9. Doug Stanhope
On the other side of the Atlantic is Doug Stanhope a long time US stand up whose subject matter is sometimes so controversial and offensive it makes his own audiences feel uncomfortable. Stanhope is a self-styled anarchist who once thought about running to be president of America and used to run with a comedy troop known as The Unbookables He regularly attacks religions organisations and politics on their hypocrisy and the horrible ways those in charge work and how they treat people. Stanhope attacks them in a very well thought out intelligent manner which you dont expect from a man whose look is quite dishevelled with a strong American accent yet his smart rants are perfect to shock and entertain a crowd. He pushes forward with his routine no matter how dark it might be or how much it offends people. Several of Stanhopes most controversial bits on stage have come around the always extreme subject of paedophilia. He has never defended it but in saying that paedophiles must have a hard time because of what gets them off as a joke has led to big backlashes from audiences and certain comedy festivals. It is of course a deeply controversial and taboo idea to bring forward even for comedy. It never stops Doug though who even with his extreme material still does well on his shows and has gained a solid UK following from his work on Charlie Brookers Newswipe shows. Stanhope is not a comic to take a first date too but his act is piecing and incredible funny deserving your attention for his clever sometimes harsh yet true social commentary and darkly funny jokes.