Why Are You Laughing?

Top 25 Stand-Ups of the 2000's

Ranking the Top 25 stand-up comedians of the 2000's, so far. We discuss the most influential, prolific and funniest voices in stand-up comedy through the first quarter of the 21st century. *SPOILERS*TIMESTAMPS0:00 Show intro5:30 25. Dane Cook12:39 24. Jim Jefferies17:42 23. Gary Gulman22:53 22. Jim Norton27:46 21. Rory Scoval30:30 20. Anthony Jeselnik34:40 19. Katt Williams37:05 18. Shane Gillis41:51 17. Daniel Tosh46:00 16. Maria Bamford50:47 15. Nate Bargatze54:24 14. Mitch Hedberg57:54 13. Jim Gaffigan1:02:12 12. Bo Burnham1:06:16 11. Doug Stanhope1:08:49 10. Greg Giraldo1:13:40 9. Patrice O'Neal1:17:46 8. John Mulaney1:22:08 7. Brian Regan1:26:26 6. Dave Attell1:30:36 5. Colin Quinn1:34:54 4. Bill Burr1:39:55 3. Dave Chappelle1:42:34 2. Norm MacDonald1:46:14 1. Louis CKFOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.org

What Happened to Amy Schumer? The Epic Downfall

Amy Schumer went from comedy’s biggest star to facing widespread backlash. We cover her meteoric rise with “Inside Amy Schumer,” her Netflix “Leather Special,” accusations of joke theft from comics like Ellen DeGeneres and Patrice O’Neal, and how her political turn alienated fans. From being one of the guys on Opie & Anthony, to a genuine movie star in "Trainwreck' to seemingly irrelevant. Why Are You Laughing? is a history of comedy podcast. FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.org

The Life and Times of Tim | The Most Underrated Show of All Time

Is "The Life & Times of Tim" HBO’s most overlooked comedy? We dive into Steve Dildarian’s animated gem, comparing its style to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld," as well as other underrated series like "Arrested Development" and "Community." With Nick Kroll and guest stars like Bob Saget, Bob Odenkirk, and Aziz Ansari, we uncover why this series deserves a second look and where it fits in comedy history.TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro5:07 Creating The Life & Times of Tim16:44 HBO bidding war21:04 The Boss27:00 Nick Kroll & other voices39:20 Bob Odenkirk & other guest stars45:27 Is this the most underrated shows ever?FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.org

Jim Norton | Opie & Anthony, Stand-Up Comedy, Raw Honesty

Jim Norton’s comedy journey spans from opening for Andrew Dice Clay to becoming a staple on Opie and Anthony and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. We explore his stand-up evolution, his infamous characters like Chip Chipperson and Uncle Paul, and his influence on comedy podcasts and radio. Join “Why Are You Laughing?” as we break down Norton’s raw humor, controversial style, and lasting legacy in stand-up and beyond.FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.org

The Rise & Fall of Cancel Culture in Comedy

The history of cancel culture in comedy — from Roseanne Barr and Shane Gillis to Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe — and how it reshaped stand-up, radio, and podcasting.Welcome to the latest episode of Why Are You Laughing?, where we examine the rise and fall of cancel culture in comedy and its lasting impact on the industry. From high-profile controversies involving Daniel Tosh, Roseanne Barr, Owen Benjamin, Shane Gillis, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Joe Rogan, this episode breaks down how careers were altered, opportunities disappeared, and new platforms emerged in response.We explore how cancel culture affected comedians across the spectrum — including moments like Kathy Griffin’s backlash and the broader influence of Donald Trump on the comedy landscape. Along the way, we look at how outrage cycles, online harassment, and shifting audience expectations created both consequences and opportunities within the industry.Rather than taking a one-sided view, this episode analyzes how cancel culture evolved, who it impacted most, and whether its influence is fading or simply changing form in modern comedy.TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro6:32 Daniel Tosh apology15:21 Jim Norton vs. Lindy West25:18 Roseanne fired31:47 Owen Benjamin45:04 Kathy Griffin vs. Donald Trump1:01:29 Shane Gillis fired from SNL1:14:10 The Joe Rogan Effect1:21:50 Tony Hinchcliffe backlash1:46:08 Norm Macdonald vs. Seth SimonsFOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.orgFOR ALL THINGS HACKRIDEhttp://hackridestudios.comFOR ALL THINGS DJ ELECTRA FRYhttp://djelectrafry.com