Jonathan Winters-- greatest funnyman

After much research a decision has been reached-- on the question of Who Is the Funniest Comedian Since 1950? The funniest comedian since the midpoint of the twentieth century is Jonathan Winters. I have many comedy favorites-- including Woody Allen. I feel like Woody Allen is the only real competition for Winters but tell you why the Funniest Comedian Award goes to Winters. Woody has a whole framework for his comedy built on the neurotic nebbish. The nebbish personality is a brilliant comic perspective and Woody has probably influenced American culture to a far greater degree than has Winters. But for pure antic nuttiness, unrestrained creativity you got to look at the genius of Jonathan Winters. I watched an old Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour from the late Sixties. Winters created a whole wagon train of characters-- crossing the American west to California. They encounter an Indian tribe. But Winter's characterizations, created with surreal brevity, a gesture, an accent, etc. cannot be surpassed. He reveals the neurotic tendencies inherent to everybody. His comedy gets beyond your brain's ability to understand -- and brings you to some deep human, humane level. Winters, and maybe all great comics, make you feel enlightened. You lighten up. You see the light. So I vote for Jonathan Winters-- best comedian since 1950. But, of course, you gotta love Groucho Marx and W.C. Fields.