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Sania Mirza Pictures
Monday, 28 February 2011
Controversial comedy; where would we be without it? For almost a century it has been the task of new generations of comics to help us deal with social and political pains in the ass by getting up on stage and making us laugh at all that is sacred. After all, what could be more enjoyable than that moment when a genuinely funny comedian makes the kind of crack that compels a whole nation to hold their collective breath and think to themselves in unison, “Oh no you didn’t!”? Here we raise a glass to the top ten most controversial comedians of all time.
10. Andy Kaufman
Kaufman was the king of self-deprecating, ambiguous performances and stunts on live television. The showman and star of Taxi was infamously difficult to work with, frequently ruining takes and exploiting the cameras for his own subversive skits. Indeed, he was so consistently obsessed with seemingly ruining his own reputation that he became blacklisted by countless television studios. Amongst his many stunts, Kaufman infamously decided to punish a live audience at one of his own shows by painstakingly reading aloud a novel from cover to cover until the stalls had emptied in frustration. He also faked a celebrity feud with Jerry Lawler, culminating in an on-screen fight on The David Letterman Show which led to him injuring his neck. Ten years later the whole skit was revealed as a prank. Many even claim that Kaufman faked his own tragic death from cancer in 1984 and is still alive.
9. Lenny Bruce
8. Richard Pryor
In 1967, Richard Pryor walked onto the stage at a packed out Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas after having what he described as an instantaneous epiphany, looked into the microphone and asked the audience, “What the fuck am I doing here?” before walking straight off again. Thus began the true career of the first African American to truly take comedy to a new level. Pryor began life as a safe comic selling out shows in safe venues for safe crowds; then he had this ‘moment’ in Las Vegas. What followed were nearly three decades of him holding the torch for controversial and up-front comedy routines directly challenging racial stereotypes and laden with more profanities than a burns victim jumping into a pool of vinegar.
7. Dick Gregory
6. Jon Stewart
‘Controversial’ not because of bad language or any other obvious staples of the average naughty comedian, Stewart has amassed an army of enemies – and an army of fans – through being one of the most intelligent and downright ball-bustin’ left wing political satirists of his generation. One of his more famous moments was his appearance on the political pantomime Crossfire in 2004, wherein – amongst other things – he pleaded with the hosts to cease with their “partisan hackery,” stealing the show and continually attacking its morals for the entirety of his interview. It led to a much publicized rivalry with Tucker Carlson and cemented his place in the annals of political lampooning.
5. Louis C.K.
4. Stephen Colbert
OK, so the left-of-center host of the eponymous Colbert Report may not be an obvious choice in a top ten list of controversial comedians, but we challenge you to watch his appearance at the 2006 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner – in its entirety – and not come out at the end agreeing with our choice. In the face of almost total awkward silence, Stephen spent his quarter of an hour slot satirizing, undermining and ridiculing the entire Bush administration and half the country’s media, as they all sat there taking it. Although not initially widely picked up by the press, the video footage of the event became an internet phenomenon, leading to Colbert being awarded an award for ‘Ballsiest Comedian of 2006.’
3. Sarah Silverman
Magnificently walking the tightrope between Liberalism and political incorrectness, Silverman has enjoyed a decade of success telling jokes that satirize just about every aspect of American racism. After gaining her big break following a major controversy at the turn of the millennium – in which she extolled the benefits of using casual xenophobia in order to avoid jury duty – she’s managed to make cracks about every sore subject of the last 100 years. The Holocaust, AIDS, 9/11, nothing is too holy to avoid her scathing satire. She’s like a female, girl-next-door South Park, and through her subtle technique of playing devil’s advocate, she has benefited from controversy like no other.
2. George Carlin
Despite sadly no longer being with us, George Carlin’s routines are still some of the most watched clips on the internet, and he enjoys an almost unanimous public and celebrity fan-base. Controversial from the start, he spent his career undermining anyone or anything that dared try and impose a sense of power. His most controversial routine by far was his ‘Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television’ routine from 1972. The skit was a diatribe of profanities – including the deeply unpopular ‘C’ word – in an era when swearing in the media was not exactly looked upon lightly. Carlin was not only arrested for performing it live, it became such a hot topic that it went all the way to the Supreme Court. It was seen as a hallmark for regulations on control over speech within American broadcasting and even now probably isn’t safe for most TV stations.
