THE B-LIST: Punching up, not down: Comedy that never takes cheap shots

I often hear people complaining that the "PC police" take all the fun out of comedy. That political correctness is raining on their fun.

My question is: Just what about racism, misogyny or homophobia is so funny to them? Why do they want so badly to tell those kinds of mean, cheap jokes without fear of reprisal?

The first rule of comedy is to "punch up, not down." Humor is at its best when comedians mock the people and institutions in power, not the powerless. The perpetrators of problems, not the victims.

Another way to put it: "When the person with the noose around their throat makes the joke, that's gallows humor. When someone in the crowd does, they're just part of the execution."

There are so many things to joke about — McDonald's commercials, "Lord of the Rings," Hot Pockets, weddings, music — that don't involve mocking or stereotyping people. It's so easy to be funny without being cruel to someone.

If you're tired of "edgelord humor" full of offensive content or slurs, here are some of the best comedians who never punch down.

8. JIM GAFFIGAN. Definitely the biggest "household" name on this list thanks to his Comedy Central specials and late night appearances, Gaffigan has some side-splitting bits about food that everyone needs to hear — especially his eight-minute monologue on bacon. He's also one of the most family-friendly comics out there; since having kids, he's made a conscious effort to remove profanity from his comedy, not that there was much there to begin with.

7. BILL BAILEY. Not just a comic, the British Bailey is also a musical vituoso who plays the piano, guitar, organ, theremin — basically anything. He incorporates plenty of instruments into his routines, is instantly recognizable thanks to his wispy hairstyle and is a mainstay of British quiz shows. While his stand-up is hysterical, his best work — in my opinion — was in the show "Black Books" as the sweet but long-suffering Manny.

6. BO BURNHAM. According to Burnham, his on-stage persona is "a more arrogant, stuck-up version of myself." Well-known for heckling hecklers and screaming fans alike, Burnham's comedy is often built around goofy songs, flailing dancing, and dramatic gestures, making him a comedian you have to see and hear to fully appreciate. He's also a heck of a poet and director; his debut film "Eighth Grade" is sitting pretty at 98 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. MITCH HEDBERG. The king of the observational one-liner! Hedberg died far too young in 2005 and was beloved for his "stoner schtick," delivering his pithy observations on food, music, society and, well, everything in a distinctive deadpan monotone. "I love escalators because they can never break," he once quipped. "They can only become stairs." Another fave: "I went to a doctor recently and he was terrible. All he did was suck blood from my neck. Do not go see Dr. Acula."

4. DYLAN MORAN. Proof that anger can be hilarious. This cantankerous Irishman has made a career of being a misanthropic curmudgeon in both his stand-up and his infinitely-quotable bookstore-based comedy "Black Books" (where he co-starred alongside No. 7 on this list). When Moran is on an impassioned tear it can be hard to keep up as he paces the stage, furiously chainsmoking and sipping wine — it's like watching a devastatingly sarcastic uncle berate the world.

3. MARIA BAMFORD. Comedians who build their reputation around goofy voices and impressions are a sadly dying breed; I don't care if it's "old-fashioned," some things will just always be funny. Bamford is a maestro when it comes to sounding funny, switching effortlessly from her somewhat childlike normal voice to a ditzy Valley Girl, a chipper businesswoman, a disaffected teen or a raspy habitual smoker. Much of her humor is built around her dysfunctional family and struggles with mental illness: universally relatable concepts.

2. JOHN MULANEY. He's that young guy who dresses like he's escaped the 1930s, one of the most meme-ed comedians today, a former Saturday Night Live writer from Chicago who can make you laugh about everything from ridiculous interior design shows to growing up Catholic. If you want to laugh for a solid six minutes, Google "Salt and Pepper Diner" — and prepare to have Tom Jones stuck in your head for days (still worth it).

1. EDDIE IZZARD. An activist, actor and one of the funniest people alive, Izzard perfectly meshes intelligent humor with ridiculous pantomime. His routines are full of societal issues (LGBTQ rights, the clash of cultures between America and the UK, politics) and loads of history (the founding of the Church of England, Hannibal crossing the Alps, Pavlov's dogs), making him funny and educational. Izzard has often described himself as an "executive transvestite" and usually performs in fabulous makeup. There's no other person I quote more often; Izzard has something hilarious to say about every topic. Check out his special "Dress to Kill" and be ready to laugh until you cry — only the good kind of tears, of course.

• ANGIE BARRY is a page designer and columnist for The Times. To suggest future topics for The B-List, which covers pop culture, history and literature, contact her at abarry@shawmedia.com.