Described by Jay Leno as "the best joke writer in America," and considered by many, including "Weird Al" Yankovic, as one of the funniest people on the planet, Emo Philips has performed over 6000 times, throughout the English-speaking world (including a multi-week run at the Playhouse Theater in London's West End.) Since starting out -- at the age of twenty -- in Chicago in 1976, Emo has had award-winning comedy albums, several cable specials (including an hour-long one on HBO), and many appearances on network television. He has appeared in films (most notably, as the table-saw demonstrator in UHF) and has lent his distinctive voice to animated TV shows (such as Doctor Katz, Slacker Cats and Home Movies), but his first love remains stand-up.

 

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"I'm not sure exactly when or where I first heard one of Emo's routines, but once I did I instantly became a fan," says "Weird Al" Yankovic. "Emo had the iconic look of somebody who could have been a major star in the era of silent films. His body language was indescribably weird. And his material was flat-out brilliant." If asked at gunpoint who the funniest guy in the world was, Yankovic adds, "Without question I would have to say Emo Philips -- especially if Emo happened to be the one holding the gun."

-- "Weird Al" Yankovic, quoted in CHICAGO MAGAZINE, September, 2008

 

Emo Philips is admittedly a bit cuckoo, but he's the king of that stand-up staple, the one-liner.

-- Katie Johnston Chase, BOSTON GLOBE, May 12, 2008

 

If you’re under 30 and never listened to Emo Philips because of his goofy album covers or because everyone else was into Eddie Murphy, you’re missing out. Seeing Philips is on par with watching one of the great comedy standards live; from Jay Leno returning to form outside of his Tonight Show confines in Hermosa Beach to Steve Martin taking the stage with his singing “balls.” 

-- Anthony D'Allesandro, LA WEEKLY, November 1, 2006

 

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