WHETHER IT’S THE HOTTEST NEW SHOWS ON CABLE, OR THE LATEST JOKES TOLD FROM A “ONE-OF-A-KIND” PERSPECTIVE, 2012 was the year comedy finally grew up. This was the year jokes told us about ourselves, holding a mirror up to society so we could laugh at all the pain — and all the just plain funny stuff — in our lives.

A wise man once said, “The comedian is the truth-teller of society,” and this year we were lucky to hear more truths — both easy and hard truths — than perhaps ever before in history. As we laughed together, cried together, and prayed together, comedians held us close to their hearts and helped us do the bravest thing possible: To simply laugh together.

Here’s my unique take on THE BEST OF COMEDY IN 2012:

10. Comedy tweets

9. Comedy podcasts

8. Comedy books

7. Comedy TV shows

6. Comedy movies

5. Comedy web sites

4. Comedy news

3. Comedians in the news

2. Comedians on tour

1. Some of the best comedy