3 Of My Favorite Clean Comedians

Clean comedy often gets a bad rap. Some people think it’s outdated comedy, humor with the edges sanded off, a safer, softer version of the real thing. I don’t think so! Facts: Clean comedy can be some of the sharpest, most precise humor out there. Also facts: when you choose not to rely on shock or vulgarity to get laughs, it’s like every line, every pause, every turn of phrase has to do the bulk of the work, the heavy lifting. It’s not quite a high-wire act but when done well, it can be absolutely brilliant.

Of course, giants like Jim Gaffigan and Brian Regan are often the first names that come to mind when people talk about clean comedy, and for good reason. They’ve built empires on their clean, relatable, razor-sharp humor. But for me, my top three current favorites in this realm are Nate Bargatze, Kellen Erskine, and Joe Zimmerman. These are the comedians who remind me why clean comedy is an art form and why, when done right, it’s comedy at its purest.

Let’s start with Nate Bargatze. This guy just released 2 Christmas specials in a week! (Granted, many of the jokes in “Your Friend, Nate” were featured in other performances he’s already released, but still….) Bargatze’s the comedian who makes me laugh not just at his jokes but at the fact that he’s thought to point out something obvious that the rest of us have overlooked. Bargatze has mastered the art of observational humor with a tone so understated that it’s almost meditative.

If you’ve ever watched him, you know that Bargatze’s delivery is slow and deliberate, but never dull. Like his hero Seinfeld, Bargatze’s material often focuses on the small, relatable frustrations of life, whether it’s trying to order coffee at Starbucks or navigating the confusing world of marriage. But for me, what sets him apart is the way he builds his jokes. He lets his audience marinate in the setup, gives just enough time to let people think they know where he’s going, and then takes a hard left turn that’s somehow both surprising and completely logical. It’s comedy that feels effortless, but you know every word is there for a reason.

One of my favorite things about Bargatze is how he’s got his family in on all of this, from his dad to his daughter to his wife and even his friends, he’s brought them along and they all have a vested interested in what’s happening. I also like how he makes the ordinary feel extraordinary. He doesn’t need wild premises or outrageous characters; he just needs a microphone and the absurdity of everyday life. His comedy is genius in its simplicity, and it’s a masterclass in how clean comedy can be just as biting and have way more of a shelf-life than anything edgy.

Then there’s Kellen Erskine, whose style is so clean and precise it feels like his jokes have been sharpened on a whetstone. I’m serious about that; this dude is sharp! Erskine’s humor is a study in structure. Every setup, every punchline, every tag feels meticulously crafted, like he’s building a puzzle where all the pieces fit perfectly. And I do mean perfectly!

What I love about Erskine is also his ability to take seemingly mundane topics—like planes needing to be guided the last 10 feet of their journey or the absurdity of not putting a cart in the cart corral—and elevating them to the point of people laughing out loud. He’s got a knack for the absurd that feels smart and clever and accessible, and his jokes often have this subtle, slow-burn quality that makes them funnier the more you think about them. And, if I’m honest, he’s one comedian whose lines, just like song lyrics, stick with me almost more than any other. I’ll be going throughout my day and an Erskine line/lyric will pop into my head out of nowhere. It’s crazy!

But what really sets Erskine apart is his ability to connect with an audience. His humor is clean, but it’s never safe in the sense of being bland or predictable. He’s a fantastic example of how clean comedy doesn’t have to feel sanitized. His jokes still have an edge—they’re just grounded in observation and wit rather than shock value. And he’s awesome at crowd work, too.

And then there’s Joe Zimmerman, one of Bargatze’s buddies, who rounds out my top three. Zimmerman’s humor feels effortless, but beneath the surface, there’s a clear intelligence driving every line. He’s the kind of comedian who can take a big idea—like the quirks of human nature or the absurdities of modern life—and break it down into something that’s both deeply funny and surprisingly relatable. His delivery is laid-back and has a great conversational feel, which makes his punchlines hit even harder because they feel so natural. It’s a bit enviable.

What I love about Zimmerman is his ability to weave humor into storytelling. He doesn’t just deliver jokes; he invites you into his world, whether he’s recounting some ridiculous experience or unpacking a philosophical observation. His comedy often has a warm, inviting quality that makes me feel like I’m laughing with a good friend over coffee. He’s the kind of comedian who makes me laugh and think at the same time, which is a rare combination and something that is, again, enviable.

Besides “clean,” the thing that ties Bargatze, Erskine, and Zimmerman together for me is their commitment to the craft of comedy. These guys don’t take shortcuts, that is, they don’t rely on gimmicks or shock. Instead, they focus on the fundamentals: great writing, perfect timing, and a deep understanding of their audience. Each of them has a distinct voice—Bargatze’s slow, dumb, Southern bemusement; Erskine’s dry, almost monotone, razor-sharp cleverness; Zimmerman’s thoughtful, almost philosophical charm—but they all share an ability to make me laugh in a way that feels genuine.

What I find so inspiring about these comedians is that they prove clean comedy doesn’t have to be boring or watered-down. It can be sharp, smart, and entertaining. It can poke fun at the absurdities of life without resorting to cheap shots or vulgarity. So yes, Jim Gaffigan and Brian Regan are icons in this space, and rightfully so. I take nothing from them. But for me, at present, I really admire Nate Bargatze, Kellen Erskine, and Joe Zimmerman because they are masters at making clean comedy feel personal, fresh, and most of all doable.

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