Back in Time Today
Introduction
The 1980s were a golden age for stand-up comedy, with legendary comedians delivering punchlines that became part of pop culture. Their iconic one-liners and unique styles changed comedy forever. Let’s revisit ten classic comedians and the famous jokes that made them legends.
1. Eddie Murphy’s Family Cookout Chaos
Few comedians could turn a family barbecue into a comedy event like Eddie Murphy. In his classic special Delirious, Murphy joked, “My father would get drunk and start telling stories: ‘Eddie, get over here! Let me tell you something. I love you, but you’re an idiot!’” Another fan favorite: “The cookout is not a cookout until the fire department shows up.” These jokes became legendary because Murphy’s energetic impressions and vivid storytelling made everyone see their own family in his wild tales.
2. George Carlin’s Everyday Observations
George Carlin was the king of clever wordplay. His famous line, “Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?” made people laugh and think at the same time. Another classic: “I put a dollar in a change machine. Nothing changed.” Carlin’s ability to find absurdity in the ordinary made his jokes timeless and inspired generations of comedians to look at life from a new angle.
3. Joan Rivers’ Fashion Roasts
Joan Rivers was fearless on the red carpet. She’d quip, “I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor.” Or, roasting celebrities: “I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio.” Rivers’ sharp tongue and quick wit made her a legend, showing that comedy could be both glamorous and biting.
4. Richard Pryor’s Honest Storytelling
Richard Pryor’s comedy was raw and real. He famously joked, “I went to Zimbabwe. I know how white people feel in America now: relaxed!” Another classic: “I had to stop drinking, ‘cause I got tired of waking up in my car driving ninety.” Pryor’s willingness to tackle tough topics with humor and honesty made his routines legendary and deeply influential.
5. Robin Williams’ Wild Impressions
Robin Williams was a whirlwind on stage. He’d leap into characters, saying things like, “Cocaine is God’s way of telling you you are making too much money.” Or, riffing on technology: “I have a microwave fireplace. I can lay down in front of the fire for the evening in eight minutes.” Williams’ rapid-fire delivery and boundless energy made every performance unforgettable and set a new standard for improv comedy.
6. Jerry Seinfeld’s Relatable Routines
Jerry Seinfeld’s genius was in making the mundane hilarious. “What’s the deal with airline food?” he’d ask, or, “Why do they call it ‘oatmeal’? Oats, yes. Meal, no.” Seinfeld’s clean, observational humor made everyone feel like he was talking about their own lives, and his jokes became catchphrases for a generation.
7. Sam Kinison’s Loud Rants
Sam Kinison was famous for his explosive delivery. He’d start calm, then erupt: “You ever notice when you’re driving, anyone going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” Or his classic scream: “Move to where the food is! You live in a desert!” Kinison’s rants were legendary for their volume and their ability to turn frustration into comedy gold.
8. Rodney Dangerfield’s “No Respect” Gags
Rodney Dangerfield’s catchphrase became a cultural touchstone: “I don’t get no respect!” He’d follow up with lines like, “When I was born, the doctor slapped my mother.” Or, “My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.” Dangerfield’s rapid-fire self-deprecation made everyone laugh at life’s little indignities, and his jokes are still quoted today.
9. Steven Wright’s Deadpan Surrealism
Steven Wright’s humor was as dry as it was bizarre. “I intend to live forever. So far, so good,” he’d say, or, “I spilled spot remover on my dog. Now he’s gone.” Wright’s deadpan delivery and surreal logic made his jokes unforgettable, and his style is still imitated by comics who love the absurd.
10. Andrew Dice Clay’s Bold Rhymes
Andrew Dice Clay shocked and delighted with his nursery rhyme parodies: “Hickory dickory dock, some chick was…” (the rest, famously, not safe for print). Another: “Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider, he sat down beside her, and said, ‘Hey, what’s in the bowl, b—?’” Clay’s brash, boundary-pushing style made his rhymes infamous and cemented his place in comedy history.