Brief Summary
Netflix has been producing and distributing a wide variety of original stand-up comedy specials over the past decade, showcasing both seasoned veterans and rising stars in the comedy world. This list highlights 25 of the best stand-up specials currently available on Netflix, covering a diverse range of comedic styles, perspectives, and subject matter. From the insightful social commentary of Bill Burr and Chris Rock, to the boundary-pushing creativity of Natalie Palamides and Catherine Cohen, these specials demonstrate the breadth and depth of the contemporary stand-up comedy landscape.
- Diverse range of comedic styles and perspectives
- Seasoned veterans and rising stars featured
- Insightful social commentary, boundary-pushing creativity
Sam Jay: 3 in the Morning
In "3 in the Morning," Sam Jay showcases her adept ability to make the audience feel like they are in a casual, private conversation with her. The special's throughline is Jay's relationship with her girlfriend, which she uses to thread together a range of topics, from personal experiences to broader social commentary. Jay delivers her material with a sense of frustration and honesty, making the audience feel as though they are listening to the musings of a close friend. Despite the personal nature of the content, Jay also tackles a variety of other subjects, from the #MeToo movement to Greta Thunberg, demonstrating her versatility as a comedian.
Bill Burr: Paper Tiger
In "Paper Tiger," Bill Burr continues to establish himself as one of the most self-reflective comedians of his generation. The special begins with Burr launching into a tirade against political correctness, sounding like a stereotypical "white dude comic." However, Burr then flips the script, deconstructing his own anger and inability to communicate his emotions effectively. The special becomes a window into Burr's ongoing process of self-discovery and growth, as he grapples with his own privilege and the challenges of maintaining a healthy relationship.
Adam Sandler: Love You
Adam Sandler's "Love You" special showcases the comedian's singular, unrelenting sincerity in a time when pessimism often reigns. With guitar in hand, Sandler sings, does baby talk, and reflects on his own age and life's work. The special culminates in a beautiful tribute to the history of comedy, as Sandler names and sings his appreciation for the dozens of comics who have shaped him and his audience, creating a sincere sense of gratitude and connection.
Hannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado
In "Comedy Camisado," Hannibal Buress addresses the unexpected fame and fallout that came from his viral routine about the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby. However, the special is about much more than that, as Buress demonstrates his ability to seamlessly jump between disparate topics, from gambling and LASIK surgery to child actors and deviled eggs, all while consistently eliciting laughter from the audience.
Chris Rock: Tamborine
"Tamborine" showcases Chris Rock's masterful ability to bring his own internal logic to the stage and assemble it in a completely sensical way. The special tackles issues of fairness, from the structural racism of the criminal justice system to the unfair ways parents try to protect their children. Rock is at his best when he gets personal, discussing his recent divorce and the fear he felt during child custody proceedings.
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Hannah Gadsby's "Nanette" is a powerful and genre-defying special that features the comedian's reflections on art, both their own and the art world at large. Gadsby masterfully navigates tonal shifts, moving seamlessly between goofy and deeply serious, while keeping the audience fully captivated. The special's themes of self-deprecation, healing, and the #MeToo movement make it just as essential a watch now as it was when it was first released.
Trevor Noah: Where Was I
In "Where Was I," Trevor Noah provides the ultimate outsider-insider commentary on American life, drawing on his experience as a relative newcomer to the country. He comments on America's complete abdication of history, the country's obsession with bathrooms, and the even more intense obsession over the national anthem, all with a keen, insightful perspective.
Lucas Brothers: On Drugs
In "On Drugs," identical twins Keith and Kenny Lucas begin by declaring war on Richard Nixon and the war on drugs, which has led to the incarceration of millions, disproportionately impacting Black Americans, including members of their own family. The special is a fine example of a duo working in perfect tandem, as the brothers deliver their deadpan commentary on topics ranging from dropping out of law school to experiencing "twin discrimination" at work.
Ronny Chieng: Love to Hate It
In "Love to Hate It," Ronny Chieng showcases his physical comedy chops, while also delivering the insightful societal commentary that has made him a standout on "The Daily Show." Chieng riffs on topics such as the internet algorithm's ability to manipulate men looking for guidance, taking them from workout videos to storming the capitol.
Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All
Anthony Jeselnik's "Bones and All" features the comedian's signature shocking twists and turns of the mind, while also incorporating a surprising sense of sentimentality. Jeselnik addresses topics such as cancel culture and the state of modern comedy, all while demonstrating his mastery of the craft.
