History Main / InsultComic

* Hadrian, a Ghoul in VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas is explicitly named the insult comic. As a ghoul, he developed this talent dealing with the inevitable hecklers who'd rather make rude comments about his appearance than listen to his act.

* In a ''Series/KeyAndPeele'' sketch, an Insult Comic finally meets his match in the form of a gay paraplegic burn victim who speaks with an electrolarynx that asks to be insulted, stating that he can take it. The comedian is naturally uncomfortable with making any hard digs, but after the audience speaks up about how he's been making cracks at everyone else's expense. Eventually, he relents and compares him to Freddy Krueger, which causes the victim to burst into tears and the audience to riot.

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* In the ''WesternAnimation/PinkyAndTheBrain'' episode "TV or No TV", Brain's latest [[TakeOverTheWorld world takeover scheme]] involves wearing a set of [[HypnoTrinket hypnosis-inducing dentures]] and using his smile to get people to bend to his will. To this end, he decides to become a stand-up comedian. When his first set of jokes (cribbed from other comedians) gets him nothing but boos, he resorts to [[TakeThatAudience insulting the audience]] ("You're repugnant!" became his CatchPhrase for that episode), and they eat it up.

-->-- '''Music/{{Eminem}}, "Brainless"

* The remake of ''Film/{{The Nutty Professor|1996}}'' has Creator/DaveChappelle's character, insult comedian Reggie Warrington, laying into his audience after an [[ObligatoryJoke obligatory]] round of "Women be ''[[StockShticks shoppin]]'!''" to fluff the crowd. The obese Professor Klump notices the comic's insults starting to make their way toward his table and tries to sneak out, but Reggie gets to him first and unleashes a string of humiliating fat jokes that completely ruins Klump's night. One of the first things he does upon becoming the svelte Buddy Love is going back to the club and [[TheHeckler showing up Reggie]] in before kicking his ass and tossing him into a grand piano.

Ever since the dawn of humor, people have clung to one simple truth: Other peoples' pain or discomfort is hilarious. Of course, people in a polite society will generally be hesitant to crowd around someone with a horrible, disfiguring physical condition or a debilitating social disorder... at least, not without help.

Compare TheHeckler and TheRoast. See also ActuallyPrettyFunny and TooFunnyToBeEvil, for more ways insulting remarks can be made amusing.

** Eminem toned down this aspect of his act starting from 2010 as he felt he'd grown out of it, which is used for a strangely bittersweet moment on ''The Marshall Mathers LP 2'' when Slim realises he's out of boybands to attack. He entertains the idea of going after Music/LadyGaga and Music/JustinBieber, then decides it wouldn't be the same. (However, one track on the album contains some undeserved insults directed at Asher Roth.)

->My whole career's a stroke of sheer genius, smoke and mirrors, tactical practical jokes, yeah: "You motherfuckin' — ''insert insult here''."

* ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'': The [[ArtificialIntelligence AI]] Edge falls into this role by accident. He's a HeroicComedicSociopath who spent his formative years without any sapient company and grew up with a sense of contempt for [[ItsAllAboutMe everything that isn't him]]... which humans find hilarious. His insult-laden rant at the audience of an AI rights debate lands him a job offer from a nightclub owner who wants him to mock her clientele.

However, most writers are not stand-up comedians, and this trope is more about highlighting the insecurities of a character than providing legitimate jokes. As a result, the Insult Comic will often have the inexplicable ability to make a crowd of people laugh, even when the 'jokes' are delivered in pure insult form and devoid of legitimate humor.

* The remake of ''Film/{{The Nutty Professor|1996}}'' has Creator/DaveChappelle's character, insult comedian Reggie Warrington, laying into his audience after an obligatory round of "Women be ''shoppin'!''" to fluff the crowd. The obese Professor Klump notices the comic's insults starting to make their way toward his table and tries to sneak out, but Reggie gets to him first and unleashes a string of humiliating fat jokes that completely ruins Klump's night. One of the first things he does upon becoming the svelte Buddy Love is going back to the club and [[TheHeckler showing up Reggie]] in before kicking his ass and tossing him into a grand piano.

