I just have one question. Do any of you ever go to in-person concerts or theatres ever? I mean everything is there on Netflix. It’s a bar mitzvah for an introvert, although just the ‘b’ from the bar might shake them to the core. The streamer started premiering original stand-up comedy specials last decade. There’s an overwhelming amount of stand-up comedy on Netflix, and much of it is very good.
Dare I say, that is the best thing Netflix has ever done next to ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Friends’, ‘Blockbuster’, ‘Brooklyn-99’ and a lot more! Netflix quickly conquered comedy not just because of the sheer volume of content, but because of a sharp critical eye that helped turn comedians like Ali Wong and Hannah Gadsby into breakout stars. Here are the best picks of stand-up comedy specials for you to binge on an ‘ice-cream tub’ day.
Read More: Top 25 Musicals Of All Time
Top 25 Stand-Up Comedy Specials On Netflix
1) John Mulaney: ‘Kid Gorgeous’
John Mulaney’s ‘Kid Gorgeous‘ is one of those stand-up comedy specials that has already become part of pop culture. Bits like “there’s a horse in a hospital” and “street smarts” were iconic the instant Mulaney performed them. It is mainly because his highly relatable (and eminently quotable) delivery is universally hilarious. Mulaney tells jokes like he’s an early 20th-century radio announcer dropped in the middle of our insane times and finds what’s funny in just about every aspect of modern life.
2) Hasan Minhaj: ‘Homecoming King’
Hasan Minhaj’s Netflix debut, developed for the stage with The Moth and a national tour, tore down the wall between stand-up comedy and live storytelling with this brilliant hybrid. Minhaj talks about his childhood, his family, and his experience as an Indian American and an emerging comedian, all with equal measures of contemplation and lively humor. ‘Homecoming King‘s’ DNA carries the sequence present throughout his career — one which, by any indication, is just beginning.
3) Ronny Chieng: ‘Speakeasy’
Chieng’s comedy is always intelligent, even though it occasionally veers into the holier-than-thou territory common on ‘The Daily Show‘ (on which he’s a correspondent). It’s still fun to follow along, though, whether he’s ruminating on why D students are now clamoring to be at the front of the class during the pandemic or explaining the complexities of birth control pills. His jokes about contraception are not just hilarious, but also informative. Also, he gave us the term “diarrhea babies,” and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
4) Dave Chappelle: ‘The Age Of Spin’
It’s difficult to miss Dave Chappelle while skimming through Netflix’s comedy offerings. After all, in less than a year, the Chappelle’s Show star and co-creator debuted four stand-up specials on the streaming platform. Depending on who you ask, the latter two specials — ‘Equanimity‘ and ‘The Bird Revelation‘ — are either additional examples of his brilliance or signs of a celebrity rushing to maintain his cultural relevance. The first two, however — ‘Deep in the Heart of Texas‘ and ‘The Age of Spin‘ — fare much better. This is especially true of Spin, which is regarded by critics and audiences alike as one of Chappelle’s better comedy offerings in recent memory.
5) Ryan Hamilton: ‘Happy Face’
Quarantining with the family? Ryan Hamilton’s ‘Happy Face‘ is the stand-up special for you, your age 10+ kids, and your parents. With folksy observations about big city life, hot air balloons, and being single, this sharp, quotable, and silly 2017 special is the perfect hour-long break for just about anyone. It’s sweet! Sweet is very nice. Sweet is very funny.
6) Ali Wong: ‘Baby Cobra’
In her first stand-up comedy special, Ali Wong brought a fire with her onstage that tore down the theater in Seattle. It spread across the world, grabbing the attention of millions with the unabashed stories of her pregnancy, her relationship with her husband, and eating a**. Her hilarity and ferocity paired with the seven-month-old fetus growing in her stomach make for a fantastic sight and one of the most iconic stand-up specials of all time.
7) Iliza Shlesinger ‘Elder Millennial’
Iliza Shlesinger returned in 2018 with her signature brand of comedy, which means this is a set that basically educates men on everything they should know about women. That might seem a bit off-putting for those with a Y chromosome, but Shlesinger manages to get her digs in at everyone this go-’round, cracking jokes about society’s insistence on women finding husbands, having babies, and concealing their inner she dragons. It’s a nice bit of feminist humor that’s surprisingly accessible and has something worthwhile to say.
