A Quick Glimpse of the 2008 Comedian (and One Comedienne) Grammy Nominees

In 2003, the Grammy Awards brought back the nomination for the best comedy album, which was won that year by Weird Al Yankovich. Jon Stewart, Chris Rock and Lewis Black followed as winners for 2004, '05 and '06. With so many humorous and talented comics on the market it seems to me to be a disgrace to have only one sole winner for the entire year.

It is hardly the case that comics are lazy and haven't done anything worthy of a Grammy. The opportunities for a serious career in comedy have been plundered with free speech being belittled on a regular basis. Many professional comics have been relegated to the underground while the slew of reality shows continues to hurt the eyeballs with "comics" who don't know a punch line from a beeline. Seasoned comedians have released enough new comedy albums and tours have managed to sell out, so there really should be a Grammy for best male comic, best female comedienne, best spoken-word comedy and best musical comedy. Comics just never get any respect.

Here's a brief moment of this year's Grammy nominees for the Best Comedy Album (comedy recordings, spoken or musical):

George Lopez

America's Mexican, Comedy Central Records

A fellow San Fernando Valley, California native, George Lopez is best known for being America's favorite Mexican comic. He went through some beef where comic Carlos Mencia accused Lopez of stealing Mencia's comedy material for the HBO special of this nominated album but that has never been proven. In a world where criminals are given substantial news coverage and famous sluts are rewarded with millions, will the alleged stolen moments of comedy be worthy of another award?

Visit him on the web or download America's Mexican at www.georgelopez.com

Lisa Lampanelli

Dirty Girl, Warner Bros.

She has been dubbed as being "the Queen of Mean" by the media and could probably kick my ass with her cigar. Lisa Lampanelli is notoriously funny for her Friars' Club roasts and has popped out some clever lines cooking up William Shatner, Jeff Foxworthy and Pam Anderson to a crisp.

Dirty Girl is her second full-length CD and can be sampled at www.insultcomic.com

The Distant Future

Flight Of The Conchords, Sub Pop

I have never heard of these two guys who come from the land down under until now so I cannot make a judgment call about their comedy. They play the acoustic guitar and dub themselves as "Formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo." They started out with a show on the radio and finally landed a gig on HBO, so you know they must be good.

Join in their cult following at www.conchords.co.nz/

Steven Wright

I Still Have A Pony, Comedy Central Records

This is the follow up to his 1985 Grammy nominee album, I Have a Pony. There are no words that can describe Steven Wright's unique style of comedy or his love for peanut butter. Place all your money on this pony and it will come out a winner even if it loses. What more could anyone want?

Download his album or figure out his paintings at www.stevenwright.com

Harry Shearer

Songs Pointed & Pointless, Courgette Records

This is the guy behind the voice of the Simpsons. Harry Shearer has been involved with numerous movies and television shows since the 1950s, not to mention is a Harvard grad who has published books. Give him an Oscar already, this is the wrong category for the amount of work this guy has done.

Visit his homepage at www.harryshearer.com