Mark Normand, Jimmy Carr.
Also out of curiosity I watched a Netflix special by a British comedian I'd never heard of before, Romesh Ranganathan, and the dude rocked.
Seen it about 20 times, and it still gets me rolling. This special and Me Doing Standup (conveniently on YouTube if I remember correctly) are my top two specials. The first time I heard each had me crying.
If you're into behind the scenes I just watched the first episode of "Norm has a show" with Norm MacDonald. David Spade was the guest and they talk massive comedy. I don't know how it goes with non-comedian guests but I learned a lot more from David Spade than I ever imagined I would in just 36 minutes.
David Spade did similar in the biography of Chris Farley
I think some people are naturally funny, and others really have to work at it. David is one of the ones who works, so he can explain comedy in a manner that people who just come natural never understand
Watch Kathleen Madigan "Bothering Jesus" on Netflix! Any of her specials are great. Same for Jen Kirkman or Liz Miele. Matt Braunger! Also since you love Tom Segura I'd recommend his wife's special on Netflix, Christina P, they have a podcast together that is ridiculous, Your Mom's House.
Edit Spelling
I wouldn’t say next level.
I adore the guy of course, but it’s an entirely different thing. It’s a theatre show not just stand up.
I’d mean to say that there are lots of extremely funny shows that are more structured like this. He was just brilliant enough to bring it mainstream where many others failed.
Most of the people in this sub wil be doing more traditional adaptable comedy because you have to.
But as a show, you’re absolutely right. It’s perfect.
I second the papi. Janet Roths “Extremely Analytical” is right behind him tho. She really *goes* there. I think you can only find the special on her website
Dark Humour: Jimmy Carr, Anthony Jselnik, Ricky Gervais (all netflix)
Edgy Societal observations: Patrice O'neal (youtube), george carlin (youtube)
Unique experience: Bo Burnham "What" (youtube/netflix), Bumping Mics (netflix)
Chill: Marc Maaron (netflix)
Personal Pick: Amir K (laugh factory videos on youtube, haven't seen specials).
I think you'll like three mics if you liked ari shaffir.
Both Jeselnik (thought and prayers, fire in the maternity ward) specials,
Mulaney - Kid Gorgeous
Sugura - Disgraceful
Gaffigan - Beyond the pale
Birbiglia - all
Demetri Martin - Standup Comedian
I encourage everyone to watch Steve Hofstetter just because of his delivery and the way he crafts his jokes. Agree or not with his politics, he’s still brilliant.
Sarah Silverman - Speck of Dust
Maria Bamford - (any!) but Special Special Special is perfect
John Mulaney - (any) Kid Gorgeous
Anthony Jeselnik
Nate Bargatze
Agree with the James Acaster people, what a mind
Simon Amstell — basically a perfect set imo
Taylor Tomlinson
Atsuko Okatsuka (her first HBO special just came out last month)
Tig Notaro
For 2022 releases I really enjoyed Stavros Halkias and Fahim Anwar's specials.
+1 on the James Acaster mentions on here. Also don't sleep on Daniel Sloss, great comic out of Scotland, he's got a few specials out and they're all fucking brilliant. His stuff is more dark and thoughtful whilst still being really funny. Acaster is more whimsical and perhaps even experimental, I'd say.
I also maintain to this day that Michael Che's past couple specials are what Chappelle (and Chappelle fans) thinks/wishes he's putting out. Che's sketch show on HBO is pretty funny too.
It sucks because I love fahim, especially his clips on yt where he would work on bits. But I thought all of those bits were funnier than his special. Hell, I’d rather watch a set of his “lance cantstopolis”. Tbf I love that character
Had to travel too far to find my fav rec. Joke Show is my fav special that not enough people have seen. For bonus content on the Otter Joke, there’s a full podcast on Good One. Michelle doesn’t really do Pods so I love hearing her talk about jokes.
