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Are you looking for a big laugh? More stand-up comedy is coming to the streaming service in November for those who would rather laugh than yell. Fortune Feimster and Iliza Shlesinger are releasing brand-new stand-up specials. In addition, Gabriel Iglesias is releasing a stand-up special that will make history by making him the first stand-up performer ever at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. But the most notable newcomer is Hasan Minhaj. Struggling to keep it all straight? Below, you’ll find a list of all the genre’s sweets and tricks this month.
1. Joey Kim Booster, Psychosexual (2022)
In his first stand-up special, Joel Kim Booster just aspires to be relatable, and not just to other gay or Asian males. Ben, a straight white man in the audience, is someone Booster regularly checks in with during Psychosexual. He wants to know if Ben has felt alienated by anything in the show, such as the comedian’s nudes leaking online, being adopted by a family of Southern, white conservatives, or doing bath salts. Booster’s appearances on Big Mouth and BoJack Horseman follow a breakout summer in which he also starred in the film Fire Island.
2. Aziz Ansari
After he was accused of sexual harassment, Aziz Ansari’s first Netflix special shows how funny he can be. In a stroke of genius, Ansari enlists Spike Jonze to direct his small-scale stand-up performance before a New York audience, and Jonze’s deft handling of the camera brings the audience right up close and personal with a celebrity who has spent a lot of time out of the spotlight recently. Ansari has used his time away to reflect on topics such as being “woke,” the value of family, and yes, even the #MeToo debate, all of which he humorously and thoughtfully discusses in his stand-up routines. It’s an unusual look at an artist who isn’t afraid to shed the trappings of celebrity in order to get at something deeper and more meaningful.
65 minutes long | 7.6/10 on IMDb
3. Eddie Murphy: Raw
Raw isn’t as good as Murphy’s first stand-up film, Delirious, but it’s a great, searing picture of one of the best during his most popular period. It’s extremely problematic by today’s standards, and it should have been by 1987; while it’s not as homophobic as Delirious, it’s full of outdated content that will irritate many. Murphy in his prime may be the most charismatic comedian ever, and his stage confidence is unmatched. His famous evisceration of Bill Cosby is a must-watch for comedy enthusiasts. Raw is either amusing or horrifying; don’t miss it.
IMDb: 7.6/10
4. Nick Kroll: Little Big Boy
Nick Kroll could play all his roles perfectly. Nick Kroll’s “Little Big Boy features a 4-year-old, his mother, his father, and weird versions of himself. These performances immerse you in his entertaining comedic routine.
The Netflix comedy show is loaded with childlike exuberance, which is infectious. As he recalls uncomfortable poop incidents, you’ll question if weirdness is a comic trait that can’t be trained.
IMDb:6.7/10
5. Sam Morril: Same Time Tomorrow
Sam Morril got a huge fan base by letting people watch his stand-up specials and concerts for free online. Sam Morril: Same Time Tomorrow airs on Netflix, and he blends styles to find his own voice and punchlines.
He’s not afraid to take a stand on politics, and you can’t help but love his unique views. His comedic special is a must-see.
IMDb: 7.3/10
6. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Nanette transcends a comedy spectacular into a gripping sermon against misogyny that abandons humor. It’s a hilarious anti-comedy special. Gadsby explains the special’s purpose quite plainly. It’s a work of art I’ve been waiting for without realizing it, as someone who likes comedy but is conflicted about its position in culture.
IMDb: 8.1/10
7. Patton Oswalt: We All Scream (2022)
Today, Patton Oswalt is probably the most reliable stand-up comedian. No matter what else is going on in his life, he manages to come through every time. Oswalt’s We All Scream is a collection of his musings on topics that make us all want to, well, scream, such as being old and being quarantined during a pandemic. Oswalt has directed his first special for the streaming site, but he has directed four others.
IMDb: 5.8/10
8. Bill Burr: Live at Red Rocks (2022)
In July, Netflix premiered Live at Red Rocks, Bill Burr’s fifth stand-up special for the service. Burr has become a household figure, but he still manages to insult people regularly—including in this episode. In contrast to other abrasive comedians like Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais, Burr has a healthy dose of self-awareness. Instead, he might reflect on his background and professional development. Even though the program is a tad long at 80 minutes, it is entertaining because of his hilarious quips and the outdoor setting.
IMDb: 7.6/10
9. Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special (2022)
Sadly, Norm Macdonald passed away in September, but before he did, he left behind one last present for his legion of devoted followers. Posthumously, the comedian’s set from his home during the height of the pandemic was released as Nothing Special. Macdonald recorded the show on his own, and it has the same sharp witticisms that made him famous over the course of his career. As an added bonus, the special features include a comedy tribute featurette honoring Macdonald and his work. Adam Sandler, Conan O’Brien, and David Letterman are just a few of the participants.
IMDb: 7.6/10
10. Trevor Noah, Afraid of the Dark
After Jon Stewart stepped down as host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah stepped in and has been outstanding in the role. He has said a lot of interesting things about American society and politics because he is both curious and observant. This first Netflix special of his does the same thing, with him telling the tale of his own coming to America in a variety of dialects in order to comment on the rise of nationalism around the world. We’re dealing with some heavy subject matter, but Noah always manages to lighten the mood with his trademark humor.
Run 67 minutes long | 7.2/10 on IMDb
11. Jeff Foxworthy: The Good Old Days (2022)
A comic laments the simpler times of yesteryear on stage. You’ve just described something that Jeff Foxworthy would love. It comes as no surprise to fans of the 63-year-old comedian that his first solo stand-up special in nearly a quarter of a century shares the same spirit as his Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Foxworthy is still being Foxworthy, talking about how his mom is old and reminds him of Ron White and sharing tour anecdotes like the time he got stripped naked in a hotel corridor. It’s not the most cutting-edge hour of stand-up, but it could transport some viewers to a simpler, more familiar time and place.
IMDb: 6.3/10
12. Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (2019)
Wanda Sykes’ recent success as Oscars host makes now an ideal moment to promote her upcoming 2019 one-hour special, Not Normal. Sykes didn’t hold back in the first half of the special, which focused almost entirely on President Trump, making history as the first full one on the streaming service to star a Black woman. Sykes spent a lot of time addressing issues of race and gender in her stand-up special, both of which have received increased attention in the time since its premiere; this, combined with the fact that the world has been anything but normal, especially in the past two years, almost necessitates her return to the stand-up special stage sooner rather than later.
IMDb: 7.3/10
Final Thoughts
How did Netflix get all the top comedians? When Netflix began releasing stand-up specials a decade ago, it entered a structured universe. HBO was the biggest game in town, the opportunity every comedian dreamed of. Netflix changed that right away by making a new comedy special every week, giving people at home a lot of comedy to watch. Netflix has tried out different formats and release times. For example, younger comedians can start with 15-minute specials, and some comedians can release a bunch of specials from their whole career at once. Netflix’s strong critical eye helped Ali Wong and Hannah Gadsby become breakout stars.
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