Insult comedy

Insult comedy is a comedy genre in which the act consists mainly of offensive insults directed at the performer's audience or other performers.

Typical targets for insult include individuals in the show's audience, the town hosting the performance, or the subject of a roast. An insult comedian often maintains a competitive and interactive relationship with his or her audience. The style has been described as "festive abuse".

The style can be distinguished from an act based on satire, or political humor. Insult comedy is often used to deflect or silence hecklers even when the rest of the show is not focused around it.

Notable performers 

 Al Murray
 Andrew Dice Clay
 Andy Kaufman, particularly when portraying his character Tony Clifton
 Anthony Jeselnik
 Austen Tayshus, moved into the genre with his later material
 Bernie Mac
 Bianca Del Rio 
 Bill Burr
 Bill Hicks
 Bill Maher
 Billy Crystal's character Buddy Young, Jr.
 Bob Hope
 Bob Saget
 Brad Garrett
 Gaius Valerius Catullus, ancient Roman poet 
 Chelsea Handler
 Colin Quinn
 Daniel Tosh
 Dave Attell
 D. L. Hughley
 Don Rickles
 Dustin the Turkey
 Eddie Murphy
 Ed the Sock
 Frankie Boyle
 Fred Allen, especially whenever he referenced his longtime friend, Jack Benny, as per their "feud."
 Gilbert Gottfried
 Goundamani, especially referenced his partner Senthil
 Graham Norton 
 Greg Davies
 Greg Giraldo
 Groucho Marx
 Hans Teeuwen
 Harry Hill
 Hasan Minhaj
 Howard Stern
 Jack E. Leonard
 Jackie Gleason
 Jackie Mason
 James Rolfe
 Jeffrey Ross
 Jerry Sadowitz
 Jim Jefferies
 Jimmy Carr 
 Jim Norton
 Joan Rivers 
 John Szeles AKA The Amazing Johnathan
 Jonathan Ross
Kapil Sharma
 Kathy Griffin
 Lenny Bruce
 Lisa Lampanelli
 Louis C.K.
 Marcus Valerius Martialis, ancient Roman poet
 Neil Hamburger
 Santhanam
 Otto and George
 Patrice O'Neal
 Paul Kaye, better known as "Dennis Pennis"
 Phyllis Diller
 Redd Foxx
 Richard Pryor
 Ricky Gervais
 Robin Harris
 Rodney Dangerfield
 Rodney Rude
 Roy 'Chubby' Brown
 Russell Peters
 Sam Kinison
 Sarah Silverman
 Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog
 ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's characters Walter and Peanut
 Vice Ganda
 Vinnie Favorito
 Yucko the Clown

See also 
 Roast (comedy)
 The dozens

References 

Category:Comedy genres
Category:Abuse
Category:Roast (comedy)
Category:Stand-up comedy