The Greatest Comedy Tournament Kicks Off Tuesday!
Anomalous Material is excited to announce that the highly anticipated greatest comedy tournament is about to kick off on Tuesday. Red and his committee of helpers have done a tremendous job of trimming the list of over 350 nominated comedies to a field of 128 and giving each movie its respective seed. To maintain maximum objectivity, there will be a few rules that I’m going to briefly go over:
The first round will take place between Tuesday, June 7th and Thursday, June 24th- There will be 4 new match-ups to vote on everyday during that period
- Polls will be open for 72 hours only with only one vote per poll per unique visitor
- Votes will be monitored for suspicious activity (repeat votes from same range of IP, proxy server etc…)
- Single elimination: After the voting period is over, the film with the most votes will move on to the next round. In case of a tie, the poll will be left open for an additional 24 hours
Next, the field of 128 for the tournament is shown in the following table. The first seed will play the 32nd seed, the second seed will play the 31st and so on… Column A vs Column D and Column B vs Column C. Unless, there is a massive uprising that claims Red’s life between now and the start of the tournament, it’s safe to say that the following is set in stone. Of course, if you think something is terribly wrong, you can let it be known in the comments and if there is a popular consensus, we will make the proper changes.
A | B | C | D |
| (1) Monty Python & The Holy Grail (1975) | (1) Airplane! (1980) | (1) Annie Hall (1977) | (1) Blazing Saddles (1974) |
| (2) The Big Lebowski (1998) | (2) Dr. Strangelove (1964) | (2) Groundhog Day (1993) | (2) Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) |
| (3) Some Like It Hot (1959) | (3) Hot Fuzz (2007) | (3) The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) | (3) Ghost Busters (1984) |
| (4) Young Frankenstein (1974) | (4) The Great Dictator (1940) | (4) The Princess Bride (1987) | (4) Caddyshack (1980) |
| (5) Office Space (1999) | (5) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) | (5) Best in Show (2000) | (5) The Apartment (1960) |
| (6) Shaun of the Dead (2004) | (6) Tootsie (1982) | (6) Beverly Hills Cop (1984) | (6) Old School (2003) |
| (7) M*A*S*H (1972) | (7) The Jerk (1979) | (7) Superbad (2007) | (7) Happy Gilmore (1996) |
| (8) Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) | (8) There’s Something About Mary (1998) | (8) Animal House (1978) | (8) Election (1999) |
| (9) Clerks (1994) | (9) Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) | (9) Monty Python’s and the Life of Brian (1979) | (9) Tommy Boy (1995) |
| (10) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) | (10) Wedding Crashers (2005) | (10) Amelie (2001) | (10) Bringing Up Baby (1938) |
| (11) City Lights (1931) | (11) Dumb and Dumber (1994) | (11) Borat (2006) | (11) The Hangover (2009) |
| (12) About a Boy (2002) | (12) Elf (2003) | (12) The Breakfast Club (1985) | (12) Wayne’s World (1992) |
| (13) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) | (13) This is Spinal Tap (1984) | (13) High Fidelity (2000) | (13) Rushmore (1998) |
| (14) The Wedding Singer (1998) | (14) Juno (2007) | (14) Fargo (1996) | (14) Black Dynamite (2009) |
| (15) A Fish Called Wanda (1998) | (15) Bad Santa (2003) | (15) Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) | (15) Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987) |
| (16) Tropic Thunder (2008) | (16) Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) | 16) A Mighty Wind (2003) | (16) Super Troopers (2001) |
| (17) Swingers (1996) | (17) Mean Girls (2004) | (17) The Blues Brothers (1980) | (17) Bowfinger (1999) |
| (18) The Full Monty (1997) | (18) The General (1926) | (18) Raising Arizona (1987) | (18) Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) |
| (19) Withnail & I (1987) | (19) Zombieland (2009) | (19) The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) | (19) Billy Madison (1995) |
| (20) Adaptation (2002) | (20) Friday (1995) | (20) Thank You for Smoking (2005) | (20) The Odd Couple (1968) |
| (21) Half Baked (1998) | (21) Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) | (21) Stranger Than Fiction (2006) | (21) Team America: World Police (2004) |
| (22) Spaceballs (1987) | (22) Waiting for Guffman (1996) | (22) Knocked Up (2007) | (22) A Christmas Story (1983) |
| (23) Little Miss Sunshine (2006) | (23) Sideways (2004) | (23) Uncle Buck (1989) | (23) I Heart Huckabees (2004) |
| (24) Dazed and Confused (1993) | (24) Coming to America (1988) | (24) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) | (24) History of the World, Part 1 (1981) |
| (25) Napoleon Dynamite (2004) | (25) (500) Days of Summer (2009) | (25) The Three Amigos (1986) | (25) Punch-Drunk Love (2002) |