1. Bill Hicks
One of the true gods of controversial, scathing comedy, Bill Hicks spent his entire short life performing, and pushing the boundaries of sensibility. He was one of the first and only comedians to publicly lampoon the Gulf War, and spent a decade of his career battling censorship issues over such subjects as the Resurrection and the handicapped. Described often as one of the darkest of comics, he even joked about his impending death while dying of cancer in the mid-nineties.
Selena Gomez on Barney and Friends as a child
PopCrunch is looking for all the Selena Gomez pictures we can get our hands on. We think she’s one of the next huge stars, so keep watching this space as this photo gallery grows with more pics of the young Disney star. I’m sure we’ll have lots to add as Gomez will soon be pushing her first ever album.
Selena Gomez on her Disney show Wizards of Waverly.
Selena Gomez stylish, yes or no? Have to lean yes here, she wears some pretty cute stuff.
Gomez with long rumored love interest Nick Jonas. The Jonas rumors were at the root of a supposed feud with Miley Cyrus, but Cyrus and Gomez extinguished any talk that the two aren’t anything but good friends. Smart businesswomen.
Selena Gomez apparently is a fan of Johnny Rockets. Here she is enjoying a big strawberry shake.
Mickey Mouse better not be enjoying himself too much. Selena is still just 16 years old.
Selena Gomez “hotter than she should be”.
Selena Gomez and Wizards of Waverly co-star David Henrie.
Gomez has some serious hair, here it is at it’s biggest.
Selena Gomez flower shopping.
Ready to tackle some fan mail.
Selena Gomez looking fit in a bikini.
Gomez singing on Disney. Selena will be releasing a record with Hollywood Records as part of a band (as opposed to a Miley Cyrus like solo effort).
We’ll have more great Selena Gomez pictures as her career progresses.
Welcome to our third annual PopCrunch 100 Hottest Women. This is easily one of our most popular annual traditions, and in previous years we have crowned Minka Kelly (2009) and January Jones (2010) as the hottest women in the world. Read on to see who takes the top spot for 2011.
100. Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is the most-successful American Idol to date. She’s taken home every award given to country music including Entertainer of the Year as well as Grammy Awards and has even been nominated for a Golden Globe. In 2010 Carrie was married to her fiance, Mike Fisher and wrapped her wildly-successful Play On tour.
99. Claire Danes
Claire came into our lives on the television series, My So Called Life and now she’s a Golden Globe and SAG winner. Claire Danes has been growing into a fan favorite for years.
98. Giada de Laurenttis
Giada is the host of Everyday Italian on the Food Network and she is helping men across America learn more about cooking than they ever though possible. Giada who flashes her gorgeous smile makes everyone melt as they learn to cook some fabulous Italian cuisine.
97. Laura Bell Bundy
Laura became a household name when she debuted on Broadyway in the Tony-award winning musical, Legally Blonde. Since then she’s been roping her way into the country music industry, breaking through with her first hit single, Giddy on up.
96. Olivia Munn
Olivia became a household name when she landed a deal with the G4 gaming network. Since then she’s been the face of Pepsi, Neutrogena and Nike. The last few years she has been ranked as one of the Sexiest Women alive by Maxim magazine.
95. Nicole Kidman
Nominated again for an Academy Award, Nicole Kidman, is always one of the sexiest women alive. Kidman who has contiuned to select brilliant roles also added another daughter, Faith, to the mix in 2010. Nicole and husband, Keith Urban, welcomed a second daughter (via surrogate) in December.
94. Lucy Lawless
She’s the star of the Showtime series, Spartacus, Lucy Lawless has brought sex-appeal to a time period when dirt and dust ruled the landscape. Lawless isn’t afraid to flaunt her body for the role either, you can almost always catch some exposure during an episode of Spartacus.
