In my life, I have met people who love stand-up comedy, people who hate stand-up comedy, and even people who do stand-up comedy. Whichever camp you belong to, the thing is we all love to laugh. It is scientifically confirmed that laughter helps relieve stress and has a positive influence on your overall health.
The art form of stand-up comedy as we know it today started emerging in the West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was different from theater in that the performer would directly address the audience as if having a conversation with them, and early comedians didn’t use any costumes or props. Interestingly, the first documented use of the term “stand-up” appeared in the British newspaper The Stage in 1911 and described a female performer. Since then, female comedians have always been part of the scene and participated in shaping this art form.
Of course, being the ultimate entertainers that they are, Netflix couldn’t ignore this entire layer of content. Today, the Netflix comedy special list includes a variety of shows so diverse, everyone will find something to their taste. We collected some of the best comedy specials that will bring a smile (or roaring laughter) to your face.
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#1 Richard Pryor: Live In Concert
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
If you think it is impossible to turn a stand-up routine into a feature-length movie, think again. If you think no movie theater would release it on the big screen, think again. Richard Pryor draws on his personal experience, which is not always rosy, and manages to turn it into comedy that will keep you glued to the screen for the entirety of 78 minutes. Released in 1979, Live in Concert remains very relevant and very funny today.
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32points
#2 Bo Burnham: Inside
Bo Burnham: Inside
The past couple of years have taken their toll on all of us, with the pandemic, quarantine, and every other crazy thing going on in the world. Bo Burnham recorded this special in the isolation of his home during the pandemic as an attempt to cope with the circumstances, and included sketches, comic songs, and other content. If you are looking for new stand-up comedy shows reflecting modern reality, definitely check out Inside.
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31points
#3 Eddie Murphy: Raw
Eddie Murphy: Raw
Eddie Murphy needs no introduction. Be it in films or on stage, he is guaranteed to make you laugh. Raw was his second feature stand-up comedy and the first to get a theatrical release. Some of its humor is understandably pretty problematic by today’s standards, but Murphy’s everlasting charisma will rope you in.
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29points
#4 Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Nanette is funny, extremely so too. And yet, listening to Hannah Gadsby, her personal stories, and her thoughts on the art of stand-up comedy, you will start questioning a lot of issues our society still hasn’t resolved. But don’t let that keep you away from this special and the cathartic experience it will most probably bring along.
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29points
#5 John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous At Radio City
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous At Radio City
It is not the common situations we can all relate to nor the general setup-punchline structure that makes Kid Gorgeous funny. Instead, it is the amount of detail Mulaney goes into, drawing from concrete events and experiences he went through in his childhood and adolescent years. His skill to find humor in mundane things earns him a very special place among other observational comedians.
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26points
#6 Chris Rock: Tamborine
Chris Rock: Tamborine
Rock’s sixth comedy special, this Netflix comedy show is also his first in ten years. Tamborine proves once again that he has not lost his grip of the art and will not waste time beating around the metaphorical bush but dive into all sorts of problematic issues with his usual ease and effortlessness as soon as the camera starts rolling.
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24points
#7 Natalie Palamides: Nate - A One Man Show
Natalie Palamides: Nate - A One Man Show
This is not your standard clean comedy stand-up, and not because Natalie Palamides plays the role of Nate. Outrageous, hilarious, and provocative, Nate - A One Man Show will often shock you as it dissects another acute social issue with burning honesty.
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24points
#8 Tig Notaro: Happy To Be Here
Tig Notaro: Happy To Be Here
Tig Notaro’s road to fame was not all blissful and easy. That’s why it is ever so endearing to see her in Happy To Be Here and notice the genuine joy on her face. Make no mistake, she will still tell hilarious anecdotes with her trademark deadpan expression, but the level of confidence she exudes is definitely next level.
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23points
#9 James Acaster: Repertoire
James Acaster: Repertoire
With Repertoire, you are in for a four-hour, four-part ride. With a wide array of subjects, you will never be able to guess where Acaster is leading you with his next sentence. Charged with all the best traditions of British comedy, it is delightfully patchy, yet somehow very coherent.
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23points
#10 Maria Bamford: Old Baby
Maria Bamford: Old Baby
Bamford will deliver her jokes to anyone: people on a park bench, her husband, customers of a bookshop, her snoring pug. The beauty of her humor is that it finds its way into the hearts of just about any audience. Upbeat, spontaneous, wild, and yet somehow subtle, Old Baby is an absolute must-see for both fans and those who just discovered Bamford.
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22points