| (26) Monty Python’s and The Meaning of Life (1983) | (26) Pineapple Express (2008) | (26) Major League (1989) | (26) Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) |
| (27) In the Loop (2009) | (27) In Bruges (2008) | (27) Stripes (1981) | (27) Meet the Parents (2000) |
| (28) The Circus (1928) | (28) Big (1988) | (28) The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) | (28) Home Alone (1990) |
| (29) Harold and Maude (1971) | (29) Finding Nemo (2003) | (29) The Graduate (1967) | (29) When Harry Met Sally (1989) |
| (30) Vacation (1983) | (30) Idiocracy (2006) | (30) Grumpy Old Men (1993) | (30) Galaxy Quest (1999) |
| (31) Death at a Funeral (2007) | (31) Zoolander (2001) | (31) Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) | (31) Garden State (2004) |
| (32) Dogma (1999) | (32) Liar Liar (1997) | (32) American Pie (1999) | (32) Bull Durham (1988) |
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57 Comments
Awesome stuff. The seeding, as with any of these, is so objective to the opinions it’s kind of hard to go at with seeding. But I won’t argue with them, especially since, when it comes to comedies, I far too often lean heavily against the modern mold.
I’m just hoping the classics on this list, of which are well represented don’t get cast aside by viewers because they haven’t seen them. And that at least some seek them out. I’d be greatly depressed if some of the greatest works of comedy in the history of cinema lost too quickly just because they’re not a modern comedy.
Suffice to say I’m way in the cheering corner for The Great Dictator (one of my top 5 films all time), The Apartment, and The Odd Couple. If for no other reason than I fear they’ll get overlooked too quickly
I’m right behind you there Univarn – The Apartment is in my all time top 5 so I’m hoping it does well. As with these types of polls there’s always a leaning the modern films because they are the ones the majority have seen. And I’m including myself in that bracket. Everyone has seen Anchorman and I’m sure it will get many votes but, for me, it isn’t in the same league as The Apartment.
But, I’m looking forward to this for the simple reason – it should be fun – and I’m sure there will be some hearty discussion and friendly debate. The seeding does suggest the winner will come from a select group but I’m hoping for an upset.
It was definitely hard balancing the older movies with the more recent ones. I can see that Red tried to rank them higher so they don’t get knocked out too early. I did a few small changes though to even things out a bit.
I think that older comedies will suffer, just by lack of exposure, to be honest. I feel ashamed to admit that I haven’t seen all the films on the list – I imagine I won’t be voting for several rounds (as I’m not informed enough – which is, I suppose, my responsibility in a democratic system).
It’s a nice idea Darren but it’s been my experience most vote, informed or not. Alas it’s ok, I’m just glad to see some of my favorites getting recognized when it’s all too easy to forget about them given the society we live in. If a comedy is a success, it’s not just a success, it’s a success with 24 hour coverage.
No I’m A Cyborg, But That’s OK? You’re breaking my heart, Red.
I, too, put my vote in for The Great Dictator, and raise Harold and Maude and The Holy Grail. Which is also a spec script I’ve submitted to Warner Brothers. Think about it.
Lame-ass jokes aside, I do look forward to this.
I actually laughed out loud at that joke…I’m so lame.
You are lovably lame, sir, and that’s what counts.
I must be recovering from the bank holiday weekend over here, because that zooming sound you hear is the joke going over my head. “Vote for the Great Dictator”, maybe?
I actually hate when that happens. Like when I was a kid, people had to pause and explain “An idiot says ‘what?’” to me. I just didn’t get it. Yes, I have my moments.
I am sooo excited about this. It’s going to be quite a tournament!
I made a few changes to the list, to be more commensurate with the overall IMDb ratings. There might be a few more before the tournament starts. Hope Red doesn’t kill me!!
Haha, it’s all good. I figured you would change up a couple, and I was kind of hoping you would change some things up. Making this was pretty difficult, and I tried to be as open to other and older movies that I possibly could. I might’ve come up with this tourney, but there are several movies on this list that I haven’t seen. (If there is anybody who has watched all 128, I salute you.) There were movies that I considered puting in the the 18-19th range, and they ended up being in the 30-32 range. That’s the kind of life-changing decisions I had to make here people!
