Best of 2007: Comedy

by Dan Shumate

What a depressing year. The unpopular war in Iraq seems unsalvageable. The U.S. economy is in the crapper. The housing market has fallen into a seemingly bottomless pit. The credit crunch. ... Is this the end of our great empire? Perhaps. But at least there's some comic relief to make your worries subside -- at least for a few moments. Shoo away those feelings of impending doom with our top comedy picks of 2007.

Celeb Who Could Be King: Superbad, Knocked Up Star Seth Rogan
His resume prior to 2007 was impressive: staff writer for the "Da Ali G Show;" cast member of the now-cancelled, cultish sitcom "Freaks and Geeks;" and a minor part in Anchor Man. He got his big break after landing a supporting role in pal Judd Apatow's 40-Year-Old Virgin. In 2007, his career took off at light speed, with his hands in two more Apatow creations and the year's biggest comedy films: Knocked Up and Superbad (which he co-wrote). If he doesn't walk away with an Oscar, then the Academy doesn’t have a sense of humor (well, actually, they don't).

Most Offensive, but Still Funny: Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman has made a career of being politically incorrect. She went from being fired from writing for "SNL" to starring in her own stand-up film, Jesus Is Magic, and her own Larry Sanders-esque Comedy Central sitcom series, Then, there's the infamous VMAs incident: Silverman conjured images of Britney's Brazilian-ed baby-chute with her mouth -- all within earshot of the medicated diva. If that wasn’t enough, she smelled Howard Stern Show writer Richard Cristy's nether regions after he hadn't showered for four days. Can it get any worse? We hope so. Runner-Up: Lisa Lampanelli

Still the World's Biggest Stand-Up Comedian: Dane Cook
Coming off a banner year in 2006, Dane Cook completely crossed the threshold from successful stand-up comedian to Hollywood big shot. Mr. Brooks might have been mediocre, but Cook proved he could be more than just a comedic frat guy -- he could also be a serious actor. He landed a role in the Steve Carell-led dramedy, Dan in Real Life, and costarred opposite Jessica Alba in Good Luck Chuck. To top it all off, he released one of the year's best-selling comedy albums, Rough Around the Edges. Cook is … um, cooking. Zing! 

Indie Comic Done-Good Award: Patton Oswalt
He may lack Dane Cook's six-pack, but Oswalt's absurdist world view is funnier and more creative. Oswalt, most known for his role as Spence on The King of Queens (which was canceled this year), is also the voice of Remy, the lead character in Pixar's Ratatouille. Then, he followed up one of the best comedy albums of the last 10 years, Feelin' Kinda Patton, with the best comedy album of the 2007, Werewolves and Lollipops.

Biggest Comedy Trend to Replicate Like a Retrovirus: Redneck Comedy
No, it hasn't gone away yet. Blame Jeff Foxworthy, who founded the Blue Collar Comedy Tour in 2000, with friends Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall and Ron White. After several tours and best-selling albums and DVDs, sleeveless flannel, grumbling impressions of "Git-R-Done!" and low-brow jokes for the working class still rule the stage. Johnny-come-lately humorists like the Naked Trucker and T-Bones, Tim Wilson and Roy D. Mercer have never been more popular. Then there's Larry the Cable, who released two freaking albums in 2007 (who does he think he is – Lil' Wayne?).

Top Comedic News Topic: Senator Larry Craig Scandal
It's sad that, in 2007, a gay man must solicit sex with strangers in a Minneapolis airport toilet. If it was just the Idaho Senator's "thing," it'd be different, but a politician -- Republican or Democrat -- having to remain in the closet (or bathroom stall), fearing for his seat (instead of freely enjoying someone else's) is doubly sad. But how could one not indulge in a satisfying sense of schadenfreude once you factor in his right-wing voting hypocrisy?

Top Sitcom That's Not Actually Lame: "30 Rock"
The concept -- a show about a show -- isn't new, but its creator, Tina Fey, has made the smartest sitcom on network television (which shouldn't be that hard considering that 95 percent of them suck). But with low ratings, its days are probably numbered and will fall to the wayside like other canceled un-sucky shows, such as "Arrested Development." Perhaps there really is a culture war after all, and unfortunately for Fey, smart people don't watch network TV.

Best New Zealander Comedian-Singers: "Flight of the Conchords"
"Flight of the Conchords" comedians Bret McKenzie and Jermaine Clement may proclaim being "formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo," but they are undoubtedly better than the other three who quite predictably include a traditional Maori haka dance prior to performances. But what other singing comedy duo, from anywhere, has its own incredibly witty HBO series this year -- none.

Best Comedian-Presidential Contender: Stephen Colbert
Before Colbert's Presidential campaign really got off the ground, he suffered two major hardships. Seeing the lack of choice among the hopefuls in both parties, Colbert had originally planned to run as both a Republican and Democrat in his home state of South Carolina, but he opted out of the Republican ticket after finding out about the party's $35,000 entrance fee (what else do you expect from the millionaire's party?). Then, the final blow: he paid the Democrat's entrance fee but was denied a place on the ballot by the party. Though his campaign lasted less than a month (October 16 – November 5), he still made his point as America's reigning champion of political satire. But now, we're still all screwed.