Dave Attell at The Improv 1992

On An Evening at The Improv one year before the "big break"- the appearance on Letterman which led to his short stint working on SNL

[@benglassman]

Dude is a straight up hall of famer.

[@bigmoose99]

Yeah and the whole crowd wore their shoulder pads to show their respect.

[@jslay239]

I’m 32 this came out when I was born I can’t believe I grew up watching attell at 15 I used to wait for my parents to go to sleep to put on insomniac and now listen to him on podcast on my way to work a true genuine comedy genius!

[@natureboy1281]

92 babies Represent🙌🏽 I feel the same too about H jon Benjamin. Been hearing his iconic voice since DR Katz and Home movies. Fast forward to now and I’m still here enjoying shows like Bobs burgers with MY son. It’s a beautiful thing😏

[@shig27frag]

@@natureboy1281 i was gonna reply to @jslay239 saying my first exposure to attell was dr katz. the two of you combined just summed me up.

[@noahjames1985]

Insomniac was the best.. I did the same exact thing. A Legend that maybe never did what you have to take.

[@brednbudder]

stay up late insomniac!

[@monicakiddo2897]

Insomniac, howard stern, and south park were the big no nos for me lol

[@talhakatoonkhaana]

Man these jokes would even kill today, easily!

[@bmfrandomness1565]

Dave walks up looking like a beastie boy. Haha! Love seeing these old sets!

[@simonyricools]

Ad-Rock carbon copy!

[@solsallee6638]

total Adrock, lol, good call

[@awwgez]

This just shows that he has always had "it" as a comedian. Skanks for the memories is still a hilarious album today and was made 10 years after this set. Great video.

[@emilyspector2728]

I love the Four Horses of Queer bit...

[@willardjoee]

The going back to school sale joke in 92’ is wild lol

[@SincereSentinel]

It's impressive that he was already so comedically polished by then. One of the best to ever do it.

[@augustocordeiro3548]

Dave makes 5 minutes of stand up feel like an hour in a good way, why doesn't netflix produce a special for him.

[@defc28]

Because he's not politically correct

[@jammcguire1276]

He still wearing the same clothes I see!!! He was great even back then!

[@hasanhaider285]

They did, he has Bumpin Mics with Jeff Ross

[@augustocordeiro3548]

@@hasanhaider285 that not a dave attell special tho

[@hondo84]

Really? Why do you think?

[@Sprite_525]

Dave recently opened up about the reason he didn’t hit it big: the 90s was terrible for edgy comedians. There was no podcasts. Even Comedy Central had no momentum. You just had to tour forever. You can almost sense the bitterness but he’s so respected that I think everybody knows he’d be world famous if he rose to fame today

[@semovian]

Do you remember where he said this? Keen to check it out

[@micahsean8664]

9/10 great comedians get worse when they hit it big.

[@syXB123]

This set is not edgy. So wtf he talkin bout? Not to mention all the actual edgy as fuck comedians that were doing good in the 90s. How old are you like 30?

[@baritony8763]

He has an ever-growing nucleus of core material but improvs around it to keep it fresh. Unbelievable mind. Check out all of his stuff.

[@shig27frag]

All his stuff? ....again??

[@GorbyP]

That's a gay aggravating way to put it but... sure

[@willmach]

Top 5 best stand up comedian of all-time

[@reallytho99]

You're giving him all 5 spots?

[@stephenpekaar5335]

Chapelle Gillis Jeffries Stanhope Dice clay Is my top 5

[@lino580nunya5]

You guessed it…Frank Stallone 😂😂😂

[@lino580nunya5]

Norm for me

[@chuckbarnett5531]

No Carlin or Prior or Murphy?!​@@stephenpekaar5335

[@toastedjoe1013]

Attell in the 90's looks like Michael Imperioli trying to look tough.

[@rsohlich1]

I definitely see christopher here.

[@agitatedmongoose]

I noticed that too. Quite a resemblance at times. And yet the older versions of themselves look nothing alike now.

[@yeahright302]

who?

[@agitatedmongoose]

@@yeahright302 Christopher from the Sopranos.

[@yeahright302]

@@agitatedmongoose oh ok

[@JorgeP980]

Imagine an alternate universe were he had a show like Seinfeld in the 90’s

[@mellotones]

nice

[@thankyoujodi]

Joan Cusack is Elaine Nick Dipaulo is George Ryan Stiles is Kramer

[@Peter-zg3em]

it's remarkable to see this age group at a comedy show. the average person at a show today is probably 30. these people are in their 50's. things have changed and this man is still here.

[@artfromthepier]

That's just what 30 year olds looked like then

[@schleusnerr]

Skanks for the Memories is one of my favorite albums. I love seeing this!

[@DanLimbach]

Many of these jokes were used on his debut 5 minute set on Letterman a year later, tweaked a bit. The science of building a standup set. He's a genius.

[@roadkillvp4life]

Attell has always been an expert comic.