93. Jenn Sturger
It’s a name that Brett Favre would rather never hear again his whole life but Florida State grad, Jenn Sturger does make our Top 100 list. Known for her modeling work and later as a side-line reporter for the NY Jets, Sturger has never been afraid to use her assets to take her a little farther in life.
92. Miley Cyrus
She’s finally 18 and eligible for our Top 100 lists but we’re not sure that she’ll still be relevant after this year so we’re adding Miley Cyrus in at #92. The former star of Hannah Montana wrapped 2010 with a bong video that went viral, a single that flopped and parents that filed for divorce – here’s to 2011 Miley. New album, new movies, should be a much better year.
91. Jennifer Love Hewitt
Now before many of you question how can Jennifer be so low on our list, let’s remember that while her rack is great her career has taken a turn South over the last year. Her CBS series, Ghost Whisperer was sold to NBC and then dropped by the network. Love is set to make her directorial debut later this year. We’re banking on 2011 being a turn-around year for Jennifer.
90. Kaley Cuoco
If you are a fan of Science, Star Trek or Comic Books then Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco is officially your dream girl. Cuco, who plays Penny on the CBS comedy is showing us that even if you don’t understand “science speak” you can still hang with your local Science Professors, as long as your are hot and quick-witted.
89. Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow seems to have it all, a rock star husband, family a movie career and now a great reoccurring role on the Fox comedy, Glee. Paltrow will be heading back to the small-screen this Spring, reprise her role as a substitute teacher, this time putting the moves on Matthew Morrison’s character, Will Schuester.
88. Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes is a repeat offender on the Hot 100 and she never disappoints. Mendes, who is set to appear this year in a few films will also launch a new Calvin Klein campaign this Spring.
87. Denise Richards
She might be one-step away from boarding the Crazy Train but Denise Richards is still gorgeous. Denise made headlines in late 2010 after she and ex-husband Charlie Sheen, had been seen together in NYC, just hours before Charlie held a prostitute hostage and trashed a Central Park hotel room. Denise and Charlie share custody of their 2 young daughters, Sam and Lola.
86. Ashley Benson
She’s one of the break-out stars of the ABCfamily series, Pretty Little Liars and actress Ashley Benson is making her first appearance on the Hot 100 list. You may recognize her from the Bring it on Franchise but if not then be sure to catch her as Hanna Marin, showing off her wicked ways.
85. Andrea Roth
If you haven’t been hooked on the FX series, Rescue Me, this is your final opportunity. The NYFD drama will wrap on the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11/01 attacks and we have no doubt that Andrea Roth will rock this final season. Her no-nonsense attitude and passionate spirit has gripped viewers for the last 6 seasons.
84. Padma Lakshmi
Padma is the hot host of the Bravo reality series, Top Chef. For 7 seasons, Padma has been politely asking some of the best chefs in the country to “Pack their knives and go” all the while throwing her own comments in to lead to their demise. Lakshmi’s personal life was busy in 2010, as she gave birth to her first child. Padma is currently involved in a custody battle with her baby-daddy, Michael Dell.
83. Reese Witherspoon
Reese solidified her role as America’s Sweetheart with two great romantic comedies in 2010 and will soon be see starring alongside Twilight star, Robert Pattinson, in the film version of the hugely-popular novel, Water for Elephants. Reese is also planning to tie the knot in 2011. She announced her engagement to Hollywood agent, Jim Roth late in 2010.
82. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is more than the Princess of County Music, she has become a world-wide phenomenon. Taylor’s 3rd album, Speak Now, broke records around the world as it blew to 1 million copies in just 3 days after its release. Taylor has already seen both of the first two singles fly to #1 on the charts and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
81. Tiffani Theissen
You grew-up loving her as Kelly Kapaowski and then watched her in college on Beverly Hills, 90210 and now you can catch her on the USA drama, White Collar. Tiffani gave birth to her first child in 2010, a daughter Harper but appears to be back to her rocking body already.
