I don't find many comedians to be very funny. I like sketch comedy though (and did it in college). The original British Who's Line Is It Anyway? was hilarious, but when they brought it to the states it got way too cheesy. People would laugh hysterically at anything and it got way too hammy and one-liner-ish in a bad way.
I like my comedy with the acid wit of observation and understanding about the world -- other people, politics, etc.
Basically INTELLIGENT comedy:
The only comic I've paid to see is Paul Mooney! Funnay, though I didn't like how he inserted the random requisite Chinese jokes but he said he has every color in the rainbow in his family including Chinese so he's allowed.
Otherwise no way I'm paying money to watch a bunch of comedians.
I also love Kathy Griffin and watch all her Bravo specials when I had cable and a DVR.
Dave Chappelle.
Colbert is my journalist hero. That man has got some cajones. I cannot believe he called out an entire room full of journalists at the Bush roast for being a bunch of sycophantic cowards.
For me, mainstream comedy basically falls into 2 categories. People who mock things to criticize them, get you to think, foster change or uh just criticize them and it's a welcome change. They play with expectations and symbols and really cut the heart of things = humor.
And then there are people who emulate and exacerbate whatever 'taboo' topic they're on. I guess it's the difference between laughing at someone and laughing with them in a way. Is it progressive or backwards?
I honestly think you have to have a degree of intelligence to be funny and understand why what you say is funny, and some people just don't cut it. Ergo, if it's offensive, it must be funny so I'll reach for the cheap laugh like a hack reaching for my last straw.
So the opposite of the intelligent spectrum for me:
South Park
Sarah Silverman - Jimmy Kimmel - Man Show Triumverate
Mencia
Outside this paradigm:
I put Seinfeld outside my standard box for funny. He's funny in the observant way but like he says, his shtick is about 'nothing'.
Same with Conan. Also love how he pulls stunts on his guests, which sometimes PISS them off and he does it anyway!
Having said all that, I like dumb movies' but they have to be dumb in a certain way. I think there are too many movies that totally lose sight of what's funny and go compensate with being as gross, scatalogical, and nonsensical as possible.
Seriously, whenever there is a truly insightful or original routine, people jump on the bandwagon and copy it. Usually mangling it and only taking the trappings.
Chappelle --> Mencia
'There's Something About Mary' --> Most gross out comedies that came after
Alright, that's the end of my long rant on comedy.
And yes, I know everyone's sense of humor is different.