[@o0o-jd-o0o95]

Dave is one of the only comedians that I've ever seen have a crowd laughing for 30 minutes straight nonstop

[@Abrahamhamham]

i like the fact that he has double punch lines

[@stuartallgood1994]

They're called tag lines

[@Abrahamhamham]

@@stuartallgood1994 good to know

[@ernestjamesmusic995]

I was going through a breakup and my cousin bought beers and put on hours of Insomniac. That shit really helped...

[@magneto44]

good to hear man

[@nagilum]

That was one of the funniest sets I’ve ever seen.

[@skilletburritos8464]

Even back then he was an absolute murderer. In tears as I type this.

[@phillicheesestake]

Jesus you ok?

[@ryand.7650]

HE'S SO YOUNG! Lol

[@jacobblumin4260]

How good is Dave Attell? How about this: I've watched every Dave Attell video on KZbin again and again and I never get tired of it. He's the best in the world.

[@BattShytKuhraezy]

A+

[@JJM2222]

You like his recent material. Can't stand anything I've seen in the past decade

[@kevincampbell5785]

Love that show Insomniac that he once had.

[@FatManRedemption]

God damn how was he *always* this good?

[@georgebruderly6119]

yes. born dat way

[@crystinamarie1]

Yup

[@jcjc4569]

This guy was ahead of his time. This comedy applies to today 😅

[@fatcoconut]

He did more jokes in 6 minutes than most specials now days,

[@natedoherty3462]

Dave just is the legend

[@jeffmcguffy8380]

Dave is awesome! I have seen him several times live. Me and my buddy were filmed for Insomniac, we signed waivers and everything but we didn't make it onto the final cut. Dave was super cool and friendly.

[@BML1967]

He predicted the future 8 years earlier.

[@seanhurdle]

I used to work at the improv about 10 years ago. All the greats would pop in. I think I saw Dave there a few times.

[@electrojones]

One of the greatest of all time.

[@steveconn]

Me and my folks saw him around Christmas of '93 at the Comic Strip; he was getting good reviews but still not seasoned. My father wasn't reacting, Attell started heckling him ("Don't go to see Schindler's List then come here"), my dad swigged his beer and replied "Bomboroonee." It was interesting.

[@shig27frag]

Bomboroonee? Was your dad six years old at the time?

[@TRJ2241987]

His father was Michelle from Full House

[@BryanB.C]

I was born in 1992 and this guy was already murdering!

[@youreinvitedTV]

The closest thing to a clean set I’ve ever seen by him and damn. So young. He’s always been a GOAT.

[@jamievidd775]

One if not the greatest stand-ups ever.

[@jillzi7]

Absolutely LOVE me some Dave Attell

[@lo0nyt0onz]

This man wont be appriciated until we lose him. What a legend

[@poppaboppa6000]

So cool to see.

[@OMGpandemic]

Dave was always so good!

[@jstnj_]

this set still holds up, pretty amazing

[@alleystargrowley2784]

Did Dave Attell invent the “best friend will help you move a body” meme?

[@georgebruderly6119]

too funny

[@FreskoYo]

The cigarette during the set is iconic

[@sergioropo3019]

A f***ing masterpiece of a set

[@Sockerfader]

Master class.

[@nv3831]

One of the best to ever do it

[@rayricer1132]

Man has always had it great talent and hard work

[@dogchaser520]

Green shirt guy at 4:43 getting called out. Practically winked at the camera. "Yeah, I helped him move a body"

[@Creed_fan_69]

Jesus Christ he was amazing even back then

[@tipr8739]

Holy shit man these are gold

[@i_dont_live_here]

Excellent work!

[@raybanvleet]

The goat

[@deezydeuce]

Dave Attell is one of those comic, and artists, that is truly an original. I'm sure he had is inspirations, but he's a comic virtuoso. The ability to rip on himself and have it be so hilarious and leaving the audience with no shame about laughing about it is definitely his, and at the level he does it, his alone. And then there's the ability to go from joke to joke. He does it better than Rodney Dangerfield. I believe this because he takes it one step further by going from short story to short story. And the vast majority of these with no segways, ever.

[@shig27frag]

There's a radio conversation between Jim Norton, Patric ONeal and Marc Maron where they say "he's got more little Daves runnin around than any other comic" ...meaning his influence on up and comers at comedy clubs is more widespread than any other comic.

[@Allagi22]

And this was in 1992! Dave was way ahead of his time and still is.

[@Beatit444]

Just pure gold 😂

[@fabricator.cap.hill.seattle]

There's certain shades of Attell and Greg Giraldo in each other...either could tell a lot of each other's jokes and it would be just as funny.

[@adamdavis5243]

Christopher from The Sopranos is hilarious!

[@moes_film]

woah, I'm a big fan and I haven't seen this one before

[@shig27frag]

Yeah I went on a kick where I went through my collection of comedy stuff to find and share clips of comedians I like that I'd never seen elsewhere. I got kinda lazy. Should get back to it.

[@moes_film]

@@shig27frag If you have more Dave, please. Thanks for sharing!

