If you’ve never been to a live comedy show, you’re missing out on a ton of great talent and a night filled with laughter.

When it comes to comedians, you have plenty of choices. I’ve tried to make it easier for you and broke it down to the top six comedians to see this coming year.

1 Aziz Ansari

If you’re a fan of NBC’s Parks and Recreation, there’s a good chance you’re a fan of Tom Haverford, aka Aziz Ansari. This spunky little Indian man from South Carolina is currently wrapping up his stand-up tour, where he told his audience about his fed up he gets when hearing that all of his friends are starting to have babies. His response? “Don’t you guys know what birth control or condoms are?!”

2, Sean Patton

Is that John Belushi? No, that’s Sean Patton, a comedian who got popular in 2008. He’s not on any TV shows. Instead, he does things the old fashion way: Going to comedy festivals, performing at dive comedy clubs and simply being funny. People have told him that he looks like an owl, but is that a bad thing? Patton’s response? It’s not!

3, Tracy Morgan

Best know for his role on NBC’s 30 Rock, Tracy Morgan has been doing a good amount of comedy shows in New York City at Carolines on Broadway. Like any good comedian, Morgan’s act pushes the envelope for a mixed crowd. Some complain he focuses too much on crude sexual jokes. But let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good sex joke?

4 Robin Williams

Robin Williams is truly one of the all-time greats of comedy. His tour this year, “An Evening of Sit Down with Robin Williams,” is all over the country. You have no excuse not to find time to find the man behind Mrs. Doubtfire, the voice of the Genie from Aladdin and Mork from the 70s sitcom Mork and Mindy. When you go to a Robin Williams’ show, expect at least an hour and a half of non-stop laughter. His current act also includes another funny-man, David Steinberg.

5 Brian Regan

If you enjoy sarcastic humor, Brian Regan is your man. His style is calm, and his shows tend to be very clean (little, if any profanity). That style makes him a fan of many people. One reviewer of his show said “Brian Regan’s physical comedy and ability point out the ridiculousness of human individuals will always leave you wanting more.” Isn’t that what we want from all good comedians?

6 Lewis Black

Lewis Black is that guy that has you scratching your head, wondering if he’s in the middle of a nervous or mental breakdown. He’ll speak very cal my and then all of a sudden, BAM! Hit you with punch line. Now, people have said he gets a little political at his shows, but if you can just accept that you’re at a comedy show, it should be funny.

About the author: Frank Heaves, a writer for Standupcomedians.com.au, knows what’s funny and who’s funny.