All joking aside, I would like to shout out a HUGE thank you to all the members of our “Lamb Fam” that helped out. Kai, Steve, Meredith, Ryan, Ripley, Ruth, Darren, Hal, Marc, Aiden, Heather, and anybody else who put nominations into the other post. Some of these people sent me some incredible rankings. Ryan sent me in a ranking of 100 movies! Thank you all so much.
And I didn’t notice until Castor threw this table together that all the #1 seeds came from a 6 year span. Who said there was nothing good about the 70′s?
If acceptable, you will be getting two votes from my IP address. My hubby wants to vote in the tournament, and he’s not allowed to touch my laptop so he’d be doing it from our desktop (which I do not touch), but he goes to your site as well and has interest in taking part. We’ll probably be fighting over this for the record.
Good to see Waiting For Guffman and Galaxy Quest on the list. I hated Sideways, btw. Absolute shit in my mind. Uncle Buck seems rational but watching it as an adult it feels dated and less funny. But I have love for John Candy either way.
I’m pulling for The Three Amigos of course. Or the Holy Grail.
Some not so funny ones like The Graduate surprise me, but then……..I can vote for them to burn can’t I?
That’s totally fine
I will only look at very obvious attempts to sway the voting by one person. Voting from different computers is totally cool 
That is one of the issues that crop up – especially when we’re talking about comedy – this idea of the ‘funniest’ film being the ‘best’ comedy. For example, Bad Santa and Big Lebowski are two of the funniest films I’m ever likely to see but I’d rate something like Harold and Maude, The Apartment, The Graduate ahead of them because those films, although not being as funny, had a much greater, lasting affect on me. And, I think they’ve stood the test of time.
Couldn’t agree more. The Graduate was one of the more difficult ones to ranks. It’s definitely not the funniest movie, but overall a solid (even possibly great) comedy that deserves to be mentioned.
The hardest thing was the rom-coms. Eternal Sunshine is considered by most as a Top 5 movie of the past decade. Is it not considered a comedy? Not a traditional comedy, so I had to give it a much lower ranking. Same thing with When Harry Met Sally. Considered one of the best RomComs of all-time, but it’s hard to judge how people interpret it. Thankfully not that many romcoms have come out in the past 30 years, otherwise I would’ve been in serious trouble!
I don’t know – I think I’d argue that certain films on the list are better films than movies which are better comedies, if that makes sense (it did in my head, I swear). I think that specifying “greatest comedy” is different than “greatest movie which is a comedy”.
So, to use an example (and I’m not canvassing!):
Adaptation is a better film than Tropic Thunder,
But Tropic Thunder is a funnier comedy than Adaptation.
Therefore, Tropic Thunder gets my vote.
Damn, I make it sound almost logical.
Absolutely Darren and that’s one of the things that Red and I had to contend with whle ranking and then seeding those 128 movies. Given the type of process it is, it’s never going to be perfect but I think we have a fair and balanced tournament that lets voters decide which is the best comedy out there.
I’m okay with not so obvious comedy. I just didn’t find The Graduate or Sideways to be funny at all. On that same note, as dark, romantic, and twisted as Eternal Sunshine is, it is also damn funny.
Also very VERY valid point Darren. You are a fancy guy.
@ Heather: I don’t think that anybody who ever votes for Tropic Thunder over Adaptation could ever be described as “a fancy guy”, but thank you.
And yep, Eternal Sunshine is actually very funny as well as being very, very smart.
See, it’s all in the eye of the beholder. I, for one, found Sideways to be hilarious at times.
…and then the confusion starts, Darren. Because I’ll be voting based on what I feel is the better movie. Does it go down to interpretation – this is The Greatest Comedy Tournament – but is it also the Funniest Movie tournament and the Best Film that is a comedy? Confused yet?
And yeah, I agree with Red re: Sideways – hilarious and frequently so for me.
…regarding Sideways…Heather you are going to hate me when I post by Top 50 films of the last decade list in a few weeks time.
No way, Dan…it deserves to be in the Top 15 or Top 10 of the Decade. Stick to your guns!
Jonathan who just recently joined our site claims it to be in his top films of all time. I’m used to being on the short end of love for that flick.
I’ll be interested in reading it anyway Dan!
