Final answer:
The best stand-up comedians of the past century likely drew from a variety of comedic influences, including the Comedy of Manners, popularized by figures like Oscar Wilde with works that satirized upper-class society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discussion of the best stand-up comedians does not exclusively pertain to the past century but can be extended to various time frames where different forms of comedy flourished. However, the question seems to be better suited to the field of Arts as it involves performing arts and entertainment. Particularly, the comedians of the past century were likely to be influenced by earlier forms of humor, such as the Comedy of Manners, which was extremely popular in the 19th century. Comedy of Manners relies heavily on the dramatization of the social mannerisms of upper-class society and often serves as a form of social satire.
Renowned figures like Oscar Wilde excelled in this type of comedy, penning plays like The Importance of Being Earnest and Lady Windermere's Fan, which are considered classics. Although these works predate the past century, their influence on comedy and satirical social commentary likely percolated through to stand-up and other comedic forms that emerged during the 20th century.