'A truth-teller in a world full of liars'

Tim Dillon picks his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites

American comic Tim Dillon – whose podcast hits an average audience of a million people – is currently touring the UK and Ireland. Here he shares his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites….

The Birdcage

This flick is a friggin' riot. It's like a gay tornado swept through and left nothing but fabulous chaos behind. Nathan Lane and Robin Williams are a match made in heaven, bouncing off each other like a couple of coked-up poodles.

The whole thing's a big, bold middle finger to uptight conservatives, and I love it.

Plus, Hank Azaria as Agador Spartacus? Pure comedic gold. His ‘Just one moment!’ kills me every time.

Tommy Boy

Chris Farley. That guy was a goddamn comedic powerhouse. This movie's a slapstick masterpiece, with Farley flinging himself around like a drunken gorilla. And David Spade, that sarcastic little shit, is the perfect straight man. It's a buddy comedy with heart, and I'll never get tired of watching it.

The scene with the deer? I swear, I could watch that on repeat and never get bored.

Manhattan

Woody Allen's a polarising figure, but goddamn, the man knows how to make a movie.

Manhattan is like a love letter to New York, with all its neurotic, self-absorbed, pretentious glory. The dialogue's sharp as a tack, and the black-and-white cinematography gives it this timeless feel.

Plus, it's got some of the most messed-up romantic relationships you'll ever see on screen.

Reno 911

This show's a mockumentary masterpiece. It's like Cops on crack, with a cast of characters so bizarre you'd think they were pulled straight from a fever dream.

The improv is off the charts, and the situations they get themselves into are so ridiculous you can't help but laugh. It's not politically correct in the slightest, and that's what makes it so damn funny. Lt. Dangle's short shorts alone are worth the price of admission.

Bill Hicks: Relentless

Bill Hicks was a hero of mine, a guy who didn't give a shit about what anyone thought and just spoke his mind. Relentless is a testament to his brilliance, with jokes that are as poignant today as they were back then.

He was a truth-teller in a world full of liars, and that's something I strive to be every time I step on stage.

Patrice O’Neal: Elephant in the Room

Patrice O'Neal was a legend, plain and simple. His comedy was raw, unfiltered, and brutally honest. He didn't tiptoe around sensitive topics; he stomped all over them with size 13 boots.

Elephant in the Room is a masterclass in how to be funny and offensive at the same time, and I love every minute of it. His bit about women and logic? Hilarious and oh so true.

Patrice had a way of saying things that would get him cancelled today, but back then, we just called it comedy.