My favourite stand-ups:

EDDIE IZZARD - I've got all of his gigs on tape, he is mega-funny. He talks as if he's stoned, about history, and religion, and wierd stuff. I used to spend many a night inside the smoked-packed cabin of my lorry, with Eddie in the cassette deck, absolutely crying with laughter. Highly recommended

BILL BAILEY - watched his "Troll-like" show on TV a few weeks back, the first time I've seen him doing stand-up. The guy also plays loads of instruments - awesome guitarist! I've got to get me a copy on DVD, he is funny as fuck.

STEPHEN RIGHT - awesome, from back in the day. Saturday Night Live produced some class acts, but for me, this guy beats them all. Wacky, off-the-wall humour - just the way I like it lol

DEREK AND CLIVE (aka PETER COOK AND DUDLEY MOORE) - although they aren't strictly a stand-up act, I think they are worthy of a mention, in the context of the thread. Maybe they're an acquired taste, but if you like hedonistic, ad-libing, whilst absolutely pissed out of their skulls, then you won't go far wrong with this...hehehe - not for the faint-hearted