Since Wednesdays are when we normally highlight the comedians on the television schedule, we thought we might try a similar exercise.

What makes a great joke a great joke? The joke itself? How much does delivery add? Is it always necessary to see the comedian telling it to get the maximum effect?

Mel Brooks famously said, “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die.”

Any comedians out there who want to explore the topic?

Wednesday, February 4
Greg Behrendt, Heather McDonald, Jeffrey Ross – “Chelsea Lately”
Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Will.i.am – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Theresa Andersson – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”
Nick Kroll – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Yelle – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Thursday, February 5
Dierks Bentley – “Live with Regis and Kelly”
Q-Tip – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Natasha Leggero – “Chelsea Lately”
Mark Olson & Gary Louris – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Jamey Johnson – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Morrissey – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Razorlight – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Friday, February 6
Ashford & Simpson – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Kim Coles – “Chelsea Lately”
Beirut – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Ben Lee – “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Alicia Keys, Death Cab for Cutie – “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” – rerun
Jazmine Sullivan – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Franz Ferdinand – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”

Saturday, February 7
Drive-By Truckers, Ryan Bingham – “Austin City Limits”
TV On The Radio – “Saturday Night Live”