8) Trevor Noah: ‘Afraid Of The Dark’
Trevor Noah — a seasoned stand-up — inadvertently uses his specials to flex the sheer charisma that got him a talk show host gig in the first place. Just as he does on ‘The Daily Show‘, he cheerfully dismantles Western society for all its idiosyncrasies and frivolity. However, never without a degree of affection for the bizarre world, he now calls home. If you have watched this and loved it, you might probably love ‘Son Of Patricia’ too! I love his anecdotes, the ones which destroy racism in a second, this man got it all! He got us with his clever reply to a French man who mocked him non-stop on a Bali tour because Trevor was afraid of snakes. Trevor replied to the French man, “You all lost your wars, man!” I mean he is brilliant!
9) Joel Kim Booster: ‘Psychosexual’
In Joel Kim Booster’s first stand-up special, he just wants to be relatable — and not just to other gay or Asian men. Enter audience member Ben, a straight white man with whom Booster regularly checks in during ‘Psychosexual‘, wanting to know if Ben has felt alienated by any of the content — whether it be the comedian’s nudes leaking online or being adopted by a family of Southern, white conservatives or doing bath salts. In the midst of a breakout summer that also included his film ‘Fire Island‘, Booster can be heard on both ‘Big Mouth’ and ‘BoJack Horseman’.
10) Fred Armisen: ‘Standup For Drummers’
Armisen, who was a professional drummer for indie rock bands before segueing into comedy, devotes a solid chunk of this hour to jokes that will mostly be appreciated by drummers or anybody who’s ever been in a band with one. He riffs on awkward soundcheck banter between drummers and sound men, about the common nuisances of touring with a drum kit, and about how bad non-drumming members of a band are at keeping time. This has to be the only stand-up special to start with a drum solo, include jokes about paradiddles, and feature cameos from Sheila E., Blondie’s Clem Burk, Green Day’s Tre Cool, Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa and legendary session drummers Thomas Lang and Vinnie Colaiuta. Early on Armisen talks about the pride of being a drummer, and how it means “you’re just better than everybody.”
11) Donald Glover: ‘Weirdo’
Renaissance man Donald Glover graced the comedy world with only two specials, but his 2011 Comedy Central hour ‘Weirdo’ remains the best of the best. Glover’s storytelling talents and knack for observational comedy combine to form a cohesive journey that feels like hanging out with the coolest friend you’ve ever had. If you’re not still quoting this special, then you’re missing out.
12) Chris Rock: ‘Tamborine’
‘Tamborine‘ proves that Rock’s comedy is just as smart and sharp as it’s always been. He immediately starts off by talking about cops shooting black kids, wasting no time to dive right into one of the most depressing problems undermining the USA. From here he segues into gun control, and then into an extended bit about how one of his main goals as a parent is to prepare his kids for the white man and also make sure they get bullied enough. As he puts it, the main reason Trump is president today is that we no longer know how to handle bullies. Rock hits on one hot-button issue after another, regularly flirting with jokes that some might be offended by, but with a perspective that’s so thoughtful, original, and, in its own wicked way, respectful that it would be hard to argue that he ever crosses a line, even if you believe there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
13) James Acaster: ‘Repertoire’
Acaster has the casual confidence and slightly buzzed, motormouth tendencies of clear influences Dylan Moran and Stewart Lee, which extends to a certain loose-fitting, corduroy-heavy wardrobe—straight out of a less aggro era of British alternative comedy. ‘Recognise‘, the first of four hours in ‘Repertoire‘, rolls along as many specials from that era did, and it’s a wonderful, tipsy, bubbly ride with no clear moment-to-moment form but a remarkably cohesive worldview by the time he wraps it up.
14) Patton Oswalt: ‘Annihilation’
In defiance of the pain and anguish, he is clearly still feeling, and as a mode of catharsis, he makes the discussion of his wife’s death the centerpiece of this hour. To watch him wrestle boldly with the emotions of that experience and the aftermath of it, while still finding those pockets of joy and strange humor, is affirming and beautiful. But it’s not easy by any stretch. That’s evident when director Bobcat Goldthwait pushes the camera in to focus on Oswalt’s face as he talks about the worst day of his life, which wasn’t the death of his wife, but having to break the news to their young daughter, Alice. We hang on his every word, following him as he takes his brave daughter back to school the next Monday. Then he pulls the ripcord, remembering getting peppered with questions by Alice’s classmates and learning a little too much about their home lives. The laughter that follows is so rich and relieving, like that first gulp of water after an hour on the treadmill.
