Watch the Late-Night Debuts of 15 Hilarious Comedians

before this summertime , New York comedianJoe Pera performed a setonLate Night with Seth Meyersthat introduced the idiosyncratic , at leisure paced performer to a internal - boob tube hearing and chop-chop made the rounds on social mass medium . His surprising , successful debut was a reminder that late - night public lecture shows – even in an era in which they ’re increasingly reliant on celebrity - operose segments likeCarpool Karaoketo drive the conversation – still play an important role in create the next propagation of endure - up stars .

To prove how powerful a unproblematic five - second appearance on a popular late - night talk show has been to comedians over the year , we tracked down clips featuring the impressive debut of Norm Macdonald , Ellen DeGeneres , T.J. Miller , and other famous and up - and - coming comedians . None of them end with someone doing that mic - drop joke , but they might as well have .

Josh Gondelman onConan

When:2016Gondelman is a writer forLast Week Tonight with John Oliver , but his sweet data-based clowning is n’t push back by the same heated , incensed energy that makes his boss ’s show light up your Facebook feed every workweek . Instead , the 31 - year - old comedian is prosperous explaining " obsess " or making fun of his dad ’s retirement clothes in the interpreter of a psychoneurotic , tolerant - hearted friend , and this magazine fromConanis the perfect introduction .

Aparna Nancherla onConan

When:2013You probably already follow Aparna Nancherla onTwitter , but this solidification register you should look up from your headphone every once in a while , if only to catch her dry notice on natural depression , dog crap , and more . ( The above clip is from her second appearance in 2016 , check out her 2013Conandebut here . )

Ron Funches onConan

When:2011Funches save forKroll Showand was a frequent guest onChelsea Lately , but many insomniacs first got a gustation for his dry wit when they catch him dispersing sapience onConan , which has become the go - to late - night show for bully stand - up as the connection record rely on it less and less .

T.J. Miller onConan

When:2010You might not recognize the wise - facedSilicon Valleystar without hisErlich Bachmanfacial hair , but you ’ll know his voice . routine about vomiting in public and making goofy faces at the DMV confirm Miller is just as out there as many of the bizarre characters he plays on TV .

Hannibal Buress onThe Late Late Show

When:2007The scene - stealer fromBroad CityandNeighborshas been one of stand - up ’s funniest personality ever since his first albumMy Name is Hannibaldropped in 2010 , but back in 2007 he was a immature comic from Chicago looking to make a name for himself on Craig Ferguson ’s later - dark show with jocularity about checkbooks , occupation interviews , and buying grease-gun at Walmart .

Maria Bamford onThe Martin Short Show

When:1999Yes , Martin Short had a curtly - lived talk show . And , yes , that’sLady Dynamiteherself doing some of the vocalization and fibre that would soon make her one of comedy ’s most dear cult artist .

Dave Chappelle onThe Arsenio Hall Show

When:1993Watching the reclusiveChappelle ’s Showcreator talk about superheroes in the other ' 90s makes me wish he was still take the rung on late - nighttime shows to break - downSuicide Squad– or any other ridiculous aspect of modernistic American culture – but , unless he ever makes a big mainstream comeback , I ’ll have to make do with funny procedure like this one . ( Suggestion : stick around for the McDonald ’s commercial message in the clip above . )

Norm Macdonald onLate Night

When:1990Last year , Norm Macdonald perform thefinal endure - up seton David Letterman’sLate Show , leave behind many viewers at home with tears in their center , but his debut on the show is just as acuate and rummy .

Ellen DeGeneres onTheTonight Show

When:1986Even before she was the dancing god of daytime television , Degeneres had the spark of positivity to her , belt down Johnny Carson ’s loyal interview with kindness and preposterous one - lining like , " A caboodle of people demand me , ' Was I funny as a chid ? ' No , I was an accountant . "

Sam Kinison onLate Night

When:1985If you listen to Marc Maron’sWTFpodcast , you ’ve hear comedians climb poetical about the prophetical power of this preacher - turn - stand - up , but if you ’ve never checked him out for yourself , you should really see this clip . It ’s grow everything : crazy voices , yelling , consultation participation , and a lineal computer address to the camera that probably scared the crap out of anyone epithelial duct - surfing in the ' 80s .

Steven Wright onTheTonight Show

When:1982Wright ’s deadpan delivery is one of the most imitated voices in clowning , but , as his Carson debut show , he always had the everlasting jocularity to go with his monotone . Gems care , " It ’s a little earth , but I would n’t require to paint it " send this gang into hysteric with a zen - comparable simplicity .

Eddie Murphy onThe Tonight Show

When:1982Watch the way of life Murphy tells the crowd to " shut up " when he contract out on stage . That ’s the prance that would make the break - outSNLcast penis one of the biggest movie star topology on the planet in only a dyad years .

Garry Shandling onThe Tonight Show

When:1981Before he was deconstructing the talk show with his innovative behind - the - scene sitcomThe Larry Sanders Show , Shandling was a favorite node on Carson ’s show , even going on to guest master of ceremonies on function , and you’re able to see why from this clever , acerb debut . He even arrive at a gag about cant pens feel fresh !

David Letterman onThe Tonight Show

When:1978Now , David Letterman feels like the loveable , bearded grandpa of previous night . But in his first appearance on Carson , a show he would later follow as the boniface ofLate Night , he ’s more of the wicked , hilarious onetime brother you never had .

Richard Pryor onThe Ed Sullivan Show

When:1966You ca n’t have a list of incredible stand - up clip without a small Richard Pryor , right ? While this 1966 set finds Pryor work in a more family unit - favorable registry than he became bonk for , much like George Carlin did at the beginning of his career , it still delivers big gag and gives you a taste of his comedic interpreter – just like all great debuts should .

T.J. Miller in 2012