Anyone who has ever met him or talked to him, you know that this guy has something fucking different from everybody else. But more than anything else, he had the wherewithal to fake homosexuality, in order to pave the way for a pretty lucrative career. So, I know he’s got a lot on the horizon; hearing lots and lots of things in the works for him. And most of all he’s got an incredible podcast called Tim J Dillon is Going to Hell on the Gas Digital Network. Use the promo code RAP and save yourself a buck.

Yamaneika Saunders (@yamaneika)

Gotta be Tim Dillon. He’s an amazing comic, very funny guy, and the world just needs him. He’s got a half hour coming out really soon and some other big things. So you heard it here from me first.

Aaron Berg (@aaronberg)

The breakout comedian for 2018 is going to be a young cool dude called Ian Lara.  Very funny. Very punchy. Clean. Approachable. Love his work.

Mike Cannon (@iammikecannon)

I think the comedian of 201goinggoign to be Greg Stone. Greg is one of my favorite comics, he’s absolutely hilarious both offstage and on. AS soon as people find out about him they’re going to absolutely love him. He just made his first trip to LA like a big Hollywood boy so I think he is going to have a big year.

Liz Miele (@lizmiele)

Adrienne Iapalucci. She’s getting ready to record her album, she’s performed at every club in the city, she’s done Montreal, she’s been on Letterman. she’s done all the things to get ready for it and I think now, with her putting out her hour, I think she’s going to take off. She’s one of the best writers in the city and I’m slightly biased because she’s one of my favorite people on earth, but I truly believe she’s brilliant and this is going to be her year.

Dave Hill (@mrdavehill)

I would say the comedian that will break out in 2018 s Marshall Brandon. He’s based in Hartford, CT. The entertainment capital of Connecticut. And he’s a hilarious guy and one of the funniest comedians I’ve seen in a long time.

Chris Gethard (@chrisgethard)

There’s a lot of good comedy happening, a lot of good young up and coming comedians. I recently saw a guy named Jabookie Young White and I’ve been hearing a lot about him and he lived up to the hype. Very interesting young voice, unique individual, everything he puts on Twitter blows up which is a good indicator of the state of things these days sad as that may be. And I just have a feeling that if this kid keeps going, he’s going to be unstoppable.

Bonnie McFarlane (@bonniemcfarlane)

So I think the  next big comedian for 2018 is going to be Rayna Vos. And she really doesn’t want to be a comedian or have anything to do with it which I think is one of the reasons why the industry is really going to latch on to her.

Yannis Pappas (@yannispappas)

I think the comedian who is going to have a breakout year this year is Chris Distefano. He’s got a great new web series called Bay Ridge Boys, you should check it out. He’s right on the cusp.  Plus he’s got great hair. It’s all about Chris.

Sam Morrill (@sammorrill)

I’m going to give two. I’m cheating but I’m annoyed I can only give two- there’s so many funny people in this city. the first one is Dina Hashem, who is a very funny joke writer. She kills it on the road, she’s always got really funny jokes in roast battle, and she’s doing Conan. So I think she’s on the up and up and I like that she tells jokes with a nice energy, and I think its nice that a Jewish man can pick a Muslim woman. I think that’s going against the grain, and it’s going to throw people off, out of their comfort zone. My second pick is a comic that just moved to NYC- Raoul Sanchez. I like him a lot. He’s a funny dude.  Crazy life story, he’s a legal immigrant and he served in Iraq and he’s all kinds of fucked up but he’s funny as hell and he’s got great stories about it and I think, I hope the city embraces him because he made the move and he’s a funny funny bastard.

Rory Albanese (@roryalbanese)

I think the comedian who is going to break out in 2018 is Michelle Wolf. She’s not only hysterically funny, she’s got an amazing HBO hour that’s about to come out. I just watched her destroy at Night of Too Many Stars, clearly put herself in the category of a star that night. I don’t know how much money I win for being right, but mark my words, Michelle Wolf for 2018.

Open Mike Eagle (@mike_eagle)

The comedian I think is gonna do huge things in 2018 is Chris Redd. He’s a comedian based out here in LA, but he just got picked up to be part of Saturday Night Live, and I know him mostly from his stand up which is amazing. So the more opportunities he has to show his personality, and his skill set the better. I’m very sure he’s going to kill in 2018.

Robert Kelly @robertkelly

You’ll have to listen to this one yourself, transcribing just won’t do it justice.

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