Everybody needs to laugh from time to time. Life would be pretty dire without humor to lighten the dark moods that haunt many of us for periods of time. That’s why there are so many comedians in the world. Not the “comedians” that some poor unfortunate individuals share an office cubicle with, but the real funny men and women whose job it is to make us laugh.

Many of these professional comedians are on Twitter, the perfect venue for them to share one-liners and promote their media appearances. Twitter also enables them to build and maintain an audience; people who will then buy tickets for live shows and annual DVD offerings. Below are 10 of the funniest comedians on Twitter, all of which you should follow immediately. For I have commanded it.

Louis C.K. @louisck

answer to “Why aren’t you coming to my town” prolly is that all theaters in your town won’t allow our tix service.or your town sux. JK

— Louis C.K. (@louisck) June 27, 2012

Louis C.K. is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and director. He’s best known for the comedy series Louie, as well as the digital distribution of his specials, offered to fans through his own website without any DRM restrictions.

Funny, how? - His tweets are always funny, often sweary, and likely to offend.

Conan O’Brien @conanobrien

Q-Tips: making me think I’m going to cause brain damage since 1975.

— Conan O’Brien (@ConanOBrien) November 11, 2012

Conan O’Brien is a television star, writer, and performer. He’s best known for Conan, a late night talk show shown on TBS since 2010. Before that Conan was on NBC for 16 years before a public spat between him, Jay Leno, and the network saw him walk away with a hefty check.

Funny, how? - His tweets are charming, sometimes smarmy, and often hilarious.

Sarah Silverman @sarahksilverman

When a woman doesn’t wanna get married she’s a weirdo, when a man doesn’t wanna get married he’s George Clooney

— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) November 13, 2012

Sarah Silverman is a comedian, writer, actress, and singer. She’s also one of just two females on this list. She’s best known for The Sarah Silverman Program, which ran from 2007 until 2010. Her style of comedy is to poke fun at social taboos.

Funny, how? - Her tweets will shock, but also make you laugh long and hard.

Dane Cook @danecook

You know you’re morally disturbed if you review a homeless persons sign as “too wordy.”

— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) October 23, 2012

Dane Cook is a stand-up comedian and actor. He’s best known for starring in several high-profile films, including Employee Of The Month and Good Luck Chuck. Cook is renowned for being disliked by as many people as adore him. Which side of the fence are you on?

Funny, how? - His tweets are coarse and for adults only. You will laugh though.

Jim Gaffigan @jimgaffigan

I wonder if they are ever going to make those Twilight books into movies?Thoughts?Suggestions?

— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) November 13, 2012

Jim Gaffigan is a stand-up comedian and actor. He’s not known for any one thing, instead being a touring comedian who has also appeared in dozens of movies and television shows. These include The Love Guru, Friends, My Boys, and Flight Of The Conchords.

Funny, how? - His tweets focus on the funny without taking cheap shots at anyone.

Julian McCullough @julezmac

Just looked through my freshman yearbook and felt so bad for myself back then. I can’t believe I had to masturbate to those losers!

— Julian McCullough (@julezmac) November 11, 2012

Julian McCullough is arguably the least famous person on this list, but he’s hilarious, so it’s all good. He’s a comedian who has appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and had his own special on Comedy Central.

Funny, how? - His tweets are often vulgar, but in a clever way. If that’s possible.

Steve Martin @stevemartintogo

I’m thinking of becoming a motivational speaker. But I’m not sure. Should I? Maybe yes, maybe no.Undecided. Kinda thinking about it.

— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) October 20, 2012

Steve Martin is, well, a legend. He’s also a stand-up comedian and actor who has enjoyed a long and fruitful career. It took him a long time to find Twitter, but once he did he started dominating it by being naturally funny.

Funny, how? - His tweets are a real mixture: of word play, one-liners, and observations.

Joan Rivers @joan_rivers

A Sesame Street puppeteer may be involved in an underage gay sex scandal. Not shocking. The man shoves his hand up Elmo’s ass for a living.

— Joan Rivers (@Joan_Rivers) November 12, 2012

Joan Rivers is almost 80 years old, but her sense of humor hasn’t diminished with age. She’s a comedian, actress, and writer who has been in showbusiness since the 1950s. She’s loud and somewhat obnoxious. But that’s what makes her so funny.

Funny, how? - Her tweets consist of her basically saying whatever she damn well wants to.

Eugene Mirman @eugenemirman

Just woke up. Obama is still President and everyone on FOX News is stabbing each other in the eyes and drinking poison.

— Eugene Mirman (@EugeneMirman) November 7, 2012

Eugene Mirman is a comedian, actor, and writer of Russian descent. You’ll probably recognize him from Flight Of The Conchords, but he’s also a master stand-up and performer who has delved into the more absurd avenues of comedy from time to time.

Funny, how? - His tweets are usually wry observations on the world and its inhabitants.

Ricky Gervais @rickygervais

Twitter: its like talking to your neighbour through an open window, until a drunk yob puts his head in and you have to close it.

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 2, 2012

Ricky Gervais is a comedian, actor, writer, director, and podcaster who you will definitely have heard of, whether you wanted to or not. He’s best known for co-creating The Office and Extras, but he’s also appeared in several big Hollywood films.

Funny, how? - His tweets are, in a word, offensive. To everyone. Especially religious people.

Conclusions

There are literally hundreds of famous comedians on Twitter. Stand-ups, chat show hosts, comedy writers, you name it. Which made it a tough job paring the choices down to just 10. However, I firmly believe that the comedians featured here are the best you can follow on Twitter at the present time. They all tweet regularly and, even more importantly, they’re all hilarious.

Is there anyone on that list you wouldn’t have included? Or another comedian you think deserves a place on the list instead? Please feel free to let us know in the comments section below.