* The ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' episode "Squirrel Jokes" has [=SpongeBob=] becoming a stand-up comedian. His initial jokes fall flat until he starts making cracks about squirrels. His squirrel friend, Sandy, is understandably offended until [=SpongeBob=] convinces her to take it with humor. But when the rest of Bikini Bottom begins to treat Sandy like a slow-witted idiot, she has to teach [=SpongeBob=] a lesson about his insult comedy.
* ''WesternAnimation/LifeWithLouie'': Louie once became aquainted with an immensely popular stand-up comedian (who used to be friends with Louie's mother) whose whole routine revolved around selecting people in the audience to insult for humor. When Louie himself became a target of mockery for his weight, he decided that he didn't want to become known as a comedian who made fun of other people's misery. The end of the episode shows the comedian LonelyAtTheTop.

* The remake of ''Film/{{The Nutty Professor|1996}}'' has Creator/DaveChappelle's character, insult comedian Reggie Warrington, laying into his audience after an obligatory round of "Women be ''shoppin'!''" to fluff the crowd. The obese Professor Klump notices the comic's insults starting to make their way toward his table and tries to sneak out, but Reggie gets to him first and unleashes a string of humiliating fat jokes that completely ruins Klump's night. One of the first things he does upon becoming the svelte Buddy Love is going back to the club and [[TheHeckler showing up Reggie]] in [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments a positively epic fashion]] before [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMoments kicking his ass and tossing him into a grand piano]].

Compare TheHeckler and TheRoast.

* The remake of ''Film/TheNuttyProfessor'' has Creator/DaveChappelle's character, insult comedian Reggie Warrington, laying into his audience after an obligatory round of "Women be ''shoppin'!''" to fluff the crowd. The obese Professor Klump notices the comic's insults starting to make their way toward his table and tries to sneak out, but Reggie gets to him first and unleashes a string of humiliating fat jokes that completely ruins Klump's night. One of the first things he does upon becoming the svelte Buddy Love is going back to the club and [[TheHeckler showing up Reggie]] in [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments a positively epic fashion]] before [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMoments kicking his ass and tossing him into a grand piano]].

* In an episode of ''Series/TheDickVanDykeShow'', Rob and Sally hire insult comic Jackie Brewster to replace Buddy, who has resigned for a job offer that didn't pan out. The plan is for him to roast [[ButtMonkey Mel]] badly enough to make him say WeWantOurJerkBack.

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[[folder: Video Games]]
* Hadrian, a Ghoul in VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas is explicitly named the insult comic. As a ghoul, he developed this talent dealing with the inevitable hecklers who'd rather make rude comments about his appearance than listen to his act.
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[[folder: Comedians]]
* Creator/GrouchoMarx: The godfather of all insult comedy.
* Creator/DonRickles, the king of this trope
* Lisa Lampanelli, the "Queen of Mean"
* Creator/RickyGervais
* [[Series/{{Tosh0}} Daniel Tosh]]
* Creator/SamKinison
* Creator/SarahSilverman
* [[Series/AfterLately Chelsea Handler]]
* [[Creator/ConanOBrien Triumph the Insult Comic Dog]]
* Jeff Ross, the go-to emcee for Comedy Central's roasts
* Creator/GregGiraldo
* [[Series/RupaulsDragRace Bianca Del Rio]], drag queen and self-described as "Don Rickles, but in a dress and prettier and not as old."

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* [[Series/RupaulsDragRace Bianca Del Rio]], drag queen and self-described as "Don Rickles, but in a dress and prettier and not as old."

* In one episode of ''BabyLooneyTunes'', Melissa decides to become an insult comic after watching one on TV. True to the trope, her inspiration is incredibly unfunny.
* One episode of ''TheSimpsons'' had Springfield trying to win the right to host the next Olympic Games. They pretty much had it in the bag until Bart played Insult Comic to the members of the IOC, costing them the games and getting Bart in a lot of hot water.

* SarahSilverman
* [[AfterLately Chelsea Handler]]