I never said you weren't entitled to your own opinion, and I am also entitled to mine, which is Jerry Lewis sucks and blows. All I did was state my opinion. You can't post a list and not expect criticism for it, especially one as overtly biased and disjointed as yours. For example, I recently wrote a list of the gayest (lamest) things children are into. Within the article I laid down the criteria and explained my choices. You don't explain a single aspect of your choices; all I got from your lists is you really like the three comedy teams and pretty much hate anything that came out in the past half century.
As for Woody Allen, an explanation that he did stand up previously would have been nice. As for his acting roles, I wonder if he would have been able to handle a role written by someone else (not trying to knock your choice, just thinking out loud). Personally I would place Woody Allen's comedic acting in the same of Dan Whitney: he plays basically the same role (squirrelly neurotic guy, where as Whitney plays a gas-obsessed redneck, both get women that are out of their league), only his character is smarter. The same can be said for the team comedians, but team comedy needs to be viewed in a different light. Comparing Curly Howard to Chris Rock (whom I enjoy, not invalidating your opinion just stating mine) is comparing apples to oranges.
Perhaps I'm in the wrong here and am being too anal-retentive, but the term "comedian" is different than the phrase "funniest people"...which is most likely where my overall confusion from your list comes from. I do believe that I have brought up an interesting topic of debate however, one that can give more life to this thread than the original premise of listing comedians or funny people. I'll leave it up to others to decide, and leave you with a list of my top ten comedians (for the suckiest comics see my upcoming article in the verbal garbage section).
George Carlin - Carlin has been consistently hilarious for 30+ years; his material and act have evolved over time and thus never get stale. While his movie and television roles have been weak for the most part (with the exception of his sitcom which deserved more viewers than it received), his stand up specials on HBO are top notch.
Richard Pryor - Pryor was one of the most candid and refreshing comics of all time in his prime. Much like Carlin he was a ground breaker and a trailblazer, and nothing was off limits. From the general hypocrisies of the government and society, to his audience and even himself...nothing was off limits.
Howard Stern - Not a comedian in the truest sense of the word, Howard is a more of a satirist, and a very funny, articulate and intelligent one. Sure he can go low-brow with sex and flatulance, but he is also very cerebral, discussing the politics of the day and any major news stories as well. Most people dismiss him as a pervert or a deviant when in reality he is a man who is unafraid to speak his mind, no matter what may be on it. Howard is never vulgar or crass just for the sake of being vulgar or crass: there's always a method and meaning to his madness. He is also a whiz at making stars out of virtual nobodies; I can't think of anyone else who would have been able to make "Baba Booey" a cultural phenomenon, not to mention the assorted nuts in the Wack Pack. On top of all that it was Howard Stern who introduced me to the joys of lesbianism, and for that I'll be forever grateful.
Lenny Bruce - The comedian who paved the way for just about everyone else who came after him, Lenny is another trailblazer like the men ahead of him...only he paid the biggest price. Arrests and beatings abound for a man that dared expose the hypocrisy of the obscenity laws of his day, and managed to do so in an irreverent and intelligent way. Like Stern after him he was never vulgar for the sake of being vulgar and always had a point/message.
Groucho Marx - Yes, Groucho was the most recognizable Marx Brother, but his uncanny ability to think on his feet and hit his target with stinging verbal jabs and one-liners helped him in my opinion transcend the team and have what was perhaps the greatest solo career of any member of a comedy team. When you consider that he embarked on his own at an advanced age it makes him all the more remarkable. One of the most intelligent and cerebral comedians of his time who could also get physical, Groucho deserves mention on any respectable top comedians list. Groucho Marx is the Muhammad Ali of comedy.
Jack Benny - Benny is the man who in my opinion created radio comedy. His humor to this day transports the listener into his world and soon enough you feel more like a spectator than a mere listener. That is special quality that comes around as often as Halley's Comet.
John Belushi - The quintessential fat slob comic, often imitated but never duplicated, Belushi's life and career were cut short by his own vices. Something tells me he wouldn't have had it any other way. Without Belushi Saturday Night Live would have been dead on arrival, and in addition to the awesome Animal House he was the one glimmer of gold in a few shitty movies as well.
Chris Rock - The funniest comic to come to prominence in the 1990's, Chris Rock is stellar at stand up while not so much at films. Every one of his HBO Specials have been a laugh riot and he is one of few capable of carrying the torch lit by Carlin and Pryor before him. "Books are like Kryptonite to a Nigga" indeed.
Charlie Chaplin - The Little Tramp was so good he didn't need to be heard to get his point across. The most recognizable and in my opinion funniest comic of the silent films era, Chaplin's comedy has withstood the test of time. His talkies are also very underrated.
Dave Chappelle - Often criticized for allegedly using race humor as a crutch, Chappelle has proven himself funny in other areas as well. It's a shame for us that the suits at Comedy Central wouldn't allow his sketch show to evolve from primarily race humor, and unfortunate for his wallet that Dave had the conviction to quit his show when he felt too constrained.
Honorable Mentions: Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Lawanda Page, Redd Foxx, Eddie Murphy before the castration, Craig Fitzsimmons, Artie Lange, Sam Kinison