[@shig27frag]

@@moes_film I'm sure I do. It's just a matter of comparing it against everything on here. Gimme a week. I'll put another up.

[@moes_film]

@@shig27frag awesome, no rush.

[@JoshuaCasper]

holds up. legend

[@caricatureparty]

It’s a different world when you’re with a cool guy. He’s not afraid of anybody. You should hear the way he talks to waitresses. He gets free pie.

[@redwood1133]

One of The best

[@KillaGandhi]

He was flawless from the jump, and only grew grumpier and grittier with age, but the snappy quick jokes were always there. That's why he's your favorite comedian's favorite comedian.

[@JJM2222]

This is better material than ive ever seen this guy do in the last decade at least

[@Jesus.X]

It's refreshing to see a skilled comedian like Dave Attell seems comedy has regressed in the Netflix and podcast era where we spot light mediocre comedians for specials attell reminds you of when comedians had a skill for writing jokes and performing them.

[@shaynejenkins446]

He still tours

[@Cards-In-The-Closet]

Man, the cigs sure has changed his voice over the years ☠️

[@troyritchiemusic]

Cigs N Daves man. The cigs made Attell’s voice more funny and Chapelle’s less hahah.

[@rokuthedog]

Its funny how so many of these jokes would be a career ender today

[@Thatoneguykid]

He's been doing worst jokes and hasn't been cancelled. I think these would get him a Netflix special.

[@dogchaser520]

Comedy is cancelled

[@RisingRecluse]

Attell know how to deliver a joke like no one else. Stealing a joke from him is career suicide because if you miss the mark you will likely get canceled

[@j0sh707]

It's funny how comedy isn't funny anymore...

[@dogchaser520]

@@j0sh707 You might be interested in a little podcast by the name of Cum Town

[@MrsMansir]

What a set!

[@zacnewford]

this was some of his best work. every line

[@BREAKOUT444]

Dave was born 50 years old

[@michaelcorrigan6577]

Yeah he kills it. Loved his show on comedy Central too

[@Thomas2488]

Dude called 911 before it happened

[@churn_diesel]

I’ve heard all those jokes in other specials but I have to say these versions were fantastic.

[@Prof.Pwnalot]

Fucking funny standup, one of the best I've seen in terms of a short 6 minute span. Had me laughing pretty early on. Love all his work, even the pilot was pretty funny and obscured. Insomniac, let alone his attitude is amazing. Cheers for the upload sir :) Edit: Forgot to mention his observations are spot on, friend and best friend, move house or move a body. Left me for a vibrator bit, and the comment about Australia was dead on. We are ahead in terms of time, a day ahead off the top of my head, not sure about hours. Guy's on the fucking money, pretty bloody ahead of his time. 1992.....

[@fagan4119]

32 years later he still smokes like a chimney and is somehow not dead.

[@eek412]

Master level

[@joeyhyland]

Legend

[@danirox1979]

Oh my gawd look how young and adorable he is

[@dannydropshot9588]

It’s tripping me out because I met and talked with him in October of last year and he’s such a tiny, old man now 🤣. He’s seriously such a nice and humble dude and I’m still so stoked I got to talk to him!

[@franklubbock8400]

Christ I remember this set I feel old

[@jwm6314]

Young, undeveloped Attell is still on par with seasoned comics now. Attell today is an absolute master.

[@PNW_Fiddle]

That was great!

[@MyBodyWash]

Love Mr Attell, living legend

[@kylemcgill2966]

That rooms audience looked like it was going to be hell. But that’s why he’s the 🐐

[@Ridley_Lockhart]

Ladies and gentlemen sir Dave Atelle! 😆👏👏👏

[@habibialhusni5394]

Dude that was 6 minutes, he got jokes making it felt like an hour special

[@xraysandaliens]

legend

[@thankyoujodi]

One of those rare comedians who you could debate that his standup was better than his improv or vice versa, and never be wrong.

[@hectorabreu2502]

The best to ever do it

[@decencywarrior9598]

Now that was a set

[@supremebeme]

I only know Dave Attell from hanging out with podcast crowd, cool to see his OG work.

[@th0uxan]

This is gold

[@myousickoflife]

Fuck yes Dave!

[@TheHehe1223]

Hard to believe Attell was once young

[@iorn9814]

This stand up has so many openers to joke that people use today . Atell one of the grandfathers of comedy

[@jasonberezowski2869]

holy shit, right after the "going back to school sale", its just non stop killer jokes.

[@Doctor-Stoppage]

His special "Captain Miserable" is one of the funniest I've ever seen. I borrowed a friends copy on dvd and somebody stole it. I bought us both copies and mine was stolen again. Thats how good it is! #jager

[@Simply_chase]

What a champ

[@katuhstrofik]

that gun joke was fucking TOP tier lol.

[@Kukulkan_Tours]

Insomniac ❤

[@wolfman8449]

I like how all the comedians that now act like boomers all looked like the beastie boys in the 90s