Do you feel like grabbing some snacks and a few sodas and spending an afternoon laughing at some of the funniest people on the planet? They say laughter is the best medicine, so if you are feeling out of it, log on to Netflix and pick from one of these hilarious specials to make you feel better.
1. John Mulaney: Baby J (2023)
John Mulaney makes his triumphant return to the comedic stage at Boston Symphony Hall, and he has some critical life stuff to talk about. For the first time since entering rehab, Mulaney discusses his steps to get sober, overcome a divorce, and become a new dad in the only way he knows how: by shedding a comedic light on the situation.
2. Taylor Tomlinson: Look At You (2022)
Taylor has burst onto the comedy scene in the last few years, demonstrating her ability to appeal to many generations of comedy fans. Taylor opens up on her battles with bipolar disorder, growing up in a conservative religious family, relationship issues, and other life struggles, all while smiling, making light of the serious issues at hand.
3. Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023)
In one of the most anticipated comic performances of all time, Chris Rock finally breaks his silence on the famous slap from Will Smith at the Oscars. Filmed live, this gives the viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Rock’s process and preparation. His comedy targets include racism, social media, and, of course, the altercation at the Academy Awards.
4. Trevor Noah, I Wish You Would (2022)
Trevor Noah is a ball of energy in his 2022 special. Mixing stand-up comedy with the charisma of a rock star, Noah leans back and takes aim at topics such as the bigotry of American politics, the absurdities of life, and his childhood as a mixed black man growing up in South America. The seriousness of his material is mixed with some light-hearted impressions and leaves you rolling over with laughter.
5. Tom Segura: Sledgehammer (2023)
Segura delivers another gut-busting special as he tells more of the funny situations he finds himself in. He brings a comedic approach to married life and fatherhood. Make sure you stick around for the bonus clip where Segura discusses his interaction with his neighbor, who may or may not be a specific political figure.
6. Bo Burnham, Inside (2021)
Bo plays his funny songs alone and during COVID in this 2021 special. It’s hard to be funny without an audience giving you that laughter, but Bo doesn’t care and kills it in this special. Each song is deep, serious, and hilarious as he describes surviving quarantine and his 20s. If you feel like re-living the longest year of our generation’s life, stream this special for some serious laughs to cure the leftover boredom of 2020.
7. Eric Andre, Legalize Everything (2020)
Strap yourself in and try not to break a sweat while watching Andre’s 2020 special. Talk about a man with energy. Andre rants and raves about his crazy life involving consuming many different substances and learning new things about himself. His Sam Kennison-like energy will leave you on a rollercoaster of emotions and heart rates.
8. Marc Maron, End Times Fun (2020)
Marc Maron gives his take on the pandemic the only way he knows how: depressed and unconditionally un-optimistic. Always a critic, Maron takes self-deprecation to a whole new level while also breaking down the crumbling society America once had been proud of. You’ll laugh to hide your pain while enjoying the musings of this iconic comedic voice.
9. Jim Jefferies, Bare (2014)
If you are easily offended, this special is not for you. Please, turn it off now. This Australian comic does not care what comes out of his mouth. Jeffries spends his time detailing his dating and intimate life, or lack thereof, in explicit yet hilarious detail. The most famous piece of this special is Jeffrie’s breakdown of gun control in America. It has been noted as one of the most famous stand-up comedy pieces in the last few decades. Remember, people, it’s comedy. If you are not a fan of shock comedy, this is, again, not for you.
10. Richard Pryor, Live in Concert (1979)
Take a step back in time and enjoy one of the most famous voices in comedy history. Richard Pryor is one of the original rock stars of comedy. In his 1979 special, Pryor discusses his experiences of being a black father, racism, and other social issues in the late 70s. It was truly a gound-breaking performance, which influenced other great comics like Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle.
11. Shane Gillis, Beautiful Dogs (2023)
One of the newer comedians to start getting noticed is Shane Gillis. Shane spends his first Netflix special discussing his insecurities in relationships, special Olympics, and his slow venture into morphing into a Republican. This voice will most likely be here for many years, and I, for one, am for it.
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