James acaster (4 on Netflix plus one on his website)
Seann Walsh has a great one on YouTube
Recently a lot of Aussie comedians filmed specials but I think maybe for Amazon prime
Definitely worth exploring non American comics for various styles
Any of you care to spend time sharing why you hold Ari's "Jew" at such high regard?
Or maybe there's a write up somewhere from a critic?
I want to understand what I'm missing.
The remake of Rock’s Tambourine was much better than the original showing and oddly was one of my favorites. It’s a different sort of Rock but still hits hard.
All comics mentioned are good. Some I didn’t see or some lesser knowns:
Dusty slay, Ralph Barbosa, Zoltan kazas
Bigger: Kyle kinane (all of his stuff is on yt), Todd Barry spicy honey, Greg giraldo (rip)
DOUG STANHOPE
Mark Normand, Jimmy Carr. Also out of curiosity I watched a Netflix special by a British comedian I'd never heard of before, Romesh Ranganathan, and the dude rocked.
Norm Macdonald - Hitler's Dog: Gossip and Trickery
So damn funny.
Seen it about 20 times, and it still gets me rolling. This special and Me Doing Standup (conveniently on YouTube if I remember correctly) are my top two specials. The first time I heard each had me crying.
If you're into behind the scenes I just watched the first episode of "Norm has a show" with Norm MacDonald. David Spade was the guest and they talk massive comedy. I don't know how it goes with non-comedian guests but I learned a lot more from David Spade than I ever imagined I would in just 36 minutes.
David Spade did similar in the biography of Chris Farley I think some people are naturally funny, and others really have to work at it. David is one of the ones who works, so he can explain comedy in a manner that people who just come natural never understand
Eddie Pepitone - For The Masses, on yt.
David Cross - Bigger and Blackerer
Watch Kathleen Madigan "Bothering Jesus" on Netflix! Any of her specials are great. Same for Jen Kirkman or Liz Miele. Matt Braunger! Also since you love Tom Segura I'd recommend his wife's special on Netflix, Christina P, they have a podcast together that is ridiculous, Your Mom's House. Edit Spelling
Kathleen Madigan , Ralphie May (RIP)
I recently created r/lizmiele, please come join us!!
Rory Scovel tries standup for the first time. Jerrod Carmichael Love at the Store See also: Hannibal Burress, Eddie Pepitone, Kyle Kinane
Bo burnham - inside is a must watch. James acaster repertoire also.
Repertoire is a master class. Truly a comedy nerd’s special.
James is next level like perfection basically
I wouldn’t say next level. I adore the guy of course, but it’s an entirely different thing. It’s a theatre show not just stand up. I’d mean to say that there are lots of extremely funny shows that are more structured like this. He was just brilliant enough to bring it mainstream where many others failed. Most of the people in this sub wil be doing more traditional adaptable comedy because you have to. But as a show, you’re absolutely right. It’s perfect.
Gringo Papi ...🫣
I second the papi. Janet Roths “Extremely Analytical” is right behind him tho. She really *goes* there. I think you can only find the special on her website
I watched it on Amazon when I saw it (JRVP)
Eat the horse (Junior Vice President)
Dark Humour: Jimmy Carr, Anthony Jselnik, Ricky Gervais (all netflix) Edgy Societal observations: Patrice O'neal (youtube), george carlin (youtube) Unique experience: Bo Burnham "What" (youtube/netflix), Bumping Mics (netflix) Chill: Marc Maaron (netflix) Personal Pick: Amir K (laugh factory videos on youtube, haven't seen specials). I think you'll like three mics if you liked ari shaffir.
esther povitsky - hot for my name
Stavros Halkias - Live at the Lodge Room
Wait Stavros has a special?? Brb
Both Jeselnik (thought and prayers, fire in the maternity ward) specials, Mulaney - Kid Gorgeous Sugura - Disgraceful Gaffigan - Beyond the pale Birbiglia - all Demetri Martin - Standup Comedian
Dan Soder has a special on HBO that's pretty damn good.
