The 5: The Kings of Anti-Comedy

In recent years, anti-comedy has gained something of a foothold. But what people may not realize is that the concept has been around for much longer. Below are the Kings of Anti-Comedy, men who have driven people insane with anger or in some cases have commanded unending devotion.

1. Andy Kaufman. The man that blew everyone away. You either love him or you despise him, there’s no middle ground. Whether he was going on stage and reading the Great Gatsby, or sitting and simply eating ice cream as his “act”, Kaufman was dedicated completely. Is just watching a man eat ice cream on stage funny? The joke is there is no joke. The joke is these people paid to see him do this. Watch Andy Kaufman eat ice cream at the Improv in this eternal crowd pleaser.
2. Norm Macdonald. Everyone knows Norm Macdonald from his work on Saturday Night Live, his movies and his TV show. But he’s also known among comedy fans as a comic who mocks the entire concept of comedy and jokes. His weird, bizarre appearances on Conan can be highlighted below where he tells long, rambling “jokes” that go nowhere. But it’s still funny, unless you’re just annoyed by it – that’s ok, you just don’t get it.  Here’s Norm at the height of his Anti-Comedy powers on Conan telling a story involving Andy Richter, or does it?
3. Neil Hamburger.  Neil’s a character created by Gregg Turkington has been working for years, getting late night television spots and opening for bands all over the country. Hamburger is a character with awful material who constantly clears his throat. Mocking out a terrible stand up act is Neil’s act. A lot of people compare him to Kaufman’s Tony Clifton.  Take a listen to Neil Hamburger’s creepy act as he clears his throat and makes people feel uncomfortable.
4. Tim and Eric.  Tim and Eric have been working together since 2001, and are best known for their Adult Swim shows Tom Goes to the Mayor and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! They’re polarizing to say the least. Some people can’t stand them, with their act based on sheer uncomfortability and weirdness it turns a lot of people off. Their production values are bad on purpose, their jokes are odd and off putting because that’s what they find funny. Their movie was destroyed by critics but loved by their fans.  Tim and Eric produce their own cooking show and that’s exactly what it is – just a cooking show.
5. Eric Andre.  Eric Andre became know for his Adult Swim show, The Eric Andre Show. A program meant to mock out late night television in the most absurd and over the top way possible. He does the show with comedian Hannibal Burress as his sidekick who’s forced to stand everytime a guest comes on because there’s only one chair. Again, this is show that’s bad on purpose. His “guests” are rarely who he says they are like when Seinfeld came on – it’s just an African guy.  How did Eric Andre book Jerry Seinfeld on his show? It’s simple – he didn’t. Watch here.

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