The 25 Most Controversial Comedians Working Today
Thinking back to the 1980s, we’ve been given plenty of comedians that have graced our minds and our days with laughter. Sure, most comedians can be offensive, but not every comedian is controversial— on purpose.
We’re going to give you a few who choose to perform outside of the lines and those who don’t try to, but they end up out there anyway. What are you going to do?
Chris D’Elia
Chris D’elia isn’t the first comedian you think of when you think of the word controversy. But his comedy specials Incorrigible and Man on Fire aren’t for the faint of heart. He is known to dive into what he finds wrong with society and what irks him. And most times, flowery language isn’t involved in those bits. He tends to make fun of everyone, including himself, so be careful if you’re ever in the audience.
Daniel Tosh
The prince of controversial comedy, Daniel Tosh. He created a TV show Tosh.0 with the intent to be as deliberately offensive and crude as possible, without getting kicked off the air. Honestly, maybe that was always the goal— to continue reaching that line.
He was also a part of the animated series Brickleberry as Malloy, a really inappropriate bear. The entire show was inappropriate, really, but it tackled some tough topics. So, that evens out.
Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer’s comedy is dark. She talks about things nobody likes to talk about, the gritty parts of life.
Early in her career, she performed in Last Comic Standing and placed fourth. In 2010, her first Comedy Central Presents special aired. Since then, she’s recorded the comedy specials Cutting, The Leather Special, and Growing. Along the way, she’s made some pretty bold statements and a few ugly comments. We’re sure she knows, just like we’re sure she meant to tell each joke when she did.
Dave Chappelle
Now when I said Tosh was the prince, it was only because Dave Chappelle is the king of comedic controversy.
He’s been doing it his entire career, starting with the satirical TV sketch series Chappelle’s Show. Chappelle is known world-wide as a great comedian and it’s been that way for what seems like forever. He must be doing something right with his insult-comedy about sexuality and race because it’s gotten him a contract with Netflix that’s lead to him releasing 5 comedy specials to-date.