Dave Attell at The Improv 1992

[@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

[@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...

[@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

[@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

[@SincereSentinel]

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

[@DoooBeeDoooBeeDooo]

Man these jokes would even kill today, easily!

[@TheDudeAbides-247]

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.

[@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

[@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

[@willardjoee]

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

[@mrscruffles801]

A terrorist on a plane joke as well lol. I always thought he wrote that joke after 9/11.

[@schleusnerr]

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

[@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?

[@fatcoconut]

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

[@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

[@nagilum]

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

[@o0o-jd-o0o95]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@roadkillvp4life]

Attell has always been an expert comic.

[@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

[@natedoherty3462]

Dave just is the legend

[@kevincampbell5785]

Love that show Insomniac that he once had.

[@jstnjeergdss]

this set still holds up, pretty amazing

[@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

[@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?

[@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

[@FatManRedemption]

God damn how was he *always* this good?

[@georgebruderly6119]

yes. born dat way

[@crystinamarie1]

Yup

[@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

[@Abrahamhamham]

i like the fact that he has double punch lines

[@stuartallgood1994]

They're called tag lines

[@Abrahamhamham]

@@stuartallgood1994 good to know

[@HorseheadNebula85]

Just saw him this past weekend (Nov 2024) at Houston Improv. The dude is honestly even better now that he's older. His crowd work and off the cuff shit is like watching the Good Will Hunting version of a comedian who can just devastate you with a glance and a quip. I was laughing so hard I started getting a headache. He's unbelievably talented at what he does.

[@sergioropo3019]

A f***ing masterpiece of a set

[@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

[@rayricer1132]

Man has always had it great talent and hard work

[@gagedutcher1874]

Whata fuckin great set! Holy shit Dave rules.

[@Creed_fan_69]

Jesus Christ he was amazing even back then

[@jamievidd775]

One if not the greatest stand-ups ever.

[@dogchaser520]

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

[@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.

[@fagan4119]

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

[@electrojones]

One of the greatest of all time.

[@OMGpandemic]

Dave was always so good!

[@habibialhusni5394]

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

[@youreinvitedTV]

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

[@jillzi7]

Absolutely LOVE me some Dave Attell

[@poppaboppa6000]

So cool to see.

[@BML1967]

He predicted the future 8 years earlier.

[@supremebeme]

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

[@churn_diesel]

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

[@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.

[@lo0nyt0onz]

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

[@michaelcorrigan6577]

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

[@Allagi22]

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

[@JJM2222]

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

[@tipr8739]

Holy shit man these are gold

[@alleystargrowley2784]

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

[@georgebruderly6119]

too funny

[@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.....

[@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.

[@fabricator.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.

[@BryanB.C]

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

[@jwm6314]

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

[@jcjc4569]

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

[@zacnewford]

this was some of his best work. every line

[@profoundwanderer1441]

Damn, 1992.. I was four years old, when I saw my first donkey.. Dressed it up in a super cool punk rock denim long sleeve.

[@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

[@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.

[@ianlanz1365]

The guy at 1:30 seems to be having a great time 😂

[@joedadda3105]

Looks like the guy from Jaws.

[@redwood1133]

One of The best

[@Ridley_Lockhart]

Ladies and gentlemen sir Dave Atelle! 😆👏👏👏

[@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!

[@i_dont_live_here]

Excellent work!

[@franklubbock8400]

Christ I remember this set I feel old

[@toastedjoe1013]

2:48 That's a sexy nerd on the right! Take those glasses off and loan me a book.

[@poorricodownbad]

Hell ya. Movie star good looks

[@JoshuaCasper]

holds up. legend

[@msgtblbj]

There's some early versions of polished bits from "skanks." Crazy how good they are here and ended up better.

[@iorn9814]

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

[@tiggetty]

With the fully lit room. Making eye contact with the 5th row like a psychopath. What a legend.

[@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 🐐

[@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.

[@raybanvleet]

The goat

[@williamrusso3130]

Even this early on, he already had the essence of his act. Perhaps he was a tad more upbeat and energetic back then, but that signature timing of his is definitely there.

[@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

[@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.

[@MrsMansir]

What a set!

[@FVCES]

comedy doesn't always age well, but damn, this is why Dave Attell is timeless

[@jasonberezowski2869]

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

[@myousickoflife]

Fuck yes Dave!

[@nv3831]

One of the best to ever do it

[@numbersabcdefg]

Still hard to top that set 30 years later

[@roncinephile]

Oh man, it's even a treat to see a young Larry Miller. Great guy I miss seeing around.

[@joeyhyland]

Legend

[@decencywarrior9598]

Now that was a set

[@wolfman8449]

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

[@Sockerfader]

Master class.

[@wilkinsmusicfl4141]

I can’t believe Insomniac is 20 years old. 🤦‍♂️

[@brianbailey7858]

young Dave, what a hunk

[@adamdavis5243]

Christopher from The Sopranos is hilarious!

[@SamBassComedy]

Killer stuff, I mean the guy giving that hitchhiker a ride to a mortuary