Abbot and Costello build an entire skit on a simple setup - the players on a baseball team have names that are easily confused for responses in a conversation - and keep building on the joke with topper after topper.
Steven Wright is the master of one-liner comedy. Notice, though, there is still a setup and punchline. A lot of the setup relies on things the audience already knows and expects.
We looked at a key to humor is the unexpected. Watch how Mr. Wright's tone and mannerisms are unexpected compared to what you already know about comedians.
Jim Carrey is the polar opposite of Steven Wright. He uses exaggerated actions and words to create his comedy, but still relies on setups and punchlines that take an unexpected turn.
Sometimes, breaking the rules of comedy can actually make the joke funnier. Here Norm breaks the rules about a setup but does it in a way that fits the rule of exaggeration.
Brian Regan is a good example of observational humor. Most of his jokes are built upon the idea of "you know how it seems that a lot of times..." and then gives a funny variation of things from there.
Even better, it continues the Pop Tart theme.
Jim Gaffigan is excellent with relatable situation and a fun approach to communicating other people's point of view in his act.
Henry Cho is a good example of the rule of three - use a punchline three times and it gets funnier each time.
James Veitch is a great example of Ancedotal humor. The joke is the story he is telling. Even so, his delivery creates punchlines and funny moments.
Weird Al Yankovic is the premier example of parody. He has been making parodies of popular songs for decades.
Chris Farley was a comedian from Saturday Night Live and later movies who used physical comedy and exaggeration masterfully.
First, watch this clip. Mr. Farley is the guy in the tie.
Now, watch this interview from the people on the couch.
Then, go back and watch the first clip again. This time, watch the people on the couch trying not to laugh at Mr. Farley.
A formative piece of Mr. Ashman's childhood (which probably explains some stuff), a neighborhood friend received a VHS tape in the mail by sending in Pop-Tart box tops and we watched it...many times.
Many, many times.