15) Mike Birbiglia: ‘My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend’
Marriage isn’t for everyone. In his spectacular special ‘My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend’, Mike Birbiglia breaks down the ins and outs of the institution as he recounts his decades of dating experience. Heartfelt, hysterical, and beautifully staged, this hour of intimate storytelling will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. His 2019 special ‘The New One’ follows a similar format, but on parenting.
16) Bo Burnham: ‘Make Happy’
Musical comedy genius Bo Burnham combines the fun of a live concert event with private reflection in the surprisingly moving ‘Make Happy’. Burnham offers up his iconic observational skills but uses the setting of his performance to introduce reflections on insecurity and fear. Not the most uplifting item on this list, but impactful in shaping our understanding of this comedian and ourselves.
17) Hari Kondabolu: ‘Warn Your Relatives’
Hari Kondabolu’s comedy is pointed and painfully relevant. With jokes about racism, Indian stereotypes, and observations of all the mind-numbing things going on in the world right now, Kondabolu somehow manages to wrangle laughs out of some of the most infuriating facets of life in ‘Warn Your Relatives‘.
18) Tig Notaro: ‘Happy To Be Here’
Tig Notaro brings an unbelievably deep level of vulnerability with her special ‘Happy To Be Here‘ and mixes it with some of the most casually delivered jokes. While bringing the audience into her life, thoughts, and feelings in what should feel like a discomforting invasion of privacy, Notaro’s mastery of comedy and being on stage keeps everything welcoming and warm. Also, the final 15 minutes of the special is a single joke that is basically a masterclass of sustained suspense.
19) Amy Schumer: ‘Growing’
Amy Schumer is always entertaining, but watching her perform in ‘Growing’ was especially wonderful. Contemplating the birth of her first child and recent marriage, Schumer talks about how she has changed since first entering the public eye. It’s a raw, feminist laugh fest that provides touching insights on the role we play in our and others’ growth. Plus, she describes what hyperemesis is like and for someone, somewhere that is some extremely relatable shit.
20) Taylor Tomlinson: ‘Quarter-Life Crisis’
Late night fans have known about Taylor Tomlinson for a while. Now, all of Netflix can bask in her glory. Whip-smart and spectacularly cynical, Tomlinson offers a painful and real look at what being in your twenties means these days. Sure, it can be fun. But also, it’s a nightmare? You understand. If you love her hour special, be sure to check out her Netflix debut in ‘The Comedy Lineup‘.
21) Seth Meyers: ‘Lobby Baby’
In his Netflix debut, Late Night host Meyers brings the broad likability that drives his talk show, which has kept him prominent in comedy since his days at Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update desk. His takes on fatherhood and married life aren’t revolutionary, but they’re comfortably personal and absurd enough (like the titular bit) to make an impression. He also takes advantage of Netflix unlike anyone else, with the “SKIP POLITICS” option for anyone who wants to get through a comedy hour without hearing a word that rhymes with “grump.”
22) Hannah Gatsby: ‘Nanette’
‘Nanette’ is a masterpiece. Framed as Hannah Gadsby’s decision to “leave comedy,” this one-hour special examines why self-deprecating humor can be damaging to comedians already in the margins. Gadsby reflects on her experience as a lesbian performing in the often biased and unforgiving comedy world and departs her Netflix debut with a mic drop for the ages.
23) Tod Glass: ‘Act Happy’
‘Act Happy’ is a uniquely hilarious stand-up special because it features a live band on stage with Todd Glass, and the way he plays off that band and uses it to accent his jokes and stories makes for Glass’s best special yet. His fast, dynamic, stream-of-conscious comedy is on fire here as he digs into the minutiae of life and the backing band is icing on the cake.
24) Michelle Wolf: ‘Joke Show’
Michelle Wolf’s second streaming special (and first on Netflix) is everything the comedian does best: humblebragging disguised as self-deprecation and incisive commentary about sexism that doesn’t feel pedantic, all delivered with a cheeky smile. Wolf’s greatest comedy weapon has always been that she doesn’t seem like someone with the power to destabilize the unsuspecting audience with words alone, but she absolutely nails it, every time.
25) Tiffany Haddish: ‘Black Mitzvah’
At least on Netflix, Tiffany Haddish’s performance energy is unparalleled. For her special, titled ‘Black Mitzvah’, Haddish imbues coming-of-age anecdotes with effervescence and physical comedy that just can’t be beaten. She explores stardom, growth, and peeing in a Uber. Adult stuff! If you’re looking for high energy and the greatest ponytail to grace the small screen, you’re in the right place.
Read More: Top 25 Celebrity-Owned Brands
Also Read: Top 25 Most Inspiring Fictional Characters Of All Time
