Since we're talking about stand-up comedy, I suggest that everyone mentions their favorite comedian(s). IMO, Chris Rock is the best today.
Ben Elton, he doesnt do much stand-up anymore, and mostly involved in UK TV comedic scriptwriting such as
The Young Ones (1982) ? Alfresco (1983) ? Happy Families (1985) ? Filthy Rich and Catflap (1986) ? Blackadder II (1986) ? Blackadder the Third (1987) ? Blackadder Goes Forth (1989) ? The Man from Auntie (1990) ? Mr. Bean (1990) ? Stark (1993) ? The Thin Blue Line (1995) ? The Ben Elton Show (1998) ? Blessed (2005) ? Get a Grip (2007) (wiki)