Marc Maron: End Times Fun
Marc Maron's "End Times Fun" was released in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to take hold. In the special, Maron comments on everything from society's obsession with turmeric to the end times of the Trump presidency, all while maintaining a healthy mix of pessimism and hopeful optimism.
Patton Oswalt: Annihilation
The last thirty minutes of Patton Oswalt's "Annihilation" are among the most moving, funny, and devastating in stand-up comedy. Oswalt discusses the unexpected death of his first wife, crime writer Michelle McNamara, and the process of grieving with their young daughter, delivering a masterful storytelling performance.
Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
Ali Wong's "Baby Cobra" was groundbreaking, as she became the first stand-up comic to record a special while pregnant. The special features Wong's visceral physicality and honest commentary on topics like sex, relationships, race, and pregnancy, all of which remain fresh and biting nearly a decade later.
John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid
In "The Comeback Kid," John Mulaney demonstrates his mastery of personal narrative, dissecting the memories of his life with comedic precision. He covers a range of topics, from middle age to growing up Catholic, all while delivering his stories with gusto and a keen eye for detail.
Maria Bamford: Old Baby
In "Old Baby," Maria Bamford draws attention to the very nature of the stand-up special itself, constantly shifting between different performance spaces and audiences, while maintaining the throughline of her unique, stream-of-consciousness delivery style and topical threads.
Tig Notaro: Happy to Be Here
Tig Notaro's "Happy to Be Here" showcases her signature deadpan style and ability to simultaneously draw the audience into her personal stories while also offering meta-commentary on the special itself. Notaro deals with a range of topics, from marriage and children to her own celebrity.
Nicole Byer: BBW
In "BBW," Nicole Byer covers a myriad of topics, from ordering a single bottle of ranch for delivery to the turmoil of birthdays, all while proving herself to be a keen observer of contemporary society. Byer's special is marked by her fantastic physical comedy and her own way of trying to make sense of the world post-2020.
Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head
In "Off With His Head," Hasan Minhaj moves away from the epic storytelling style of his previous specials, showcasing his skills as a political and cultural observer. He finds the absurdity in our current moment, regardless of one's political persuasion, and indirectly responds to the controversy surrounding a previous article that fact-checked some of his stories.
Taylor Tomlinson: Look at You
In "Look at You," Taylor Tomlinson reflects on everything from a recent bipolar diagnosis to the cost of therapy and losing her mother at a young age. Tomlinson's special demonstrates her ability to find the humor in the challenges of modern life.
Jacqueline Novak: Get On Your Knees
In "Get On Your Knees," Jacqueline Novak tackles the cliche of jokes about male genitalia, proving that not all the jokes have been told. The special is a masterclass in command of the stage, as Novak analyzes the subject of oral sex for more than 90 minutes, offering stories of personal experience, anatomical analyses, and philosophical musings.
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool
"The Old Man and the Pool" blurs the lines between stand-up and theatrical performance, as Mike Birbiglia discusses aging, death, health, and learning to swim. The special is a raw and sincere exploration of the act of survival, delivered with Birbiglia's perfect blend of the serious and the silly.
Dusty Slay: Workin' Man
Dusty Slay's "Workin' Man" is a charming, throwback-style performance, with the comedian swaying on a stool, sipping water, and occasionally waving to the cheering crowd. Slay is a masterful storyteller, able to keep the narrative engaging while also making jokes about himself and the very act of telling stories.
Beth Stelling: If You Didn't Want Me Then
In "If You Didn't Want Me Then," Beth Stelling returns to her hometown of Dayton, Ohio, to offer reflections on her life, delivering a textbook trip down memory lane that she then turns into insights about her current circumstances. Stelling's set is marked by biting material and raw honesty, precisely landing each punchline.
Catherine Cohen: The Twist...? She's Gorgeous
In "The Twist...? She's Gorgeous," Catherine Cohen bursts into wonderfully hilarious songs at a moment's notice, basking in the audience's gaze and making it known. Cohen's transitions between stand-up and song are seamless, with each feeding the overall structure and throughlines of the other, creating an engaging and original special.
Natalie Palamides: Nate - A One Man Show
Natalie Palamides's "Nate - A One Man Show" is unlike anything else on this list, as the comedian plays a male character named Nate and explores topics like consent and masculinity through a tense, boundary-pushing performance. The special captures the thrill and unease of the room, offering a brilliant, singular experience.
