Like to laugh? Who doesn't? Which is precisely why comedy skits and routines have such popular appeal. Lenny Bruce revolutionized stand-up comedy in the 1950s, and soon afterward stars like Bob Newhart, the Smothers Brothers, and Richard Pryor found major success recording comedy albums. Younger generations look to newer stars like Chris Rock, David Cross, Patton Oswalt, and the late Mitch Hedberg.

Notable Artists: Steve Martin, George Carlin, Sandra Bernhard, Lenny Bruce