Oh and hell yes to HALF BAKED-KILLER KILLS!
man.. I thought the draw for the World Cup was complicated…
This is so nicely done. Very impressive seeding here…a tough task, I’m sure. Rooting hard for Annie Hall, Lebowski and The Great Dictator. Surprised that Amelie is here, let alone so high on the list as a straight comedy. Heather — get over Sideways!!! It is so friggin’ awesome!!!
Amelie was mentioned so many times it was hard to ignore. And the first category listed on imdb IS comedy. I know it’s pretty objective, but I listened to the people on that one.
Understood. No one can accuse you of being a despotic blogger…..
I didn’t have a problem with Amelie which was a funny movie. However, I did have issues with the like (500) Days of Summer and When Harry Met Sally which really are more rom than com.
I don’t remember laughing out loud when I watched When Harry Met Sally. I laughed during 500 Days though.
Good point. On my Top 25 Comedies of the decade, I left out (500) Days of Summer, though I certainly included it in my Top 10 of 2009. I know it is very funny at times, but couldn’t classify it as such. WHMS is an Annie Hall rip off and yes, more romcom than outright comedy.
I’m rooting for a Tootsie upset. Happy to see Groundhog Day up so high. I still think it gets underrated.
Ken is in the place!
Welcome!
Ken’s plan of action: vote for all the 70s and 80s film.
Welcome Ken! Gotta be rooting for Holy Grail to win it all, correct? Not upset that Major League is so low?
A great list of nominees and I’m looking forward to participating in the tournament
On a side note, I just realized that I should of added South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut to my choices of nominees. Oh well probably wouldn’t have made a difference anyway.
If the tourney was five movies longer, it probably would’ve made the cut.
I see a lot of my nominees were omitted [big pout] Nah, just kidding, this is a great tourney, Red, I’m at a conference until Wed but I hope I have time to participate.
Have your people talk to my people about scheduling some time for the tourney
Okay, but make sure you boil it down to brass tacks. I want in on the ground floor, I think we got a synergy going here. And let’s make sure we’re singing from the same hymn sheet – don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Haha, i didn’t ignore ALL your nominees!
And like Castor said, we’ll make time for you to participate. We’ll “give em an offer they can’t refuse.”
Wow fellas, this is really going to make some waves on this thing we call the inter-web:)
Red, I don’t envy the work you put into this but I can’t wait to get started and see how this develops. Great job so far:)
Thanks! Yeah, I think I might’ve gotten a couple werid looks at the coffee house yesterday. “He’s still here? In that same spot? Has he moved? I worked a double and I’m still leaving before him!”
Cannot thank you guys enough for taking the enormous amount of time it must have taken to make this happen.
Yep, I’m pretty sure it’s been said above, but consider it well and truly seconded.
Hey Darren, slow down on the comments this month huh? This is supposed to be a contest and in that case, I think you can accurately be described as “ringer”:)
Aw, shucks. Thanks, fellas!
I had a huge panic attack today thinking that Mrs. Doubtfire hadn’t been mentioned. Phew.
P.S. – Is there going to be some kind of a banner for this? Because I’d love to send some of my “average people” (AKA non-blogger) traffic your way.
Yeesh…..possibly Castor? Me making things like banners would be like having Ray Charles as your lead astromer.
Thanks Marshall for reminding me. One of the things I need to do tomorrow!
This is SO exciting! Very glad to see that the old screwball comedies didn’t get completely overwhelmed by the modern movies. Some things are funny no matter how outdated they are!
These pairings seem really lop-sided. I mean, I like most of the more modern movies listed here, but they don’t at all compare to the classics. Not to be rude, but Holy Grail versus Bull Durham? Blazing Saddles versus Dogma? I’m confident that there are documented cases of child abuse that are less one-sided.
That’s the whole point of seeding Andrew
The (1) vs (32) are obviously going to be the most lopsided matchups. If we were to matchup, say, Annie Hall and Holy Grail, one of them would be taken out in the first round right away.
very true…just like March Madness. They’ll get tighter as the seeds get closer together. And as for the hypothetical match-up here…GO WOODY!!!
Yeah, it’s the same thing as the NCAA basketball tourney. They don’t put Syracuse against a Duke in the first round. That would be a horrible idea. Having them face up down the road when there is more on the line and more intruige? That’s where the magic will happen.
And the 16/17 matchups and others in that area will be alot closer contests.
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