Insult comedy

Insult comedy is a comedy genre in which the act consists mainly of offensive insults directed at the performer's audience or other performers.

Typical targets for insult include individuals in the show's audience, the town hosting the performance, or the subject of a roast. An insult comedian often maintains a competitive and interactive relationship with his or her audience. The style has been described as "festive abuse".

The style can be distinguished from an act based on satire, or political humor. Insult comedy is often used to deflect or silence hecklers even when the rest of the show is not focused around it.

Notable insult comics

 * Fred Allen, especially whenever he referenced his longtime friend, Jack Benny, as per their "feud."
 * Dave Attell
 * Frankie Boyle
 * Roy 'Chubby' Brown
 * Lenny Bruce
 * Bill Burr
 * Jimmy Carr
 * Gaius Valerius Catullus, ancient Roman poet
 * Andrew Dice Clay
 * Louis C.K.
 * Billy Crystal's character Buddy Young, Jr.
 * Rodney Dangerfield
 * Bianca Del Rio
 * Greg Davies
 * ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's characters Walter and Peanut
 * Dustin the Turkey
 * Vinnie Favorito
 * Redd Foxx
 * Brad Garrett
 * Ricky Gervais
 * Greg Giraldo
 * Jackie Gleason
 * Gilbert Gottfried
 * Goundamani, especially referenced his partner Senthil
 * Kathy Griffin
 * Neil Hamburger
 * Chelsea Handler
 * Robin Harris
 * Harry Hill
 * Bob Hope
 * D. L. Hughley
 * Jim Jefferies
 * Anthony Jeselnik
 * Andy Kaufman, particularly when portraying his character Tony Clifton
 * Paul Kaye, better known as "Dennis Pennis"
 * Sam Kinison
 * Lisa Lampanelli
 * Jack E. Leonard
 * Bernie Mac
 * Seth MacFarlane
 * Marcus Valerius Martialis, ancient Roman poet
 * Groucho Marx
 * Jackie Mason
 * Al Murray
 * Graham Norton
 * Jim Norton
 * Patrice O'Neal
 * Russell Peters
 * Colin Quinn
 * Don Rickles
 * Joan Rivers
 * James Rolfe
 * Jeffrey Ross
 * Jonathan Ross
 * Rodney Rude
 * Jerry Sadowitz
 * Bob Saget
 * Goundamani
 * Santhanam
 * Sarah Silverman
 * John Szeles AKA The Amazing Johnathan
 * Austen Tayshus, moved into the genre with his later material
 * Hans Teeuwen
 * Daniel Tosh
 * Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog
 * Vice Ganda
 * Yucko the Clown