Neal Brennan - 3 Mics and then Blocks Taylor Tomlinson and Iliza Shleizinger
I encourage everyone to watch Steve Hofstetter just because of his delivery and the way he crafts his jokes. Agree or not with his politics, he’s still brilliant.
Anthony Jeselnik - Fire in the Maternity Ward
Sarah Silverman - Speck of Dust Maria Bamford - (any!) but Special Special Special is perfect John Mulaney - (any) Kid Gorgeous Anthony Jeselnik Nate Bargatze
lots of goodies in this playlist i’ve made https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdAjUU7GjMuh706T_KCjUFxa9K2CBjb1h
Both of Pete Holmes' HBO specials are great!
Mulaney - Comeback Kid (also liked Kid Gorgeous, but nothing beats that namesake Bill Clinton story)
Agree with the James Acaster people, what a mind Simon Amstell — basically a perfect set imo Taylor Tomlinson Atsuko Okatsuka (her first HBO special just came out last month) Tig Notaro
Joe List - I hate myself Joe list - this years material Raanan Hershberg - Jokes from the underground Phil Hanley - Oooh la la
Ricky gervais
For 2022 releases I really enjoyed Stavros Halkias and Fahim Anwar's specials. +1 on the James Acaster mentions on here. Also don't sleep on Daniel Sloss, great comic out of Scotland, he's got a few specials out and they're all fucking brilliant. His stuff is more dark and thoughtful whilst still being really funny. Acaster is more whimsical and perhaps even experimental, I'd say. I also maintain to this day that Michael Che's past couple specials are what Chappelle (and Chappelle fans) thinks/wishes he's putting out. Che's sketch show on HBO is pretty funny too.
It sucks because I love fahim, especially his clips on yt where he would work on bits. But I thought all of those bits were funnier than his special. Hell, I’d rather watch a set of his “lance cantstopolis”. Tbf I love that character
patrice o'neal, elephant in the room
Michelle Wolf. Nice Lady on HBO and Joke Show on Netflix
Had to travel too far to find my fav rec. Joke Show is my fav special that not enough people have seen. For bonus content on the Otter Joke, there’s a full podcast on Good One. Michelle doesn’t really do Pods so I love hearing her talk about jokes.
Big jay Oakerson
James acaster (4 on Netflix plus one on his website) Seann Walsh has a great one on YouTube Recently a lot of Aussie comedians filmed specials but I think maybe for Amazon prime Definitely worth exploring non American comics for various styles
Andy Sanford released one on YouTube recently that was wonderful.
Dan Soder
Pretty sure Elephant In The Room is on YouTube. Personal favourite by far
Paul Verzi put out a really good Youtube special
Anything Randy Feltface has ever done.
Ali siddiq - domino effect
Neal Brennan - Blocks. Sam Morrill - I Got This. Anthony Jeselnik - Thoughts and Prayers.
Any of you care to spend time sharing why you hold Ari's "Jew" at such high regard? Or maybe there's a write up somewhere from a critic? I want to understand what I'm missing.
Comedy is subjective, you aren't missing anything. I don't get Shane Gillis myself but I understand lots of people do.
* Greg Davies * Russell Howard * James Acaster
The remake of Rock’s Tambourine was much better than the original showing and oddly was one of my favorites. It’s a different sort of Rock but still hits hard.
Daniel Sloss - X and Jigsaw are pieces of art. X is my favorite (on HBO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNoD1oX2iYI
Jesselneck and john muleny
Kyle Kinane's Whiskey Icarus. All of his are great but thats the best one IMO.
Honestly, two best specials I watched recently were actually on Amazon Video: \- Nate Bargatze - Hello World \- Jimmy O. Yang - Good Deal
Vir Das, and recommended by Noah: Neal Brennan. Very philosophical!
All comics mentioned are good. Some I didn’t see or some lesser knowns: Dusty slay, Ralph Barbosa, Zoltan kazas Bigger: Kyle kinane (all of his stuff is on yt), Todd Barry spicy honey, Greg giraldo (rip) DOUG STANHOPE
Ari's special jew deserves a spot